Read Online Destiny: Book of Light by Paul Allen - Free Book Online Page A

ships coming down this way."
    Picking up the binoculars Sean frowned as he saw what the captain had been talking about. As they got closer it became even clearer. It looked like a massive gate had been erected about four feet above the height of the river, spread across the width and then lit it on fire. It was unlikely however that this gate would ever open, this was a blockade with one purpose. It was mainly made from wood, but what was disturbing was he could see that it was reinforced with ship parts.
    "Jesus at this speed the only choice we have is to plough straight into that fucking thing. Will we break through it captain?"
"To be honest I don't really want to find out, but I guess we have no choice."
    Sean left the bridge and returned to the crew below. Bullets were still whizzing overhead as he returned to his position. Thoughts raced through his mind at the upcoming onslaught. There was a built in reinforced ram at the bow of the ship but the thoughts of having to crash through the blockade were not reassuring.
    "Hey Jimmy, do we have any dynamite on board?"
"Ya we have a bit in storage alright, why what you thinking boss?"
"That blockade coming up, I was thinking we're goin to need every chance we can get. If we filled one of the lifeboats with dynamite and tied it to a rope, the current would take it ahead of the ship wouldn't it?"
"Ya I suppose it would, good thinking boss. I'll say it to the captain."
    With the engines of the ship in reverse, the dynamite placed in the lifeboat and attached to 3 ropes tied together, and the power of the current, the lifeboat was taken to about 30 feet in front of the ship.
Sean returned to the bridge.
"Do you think it will be enough captain?"
"I dunno, but after the lifeboat goes up, if I switch the engines from full reverse to full ahead, it will give us the best chance. That gate thing looks thick though. Hopefully it won't be more than a couple of feet thick otherwise it might be an early end to your plans. Make an announcement to the crew and those in the cargo hold for me will you, if it comes down to it, it's better to take your own life than to get captured by these tribes. I have heard many stories about them and unfortunately they weren't exaggerated. Stories that would make the dark days look like a childrens pop up book. Do not get captured!"
    The seriousness in his eyes said it all. The Jungles had begun to darken as the sun began to set. This was far from paradise now. They were closing in fast on the blockade. All along the river banks signs of death were abundant. It was like being back in Riona, yet somehow seeming more sinister. The atmosphere that horror is derived from. Cages hung from the trees with decomposing bodies still being picked at, by hordes of scavenging crows. Skulls and bones lined the bank. The smell was overpowering and a constant reminder of the death about to hit. It was obvious that many ships had been lost down this channel at this point, with wreckages lining the banks and even peering out from the Jungle. It was like a ship graveyard. The bullets continued overhead as the crew began to say goodbye to the world in whatever way they saw fit. Most stared at pictures of loved ones and family members, worrying about their future and remembering the great times of the past as eyes welled up in loss. Some prayed.
    "You see that boss?" Jimmy spoke softly.
"What's that Jimmy?"
"See that dead horse there on the little beach."
"What about it?"
"It's moving."
"Well maybe it's not dead Jimmy? replied Sean with a hint of a patronising tone.
Jimmy glared at him.
"It is boss, look at his neck."
Sure enough as Sean looked he noticed a massive gash on the horses neck that would have been impossible to survive.
"Jesus Jimmy?"
"I know boss."
Sean aimed at the horse with the rifle and squeezed the trigger sending a bullet into the horses back. It stopped moving and a small dreadlocked head appeared from the other side of the horse, covered in blood. A smile