Battle Cruiser by B. V. Larson Read Free Book Online Page B

House if we’re to have a chance.”
    Her thinking was thus revealed to me. She was more interested in the election of my father to the office of President than she was in discovering who had attacked him. It would seem odd to an outsider, but I understood. My parents were ambitious to a fault.
    Heaving a sigh, I assured her I would do as she asked. I gave her a peck on the cheek, which she returned. Then I left her side quickly, before she could insist on any more conditions.
    Miles was indeed waiting for me on the roof. It had begun to rain in the city; the dark clouds overhead drizzled onto my upturned face.
    The turbines of the air car whined, slowly gaining in pitch as I approached the passenger side. I climbed in and shook myself off. The hydrophobic surfaces of the upholstery shed the rainwater, sending every droplet quickly to a drain in the bottom of the cabin.
    “I’m so glad you found time to visit your father in his hour of need, William,” Miles said. “House Sparhawk is blessed to have a man such as yourself representing our—”
    “Save the praise for House Astra, Miles,” I said. “You’re coming along to massage their egos, not mine.”
    Tannish fell silent as the airship lifted off.
    I glanced at him, and I quickly determined that he was annoyed.
    “Why does everyone think offending the House Astra is worth ignoring a violent attack?” I asked him.
    He set the autopilot and leaned back in his seat, glancing at me. “Is that a serious question?”
    “I rarely ask any other kind.”
    “House Sparhawk has considerable political influence, William. Your father is a popular man. But he isn’t all-powerful. He needs funding.”
    “Ah,” I said, “and House Astra is one of the richest Houses in the Ministry.”
    “Exactly. Now, I’m supposed to coach you on civility. How long has it been since you’ve visited another of the Great Houses? As an official representative of House Sparhawk, I mean?”
    Shrugging my shoulders, I avoided his gaze. “I don’t recall the specifics. As a child, I’m sure I—”
    “That’s what I thought,” he said, heaving a sigh. “Let’s go over the basics. It’s critical that you maintain certain realities in your mind at all times during the visit. First of all, we’ll be in their home, not ours. We must conduct ourselves with decorum and respect.”
    My eyes rolled of their own accord. “I’m a guardsman, Miles. I can’t conduct an investigation without impressing them with my authority.”
    “You may find that they’re more forthcoming if they like you—or if they at least feel you’re a welcome guest from an allied House.”
    “Friendship and alliance—these things are not my goals. I seek cooperation and truthfulness.”
    My statement did not seem to deter Miles. He continued to lecture me as we flew out of the city and across several districts toward the north. When the lights below were few and far between, we came upon a constellation of light nestled in a forest on a mountaintop.
    Intrigued despite my mood, I watched as we glided down into the estate grounds. The service road resembled a thread of light winding up the mountain to the bejeweled crown of brilliant stars that was the estate itself.
    “It’s much larger than our estate,” I said.
    “As I said, they have the wealth, if not the most charismatic leader.”
    Mesmerized, I watched as we landed in a fairytale scene. The estate was walled, with six tiers of boulders laser-cut into a perfect jigsaw puzzle pattern.
    “Bricks were too ordinary for them as well, I see,” I remarked.
    “Each of those stones was quarried from living rock on a distant colony,” he said.
    I glanced at him in surprise. “A colony? This castle is that old?”
    “Yes, it dates back to before the Cataclysm, as does House Astra. There are many wonders here. You would do well to—”
    “Wait,” I said in concern, “we’re passing the landing zone.”
    “Naturally. We invited ourselves, not the