Space Knights: The Arrival Gregory Samuelson (superbooks4u .txt) 📖

apparently came out of nowhere to join them. He was the leader of this troop and was responsible for them, and especially responsible for protecting the princess. Yet, the princess did have some power and influence. He guessed that it wouldn’t hurt to let him come along. Besides it might look very good on his record to take part in finding Dr. Sonderson’s missing son.

Trance sat on the horse and squirmed a little. He wasn’t sure if he was welcome to go with this troop. Zak and Bear seemed to think he needed to come along so they could take him home. The princess also thought that it was okay for him to come. Many of the other knights looked at him curiously. They were not sure if they believed his story. How could a boy from Earth be able to wield a weapon with the apparent skill that it took to defeat those battle-ready Boulthorian knights?

Trance started up the horse and noticed the information and targeting screen built into the back of the horse’s neck. The screen also had a communications component so the horse could talk to the rider. “Hello, how are you? Who are you? My rider has been slain. Why are you riding me?”

Trance was surprised as he read the comments as they appeared on the screen. Quickly he responded as best he could on the small keypad just below the screen. “I’m fine. My name is Trance. I’m so sorry that your rider was killed. These knights seem to know my family and they are taking me home.” Trance thought a moment and then asked the horse a couple questions. “What is your name? What will happen to you now?”

“My memory has been altered. I don’t have a name anymore since my rider was slain. I am headed to be recycled. Most of me will be scrap,” the horse responded sadly. The horse’s head seemed to droop.

At that moment Trance determined to see if he could keep this horse from being turned into scrap. Before he could formulate how to do this he found himself being urged to start moving. Zak moved up to be on Trance’s left side as Bear rode on his right. The three started talking again and Trance asked questions about the Golden Griffins and about how to become one. The two knights were very ready to explain their branch of military service and tell him what he needed to do to become one. With a lot of luck and hard work he might get in. But they were an elite group and it would take a miracle for him to join them. As Trance talked with them and some of the other knights he found his eyes searching to the front of the troop to where Marlett rode with the princess.

As they rode along Trance’s new friends left him to talk to some of the other knights in their troop and he was alone, but not for long. The town where he had met these knights was far behind them and he was thinking seriously about becoming a knight when the princess came back and talked to him. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine,” he answered nervously. He felt his face flush as he kept trying not to stare at her. His heart was really starting to pound.

They had some small talk. Trance asked about school and her family and learned of her royal heritage. He also learned more about the political system. He also learned that she was learning to be a lady knight. He had heard that there were some troops of lady knights. How could someone so beautiful be a lady knight? She told him about her family and her life in the castle. Trance told her about Earth and his family. He was surprised to learn that she had met his dad and he was more amazed at how important his dad seemed to be. But, as they talked and started to become friends, they were unaware of the danger that was awaiting them just down the road.

Chapter 9

Battle Homeward

Twenty miles had passed, and Princess Corena was back at her spot in the lead of the troop of Golden Griffins. Trance had become very comfortable and used to the old robot warhorse that he was riding. Gradually he started asking questions about the horse. Zak directed him to go and talk to Major Marlett and ask him about the horse. Trance drove the horse forward and slowly approached the Major.

“Excuse me Major,” Trance said nervously.

“Yes,” said Marlett as he turned his head curiously to see Trance ride up to him.

“I was just wondering about this horse. Who did it belong to, and why does it have to be recycled?” Trance asked.

“That horse belonged to our third in command, Odrian. He was a very good soldier and had served for quite some time. His horse that you’re riding he inherited from his father who had also been a Golden Griffin. The horse is very old and can’t keep up, so it will be recycled and become parts for a new robot horse or some other robot animal,” Marlett explained.

Trance glanced at the horse’s head and saw it droop slightly more. “The horse seems to be alright and steady. What’s wrong with him that he needs to be recycled? Could the horse be refitted with new parts instead?” Trance asked.

“Well, structurally the horse is sound, but it’s his circuitry. The circuits, chips, and processors are old. The target screen is old and off by three centimeters. It would take a lot of work to check and switch all of the old and faulty circuits and chips for new modern hex chips and replace the screen,” answered Marlett.

“Could somebody take the horse and redo it on their own?” Trance asked curiously, determined to find some way to save the horse from the scrap pile.

“Yeah,” said Marlett, slowly wondering what Trance’s interest in the horse was. “I suppose