Craggy 2: Another Last Flight for Craggy Read Online Free PDF Page A

good and I have to swear you to secrecy.'
    'Somebody's trusted you with a secret? This has to be serious.'
    Cragg stopped in his tracks and took Foreman's arm. 'That alien ship. Stella Wayward found something on the computer.'
    'Go on.'
    'Just a few seconds left on the hard-drive. Korlyn's kind, the Varlindrans. Attacking a planet. Nothing other than bloody butchery.'
    Foreman nodded. He wrinkled up his eighty nine year old face as he considered the news. 'You think Korlyn told me something?'
    Cragg shrugged. 'You played poker with the little guy.'
    'And he always lost. I never met a more honest guy.'
    'Andy. Do we have anything to worry about?'
    'Let's get those beers.'
    In the kitchen, Foreman got out two beers and sat at a table with Cragg. 'This is what Korlyn told me. Most you already know. The Varlindrans, were in trouble. Varlindra was dying. Not from abuse like Earth, but from gamma radiation from a dying sun. Really, they only did what we're doing. Surviving. They just got a bit carried away. They decided they were the most advanced species in the galaxy. Probably true. They figured they were so advanced, it was their destiny to fill the universe with their kind.'
    'Right. And anyone getting in their way paid the price.'
    'Pretty much. Korlyn didn't go into detail.'
    'Now for the big question. Will they come back here?'
    Foreman raided the fridge again, took out beer for the others and gave Cragg half a chicken. 'They're aggressive when they want to be. We have their ship. And more importantly, we pissed them off. Enjoy your chicken.'

Chapter 12
    F orbes said, 'I have a bad feeling about this.'
    'Anton. You have a bad feeling about everything,' said Potts. 'I mean. What are the chances?'
    'Of them attacking us here? You really need me to spell it out? They wanted this planet. We stopped them having it.'
    'With a lot of help from one of their own. Korlyn got us this far. He can't help us now.'
    Forbes shook his head. 'Nobody can. My mother had a saying. Hope for the best, but plan for worst. That particular buck stops right here. They're coming. Every damn fibre of my being screams that, loud and clear.'
    'Great. I'll go gather some rocks to throw at them.' Potts recalled the images on the computer screen.
    'Pottsy,' Forbes slammed his desk. 'This is our damn planet. They want it, it's over my dead body.'
    Potts sighed. 'I really wish you hadn't said that.'
    'Too late.'
    * * *
    S tella Wayward was exhausted. 'This has to mean something,' she said, trying to make sense of the images.
    Wendy Breeze had heard enough. 'How many hours have you been at this today?'
    'The same hours as you. Sixteen.'
    'So I know exactly how you feel. Go to bed. I'm right behind you.'
    'Breezy. This is too important.'
    Breeze agreed. 'Which is why we both need sleep and a fresh start. Turn that damn thing off and let's get out of here.'
    Stella knew this was true. She was dead on her feet. She wrapped her arms around Breeze and kissed her. 'I don't want to spend the night alone. Not after seeing...'
    Breeze returned the kisses. 'Come on. I need comforting, too. Another minute in this tin can, I'll turn into a sardine.'
    'What's a sardine?'
    Breeze laughed. 'God, I love you. Pull the bloody plug on that thing and remind me why your undies are mixed up with mine.' 

Chapter 13
    M isty was concerned about her husband. He had his moods and his ups and downs like everyone else, but he didn't do quiet. She was about to ask him again what was troubling him, when he got the call from Stella to go to the ship.
    Misty asked as he was at the door. 'Craggy. Is there something going on over there you're not telling me?'
    'Hmm? Err, not that I'm aware of. I have to go.'
    Cragg arrived at the ship to see Fawn Dillow, Wendy Breeze and Stella Wayward, all staring at the huge computer screen. Stella was working the controls and replaying a very shaky recording. Cragg watched it several times, not even saying hi to the girls.
    'It looks as if the Varlindran's