Dar's Adventures in Space 1: Space Crazy by K. Rowe Read Free Book Online Page B

“Karnis? How about some food? We’re starving out here!”
    “Hang on, hang on!” he barked. The sound of dishes clattered in the kitchen. “Why can’t you two wait til lunch?”
    “We’re hungry now,” Gwog grumbled.
    The communications panel on the wall beeped. “Captain, we’re picking up some traffic headed toward us.”
    Gwog got up and answered. “What sort of traffic?”
    “Looks like the pirates are gonna try again.”
    Dar sat up. “Pirates!” He was excited, since he’d missed the last battle.
    “I don’t believe this. Those Soothians are idiots. Don’t they know we’ve dropped our shipment of gold and are empty?”
    “Are we gonna fight ’em?” Dar pestered.
    “Oh, I dunno, little one. Usually I tell them I’m empty and they leave…But for some reason they seem to have it in for me lately.” He leaned in the window. “Karnis, where’s the food? Come now, we have a battle to fight and I hate fighting on an empty stomach.”
    “All right, all right, I’m going as fast as I can,” Karnis barked.
    Dar got up and went to the window. “Will I have any job in the battle?”
    “Yes, little one, you job is to stay out of the way!”
    “Yes, sir,” he replied lowly.
    “I know you’re dying for some adventure; and you nearly did die not that long ago. But until I teach you how to fight, you’re of little use to me.”
    He straightened up. “I can fight. I fought nearly every day in my life.” Dar brandished his trusty knife. “I fought Krodus and took this from him.”
    Gwog realized it was time to give the youngling a little humble pie. In one swift movement, he grabbed Dar’s wrist, turned it forcefully, and watched the knife fall. Then he stepped closer, caught Dar by the back of his shirt, and with minimal effort, flipped him onto the floor. He looked down at him. “So, you know how to fight, eh?”
    Dar lay there, not in any hurry to get up. Yes, once again his mouth got his body into more trouble. At least Gwog wasn’t out to kill him; rather he was making a statement. Dar understood he had much to learn in his new life, and being smart enough, he knew that whatever skills Gwog wanted to teach, he needed to learn. And maybe it would keep him from getting his ass kicked in future conflicts, he hoped.
    “Come on, little one, your time will come.” Gwog reached down, offering his hand. “Once you feel better, I’ll teach you how to fight…For now, stay with Vikkis and learn targeting and weapons.”
    “Yes, sir,” Dar replied, taking Gwog’s hand. He got to his feet, reached down, and picked up his knife, sliding it back in the sheath.
    “Fighting in school and fighting in space are two different things, little one.” Gwog reached over and touched Dar’s right ear. “A fight in space is usually to the death; if you don’t have the mind set for it, you’re gonna die.” He turned to leave. “Your mother said you were quite the scrapper as a youngling; good, I like tenacity in my crew…Come on, let’s go teach the pirates a lesson.”
    “Hey!” Karnis called. “Your sandwiches!”
    “I’ll get ’em,” Dar said as he waited for Karnis.
     

    On the bridge, Dar stood behind Vikkis, watching. Ahead, six Soothian pirate ships formed a line in front of them four or five miles away. Gwog groaned at the spectacle. “I’m so sick of ’em, can’t they leave well enough alone?”
    Dar turned around. “Sir? Why haven’t all the freighter captains banded together and put an end to them?”
    “Because each captain is in this business for himself; banding together would imply some sort of alliance—not happening, little one.”
    “Isn’t there an intergalactic security force or something?”
    There were a few chuckles on the bridge. “Little one, this galaxy is pretty lawless. I’m not sure what rules you grew up with on Erotis, but there are few in the depths of space,” Gwog said, poking the communications button on the arm of his chair. “This is Gwog of