Lightship Chronicles Chapter 6: The Junker

By Zorin Florr

Lightship Chronicles is a young adult adventure set on a mysterious world. Carpatia is a harsh desert land, but one with spectacular vistas and populated by two very different yet resilient people, the Carpati and the Bitani. Both believe in competing myths of their history. Myths of great ancient battles fought over by a clan of mysterious Sacred Warriors against magical Light-Fairies. Under the glowing warmth of their red-giant sun, it's easy for the Carpati to believe in their beautiful myths. They spend most of their long 36 hour days living a simple farming lifestyle in the Township built on the lower slopes of the mighty Table Mountain. The Bitani meanwhile rule over the Carpati from their futuristic city atop the massive pillar-like tabletop of a mountain, and have a very different, and quite mysterious perspective.
For the Carpati the only respite from the drudgery of their simple days are the monthly lightship races. The hovering lightships speed at more than 700kph over a 600km course that runs up the sides of mesas, through the canyons of the Crags, over the 10m waves of the Great Salt sea, over the Long Straight, the Dunes, and through the Eastern Hills and its many giant Baobab threes. It's a spectacular race unlike anything else and the favorite pastime of Andee and his little brother Mykee. Both dream of being lightship pilots while watching the race from their favorite hangout, the 1000m high Outcrop overlooking The Crags.

Join the adventure now, because this is growing into an epic tale years into the making. Visit LightshipChronicles.com for more in depth details of the race circuit, including images of the course, the outcrop, and the lightships.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zorin Florr
• Release date: Nov 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311070043

Zorin Florr

A television and film screen writer now turned author, Zorin Florr has many creative projects under his belt. His strength is in character development and complex story lines with unpredictable twists and turns. If you are looking for a fast paced story, that reads off the page like a film in your mind, than read Florin's books.

Book preview

Lightship Chronicles

Book 1 : Sacred Warriors

copyright©2015

Zorin Florr

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For more info, images of the ships, and fun go to:

www.lightshipchronicles.com

Chapter 6 : The Race

Lightship Chronicles

Book 1 : Sacred Warriors

copyright©2015 Zorin Florr

Governor Brandberd Bret is standing in the oval walled hallway, in front of one of the purple embossed panels that's missing the light filaments and bust. He is gently taping the upper corner of the panel with his three middle fingers, and as he does, a small square lights around them. After three or so of these taps an intercom voice becomes audible.

Go away. I'm not talking to you.

Son. Last race you almost died, and you haven't talked to me since. Now you're going to race again, and...

I almost died because you left me to die! Are you going to end me for good this time?

Son please let me in so we can talk. The doors slide open.

Brandberd enters with a hint of trepidation. The room's decor is similar to his office. It looks quite formal, like an appointment or waiting hall of some sort. Ricio is standing in front of a 3D mirroring-hologram of himself, while two beautiful female attendants are helping with his white-leather pilot jumpsuit.

I need to speak privately with my son. The Governor directs his words towards the attendants with an authoritative tone. The two beautiful young women rush out.

You were not going to die. I had a plan. Brandberd directs his words to Ricio who shakes his head in disapproval without a word, adjusting his collar with his eyes on the mirroring hologram. I want to wish you good luck. And be safe. You will become a champion, but it takes time. For a rookie just finishing the race is a win, even for a Bret. We Brets are a great people, but you need to humble yourself to the race, and be patient. Do it step by step, and you will be a champion.

Don't worry. I won't crash, and I won't have secret conversations with Carpati who happened to rescue me, and save my life.

Son, I just want you to be safe.

For the first time turning to his dad. Then why the hell did you force my doctor to take me off intensive healing the day after the race? And then you erased part of the recording. You cared more about what that stupid Carpati saw than my life! Get out!

No! Son, listen to me. You don't know who that kid is.

How can I, you tell me nothing.

You know that's how the system works. Until you finish The Regime, until you enter Husarii training, you will know nothing. Only after the Crossover, only after you prove yourself, only then, can you know it all.

Why?

Because that's the system. If we change it, it will fall apart.

Are you telling me that kid, who didn't even know what a hopper is, is a threat to our entire civilization?

More than you realize.

Then tell me! Looking at his father with intensity.

What did I just say? What have you been trained since you were a boy?

Maybe it's time to change things. You expect me to go through The Regime, endure the insanity of becoming a Husarii, all without incentive? Without knowing why? Give me a reason, and then I'll gladly do this.

"You know why. Knowledge and power. But more important,