Out of Exodia Read Online Free PDF

the two scouts and Lydia. One holds her
draped across his horse’s withers. He sneers and coughs out a
taunt, “Yell adios to your lady.”
    Yell adios. Lose Lydia .
    I stop in my tracks.
    * * *
    Lydia braced herself as well as she
could for the ride of her life. The hard edges of a well-worn
saddle bit into her stomach as she struggled to balance. The scout
had pulled her up and thrust her across the saddle, face down,
warning her with gunshot and words. She was too smart to resist.
She kept one hand against the horse’s neck and with the other she
pushed her fingers under a strap that cinched the saddle to the
beast’s back. If this Bluezool was going to race off with her as
his prize then she wanted to be ready. The rider kept her left leg
trapped beneath his right thigh. Her other leg hung free, but she
could neither kick the man nor the horse. His heavy hand pressed
the cold weapon against her back.
    The horse backed up a few feet and her
view of the ground changed. A heavy cloud of dust and dirt fell
over them. Bram’s legs came into view, his open hands imploring,
but his voice silent.
    “ Yell adios to your lady,”
her captor yelled. His thigh tightened against hers and the horse
moved past Bram and joined the hundreds of others. She heard the
first part of the leader’s threat, followed by a question that was
cut off by the sharp, coughing fire of nano-guns. She grunted as
the pain of bouncing on her rib cage nearly knocked the breath out
of her. She tensed her muscles and twisted her head expecting to
see a fallen Bram in a puddle of blood, but instead her sideways
view revealed her Red neighbors pouring out of the various exits.
They all had weapons that were trained on the Bluezools. The burst
of exploding nano bullets had come from them and they had surprised
the bandits, killing the leader and forcing the small army to
retreat.
    If the Bluezools had come to steal they
had indeed stolen something that would give them the ultimate
bargaining power.
    * * *
    I fall flat to the ground when I see
Malcolm, Harmon, Eugene, and a surge of other Reds stream out from
the mall, guns ready. I’d always heard that Reds had squirreled
away enough weaponry to take over Exodia if only they could produce
the ammunition. I hope, in this instant, that they are willing to
use every precious bullet to save Lydia.
    An eruption of nano fire punctuates the
curse that spits from Eugene’s lips. I expect a deafening battle to
ensue, but the bandits’ response is surprising. They retreat in a
hoof-pounding fury. It’s safe to jump to my feet. I chase after
Lydia’s abductor even though I know it’s useless. I don’t have
Barrett’s speed or endurance. I repeat Eugene’s curse as I slow
down, spitting dust and wiping globs of dirt from my
face.
    Lose Lydia.
    It’s futile to fight against this fate.
Or is it? Already I have a plan. I’ll need Eugene’s help, Malcolm’s
machine, and Harmon’s rod. And maybe my sister will be willing to
use her special gift as a distraction. I rush back toward the mall
where now dozens if not hundreds are milling about, some strutting
like heroes, others whispering concerns. The tang of nano-fire
dissipates in the air.
    “ We’re going to follow
them,” I begin. I shout directives, pick a crew, and take command
as if I was born to lead.
    * * *
    It’s my intuitive idea to
have the four hundred volunteers spread out in two lines abroad. By
cutting a wide swath we won’t fail to spot where our attackers
turned off. Our candles and oil lamps will make us look like a huge
descending army when we close in on them. But that’s not why I
think the idea is inspired. I was born to
lead seems a self-important motto, but the
letters slip apart and reform as soon as I think them. Two lines abroad .
    I’m in the middle. To my right and left
and in the second line behind me march Lydia’s neighbors, Teague’s
most trusted fighters, and the Reds that accepted me on Barrett’s
account months ago.