Galactic Empire Wars: Rebellion (The Galactic Empire Wars Book 3) Read Free Page A

Zaltule didn’t challenge him for his spot on the
council. He strongly suspected Xatul had done the same thing.
    “Kaluse has
requested an additional increase in special metals for ship construction at the
Zaltule shipyards,” Bixutl reported. Bixutl didn’t mention he'd already ensured
the necessary materials would be sent. It was part of his agreement with Kaluse
to ensure Bixutl’s continued status on the council.
    “More
warships!” grated out Raluth his multifaceted eyes looking around at the other
arachnid council members. “We have our exploration ships, which have served us
for centuries in taking over thousands of star systems; why do we need such a
massive Zaltule warfleet?”
    “I agree,”
Hymtal added in a cold and angry voice. “Our conscripts have served us well and
now that the Strell have been defeated it’s time for the Zaltule to go back to
sleep. They are no longer needed!”
    “I don’t think
it will be as simple as that,” answered Xatul, rising to full height on his six
legs and placing his hands upon the stone table. “The Zaltule will not return
to deep sleep.”
    “Why not?”
demanded Hymtal, challengingly. “They have served their purpose.”
    Xatul looked
without emotion at the other council members, knowing what he was about to say
would mean the deaths of a number of them when the Zaltule returned and
demanded positions on the council. “The Zaltule were dying in their sleeping
chambers.”
    “Dying?”
uttered Raluth, looking with suspicion at Xatul. “What do you mean they were
dying?”
    “It began a
number of years ago,” Xatul responded. “I was notified by the garrison
commander that the Zaltule were starting to die. Over the years, the number of
deaths began to increase rapidly. In order to preserve the warrior caste, it
would have been necessary to wake them even if the Strell hadn’t become a
threat.”
    Several council
members shifted uneasily on their feet, realizing the potential threat the
Zaltule could represent. A few began thinking about taking trips to the outer
reaches of the Empire.
    “Then the
Zaltule are here to stay,” Bixutl stated in a calm voice. He was pleased he had
made the deal with Kaluse to supply metals to the shipyards.
    “They will
attack the nonaligned worlds,” Raluth predicted in a cold voice. “The Zaltule
will not allow any world to exist which doesn’t obey the Empire.”
    “It would have
had to happen eventually, anyway,” spoke Bixutl, swinging his triangular head
toward Raluth. “The nonaligned worlds become more powerful every year. Their
advancements in science and technology have always posed a threat.”
    “Bixutl is
correct,” Xatul commented in a steady voice. “The nonaligned worlds will be the
Zaltule’s next target before they move out past the borders of the Empire in
their conquests.”
    “Many Kleese
will be opposed to such rapid expansion,” Raluth spoke. “Our method of using
exploration ships to find new worlds and then sending our conscripts to conquer
them has worked well for centuries with little strain on our resources. It will
no longer be so with the Zaltule.”
    “Many Kleese
in the outer regions of our Empire have become weak,” Xatul pointed out. “The
Zaltule will not tolerate such weakness. I strongly suggest that if you want to
preserve your council position you begin making preparations.”
    “We cannot
fight the Zaltule,” Martule replied in a cold and dark voice. “I fear the
warrior caste may soon dominate this council.”
    -
    Later, Xatul
stood at a window looking out over the sole city on the planet. A cold wind was
blowing and the sky was dark and threatening. The city ran the Empire and soon
it would answer to the Zaltule. Several years back, Xatul made a deal with
Harmock to ensure he would remain as the Supreme Overlord of the Kleese. Unfortunately,
a number of the other Overlords on the council would soon die. This meant
little to Xatul as the council had always favored