Read Online Never Surrender (The Empire's Corps Book 10) by Christopher Nuttall - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Christopher Nuttall
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“And if we really couldn't take it, we could just quit.”
She looked up as another rumble of thunder echoed out in the distance. “There were times when I thought about just ringing the bell and leaving,” she admitted, softly. “But I kept going.”
“It doesn’t seem fair,” Kailee said. “Don’t you have altered standards?”
“The universe isn't fair,” Stewart pointed out. He nodded to Watson. “I am more experienced than Carl, but Carl is stronger and faster. I’d be wise to take that into account if I had to spar with him, rather than moaning about fairness.”
Kailee looked at Jasmine, who nodded. “I’m faster than both of them,” Jasmine said, although she wasn’t sure if that were still true. “But I dare not try to grapple with them at close quarters. They’d break my neck.”
“The enemy doesn't give a damn about any concept of fairness,” Stewart said. “If we hamper our own forces, out of a misguided attempt to make the universe fair, we only make it easier for them to hurt us.”
Jasmine smiled. “Keep walking,” she ordered, as another peal of thunder split the air. “How often does it rain here?”
“Every two hours or thereabouts,” Kailee said. “Austin used to say the planet was too close to the sun and there was more water entering the atmosphere, but I wasn't paying close attention.”
Jasmine frowned. Did that make sense? She struggled to recall what she knew of how rain was produced, then shook her head. The world wouldn't have been settled if there had been a long-term threat to the colony’s survival. Given how intent the Empire had been on saving money, they wouldn't have risked having to evacuate the planet at a later date. Unless there had been corruption involved ... she made a mental note to check on it at a later date, then put it out of her mind. There was no point in worrying about it now.
“I think we should keep going for another hour, then take a break,” she said. They could have travelled further, without Kailee, but she didn't want to risk exhausting themselves. “And then ...”
She froze as something changed. Instincts honed at the Slaughterhouse, then strengthened on a dozen different worlds, were screaming, warning her that they were no longer alone. Stewart and Watson were glancing around, their fists balled and ready to fight, while Kailee was staring at her in confusion. Jasmine heard something - or someone - moving behind them, coming up the trail. She cursed mentally, then motioned for Kailee to get down on the ground. The foliage was making it hard for her to see who was coming. Guards? Or someone else who’d make a daring escape? Or ...
Stewart slipped to one side, using hand signals to indicate that he was going to try to flank the newcomer. Jasmine nodded back, ordering Watson to accompany him. If there were guards following them, their only hope was to fight, rather than surrender. The guards wouldn't be so careless a second time. Their superiors would be furious with them for allowing even one escape from the camp.
“Quiet,” she hissed at Kailee. It was unlikely the Earth-born girl could escape, even if she had spent the past six years of her life on Meridian. But she had to try. “Stay as low as you can and get ready to run ...”
The figure stepped into view, holding his hands in the air. Jasmine tensed, bracing herself for fight or flight. He was young, the same age as Kailee, wearing what was clearly intended as jungle camouflage of some kind. There was a nasty scar on his right cheek.
Kailee gasped. “Darrin?”
The newcomer stared. “Kailee?”
Chapter Six
Therefore, all sides benefited, to some extent, from treating POWs reasonably well.
- Professor Leo Caesius. The Empire and its Prisoners of War.
Meridian, Year 5 (PE)
Darrin wasn't quite sure he
She looked up as another rumble of thunder echoed out in the distance. “There were times when I thought about just ringing the bell and leaving,” she admitted, softly. “But I kept going.”
“It doesn’t seem fair,” Kailee said. “Don’t you have altered standards?”
“The universe isn't fair,” Stewart pointed out. He nodded to Watson. “I am more experienced than Carl, but Carl is stronger and faster. I’d be wise to take that into account if I had to spar with him, rather than moaning about fairness.”
Kailee looked at Jasmine, who nodded. “I’m faster than both of them,” Jasmine said, although she wasn’t sure if that were still true. “But I dare not try to grapple with them at close quarters. They’d break my neck.”
“The enemy doesn't give a damn about any concept of fairness,” Stewart said. “If we hamper our own forces, out of a misguided attempt to make the universe fair, we only make it easier for them to hurt us.”
Jasmine smiled. “Keep walking,” she ordered, as another peal of thunder split the air. “How often does it rain here?”
“Every two hours or thereabouts,” Kailee said. “Austin used to say the planet was too close to the sun and there was more water entering the atmosphere, but I wasn't paying close attention.”
Jasmine frowned. Did that make sense? She struggled to recall what she knew of how rain was produced, then shook her head. The world wouldn't have been settled if there had been a long-term threat to the colony’s survival. Given how intent the Empire had been on saving money, they wouldn't have risked having to evacuate the planet at a later date. Unless there had been corruption involved ... she made a mental note to check on it at a later date, then put it out of her mind. There was no point in worrying about it now.
“I think we should keep going for another hour, then take a break,” she said. They could have travelled further, without Kailee, but she didn't want to risk exhausting themselves. “And then ...”
She froze as something changed. Instincts honed at the Slaughterhouse, then strengthened on a dozen different worlds, were screaming, warning her that they were no longer alone. Stewart and Watson were glancing around, their fists balled and ready to fight, while Kailee was staring at her in confusion. Jasmine heard something - or someone - moving behind them, coming up the trail. She cursed mentally, then motioned for Kailee to get down on the ground. The foliage was making it hard for her to see who was coming. Guards? Or someone else who’d make a daring escape? Or ...
Stewart slipped to one side, using hand signals to indicate that he was going to try to flank the newcomer. Jasmine nodded back, ordering Watson to accompany him. If there were guards following them, their only hope was to fight, rather than surrender. The guards wouldn't be so careless a second time. Their superiors would be furious with them for allowing even one escape from the camp.
“Quiet,” she hissed at Kailee. It was unlikely the Earth-born girl could escape, even if she had spent the past six years of her life on Meridian. But she had to try. “Stay as low as you can and get ready to run ...”
The figure stepped into view, holding his hands in the air. Jasmine tensed, bracing herself for fight or flight. He was young, the same age as Kailee, wearing what was clearly intended as jungle camouflage of some kind. There was a nasty scar on his right cheek.
Kailee gasped. “Darrin?”
The newcomer stared. “Kailee?”
Chapter Six
Therefore, all sides benefited, to some extent, from treating POWs reasonably well.
- Professor Leo Caesius. The Empire and its Prisoners of War.
Meridian, Year 5 (PE)
Darrin wasn't quite sure he
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