Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice Read Online Free PDF Page A

by the ocean. The Anim Blath
revealed their glowing, fragrant colony to Erynn during her race to
elude an alien intent on her capture. This collective colony of
part plant, part animal had communicated the way to an exit. This
initial link of their consciousness with Erynn’s opened a
connection to Arranon’s living spirit.
    Erynn waited for the Anim Blath’s message.
The tree line below the base cleared in her mind. She watched
movement among the swaying limbs.
    Enemy soldiers !
    Two men walked cautiously through the forest,
their uniforms displaying an alien insignia. Stragglers, left
behind and still alive after the fight against the invasion ended.
That they had survived this long was astonishing.
    She opened her eyes. “Those two soldiers
could ambush our routine patrols in the forest. Or worse, they may
have the ability to make contact with others of their kind.” Erynn
straightened with determination. “They must be brought in, and
quickly. With Jaer gone and Cale’s attention on the murder of that
poor woman, I can take care of this.”
    Erynn hurried down stone steps and through
dim, empty corridors to her quarters. She filled a small backpack
with protein bars and water, in case she was out overnight.
Strapping on a belt with a holstered staser, she threw the pack
over her shoulder and rushed to the transport bay.
    A young man approached her, scanning the
empty corridor behind her. “Erynn Yager. You shouldn’t be walking
the tunnels alone. Not after…” He winced. “Well, you know.”
    She reached forward, touching his arm. “I do
know. But I need to go out, and I need transportation. It’s
important.”
    He frowned. “Does General Athru know?”
    “Cale…General Athru is busy with…well, you
know.” She grimaced and used the same tactics the young man had
when talking about the murder.
    He turned his face away, searching the bay,
his frown deepening. “I don’t know about this, you going out there.
General Athru made it quite clear. He wants no one roaming the base
alone.”
    “I understand. You don’t want to get in
trouble. It’s okay.” She started to turn and paused. “But I’m not
asking to take a transport inside the base. There’s no danger in
the forest, just…something in the woods I need to check out.
Nothing I can’t handle, though. Not like blowing up a massive alien
ship in space preparing to attack our worlds. Oh wait…I already did
that!” Determined, Erynn pushed the young man. “If I don’t go, our inaction may cause a problem.” She knew military
procedure dictated that she implement a reconnaissance plan for
this little outing.
    But if I take the time needed to do so the
soldiers may leave this area and contact others of their
kind .
    “At least take someone with you,” he
suggested.
    “Really, I can take care of this. I don’t
want to remove necessary personnel from carrying out their duties
on the danger inside the base. I’m only trying to help by not bothering Cale during this emergency. I promise. I’ll be
all right.”
    He sighed, shoulders slumping. “Okay. I’ll
get you a ski-speeder.” He stiffened and held up one finger. “Be
careful. It’s still snowing, hard, and the wind is coming up
again.” He went to a cabinet, pulling out a white helmet, jacket,
and heavy jumpsuit. “Be back before dark,” he warned, leading the
way to the far wall where the ski-speeders waited.
    These small, one-passenger open vehicles were
made for quick trips in snow and ice. They had no cab and offered
no real protection from the weather or the other dangers of
Arranon.
    Erynn nodded. “Dark. Right. I will be.” Her
smile quivered, and she altered her expression to one of serious
concern. “I’ll be careful. Thanks.” She climbed into the jumpsuit
he offered. With the helmet hooked by the chinstrap over the
handlebars, she pushed the lightweight speeder down the dark access
tunnel, switching on the headlight to see her way. She found the
control panel at