Seers of Verde: The Legend Fulfilled: Book One Read Online Free PDF

about their predicament. After about a minute, a man with curly red hair stepped out of the crowd. Hector recognized him as Neb Klinfer, another clone.
    “Captain, I am a hunter. Will we get a chance to defend ourselves?”
    Hector nodded. “You have my word. I will do everything I can to get all of you safely to the planet. It may be up to you after that.”
    “Thank you, Captain. That’s all we can ask,” the hunter said. He bent down, picked up his equipment and strode toward the waiting lander. Without another word, the colonists all turned and headed toward their assigned ships.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    8
     
    Lar Vonn did not mask his vigorous objection to his captain’s plan.
    “Be careful, security chief, or I will . . .” Hector stopped when he saw the grave concern on his friend’s face, knowing whatever threat he issued would be worthless.
    “Throw me in holding?” Lar finished Hector’s sentence, flashing a smile that quickly disappeared. “You can’t do this Captain. There’s got to be another way. We can outrun them to the surface and then make a stand there. Everyone gets an equal chance that way.”
    Lar’s face flushed with anger when he’d heard Hector’s plan to stay on board the Colonia Nueve to divert the Tanlians from the escaping colonists. A half-dozen loyal crew members volunteered to stay with the captain to help with defenses, communication and navigation. This plan was contrary to all of Lar’s instincts to protect the crew — everyone in the crew, especially the captain.
    “If all goes well, my friend, we will scatter their raiding landers and chase the mother ship from the planet,” Hector said, feigning bravado.
    “And if it does not go well?” Lar snapped. “You will be a big target for the Tanlians. Another prize.”
    “Under no circumstances will the Tanlians capture the Colonia Nueve ,” Hector vowed. “I promise you that.”
    Only then did Lar grasp Hector’s plan — divert the Tanlians at any cost, even if it meant losing the Colonia Nueve and those manning it. He stared at Hector, but could manage no words.
    “Let me finish the job I swore an oath on, Lar,” Hector whispered, grasping his friend’s shoulders.
    “I swore to do everything in my power to safely deliver the colonists to the planet,” the captain said with conviction. “That is what I intend to do. I need you to do what you swore to do, too, Lar. Protect the colonists from all harm. I want to give you the best opportunity to do that.”
    The security chief nodded and offered Hector his hand.
    “May we both do our jobs well and live to tell stories about our victory,” Lar said. He started for the door, but turned in the entry, snapped to attention and saluted Hector.
    “Captain, it’s been an honor.”
    Hector returned the salute. “You are the guardian of my grandfather’s dream, now. May all of Earth’s gods be with you.”
    Lar nodded, turned and walked away. The door swished shut behind him.
     
    ¶ ¶ ¶
     
    Ossor Vallon tapped his ear plugs, shook his head, and then pounded on his console. Listening intently, he looked at Yermak Halpan.
    “Well, what is it? What are the Earthers chattering about now?” the Tanlian commander growled at his comm operator.
    “Nothing commander. They are silent. No contact between the ship and the planet. Very strange.”
    Yermak’s eyes slit in thought for a moment and then he shouted at Ossor. “Launch the collectors! The Earthers are leaving!"
    Before Ossor could relay the order, Yermak opened his comm link to his brother who had been waiting with eagerness to lead the four collector ships to the planet.
    “Rolid,” Yermak barked, “it’s hunting time. Follow those Earthers to the surface. Launch.”
     
    ¶ ¶ ¶
     
    Lar’s voice crackled over the comm system. “Captain, Taryl Bryann says the Tanlians have launched.”
    Hector looked at his comm operator. Startled that a human had detected the ships before his scanners, Yoshi