Battle Beyond Earth: Insurrection by Nick S. Thomas Page A

adversity that only the toughest would make it.
    The Ejdars landed just fifteen metres away, and the Barbarlar rider leapt off with ease. His armour covered most of his body, with overlapping blades seemingly made of hard skin or bone. A pistol hung at his waist, and yet it was dusty and likely saw little use. He carried a small axe and a cudgel on his back, and they could see a glaive like weapon slung under the saddle on the Ejdar. None of his close quarter weapons appeared to be powered.
    Jafar could see his two bodyguards didn't understand why the Barbarlars chose to live such a primitive existence, when they had access to technology far beyond what they appeared to utilise.
    "You wish an audience with the Barbs?" asked the rider.
    "I do," replied Jafar.
    "The Grand Siparis Coskun will see you, but be wary you do not issue insult, for he is not forgiving."
    "Yes, I am aware."
    Although he was thinking what Taylor would have said in his usual dismissive and sarcastic tone. He almost went as far as saying it, but he kept it within his own mind.
    No shit!
      The rider drew out a horn from his side and blew into it. The deep warble echoed around the vast open topped arena until it fell silent once more. Boz and Gur looked suspicious and turned constantly, expecting to find a threat or ambush of some kind.
    "Be calm," said Jafar, "There are things of this world that you never thought possible, things long forgotten to the Krys people. They may look like us, but we have long since parted their ways. Stay calm, and do nothing."
    The Barb rider looked at Jafar with suspicion, holding onto his every word, as if not recognising the language and trying to make some sense of it. He seemed to hold a position of power, but nothing near Jafar's level, and yet he looked down on the Lord as if he meant nothing at all. Jafar could tell the situation was already highly volatile and so kept his calm.
    They could now hear the flutter of heavy wings from dozens of Ejdars. The trees around the outskirts were fluttering as they flew close to the canopy and soared into view. Twenty of the beasts came in to land, some with individual riders, others with up to five Barbarlars on their backs. More of the Barbs came rushing in through small entrances around the perimeter. Some carried rifles, but most just held spears and bladed weapons.
    The Ejdars landed in a fifty-metre crescent around their position.
    Whoever the savage creatures are, they are well trained and disciplined.
    Though just as he thought it, one of them reached around to try and take a bite out of the rider that had just leapt off. The Barbarlar warrior casually punched it on the top of the head. It slumped slightly, accepting his will and drooping its head in submission. Jafar wasn't sure whether to respect or pity them.
    A few moments passed as the Ejdar riders stood silently watching them like hawks. The other two looked uneasy, but Jafar knew what was coming, as he had been here with Erdogan once before. He had witnessed how intimidating the Barbarlar Lords could be, and he would not make the same mistakes his predecessor did. The roar of a large creature filled the air from over the treetops. It was as loud as it was coarse and almost burst their eardrums. Seconds later, the huge beast swept into view and swooped in, landing smoothly in the middle of the circle a few metres from them and their shuttle.
    The Ejdar was twice the size of all others. This was a powerful leader, and the Barbarlar they needed to talk to. Despite the heavy creature’s smooth landing, it sent vibrations through the ground as it came to a standstill. Its body and wings were painted in bright blue stripes, the only done in this manner. The skulls of a dozen Krys hung from a chain running around its neck. The rider wore a cloak made of some garish multi coloured animal hide and a cloak of thorny branches and teeth. Jafar began to wonder if this could ever have been a good idea, but both Taylor and Irala