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

the most powerful of the
Kleese race.
    The Zaltule
would be the instrument Xatul used to ensure the continued dominance of the
Kleese as the supreme race in the galaxy. Those that stood against the Kleese
would either capitulate or be destroyed. It would also be necessary to drastically
increase the number of conscripts taken to serve on newly conquered worlds. They
would be needed to maintain control as the Empire was expanded. The warriors of
the Zaltule were too valuable to serve as garrisons.
    Thinking about
the conscripts, Xatul wondered what had become of the Humans. At one time, they'd
seemed to pose a threat to the Empire but they hadn't been heard from in a
number of years. Perhaps it would be wise to send out an exploration cruiser to
check on the Humans to see if they had died out or decided to stay inside their
paltry little star system. They had served once as excellent conscripts. Perhaps
if there were any survivors they could do so again.

Chapter Two
     
    Second Lieutenant
Ryan Nelson looked apprehensively at the small mountain in front of him. He was
in one of the training domes on Centerpoint Station and wearing a Type Three
battlesuit. He'd finished four years at the Officers' Academy inside the
asteroid Vesta and two additional years of combat training. He was now in the
process of learning how to handle one of the Type Three suits in a combat
situation. Ryan was one of a handful of Human officers who had volunteered for a
special operations program.
    “Damn, that
mountain’s steep,” complained Corporal Casey Hunter as she looked at the nearby
peak. Casey was one of the Human clones that had also volunteered for this
special project. She'd never been hesitant to volunteer and exceeded at
everything she tried. Casey had dark brunette hair and hazel eyes along with a
childlike innocence. “And we’re supposed to make it to the top and press some
type of button to turn off all of the hidden weapons.” She turned her head to
gaze curiously at Lieutenant Nelson.
    “Yeah,” Ryan
said, grinning. He and Casey had gone through the Academy and combat training together.
She was a very bright young woman approximately the same age as he was, though
with the way the clones were grown it was difficult to ascertain their exact physical
age.
    “I spoke to
others who have gone through this training,” commented Private Rios from just
behind the two officers. Rios was a Human from Luna City and had attended the
fleet training center there. He spoke with just the barest hint of a Mexican
accent. “No one has ever made it to the top in less than four attempts. Those
damn hidden weapon emplacements supposedly pop up and start blasting away when
you least expect it. The guys I talked to said the stun beams hurt like hell!”
    Ryan nodded.
His brother, Colonel Wade Nelson, had casually mentioned that this part of the
training would be particularly difficult though he had only smiled knowingly
when Ryan asked how he had done on the mountain drill.
    “The drill has
been modified slightly in recent years,” Ryan said, recalling what he'd been
told in the morning briefing by Major Winfrey. “The energy beams have been
changed to stun guns that supposedly just sting and make your body feel as if
it’s on fire. The RG rounds have been adjusted so they just put dents in your
armor rather than blow a hole completely through your arm or leg.”
    “Glad to hear
that,” Rios commented as he glanced down at the RG rifle he held in his metal
arms. “This training is supposed to be for a special project. Either of you two
have any idea what it is?”
    “No,” answered
Ryan, shaking his head. “The brass wanted a well-trained group of marines and
space force officers for this project.”
    “I’ve heard
rumors it might involve the new Type Four battlesuits,” ventured Corporal
Hunter. “They’re reportedly ready for trial deployment.”
    “I’ve heard
those rumors for several years,” Ryan replied with a frown.