The Shattered Empire (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 2)

The Shattered Empire (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 2) Read Free Page B

Book: The Shattered Empire (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 2) Read Free
Author: Kal Spriggs
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said had held tones of reverence.
    He expected to face the worst – his sanctuary, the place he found his soul again – to be violated.  And he’s willing to face it alone, Lauren thought, as if I would leave him.  Lauren said, “No, I’ll come.”  She stepped forward and picked up her duffel to stand by his side.  He smiled, at her and she smiled back.
    The stepped through the gate and Lauren bit back a shout of surprise at what she saw on the other side. The wall had concealed a large, open compound.  Dozens of trees, some in bloom with bright pink flowers, sat in clusters around small buildings.  In the center, a larger stone building squatted.  It consisted of many heavy stone pillars supporting a roof that seemed more curves and angles than anything else.
    Boiling out of that structure came dozens of men and women in brightly embroidered robes.  The ocular impact almost reset her brain after the dingy brown streets of the city.  The crowd came to a halt, their leader an ancient old man with, what Lauren judged, what had to be the most absurd hat she’d ever seen in her life.  It towered, a mass of feathers, beads, bells, and possibly acres of silk.
    He managed to bow gracefully and Lauren repressed a giggle at the fact that the hat stayed firmly in place.  “Mason, it is good to see you.”
    Mason looked stunned, “Lan, it’s very good to see you, I thought–”
    “You thought they had killed me,” The old man spoke calmly.
    “Yes.  I’m glad you’re alright.” Mason let out a deep breath.  “Did they say why they came?”  The old man nodded, his face expressionless, serene in a way that made Lauren feel uncomfortable.  Not nearly as uncomfortable as his next words, though.  “Yes, they came looking for Tommy King.”
    ***
     
    Halcyon, Garris Major System
    Contested
    May 3, 2403
     
    Garret yawned and stretched as he climbed out of the cockpit.  His long, lean frame fit into the cockpit of his Hammer, but only barely.  He ran a hand over his shaved scalp and then reached down and offered Heller his hand.  As usual, she ignored it and pulled her light body out with one hand.  Garret sighed, “You know, I'm just being polite?”
    “Ya,” Heller said.  “I'm being polite by not breaking your wrist.”
    Garret sighed again, “You know, I couldn't fly with a broken wrist.”  Normally a frown on his hard, dark face was reason enough for someone to change their attitude, especially backed by his size.
    “This is reason for politeness,” Heller said as she dusted off her flight suit, doffed her helmet, and put her ear-buds in.  Her voice grew a bit louder, “It would take me too long to train new pilot, ya?”
    “Right,” Garret said.  He shook his head as he turned away, but he didn't even try to hide his smile.  Heller was eccentric, to say the least, but she was a great auxiliary officer on his Hammer.
    “Commander Penwaithe,” a voice spoke from behind him.
    Garret turned and grimaced to find a man in a black uniform.  He recognized it as Nova Roman, which meant he was one of Admiral Mannetti's people, “Yes?”  He recognized the tabs on the man's uniform, he was a commander as well, apparently.  Like most of Mannetti's people, his uniform did away with any form of identification.  Either they liked to keep people guessing who they were dealing with or it was some kind of stylistic choice, much like her infamous low-cut uniform.
    “Commodore Pierce sent me to speak with you,” the officer said.  “Admiral Mannetti is preparing a raid and the locals are going to accompany us for combat experience.”  The smirk on his face told Garret just what he thought of that.  “We're cross-loading some of your missiles to the locals, until they're able to replace some of their stocks.”
    Garret grimaced.  They'd captured Heinlein Base intact, but like many officers in the Colonial Republic, it's garrison commander had been corrupt.  He'd sold off most of his

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