The Dart Game

By Dan Clyburn

Mark Forrest, a young man in trouble, he takes to the hills. He was trained to fight by his father and a sergeant in the rangers, and had gone to officers training at the academe. He soon meets Mose, the headman of the rangers, and is recruited. Sent to a village of the people of the planet, he finds himself training rangers to go to war on a distant planet.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dan Clyburn
• Release date: Nov 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301837403

Dan Clyburn

Dan is seventy five years old, he worked all his life as Equipment Operator, Master Mechanic on trucks and equipment. Lift school when he was fifteen, and pursued an outdoor life. Many stories he could tell about the mountains, and the people he worked with, and knew. Hunted and fished all his life, fresh meat for the table. He has read thousands of books, authors like, Louis L’Amour, Edgar Rice Burroughs, are just some of the authors he liked the most. Their grammar wasn’t so good, but they had a fleet of editors. Because of his school day’s, and the work he pursued, Dan’s grammar is not the best. If you are one of those that has to have perfect grammar, you just as well go away now. But he tells his stories in a straight forward way, you will understand his work. Read his true stories book called ‘Young Dan and HORROR-able People’ some of the things he tells will make your heir stand on end. It is an exciting book about true things that happened during his school days. He has four fiction books, The Dart Game,-The Distant Crater,-The Far, far away Planet,-Gods of New Eden are all on Kindle. And will soon be on Smashwords.

Book preview

The Dart Game

Smashwords Edition

Copyright  November 2011 by Dan Clyburn

All rights reserved

This novel is a work of fiction

Names, characters, places are fiction

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Prologue

Mark Forrest, a young man in trouble, he takes to the hills. He was trained to fight by his father and a sergeant in the rangers, and had gone to officers training at the academe. He soon meets Mose, the headman of the rangers, and is recruited. Sent to a village of the people of the planet, he finds himself training rangers to go to war on a distant planet. Leaving themselves short of men and supplies, so Mark recruits in his own way the people from the towns.

But his war is here on the planet ‘Crystal’ named so because of a crystal that makes a power supply strong enough to power a space ship, used to power houses, their weapons, and whatever else that needs power. With careful planning, he fights the invaders and discovers the true and evil enemy.

The Dart, a small throwing knife, balanced and weighted with fins used mainly by the ‘Ghost’ rangers, most of them has poison. The ‘Ghost’ are trained to move fast and at night very quietly. These Ladies play a major roll in the fight against the Goreans.

Table of Contents

Charter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About the Author

CHAPTER ONE

Until Mark was 14 he had grown up with his mother and step father, a mean man who beat Mark for any reason he could think of, in school Mark studied mining, and forging so Mark knew about minerals, how to make steel, the energy crystal, the airflow crystal, and what it took to mine and activate them.

His mother had divorced his father shortly after he was born, getting a large alimony and maintains pay for him. Mark was two when his father, a pilot for the outer planet police was on a flight when she had filed. And then word came that an unknown attacker had destroyed his ship, and only some of the lifeboats had returned, his father not being among the crew that retuned.

But when Mark was ten his father was picked up by a transport ship, his lifeboat had signaled a distress call on a shipping lane. When he returned he fought to have a planet listed as Oc# 9503, an off limit planet which meant there could be no mining or exploring, he won, and satellites were installed around the planet to enforce the law. Because of this he was in bad with the outer planet mining company, his stepfather, a very large fat man, owning a large amount of shares in the company and CEO of the company, had fought to keep it open.

For 8 years he taught Mark, how to survive on a strange planet. Sent him to Rangers Officers training for two years, but Mark was still too young to take over a command. Skills like hand-to-hand fighting, throwing the darts, the bow and arrow, shooting ancient weapons, how to find eatable plants, riding horses. Lessons on an old spaceship at a friends salvage yard, a language that he said people of Planet 9503 spoke, and how best to explore a planet and not get lost.

During this time his father worked for a shuttle company, shuttling freight and people from the planet to the large ships in orbit. They spent a lot of time on the desert and woods around the city. And for months Mark stayed at a cave near the city, being trained by a man named Salt that was a friend of his father. Salt was a hard master but Mark learned to beat him with the dart and the long 45-110 rifle.

But when Mark was 21, his father disappeared, leaving him a note that he was about to be arrested. Mark went to his fathers apartment and all his belongings were gone, he then went to his fathers friend that owned the salvage yard. His friend just grinned when asked, and pointed to where the old space ship had set, but it was gone now. His mother asked where he had gone, Mark didn’t know, and his stepfather said he would beat it out of him. This didn’t happen and Mark left his stepfather bruised and bloody laying on the floor. He took his ground scooter, a four-wheel model, and the things he had at his stepfathers house, and left his stepfathers house. His scooter being an older 4-wheeled model, not like the modern ones that floated 2 inches off the pavement, his could carry more load and travel over rough ground.

His academe friend George would be in class, unable to answer his phone, so Mark left a message, telling him what happened and that he would contact him later. He turned his phone off and pulled the batteries, one a very small one after removing a screw on panel. This one powered a tracking device, so he was sure it couldn’t be traced and leaving the city, and the paved streets behind he traveled for and hour to where him and his father came to practice.

They had fun with the bow and other weapons, a small cave they had sealed off held all the supplies he would need and good shelter for a camp. A bow, a long barreled rifle, and 3 handguns in .36 cal one a 5 shot, and short barreled that was easy to conceal. Cartridge type handguns were not legal on this Planet nor were rifles that held more than one shot. These were replicas of a long ago past but were still used by some explorers and outlanders, as the powder and lead could be made or found on most planets. Clothes, made of leather like the ones his father wore and most of the marines and rangers ‘outlanders’ wore. Boots, that had a sheath that held a 7-inch, double-edged blade.

It was well after midnight when he reentered the city; going to his fathers locker he picked up more supplies, leaving his scooter in an old parking garage. Walking several blocks through deserted streets, and dark alleys, before coming to a street that had several taverns and people down on their luck, his father had came here often to visit with old friends. This would be a good place to ring George and see what his stepfather might have done. Outside the city a phone or radio would not work, the crystal in the ground interfered with the signal.

Good god! Mark you sure raised hell. was George’s first words. The cop’s are looking all over for you.

Yea, I know, but it was self defense, he came at me and was going to beat the hell out me, replied Mark, you can vouch that he has done it before.

He filed charges that you used a club on him, stole from him and vandalized the house, George came back. You could go to jail for 15 years

You know I just used my hands, and he broke up the house with his head, Mark laughed. And I just took my stuff! I’m going to Juliet City. See you there sometime.

Hoping George would know what he meant, Georges girl friend, Julie and her apartment complex. Juliet City was 800 miles south, a hub for the inter planets, and only reachable by one road, train or airbus. To the north and east there were other cities, but that’s what they called Julie’s apartment complex just to tease Julie.

There was a pause before George said, sarcastic like, Yea! I’ll see you there in about 18 years, another pause and then, I’ll try to let you know then what has been going on here at home

Mark shut his phone off then ran 2 blocks up the street; stopping under a light he removed the batteries. He then ran across the street and through an ally before walking 4 more blocks to a busy street with a lot of bars, here he might pass for an outlander in these clothes and maybe find one of his fathers friends. He knew a few of them by sight if he could find one maybe they would give him a helping hand. He pulled his hat close over his eyes as he entered one. A fake pigtail hung from under it; down by his left ear to the bottom of his chin, He got coffee, and sat in a dark place next to a wall. The room looked to be full of Outlanders, getting their breakfast before going off to a job or just coming off a job. Some could be mercenaries in between jobs or waiting to leave on one. This was a rough lot, but his father said they were good people, as a rule he’d added.

George had said 18 years that meant 18 hours to him, 4am now, 10-tonight then at Julies place. A code they used when they were kids playing games. Ordering breakfast, and paying for it with a card his father had giving him, it was under the name Timothy Powers, the bartender looked at him and took it, giving it back with 10,000 in cash and coins that he hadn’t asked for saying,

That’s a good card here but don’t use it down town, or in Jockies place down the street.

I know, and thanks, Mark said.

Timothy was his dads first name but his last name was Forrest the same that Mark used. A girl, about his age, dressed in the leather of an outlander, a knife that looked to have a 12 inch blade hung on her belt, brought him his breakfast then took a drink to a man sitting across from him, but the mans face was in the shadows and Mark couldn’t see it well, but he seen the card she placed on the table. The man stood and went to the back of the room, Mark seen his face and recognize him as one his fathers friends. But should he ask him for help, he decided not to. Finishing his breakfast and three cups of coffee he knew he had to move but where to. He would just have to find a spot out of the way and then stay put until it got dark tonight, this was an old part of the city with many vacant buildings and apartment.

He knew the cops would be looking around the place where he’d called George from. And if they wanted him real bad he wasn’t safe here. He knew these places had rooms where a feller could sleep off a drunk, but would that be safe, he signaled the girl but before she got there four uniform police men came in. There was commotion and a table tipped over and three men went out the back door. Three of the cops went after them and one went back out the front door. The girl grabbed him by the arm saying,

This way! Come on hurry!

She led him though a door at the end of the bar, and up two flights of stairs to a room that had to be hers from the look of it. She then looked him over and said,

I don’t know who you are, but you must be important to some one that Mose is a friend of.

Who is Mose? Mark asked.

My uncle, the bartender, he owns this place, she replied. You woke him up when you used that card. He’s been sending notes to all his friends in the place.

My dad gave me the card, and this is one of the places he said to use it, if I was in trouble and had too, said Mark.

You must be in a lot of trouble, when the cops chased Jack and his friends out the back, that was funny. Jack’s my friend and when they catch up to him he’ll be laughing and playing like it was a joke, She laughed. But they will be back searching for you I think.

What will they do if they catch Jack? Mark asked.

Nothing they can do, Jack’s not wanted for anything. Him and his friends will be waiting on the street for the cops, She grinned, You better hide in here.

She opened a closet door and slid a panel back, a hidden room with very little light. As Mark went in to it, He said,

I need to meet a friend tonight.

Don’t come out until I come back, I’ll let you know when it’s safe. My name is Alice, She added. I have to go back down now, just relax you’ll be safe here.

Mark looked the room over, a toilet, a wash basin, a refrigerator with drinks and sealed food, hell he thought enough to last me a week, a clean bed, on one wall he found a peep hole where he could see the street, there were uniform cops up and down the street, searching ever building. He closed the peephole and after taking off the belt that held his knife sheath, with its knife with a razor sharp blade fourteen inches long, a rangers knife. It wasn’t safe to shoot aboard a space ship or shuttle, and firearms were illegal to carry in the city, so most outlanders carried a knife. He then laid down on the bed.

He woke when Alice spoke,

Wake up! Mose said to come eat with us’

Yea! I’ll be a couple of minutes, Mark replied.

He rouse pulled his boots on, washed before going through the closet into Alice’s room, she was waiting for him and led him down one flight of stairs to a large room where Mose sat at a table with the man from the bar.

Good afternoon, Mark, Mose said, We thought we would starve waiting for you to wake up. Set! Pointing at a chair.

Mark sat and looked at the others then said,

Thanks for hiding me, but it should blow over in a few days.

Blow over! Mose exclaimed, Isn’t Seth Patties your stepfather?

Yes, but I just bruised him a little bit, Mark said, And what I took was mine.

Do you know Joseph Andrews? Mose shot back.

Yes, he’s an old friend of my dad, Mark said, Lives not far from my stepfather’s place, he’s old and only has one leg. What has he got to do with this?

He’s dead, Mose said, Robbed and killed with the same club your stepfather said you used on him.

You think I did that? Mark said. Joe was a friend, and a friend of my dad.

Yea! He was one of us, a good marine he saved my hide once. No! I don’t think you did it, if I did you wouldn’t be setting there. But I think I know who at least ordered it done.

Mark looked around trying to comprehend what was going on. Why would anyone want to kill Old Joe, why was his mother and stepfather after him so bad, it just didn’t make any sense to him. Of course, before his dad had returned he’d spent most of his time in one school or another. Only on holidays did he come home and then only for a short time. He hadn’t really liked to come home, because Seth seemed to enjoy punching him whenever he was in the same house.

When his dad had returned his mother came and got him out of school and encouraged him to spend time with his dad. When he was with her she always asked what his dad was doing and where he was going and what they were doing together. It made him uneasy, so he only told her a little just to get her to quit.

Mose spoke, You eat and listen, this here is Rance he was with your father on that last mission. You know they were going to kick the ‘Goreans’ off Planet 9238 for Astro mining and these rangers had contracted to do that don’t you.

Mark nodded but before he could speak Mose went on.

Hell! We lost a lot of good men that day, there was four rented transports blown out of space, and your fathers transport was the only one that anyone returned from. The rangers are working to get their own transports.

My mother owns stock in Outer Planet Mining and lost a good deal when those transports were destroyed, Mark started to say more but was cut off by Rance.

Hell! Your mother never lost a thing; insurance paid off the ships and your mother stole her shares from your dad. She traded your dad for riches, and has been whoring with ever-political head in this city. She married Seth Patties for power, he runs most of the officials here and uses her as a go between. So face it and don’t trust your mother to help you.

Mark red faced started to rise but was stopped by Mose saying.

Hold it! Ok that has been said so listen, Old Joe always said that the woman you know as your mother, is not your mother or your fathers ex-wife. He was around when your father married, and said he knew her. You know he came from Planet R146 Second Earth don’t you, and was there when your father married. Maybe, that’s why he was murdered, so he couldn’t testify to that. Now lets get down to it, Outer Planet Mining has a hold on all mining on this planet, and a transport company with a hold on everything out there. You can’t mine without supplies and there just isn’t enough small out fits to supply more than just a few. Your father said you had good common sense so think about it. Did your dad ever see your mother after he came back?

Mark thought a moment then said.

I don’t know but it does not seem like he did. She was always off somewhere when he tried to see her. I’ve seldom seen her, except for the last few years since dad has been back. You really don’t think she’s my true mother?

We checked and no, we don’t think so, Mose said. She got all your fathers stock in Outer Planet Mining as a pay off when your dad went missing. So he does not owe her a damned thing. The charges were just a way to get your father out of our protection. He was ready to go off on a mission of his own that will help us if he can prove it. If we get your DNA we’ll try to get hers someway. Now do you want to be of some use to us?

Yes Mark replied. But what can I do, I’ll have to lay low or clear myself. But it doesn’t sound like that will be easy.

You’re right on that account, Mose came back with a grin. Who are you suppose to meet tonight?

George Walters, an old friend of mine from school, Mark said, His dad runs the Outer Planet Police dept here. But I trust George not to turn me in.

George Walters Jr. Hay, that’s good, Rance said, Yea, his dad is just starting to get some help, but is still a long way off from being able to give any help to the outer planets. One ship and only a few marines, but you don’t tell your friend any thing about us. He could be able to help you if he wanted, and you work it right. Seth Patties needs some investigation that we’ve been having trouble getting, if his dad will do it, it might make a big difference.

Rance will get you to that meeting, but you will not be able to come back here for awhile. You got some place where you can lay up until we can move you out? Mose asked, They’ll be watching here too close, there’s a spy down stairs right now.

I think I’ll be safe out where dad and I went to shoot, there’s a cave that we camped in that’s set up and I got more supplies from dads locker. I’ll get more food now that I have money, Mark said, I’m supposed to meet George about ten tonight.

Good! Give me your phone, we’ll see if we can lay a trail for them to follow, Mose said. Rance will have another for you, but don’t use it unless you really have too. You be damned careful down on the lower side, there’s some real bad feller’s down there, they’ll cut your throat for a credit. Wish we could help more but you were a surprise coming in like that. I’ve got to get back downstairs now, Alice, make this youngster look older.

OK! Mose! This should be fun. Alice said with a laugh. I’ll make him look as old as you and as ugly as Rance. This way sir! I need to get some things.

She led him to another room with a barber chair and told him to set down.

Rance stuck his head in and said,

I’ll pick you up about eight, in the mean time watch out for her, she gets carried away. If she pulls that knife, run!

He disappeared before Mark could say anything, but Alice went to work, first with a washcloth, then a swab a little swab touch here and there and on an ear. Talking to her self mostly saying things like ‘hmm here that works-red hair no black with a stripe’ She worked a couple hours then told him to take off his shirt, she pulled the pigtail from his hat shaking her head and tossed it. She went out and came back with a suitcase, tossed him some clothes and said.

Change into these for tonight, and use these here when you are down on the lower side, the ones you got on are fine around here, but they don’t fit down there.

Why change tonight? Mark asked. "I shouldn’t be long and there will not be