Treasure of Light (The Light Trilogy) Read Free

“Ridiculous. The Underground never splits its forces. So long as they’re there in strength, you’ll lose as many vessels as they will.”
    “Yes, my opinion exactly. At any rate, we’ve also just initiated a new suppressive action on Tikkun. We’ve set up a series of neurophysiological experiments to explore Gamant brain structure. We’re taking the inhabitants of small isolated villages first and slowly working on the mind-sets in the major cities—to forestall any foolish attempts by Gamants to join forces and escape us.”
    “I—I can’t believe Baruch hasn’t descended in a ball of fire! He never leaves his people at our mercy for long.”
    “I’ve been meaning to tell you, Garold. This will make you feel better. Baruch should already be under lock and key aboard the Hoyer. We—”
    “ We captured Jeremiel Baruch? Impossible!”
    Slothen allowed a wry smile. His blue hair writhed, pleasantly caressing his skull. “But we’ve done it. We’ve been working with a man named Ornias, a powerful politician on Horeb. He lured Baruch in by telling him he needed assistance in halting the civil war there. The thought of Gamants killing Gamants brought Baruch running like a mother hen.’
    “War?” Silbersay’s face slackened, eyes widening in horror. Sweat beaded across his forehead and nose, gluing his white hair to his temples.” War! What actions have you taken? Dear God, you haven’t ordered another scorch attack, have you? No. Oh, no. You can’t kill more innocent people!”
    Slothen threw out two of his hands. “It’s all right, Garold. Don’t worry about it. Cole Tahn is in charge. It’s not your concern.”
    “What have you DONE? Tell me?” Silbersay cried and took three quick strides forward, face twisted with madness. Slothen hit the button beneath his desk, then lurched out of his seat and raced toward the window, his six legs swirling in a blur. Two security guards burst through the doors, rifles aimed at Silbersay’s back.
    The colonel spun, staring insanely into the cold hard eyes of the human guards. “Oh,” he whispered forlornly, on the verge of tears. “Poor Cole. Poor, poor Cole.”
    “Garold,” Slothen said quietly. “You’re not stable. Let me get you some help. The psych professionals on Palaia are the best in the galaxy. We’ll—”
    “No!” he screamed. “I won’t let you destroy my mind with your probes! I got away from Bogomil and I’ll escape you, too!” He lunged at the guards, forcing his way past. The surprised officers glanced to Slothen for further guidance.
    “Stop him,” he ordered. “Minor Force.”
    The dark-haired guard scrambled into the hall and a shot rang out. He heard a body thud dully against the walls, then slam to the floor.
    “He’s down, Magistrate. What now?”
    “Take him to Doctor Zirkin. Tell him the colonel is a top level military official and needs special retraining. I want all of his memories purged from the first instant he contemplated joining government service.”
    The guard’s expression darkened, fear in his eyes. Slothen bared his needle teeth again and feigned a malignant smile. The guard hurried into the hall. “Yes, sir,” he responded and hit the button to close the door.
    Alone again, Slothen twined his fingers so tightly they hurt. “Now I’ve lost my best Gamant specialist. Where am I going to find someone else? Maybe I ought to look within Gamant civilization itself? Subvert someone, give him a little power, and use him for all he’s worth?” It was a problem he’d have to think more about. If Silbersay proved right about the coming revolt, he’d have to find someone soon. Worse, he might have to contact the other Magistrates and that could prove catastrophic. Isolated and sleeping in classified Peace Vaults in the Giclas system, he hadn’t had to disturb their rest in centuries.
    Taking a deep breath, he dropped heavily into his chair and opened a line to the front office. “Topew?”
    “Yes,