The epic sequel to "The Astronites"! A year after defeating the manic Zsar Endgon in his latest march on the UEF, Natalie Hope and the Astronites are called back to the Astronic universe for a second mission. A mysterious message is emanating out of...
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Natalie dreamt she was sitting in a narrow, rickety canoe held together by duct tape and bandages. The tiny boat swayed side to side amid a monstrous sea storm. Natalie couldn't find any oars to use, so she held onto the sides and prayed she wouldn't tip over.
When Natalie woke up, she realized she wasn't entirely dreaming. Her ten-foot-tall body really was swaying, but she wasn't in a canoe. Her arms and legs were tied to a large, wooden pole being carried on the backs of pirates. Night had fallen over the Djim Jungle, and had it not been for the pirates' torches, Natalie would've had no idea what was happening around her. She counted ten pirates marching through the dark jungle.
Natalie tried to move but her body was unresponsive. Her tongue hung out the side of her mouth like she was a curious dog. Her entire left cheek was caked in drool.
The dart's effect hasn't worn off yet.
Her eyes shot around the caravan. Little Leaf was nowhere to be seen.
"How do we know the Mandata will take the bluff?" she heard one of the pirates ask.
The leader, a tall impatient man, snapped. "Because they don't know what the hell they're looking for! Would you quit your sissy-footing? I'm starvin'!"
"Yeah, Bill! Shut up!" barked a second pirate. "Listen to Joe! The Mandata ain't ever seen the treasure! If we bring 'em something they've never seen before, they'll take whatever it is and then their warships will get on up and out of Port Apottee!"
"But don't you think even a half-brain Mandata can tell the difference between a branchkid and Sodom's Treasure?" Bill asked.
"That's only if they know what Sodom's Treasure looks like, ya third-grade repeat!" Joe the leader shouted, "and they've never seen Sodom's Treasure, so as far as they know, Sodom's Treasure is a branchkid!"
"Yeah, Bill! Think with your head and not your arse!"
Bill stomped his feet in frustration. "What do you think will happen when the Mandata realize the branchkid can't do what Sodom's Treasure can? The Xemplar won't be none too happy to find out we cheated him!"
Joe the leader halted the march. The pirates carrying Natalie groaned with displeasure as they stopped. Joe went up to Bill and stared at him like a hungry vulture robbed of his dinner.
"The treasure's ours, got it?! We are the most powerful pirates in Avast now! If the Xemplar wants Sodom's Treasure, then he can come into this stinkin' jungle and try takin' it from us! Any more lip outta you, Bill, and my steak knife's gonna be used for something that ain't steak!"
Bill sealed his mouth and averted his eyes to the ground.
"No more talkin' till we get back to camp!" Joe yelled to the caravan. "I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I'm gettin' pissed off at stopping for every pissant who don't trust my judgment!"
