Trapped in Time-Extinction Read Online Free Page B

families.”
    Zeck looked at Steve and smiled, “I think he’s worth saving, Andy.”
    Andy listened to the exchange and smiled. “One never knows when they’ll find salvation. It’s a brutal world we live in and finding meaning is difficult. What did you mean by saying you escaped?”
    “I suspected the Commandant was going to order me to find out what happened to his fleets so I had my family and crew, along with their families, to already be on board while I was meeting with the Commandant. We immediately sailed out of the harbor while the soldiers were sent to take my family hostage. When they couldn’t find them they knew I must have taken them on board. The harbor cannons opened fire but fortunately, their first volley missed and we moved out of range.”
    Zeck looked at him, “I’m surprised you survived the last storm. You had to be out in open waters when it hit.”
    “We were and the ship was damaged along with a large percentage of our stores.”
    Zeck tilted his head and then started shaking it, “I imagine the Commandant was rather upset by your escape.”
    Steve nodded, “You know how he is. I’m sure someone died as a result. He’s about as paranoid as you can get with all the defensive fortifications he’s building.”
    Andy looked at Steve, “You know what he’s doing to stop our invasion?”
    “Yes, I’ve been watching him since I delivered your message. He’s really frightened.”
    Andy smiled, “You are a gift, Admiral. I need you to meet with our Leadership Council to discuss what he’s doing.”
    Steve nodded, “I’ll be glad to tell you everything I know, but I suspect we should get these two ships to safety.”
    Zeck looked at him, “You think another storm is coming?”
    “There might be two more.” Andy saw Zeck was startled by the statement. Steve said, “The pressures that cause these storms have not diminished. That last storm was too strong to be the last one. I suspect another one is coming rather quickly.”
    Andy looked at Steve and said, “Get back to your ship and follow us to our harbor.”
    “How far is it?”
    “About fifty miles north of here.”
    Steve licked his finger, held it up, and shook his head, “Is there somewhere closer we can anchor?”
    Zeck shook his head, “Is it coming that quickly.”
    “I believe it is.”
    Zeck looked at Andy, “We’ll have everyone on his ship come over to this one. With a mast missing, he won’t make the cut in the cliff.” Andy nodded. Zeck said, “I’m moving this ship over to yours. Have everyone gather their personal belongings and get on board.” Steve nodded and Zeck began shouting orders. Andy saw that the fates had brought him an even more experienced fleet commander than Zeck. He smiled; Harmony was still taking care of him.
    • • •
    The transfer happened quickly and Zeck turned the ship north and felt the wind picking up. He looked at Steve, “How long do we have?”
    “I would guess about three to four hours before it hits. How far do we have to go?”
    “About ten miles to a pier we’ve built outside our community. The harbor is another thirty miles north of there.”
    Steve looked up at the black clouds blowing overhead and frowned, “We’ll never make the harbor.” Zeck nodded and yelled instructions to the sailors in the rigging. Andy watched the sails fill and the ship picked up speed. He smiled, they would make it.
    The ship arrived at the pier and Andy saw about a hundred people waiting for him to dock. The people on board gathered their personal belongings and were assisted by those on the pier. It took about two hours but finally everyone was safely on shore. Steve said, “I’m taking the ship out from this pier to prevent it being damaged.”
    Zeck shook his head, “No you aren’t. I’ll do that.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you have information that they need. We can’t risk losing you. I’ll sail it out a mile and take a boat back in.”
    Steve looked up, “You need to