The Fire Crystal by James Lawrence Read Free Book Online Page B

have plans for them. Your moon is an ideal place for work camps, and it will be their home.”
    Tom was appalled now, and his fear had been replaced by anger. During periods of danger he had learned that there were forces that could be tapped into – outside, and beyond every day things. He had learned how to awaken the power-within. Earth people called it magic.  He called it energy.
    They were slowly drawn into the ship, and then were dropped hard on the floor of a huge hanger. Calvan woke suddenly, in time to see two huge doors closing behind them. The lighting within this space was almost blinding. Then out of the other windows they saw that a squad of Zaarks was approaching their craft. Suited-up, in what looked like full body armor, and carrying weapons, they appeared ready for anything. Calvan just stared, as if this were a bad dream.
    “Where are we ?” he managed to ask.
    “ Don’t even ask. Just act scared, like you’ve given up, and leave the rest to me,” Tom said.
    “That won’t be a hard act,” Calvan replied.
    The door was hit hard, and opened inwards with a crash. Tom, ever the actor sat back smiling. “Why didn’t you just knock gently? I would have opened it,” he said in a friendly manner. This was cool thought Calvan , knowing he couldn’t have said it.
    Both boys were roughly dragged from the craft, and rushed across the hanger, so fast that only their toes touched the ground. A door opened in the side, and they were bundled into a vehicle. After a short drive, they were placed in a lift, and seemed to plunge down for miles before coming to rest. The door opened, and they were dragged into a huge room. In the center of the room, on a raised dais sat a huge Zaark.
    It looked different from the others. Even more ugly, if that was possible. It’s bloated features were a mask of malice. Calvan imagined that this creature had always had its own way. There was something in its manner, as it held its head back in a twisted kind of aristocratic pride.
    Calvin searched for a word to describe it, and uttered “Repulsive!”
    They were hauled before this hideous creature, and flanked by a dozen guards. The alien leered down at them drooling. “I must tell you that I hate all of your kind,” he said laughing. “You are just so ugly. I wanted to thank you in person for bringing us all this lovely fire crystal, and want you to know that we will put it to good use. As my commander has told you, we’ll soon be blowing your friend’s ship out of space.”
    “They’re following us in the same orbit. Once we have the fire crystal loaded, our defense shields will be so strong that we won’t even get a scratch, when we engage them with a broadside.  That’s if there is even anything left of them to return fire.”
    All the rest of the Zaarks were grinning and nodding. It was the stuff that nightmares are made off.
    Calvan glanced sideways at Tom, as if asking for help. Something about his friend had changed . His expression was relaxed, confident, and somehow proud. It was a side of Tiberius that Calvan had never seen before. Tom stared directly at the alien.
    “You pathetic creature,” he sneered with contempt now, “go back to your Zaark salt picking , and fleas. You’ve played right into our hands.”
    Calvan has to admire Tom’s last remark - he had nerve. The Zaarks faces twisted with rage. Then their leader began to laugh, a great grunting slobbering noise. All the other picked up on this , and they were rolling around bumping into each other, with uncontrollable mirth. The leader stopped laughing abruptly, and held up a hand. The others stopped instantly, as if a switch had been thrown. Except for one dumb creature that continued to laugh.
    “Enough! Guards, drag these two to waste chute and eject them into space,” he shouted, “and take him along for the trip ,” he added, pointing to the unfortunate Zaark,
    Then suddenly all of the action had stopped. It was like an old -time movie