Worlds Without End: The Mission (Book 1)

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  Bantyr sat with his back against a small tree, his hands and legs bound. He knew the tree was only about five yards away from the artificial ground that covered the bay doors. He saw Dorange, or Don as he knew now, walk to the center of the doors with one of his colonels and kick at an artificial rock. Bantyr wondered if any of the other Gnols knew that Dorange was actually one of the despised humans that Koroan Chast hated so much. He also wondered how he was able to get away with deceiving Koroan all these years. He was tempted to yell out, revealing who Dorange truly was, but he knew that was useless. What Gnol would believe him? It was obvious that Dorange had the respect and loyalty of his subordinates.

  Bantyr strained to listen as he saw that Dorange was about to speak. "So, Colonel ? you're telling me that we can't blow through these doors?"

  "Yes, that is correct, sir," the colonel said.

  "I'm sure the rebels know that as well. That's why I planned a little surprise."

  "Sir?"

  Dorange looked past the colonel and waved at another Gnol. The Gnol nodded and ran to the back of the rows of vehicles and aircraft. Within seconds, a gigantic hovercraft, larger than any Bantyr had seen before, made its way through the fleet. Bantyr's eyes widened as it approached Dorange's position.

  The vehicle was gigantic. The bottom portion was rectangular. Bantyr noticed a window along the front and what looked to be about three Gnols within. Bantyr scanned upwards and saw two monstrous metal arms that extended to what seemed like five hundred feet into the air with claws at each end of the arms.

  When the vehicle reached Dorange's position, it stopped. The entire bottom portion covered almost the entire surface area of the bay doors, which, Bantyr recalled, were about four thousand square feet each!

  Bantyr tried to examine the craft further, but the hover engines from the vehicle were sending debris his way, pelting his body. He heard Dorange yell. "Colonel, move the prisoner to the prisoner frigate!"

  A few moments later, Bantyr felt two Gnols grab his arms and drag him away from the gigantic monster that was about to rip the bay doors wide open. As the Gnol dragged Bantyr further away, he stole another quick glance at the arms and noticed small protruding segments about every five feet from each other. Oh no! he thought. Plasma cannons!