Solbidyum Wars Saga 4: Too Late for Earth Read Free Page B

possible.  To those with no living family, she has extended an offer to bring them back to your estate on Megelleon, where she plans to establish an orphanage and school to see to their care and education.”
    I had to smile as I thought of Kala making these arrangements.  I really do love that woman.
    “How are Stonbersa and Felenna holding up?” I asked quickly, before Jenira could shove another spoon of food in my mouth.
    “When the Commodore saw you take off after Shydak, he immediately took action and coordinated a full-scale attack using the Mirage Fighters and patrol ships from both the NEW ORLEANS and the MIZBAGONIA .  You’ll recall there were several hundred Brotherhood ships surrounding the planet.  Well, they were totally caught off guard; and because all our ships were cloaked, they had no idea how many ships or what size ships were attacking them.  I’m sure it seemed like the entire Federation military was assaulting them.  In just a short time we destroyed two thirds of their ships as the rest retreated.  Their losses here were heavy, greater than in all their previous conflicts with us combined.  When they saw what was happening, the ships in the more distant stations fled the scene at maximum speed.  I suspect they’re mighty upset as you’ve messed up their drug trade again.  I imagine they were ramping up their operations here to compensate for their losses after you stopped them at Alle Bamma… and now you’ve shut them down here, as well.”
    “I suspect they have many planets set up like this one.  They can’t afford to have all their crop production and lab operations in one location.  Nevertheless, I’m sure we hurt their business substantially.”  By now I had finished my meal.  I tried to sit up a bit more, as I seemed to have slid down in the bed, and immediately Jenira was on her feet trying to assist me and adjust my pillows.  When she thought that I was sufficiently situated, she looked at me with a smile and sat down in her chair once more.
    “How about our losses?  How many men and ships did we lose?”
    A’Lappe chuckled, “Tibby, you, Tanden and Padaran were our only casualties and the ship you crashed was one you stole from the Brotherhood, so we lost none of our own ships.  Padaran’s leg is almost completely healed now, though he still limps a bit.”
    “Has the Admiral been apprised of the situation here?”
    “Indeed he has and he’s been calling twice a day for briefings on your progress.  He is also bursting with pride at Padaran’s accomplishments.”
    I grinned as I imagined the Admiral’s pride over his nephew’s exploits.  I was just wondering what display he would try to make over it all.  “Has there been any more news about the Tottalax?”
    “I think it would be best if Commander Wabussie addressed that matter with you.  I believe he has some new information, but I would be remiss if I were to speak for him and inadvertently present you with the wrong data.”
    Commander Wabussie was the head of the Federation Security Organization, an ultra-top-secret Federation intelligence-gathering organization also known as the FSO.  Its very existence was only known to a few within the Federation.  The FSO had been formed in secrecy, when it was discovered that the Federation Office of Investigation, or FOI, which was considered to be the primary source of intelligence gathering, had been infiltrated by the Brotherhood of Light.  The FOI had been passing on false information to the Federation military; and since there was no way to be certain what other government entities may have been infiltrated, the FOI was allowed to continue to function largely as a intelligence gathering organization until the FSO could determine who among them were Brotherhood infiltrators.
    “Is there any other news in the Federation that I need to know about?” I asked.
    “Well, Leader Turaine’s term expired and a new Leader from the Kopalac sector has been