Canals of New Mars: The Rustlers by flavia49
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Description
"You own a herd?" Eve asked.
"All noblemen own herds. Generations ago an EA delegation presented the Blue Mantle paramount chief some horses." Maurr explained. "Soon for the crème de la crème of the ton it became a matter of honour to have a herd of their own. Winning a Grand Prix means for the stud owner being as cheered almost as a winning general."
"How many horses do you have?" JS asked.
"About 300."
"Landing on Regulus 8 and stealing horses? You're crazy!" Vasquez said, giving voice to the thoughts of many of those attending.
JS looked at Maurr quizzically. As far as he knew, Maurr wasn't the guy who proposed a sheer folly, therefore, he must have a plan.
"They aren't on Regulus 8. A favourite joke among the blue blood blades is rustling each other's horses. It's an initiation test into the most exclusive fraternities and a brutal ritual. Some guys are willing to kill men or horses, rather than being caught red-handed." Maurr darted a you-can-understand-glance to JS. "I've hidden my best horses in an estate my father entrusted me in Larir, Ophiucus-121. It's a meagre planet, just plains, tall grass and harsh climate."
"Oph-121, you say?" JS said with the air of one already drafting a plan.
"Why do you think the horses could oust the slughs in the ranchers' traditions?" Lee asked.
"The slughs had their halcyon days, but here are a whammy." JS replied. "We must rely on indigenous cattle such as the reptorix. I don't know if a reptorix can be tamed, but until we find out, the horse will be the rancher's best friend. Anyway, Lee, you must find xenobiologists willing to move here. We need them."
"Why these bloody ranchers can't use the hover bikes to control the herds?" Vasquez burst out.
Eve intervened: "You'd blush if you heard my father, should I propose it. He talks about man-animal ties. Metal, he says, is not for us."
The plan was simple: go, rustle and run away.
"The control tower is a problem. Our heat signature will give us away." Maurr said.
"No," JS shook his head, "we'll use the troop-shuttle captured at the Yttrium Mines. What do you think your tenants will do?"
"The steward's family has been loyal to my father's for generations. I'm sure they'll help us. Can Kahrr and Rohrr come with us?"
"Kahrr is a Red Mantle." Eve pointed out.
Maurr nodded: "I guarantee for him. He swore allegiance to JS and hates the GHOULs. Things will be easier if there are more Rasharrians."
"They are sincere." Eve noted that evening.
JS nodded: "Eve, Vickie, you stay here." He raised a hand to stop their protests. "I'll go with Etta. She and her crew need confidence and a frigate attracts less attention. Eve, I need you to stay here and monitor the situation. You have the authority to do so."
Eve nodded with a sigh.
Larir was a godforsaken planet.
"Prince, you're alive!" exclaimed Sehrr, the estate steward.
"My Dahr-ir (honor brother), Jay Sea, saved me." said Maurr nodding at JS. The steward and his sons bowed.
"They killed your family, Prince, also the Third Son, even though he was just a toddler. The GHOULs humiliated us taking my beautiful daughter and Sharr's wife for the temple." the old man hissed through his teeth.
"You'll have justice!" Maurr swore. "Where are the horses? I need them."
"Hidden or the GHOULs'd requisition them."
"We need to round them up and take them away." Maurr said.
Sehrr and his sons were eager to help. They knew every ravine and canyon. To round the horses up was smooth and fast.
JS and Rohrr controlled the herd by hover bike, Maurr and the others on horseback.
"Cool!" said one of Sehrr's sons admiring JS's bike.
Rounded the horseflesh up, JS ordered: "S-Nikki, make our shuttles land." Then he turned to Maurr and added: "Offer Sehrr and his entire family to come with us."
Maurr lit up: "Thanks. They are good people."
JS nodded.
"Jay, I'm picking up a strong exchange of radio messages." Etta burst out.
--
Thanks!
Comments (64)
claude19
I love this introductory episode of a dynasty based on knowledge of horses, with distinctions of color, depending on the skill ... great idea in this very long story, always very well illustrated!
A_Sunbeam
Excellent scene, great herd of horses.
JaneEden
Outstanding image and as ever intriguing story, hugs Jane xx
blondeblurr
A refreshing change of scenery, to see all those horses - beautifully posed, Flavia and a whole lot more of new names to remember - WOW BB
felinx
Fabulous work Flavia :)
MagikUnicorn
B E A U T I F U L
Roco43
Beautiful scene
alessimarco
~What a novel way to corral the horses! Great scene and story!~
josepamp
Una imagen bellisima este trabajo es realmente extraordinario, la luz el ambiente todo es magia ++++++10
mariogiannecchini
Fantastic image and story! Very cool work !
tofi
This is stunning composition of these most beautiful animals heading forwards.... I like the POV, candid and yet so visible for admiration! Excellent execution of theme and compliment to the story line!
erlandpil
Superb image erland
jocko500
love the movement of horses . the flowers too looks wonderful
Richardphotos
very exciting render and writing
danapommet
An excellent render Flavia and I enjoyed the story except for the last line!
Vagabund
Great! Well done!
rachris480907
Wow. Really cool concept and execution of it! Fantastic composition, Flavia! EXCELLENT!
psyoshida
This is really gorgeous!! Excellent landscape and the horses look amazing as well.
Pierrot_Lunaire
I like it a lot
tennesseecowgirl
Beautiful!!
junge1
Fantastic Flavia!
0rest4wicked
Spectacular scene and a great read!
theprojectionist
Brilliant.
ragouc
Very good POV and scene.
dochtersions
It is a fantastic image, Flavia. I love the mane blowing in the wind, the speed that can be seen. You made this landscape wonderfully looking, as the clouds are fitting so well to the atmosphere, which is great, and the horses are formidable.
Jay-el-Jay
Great work.
1358
story and artwork, fabuloso... this image reminds me a bit of the title sequence from the tv show Firefly!
KnightWolverine
Morning coffee and great reading to go with an excellent rendering....(smiles)...
shorterbus
Wonderful pic, and I get more of a sense of settling down into the story, maybe because I have intentionally let several episodes build up, but more, I get the sense you are letting episodes longer and I like that.
Jean-Luc_Ajrarn
Love your story! :D