The Pirates Of Orion's Belt: Cursed Treasure

By Neil Dabb

It was all too easy. Meserplunkt and his crew would go to the planet, load up the treasure and be on their way. Unfortunately they would fall victim to the curse and would remain trapped until two brothers could save them.

RanJon was not aboard the Silver Raven, Meserplunkt's ship, when she disappeared on their quest for the treasure, a fact that would haunt him until RanJon would meet Britney, a bouncy blue eyed brunette who would gather a crew in an attempt to rescue the pirates on the Silver Raven.
With the help of three dragons, and two brothers who can speak to, and control planets, Meserplunkt and the crew of the Silver Raven escape the curse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Neil Dabb
• Release date: Oct 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370490721

Neil Dabb

Neil grew up in Smithfield, Utah, and currently holds a General Class license amateur radio license. He was a material handler for over 10 years while obtaining a BA from Utah State University. He has been a freelance writer for most of that time and has been published in a variety of magazines over the years.Neil worked for Utah State University for twelve years with the Junior Engineering program. He enjoys writing, Frisbee (disc) golf and bonfires. He is the father of five children and lives in Logan Utah.

Book preview

The Pirates of Orion's Belt:

Cursed Treasure

by

Neil Dabb

Copyright 2016 Neil Dabb

Smashwords Edition

Chapter 1

Meserplunkt realized that this might be his only chance. He took a deep breath as he reached up and twisted his thin mustache. The curse was in the mind, not the body, but escape from the curse appeared to be impossible from where he was standing. The nightmares would soon take over again, but if he could get word out, perhaps it would get to RanJon, his first mate, and the one member of his crew that might be able to help them. RanJon had taken shore leave before the Silver Raven came here. Meserplunkt smiled grimly. At the very least, getting word out might discourage other pirates from risking the curse.

He would have to hurry. Meserplunkt held his breath, knowing that the next time the cycle began they might recognize what he was trying to do and stop him. He watched the mental image of Athena, his mate, as she was cut down while trying to run. He focused on her pain... Or was it the pain of the young woman who worked with the cook? He didn't know, nor would it matter if he could stay focussed long enough. The fact that as Captain, the curse had forced him to feel the pain of every crewmember was the only thing that made this attempt possible. If one of them escaped, even if they didn't survive the curse, those on the outside would know the nature of the curse.

He realized that even RanJon's skills might be inadequate against this nightmare, but he had to try. Meserplunkt's baby-faced first mate was too devoted to let the pirate code stop him. If RanJon thought there was the slightest chance of success he would show up, eventually. Meserplunkt concentrated as each crewman was tortured mentally. When the time was right, he would exert his influence on his ship's namesake, a silver raven and an escape pod would disappear from his ship and rocket out of this system, and at least one of his crew would be free of the maddening nightmare they were forced to live over and over again.

It had all been too easy, he thought. Walk in, take the treasure and leave before anyone was the wiser. He learned too late how powerful the curse was. Finally he exerted his influence on the mascot and in a few minutes the escape pod would disappear. As the cycle began again he mentally breathed a sigh of relief. The escape pod was away.

Lori cringed as the waves of pain rushed over her. It seemed like the millionth time this had happened. This time, as other times before, there was an unseen force pushing her to embrace the pain and move just a few steps more. As she moved the pain overcame her, and she collapsed into the escape pod. Before the nightmare began again, the stasis field kicked in, and time, for her, stood still.

As soon as Meserplunkt had picked a target the mascot was on the move. The old silver bird was unaffected by the curse of the planet, and had waited patiently until someone made a move to escape, then he hopped off of Meserplunkt's shoulder and was waiting in the escape pod when Lori stumbled in. Unlike the girl, he would be aware of the passage of time in the stasis field, but he would also be there to lead others back when the time came.

To those few visitors, like the mascot, who were unaffected by the planet it appeared to be silent, and even a sort of paradise. Lush vegetation was watered by the late evening dew that came up and covered the varied landscape. A few small streams flowed from the tall, steep mountains, fed by numerous alpine lakes, and the temperature seldom varied from 70 degree days and 50 degree nights. However, to most intelligent beings it was bait, and immediately the nightmares that affected nearly every intelligent being that arrived there became a deadly curse. Upon landing there would be a few brief signs of life as the intelligent beings would move trance-like into the hills and disappear, and then their ships would migrate into a desert graveyard with the help of the aggressive low-land vegetation. Thus the legends were sustained and grew till only the most crass of pirates would even try to go there in search of an unknown legendary cursed treasure.

Then the escape pod rocketed from one the Silver Raven.

It was several years before the escape pod cleared the system, and even then the transponder only emitted a signal in one direction, but it was a chance at life, and as long as the stasis field in the pod held, someone would know of the curse associated with that third legendary treasure. Even if the field failed the mascot was there to lead the others back.

同时

The tavern on Tortuga was nearly empty as RanJon entered. The dim light from behind the bar barely reflected off of the whitewashed walls.

RanJon regretted not being on the Silver Raven with his crewmates. He had initially wondered what had happened to the ship and then when he figured it out, had even considered rushing off to rescue them from the cursed planet. However he knew it went against the code as well as being a fool's errand. No one was quite sure what the curse was, but there were the legends.... He'd been afraid of those legends, and had used visiting an old friend as an excuse to make sure he wasn't on board the Silver Raven when they disappeared. Now for the millionth time he wondered at the wisdom of that action as he ordered a drink from the bar and moved toward his regular place in the back corner of the tavern. If the legends were true, he might have been able to save Meserplunkt and the crew with his unique skills.

Not likely, the young busty brunette with olive skin and bright blue eyes said as she sat down across from him.

And what would you know of the legends? he mumbled as her manner made him all the more uncomfortable. It wasn't hard to imagine what he'd been thinking. He'd shot his mouth off enough times that every pirate that came to the bar knew the story. At first there had been offers of help, but until he could give assurances of success, he'd refused. Then as other pirates were lost to the curse, all RanJon could expect was the occasional look of disgust from all but a few close friends.

I study culture and legends. That's my job. Britney was bouncing so much that even the tight dark blue blouse and short skirt she wore were hard pressed to keep her covered. They call me Britney. They call you RanJon.

And RanJon wants to drink alone! The aging pirate slammed his mug down on the table.

Drinking alone is no fun, she said. You need to get out and do something.

My friends and fellow crew-mates fell victim to a curse, and if I hadn't been mourning the loss of a close friend, I might have saved them, RanJon whispered as he took another draw from his drink.

Britney took on a glum face that did nothing to hide the glee she felt. I've read the legends. You'd have fared no better. Then she smiled again. But if you come with me, maybe together we can find a way to help them.

How is some wet behind the ears pup.... His voice stopped short as she kicked him under the table. He gasped despite the realization that her boot had hit the wood plank beneath his butt and not him, but the vibration of the bench told him exactly where her boot would've landed had the wooden planks not been there.

I am not a wet behind the ears pup. I am a seasoned professional archeologist and social scientist. Thank you!

RanJon exhaled. In case you hadn't noticed, I haven't got a ship and really have no desire to go racing in to rescue a cursed crew until I have some hope of succeeding. RanJon knew better than to say more. He had no desire to endanger anyone else.

"So you do want to