OMEGA Conscript Read Free

Marcos kept things peaceful there, I was sad to hear of his demise. No matter, I will have a new Governor in place shortly. And thank you for organizing the mines for us, those resources were sorely needed."
    The guards took hold of my arms. "You are playing into their hands, Mr. Salton. The Grotus are aggressive and will not be managed by any other species. They will win your wars and then crush you as well."
    Harden smiled. "The Greens as you call them, I've been told they look a lot like Gruntas, only they are warriors and not farmers."
    I replied, "They are a sister species. There are only a few minor genetic differences between us. One of those differences is their aggressive behavior. As I said, they will not be ruled or commanded by others. They are dominators and not allies. Mark my words, when you least expect it, they will turn on you. And when they come they will come harder and faster than you can imagine."
    Harden Salton waved his hand with chagrin. "We have the Grotus under control. One thing that puzzles me though, you Grunta were one of the species in the War of Wars, soundly defeated by us Humans. You were a warrior species, and yet you choose to be farmers. Why is that?"
    I replied, "Unlike the Grotus, we prefer to build and create rather than destroy. With the Grotus, the only thing you will build is your own defeat. I have warned you."
    Harden Salton scowled. "You had best worry about your own demise. Your new debt to the empire, for all the trouble you have caused, will be one of conscription. You will be sent through that portal where you will soon join your brethren in battle."
    I replied, "I will not fight alongside the Grotus. They wouldn't allow me to live. They have been our hated enemy since long before the AMP. I will be dead the moment I am seen."
    Harden Salton laughed. "Oh, I don't think you have to worry about the Grotus killing you. You and the other Gruntas will be too busy fighting the Moddle!"
    I turned my full body to face my new nemesis with a red angered face.
    Harden Salton smiled. "Yes, those transports you passed were carrying Gruntas! Your entire planet. Men, women, children, even the elderly insisted on all going together. The handful of Gruntas that lived off-world, voluntarily returned for it as well. The decision was made after my spies uncovered that a series secretive meetings, and what appears to have been training for learning to fight, had been going on there for years. It is still unclear, but it almost seemed as though they were preparing for war, which is fortuitous for both of us I suppose."
    My eyes burned with a new hatred for Harden Salton over what I had just been told. "I will return here one day. And on that day I will avenge the death of every Grunta that was made to pass through that portal!"
    Harden Salton again waved his hand. "Take him away. I'm tiring of his presence."

   Chapter 2
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    I was escorted from the room, as directed, under guard of the four Humans. I walked the grand halls with a blaster jammed into my back, continuously shoved along as the Human guards joked about the farmer heading off to war. When we reached the entrance, a white limo pulled up. I was shoved into the back.
    As the limo pulled away, one of the guards said, "I heard they loaded up all of you reptiles in cages and sent you off to fight. I hope you don't embarrass our side."
    The others laughed.
    I replied with a calm voice, "Are you intimidated by my appearance?"
    The guard shook his head. "Had I not known what I know, I might be. Your people didn't even put up a fight. They just rolled over. If that was me and my family, I would show no mercy. But I guess there has to be someone who's the weaker species, right?"
    I nodded. It was taking every ounce of restraint I had to not end the guard's life with a balled-fist to his face. Human skulls were thin compared to Grunta. I had no doubt I could take down all four guards before they had a chance to react, but where was I to go