Black Legion: 04 - Last Stand Read Free Page B

shuddered violently, and then all hell broke loose inside. Sirens blared loudly, and two screens vanished in a flash of broken glass. Another explosion rippled along the right-hand side of the command deck, and one of the junior officers staggered and fell to floor, leaving a growing pool of blood around his head. Ezekiel Manus grabbed at the straps at his seat while surveying the scene.
    “Tactical, report!”
    The tactical display showed scores of new vessels in the area around the light cruiser. The status display showed where impacts had been sustained through the ship, and each red mark left a lump in his throat. He knew his ship was taking a beating and paying for it in the lives of his crew.
    “Thirteen breaches in the outer armour. Shields are gone, and our port thrusters are out of action.”
    Another great volley of gunfire hammered along the port side of the ship that ripped out one of the hangar sections and two of the smaller weapon turrets.
    “Armour has gone. One more hit, and they’ll be through to our reactors!”
    Ezekiel Manus could hear the fear in his tactical officer’s face and twisted about to look at his Kybernetes.
    “Manus, we can’t stay here any longer. We’ve done our job, and we’re seconds from destruction. What are your orders?”
    It was true. They had done their job, and done it well and without incident. After hours waiting in this barren, forsaken space sector, they’d ensured the fleet could move on for another two jumps in safety. All that mattered to him now was that his crew and his ship could expect the same. He didn’t even have to consider his next words.
    “Jump!”

    * * *

    Imperial Palace, Babylon Prime, Core Worlds
    Tissaphernes had visited Babylon Prime a dozen times before, but nothing could prevent him from standing still in astonishment at the wealth all around him. He had only just dressed following a deep sleep in his guest accommodation, yet the fragrant air and sweet perfumes almost encouraged him to return to the soft fabrics and comfort of the bed. He adjusted his clothing and signalled for the dozen female automatons waiting alongside his bed to approach. Each carried part of his regalia, though not one of them carried an object more offensive than a piece of armour. All weapons were forbidden in the Imperial Capital, and even the elite Anusiyan warriors that formed the bodyguard of the Emperor himself had screened him.
    Ten thousand warriors, I don’t think so, he mused angrily.
    His arrival at the Palace had infuriated him when the legions of warriors had ceremoniously blocked his path to let four of their number approach and search him. It had been part of a ritual designed to remind all that none was above, or even equal to the Emperor himself. In theory, the Anusiya were ten thousand strong, but he had seen at least that number stationed on other worlds and half as many serving aboard the Elamites in Royal service. The more he thought about it, the more he realised the unit wanted to give the impression there were ten thousand wherever they happened to be.
    So how many does he actually have?
    He looked back into his spacious apartment complex and looked at the bed. There were fine silks drawn across the surface, each pulled taut by one of the many serving girls he had been supplied with. A small group of three female pleasure girls sent to him on the previous night waited for him in silence. He was tempted to return to them, but he had important work to do, and seeing this wealth reminded him of what he wanted for himself. The entire planet of Babylon Prime was the first planet of the Empire and the heart of the early Median Empire. Over time, the surrounding races and empires had been absorbed and classed as Satrapies, but none would ever doubt the power and importance of the Imperial Capital. He looked at the females once more and then shook his head, saying nothing to them.
    Forget them, win the victory and glory will be all yours.
    He walked to