Galileo (Battle of the Species) Read Free Page A

thoughts, Tig. They’re angry.”
    Tig grinned and nodded. “Yeah, okay. Maybe their feathers are a little ruffled.”
    “I can’t hear yours though when you’re wearing thought blockers. I hope you know I meant no disrespect,” Desh said.
    “Don’t worry, I’m not offended. I am, however, curious to know why you would have Kia give the war cry when you know it’s an honor given to the Alpha of the tribe. Kia may very well be Alpha one day, but not at fourteen.”
    Desh looked over at Kia and tried to imagine how it must have looked to the other soldiers. Kia hadn’t yet come of age and therefore didn’t yet bear the tribal tattoos on his face like the others did. He must have looked like such a child to the men.
    “Kia and I will no longer live by the Toran way once we leave for school next week,” Desh replied. “I need him to understand that. He will always give the war cry in my battles, regardless of whether there’s another soldier who’s older, stronger, or more experienced.”
    “Then today was exactly as it should have been. You proved yourself today, you know,” Tig said.
               “I don’t know how much I proved, considering I had half the tribe helping me,” Desh mumbled. “Tig, how do I earn respect and prove that I deserve my position when I’m constantly being babysat? How do I prove that I’m not a coward?”
    “A coward would have killed the lone Prymin and gone home. Their families will be safer tonight because of your orders today. Don’t think the men don’t realize that,” Tig replied. “You’re more respected than you think, Desh. And though your responsibility may be to one day lead, ours is to keep you safe, especially while you’re still learning. And Desh…like it or not, you are still learning.”
     

CHAPTER 2
    Fight like a human
    Planet: Earth
Galaxy: Milky Way
Federation Date: 7.5.7266
Earth Date: 5.14.5181 A.D.
     
    Renn buckled, taking the full force of the fist to his stomach. He fell into the dirt, scraping his hands against the rough twigs and rocks, and strained to breathe. He always hated this view — dirt, rocks, and Jonah’s dusty shoes so close to his face. Renn grabbed onto a tree, pulling himself up before Jonah could pin him down again.
    Jonah was only a year older than Renn, but even at the age of fourteen, he was already a full head taller than his classmates, and thirty pounds heavier.
               “Walk away, Jonah,” Renn warned.
           “In your dreams, butt-wipe,” Jonah replied. “You have no right here!”
           “I’m half Earthling. I have as much right to be here as you do, and you kicking my ass every week isn’t going to change that,” Renn said.
           “Not if you burn a human, you biohazard. Come on, it would be worth it to see you get banned from this planet.” Jonah grabbed Renn’s shirt and pulled him closer. “I dare you to spark!” he hissed.
    Renn clenched his fists in an attempt to hide the electricity that snapped in his hands, burning his own fingers and making him jump.
    Jonah laughed and shoved Renn into the trunk of a large pine tree.
    Renn swung his right fist, but Jonah grabbed his arm and used the momentum to throw him to the ground again.
    “You’re such chemwaste!” Renn seethed, picking himself up.
    “What did you call me?” Jonah asked, slapping Renn across the face when he got up.
    Renn swiped at Jonah’s hands, fearing what would happen if he lost control of the energy revving up inside him. It has to be a physical fight , Renn reminded himself. Fight like a human, fight like a human.
    “Come on, spark, you mutt, spark!” Jonah taunted.
    Renn took another swing, but his punch did little more than jiggle Jonah’s flabby belly. He saw Jonah make a fist, but couldn’t move fast enough and Renn’s nose took the full impact. He felt warm liquid trickle down his chin and he fell backwards feeling the disorientation engulf