Erin already regretted having told her brother that the master relic was gone, but she had needed him to stop searching for it during the days in the belly of the starship. It had seemed a kindness to let Eric know so that he could stop trying to fulfill their father’s last wish and find it for him. If that’s even what he wanted it for. Now she wasn’t so sure.
“She’s just a child,” Erin said. “They all are.”
“A child who apparently took control of your ship and absconded with it. Where is your faithful crew, Sister?” Eric said. “Why weren’t they assisting with the rescue efforts to save us from that pit? Aspen is the only man I can count on, it seems.” He waved his free hand toward the door and then stomped his way over to the blurry windows. “There’s nothing out here but inhospitable desert. But at least I don’t have to spend any more time looking at you.”
Erin caught a whiff of the body on the table and wrinkled her nose. “We need to bury him, Eric. Soon.”
“I told you we should have left him in the starship,” Eric said. “It was his great treasure after all. He should be buried with it.”
A part of Erin agreed with that thought, but in the days inside the ship, she could never shake the feeling that she was still being watched. The glowing woman had never reappeared, but Erin had felt her. She recognized her presence. Doors left open. Lights that illuminated holds filled with food and supplies. Even the room they’d dragged Marlow into had mercifully closed its doors until the rescue team arrived. Eric refused to acknowledge the presence in the ship, but Erin had known. She knew and she was grateful.
The fall of the starship had seemed chaotic, but it had been a lie.
Erin didn’t believe in coincidence. Coincidence like the fact that she had been hurled into a supply cupboard full of sleeping gear and survival blankets on her way back through the ship to find her father. Coincidence that the fall of the ship was arrested at the bottom just enough that Eric only sustained a fractured arm. She even wondered if her father’s broken neck might have been avoided as well, if it hadn’t been for the weight of the relic keys hanging around his throat.
It was a question she didn’t feel she could ask while still in the belly of the starship. She felt it was enough to be grateful she was alive and to escape. Eric was clearly feeling no such gratitude. He was still muttering at the window.
“We’ll hunt them down and make them pay. Every last one of them,” he hissed. “We’ll take it all back. Everything they’ve stolen from our family. Then we’ll be back on top where we belong.”
Erin sighed and made her way toward the doorway. Admiral Orloff passed her on the way in, his leering gaze lingering far longer than was pleasant. “You summoned me, Lord Savage?” Orloff said.
Eric turned and welcomed him with a crooked smile. “Yes, Admiral. Come in. We have much to discuss.”
Erin left them to their scheming and climbed the steps to the deck.
The Vega was moored only a few feet off the desert’s surface, tethered to a mound of dig wreckage that had yet to sink into the sand. Erin stepped off the deck and onto the pile of timber. She was covered in sand, she hadn’t bathed in days, and her hair clung to her neck in sweaty strands, but she felt cleaner off her father’s ship nonetheless.
The air out here was hot but it was fresh.
She didn’t need the Vega.
She didn’t need her brother’s plans.
She’d been here before. Broke. Alone. Grounded. But she knew she’d find her way. She’d find a ship. She’d find a crew.
Then she’d find her ship. Her crew.
There was only one way left for her to go.
Up.
The Skylighter Adventures
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am incredibly grateful:
First and foremost to my lovely wife Stephanie for being my partner through this process and understanding that no matter how old we get, we’re all still adventurous kids at heart.
For Emily Young, my writer’s group partner, friend, and editor, for her passion and enthusiasm for this book and our friendship. She has helped keep the characters in the story true to their best selves.
For the awesome servers and restaurant staff who have kept me in tacos and iced tea during the countless hours I spent typing away in corners of Mexican restaurants around town. Especially Landy Hernandez, Liz, Julie, Christina Lopez, Steven Campbell, Maylin Cuello, Bill, Nadia and Sara. Thanks for all the times you gave me the large tea and only charged me for the small. :)
For my amazing beta readers in the First Look Beta Squad. Because of their enthusiasm for this story, and willingness to hunt down my typos and disagree with me on grammar when I need it, this book is cleaner and better than it ever could be with just the work of a few editors. The team has not only become indispensable, many have also become friends. They are:
Aaron Call, Abhinav Saxena, Adam Egender, Adrian Peters, Aj Shephard, Alain Paumen, Alexandra De Gruyter, Alicia Ruskai ,Alison Aylen, Alissa Nesson, Allen Gary, Amanda Bildeaux, Amber Koch, Amy Spicka, Andrea Sestak, Andy Hasper, Andy Westbay, Angela Sleigh, Angela Smithson, Anthony, Anthony Carter, Aris St James, Artur Rosa, Ashlee, Athena Engel, Barb Brown, Barb Johnson, Becky, Becky Alexander-Conrad, Becky Lewis, Ben Bailey, Ben Cadena, Ben Westing, Benjamin Wiechel, Bernie, Bethany, Bill Beyer, Bill Hamshire, Bill Mccarthy, Billy Commander, Billy Hepburn, Billy Priest, Blanche Padgett, Bob Cheney, Bob Drews, Bob Micciche, Bob Steiner, Jr, Bonnie Campbell, Brad Hammond, Brent, Brett, Brian Clark, Brian Masterson, Brian Paquette, Brian Steele, Bruce Raffel, Bruce Small, Calum Munday, Candice Costanzo, Carl Derubeis, Carlo, Carlo Caprini, Caroline Ruth Molloy, Carolyn Bramley, Carolyn Reed, Ce'alm 'Sim' Juan Kilpatrick, Cecelia L Gervais, Charles Mcnabb, Cheryl L, Cheryl Newbanks, Chris & Ann Collins, Chris Dutton, Chris Ehlers, Chris Ross, Christian Cornatzer, Chuck Scro, Cindy Scheffler, Cindy Williams, Claire Manger, Claire Palmer, Coleen Alexander, Corey Scott, Cosmin, Crystal Ley, Damon Guy, Dan Leaman, Dan Mcclure, Dan Mccrory, Dave, Dave Bennett, Dave Plummer, David Dalrymple, David Decamp, David Taylor, Dean Thibault, Deb, Deb Argha Saha, Deb Shaw, Debbie Bratt, Debbie Bratt, Debbie Farmer, Debi Davis, Deborah Boyd, Debra Smith, Denise Cook, Dennis Feagans, Dennis Littlefield, Dennis Mcdonald, Derek Youd, Diane Bates, Diane Mcgrath, Dominique Fruchtman, Don Hunter, Don Rhodes, Don Vanhoosier, Donnisha Jones, Dorothy, Doug Weller, Dr. Angela Pool-Funai, Dulcie Price, Dwight Brooks, Edward D. Casey, Edward Ford, Eleanor Bayless, Elenora Sabin, Elisabetta, Elizabeth Ann Woods, Ellen Spradling, Emily Badajos, Emily N Vincent, Emily Young, Eric Karns, Eric Slade, Eva, Eva Holmquist, Fiona Holden, Frank Husky, Gabriel Ashbaugh, Gail Cole, Gary, Gary Randall, Gary Smart, Geoff "Tiny" Elliott, George Beech, George Stanton, Gerry Cohen, Gillian Flato, Ginelle, Gloria Chadwick, Gordon K Brown Jr, Gordon Lee, Graham Childe, Harry Sweigart, Hazel, Heather Turiello, Herb Clann, Hillary Kelley, Howard Bull, Howard Thomas, Ian Millar, Ian Nuttall, Iian Stephens, Jack Larner, Jack Press, Jackie, Jak Henderson, James, James Morse, Jamie, Jamie Cruver, Jamie Rogers, Jan Butterick, Jan Carlson, Jan Scott, Jane Garcia, Janet Cervantes, Janis Bonner, Jason, Jason J Mader, Jason W. Jones, Jason Wolverton, Jay Wolverton, Jeanette Mustonen, Jeff Bosworth, Jeff Braisted, Jeff Marcum, Jeff Parrott, Jeffery Evans, Jeffry Morris, Jen Watson, Jennifer Beck, Jennifer C Laxson, Jeremiah Hays, Jessica Callenback, Jim Brown, Jim Burch, Jody, Joe Denman, Joe Kane, John Bohrman, John Bremner, John Jackson
, John Mcgoldrick, Jon, Jon La Bree, Jonathan Bird, Joseph Kane, Joseph Kane Sr., Joseph Oakey, Josephine Chan, Joshua Schmidt, Julia Taft, Julio Antillon, Karen Lekfowitz, Karen Stansbury, Kari De St Germain, Karl Killebrew, Karl Smith, Kathy James, Kathy Mcqueeny, Kay Clark, Kb Jolley, Kelli, Ken Robbins, Kevin, Kimberly Madrid, Krishnan Neelakantan, Krista Goalby, Kristin Davis, Kristine Taylor, Krystle Drummond, Kym Farner, Kyra Swanner, Larry Gates, Laura Driskell, Laurie Flynn, Lawrence Geller, Leanne Sexton, Lee Inks, Lee Willie, Leslie Mcmeans, Lila Young, Lindsey Betout, Linton, Lisa Alberts-Pettit, Lisa Callahan, Lizette Phillips, Logan Devane, Luke Monin, Lynne, Maggie Parker, Maggie Parker, Malcolm Apted, Marcus Baker, Marijelle Bartholomew, Marilyn Gast, Mark Hale, Mark Speed, Marty Myers, Matthew Poslusny, Matthew Rapp, Matthew Snell, Matthew Suarez, Matthew Taylor, Melanie Tippett, Melissa Pritchard, Melissa R, Meshel Sweigart, Michael Clarren, Michael Few, Michael Gray, Michael Naiman, Michael Reed, Michael V. Maxham, Mike Evans, Mike Gower, Mike Henkin, Mike Hiltunen, Milton Diede, Missy Burrows, Mitch Berdinka, Mitchell Kelsey, Nate, Nathan Golder, Nathanyel Terrace, Neill Gerstbauer, Nick Furmston, Nick Woodley, Nicole Dipasquale, Nispar, Parrish Pope, Pat Phelan, Pat Price, Patrick Basso, Paul, Paul Cross, Paul Ness, Paul Sherman, Paul Swier, Pearl Kirkby, Penny L Karsten, Peter Monit, Phil Scott, Philip Coolbeth, Philippe Jardin, Phyllis Reifer, Rachelle Shepherd-Dubey, Ralph Cohen, Randi, Randi Milam, Randy Chrust, Randy Lakey, Randy Loeb, Ray Antonelli, Ray Wallace-Watson, Ray Warr, Rebecca Lynn Davison, Regina Dowling, Revella, Rhonda Green, Rich Ingersoll, Rob Stephen, Robert Peyton, Robina Tabberer, Robyn Rudd, Roger Rubinstein, Rogerio Faco Franklin, Ronnie Marrache, Ronnie Vance, Rosie, Rowena Limjap, Ruby Metcalf, Ryan S. Newman, Sam Cantwell, Sam Natale, Sammy Peoples, Sandra Kirnbauer, Scott Decotes, Sean Hull, Sean Moynihan, Sean Moynihan, Seb, Shawn, Shawn, Sheila Kelly, Simon Whistler, Sister Camille Panich, Skaterbabs, Sophie Armstrong-Jordan, Stephanie, Stephen, Stephen Bishop, Stephen Dorris, Stephen Lafave, Steve, Steve Barnett, Steve Butkovich, Steve Shaw, Steve Winter, Steven King, Steven Michaelsen, Steven Michaelsen, Stuart Baker, Stuart Dykes, Sue, Sue Kilgore, Susan Davies, Sylvia Walker, T.S. Vivona, Talena Colley, Terri Shafer, Terry Pope, Thomas C. Altman, Thomas Maughan, Thomas Rodman, Tiesha Rivera, Tim Bohn, Tim Chatterton, Tim Reeves, Timothy Mason, Tina Van Coops, Todd Margarita, Tonny Worstell, Tony Carter, Tony Dykes, Tony Everett, Tony Locicero, Tony Porras, Tracy Haynie, Trish Ross, Valerie Potter, Veronica Torres, Vicki Rouse, Victoria Palmer, Von Whitlock, Walter Jones, Wayne J Martin, Wendy Burrell, William Brown, Yume, Yvette, Yvonne Mitchell.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nathan Van Coops lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, on a diet comprised mainly of tacos. He enjoys old planes, motorcycles, and Volkswagens; and contends that there is such a thing as "dressy" flip-flops. He lives with his beautiful wife, a grouchy cat, and a dog that has no idea what’s going to happen on any given day—but is always excited about it. Nathan mostly feels the same way.
Say hello!
www.nathanvancoops.com
nathan@nathanvancoops.com
ALSO BY NATHAN VAN COOPS
In Times Like These
The Chronothon
The Day After Never
Copyright © 2017 by Nathan Van Coops
All rights reserved.No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9894755-6-3
Print ISBN: 978-0-989475570
Cover illustration by Merilliza Chan.
www.merilliza.com
Cover and interior design by Shayne Leighton and Parliament House Book Formatting and Design.
www.parliamenthousepress.com
www.shaynerocks.com
Map Illustration by Jared Blando
www.TheRedEpic.com
“The Globe Mother” illustrated by Nathan Van Coops.
Chapter header illustrations by Julia Scheiber.
Edited by Emily Young and Ben Way.
For more information visit www.nathanvancoops.com
Created with Vellum
Table of Contents
Dedication
Bonus
Table of Contents
The Globe Mother
1. The Express
2. The Globe Mother
3. Mr. and Mrs. Roose
4. Samra
5. Atlas
6. The Star Park
7. Amelia
8. The Festival
9. The Arrival
10. Kipling
11. The Sun Dragon
12. Kaleb
13. Restless Fury
14. Night Thief
15. Daylight
16. The Rift
17. The Leak
18. The Bargain
19. The Fleet
20. The Sky Forest
21. The Tree People
22. Erin
23. Chane The Knower
24. The River
25. Port Savage
26. Borgram
27. Scarabs
28. The Rope Fall
29. The Key
30. Marlow
31. Abducted
32. Enzo
33. Quimby
34. Eric
35. The Fall
36. The Attack
37. Starfire
38. Admiral Orloff
39. The Relic
40. The Storm Gate
41. The Return
Epilogue
Bonus
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Nathan Van Coops
Copyright