Captive by Trista Ann Michaels Read Free Book Online

the event that happened. “Bombing of the major cities started shortly after satellites were taken out,” said Sergeant Morgan, as he handed Sidious a report, listing the damage.
    Sidious studied the list and then looked at the sergeant. “All these cities have been destroyed?”
    “Yes, my lord.”
    He looked back down at the paper to cover his anger. Such a waste . The flyers had done quite a bit of damage in a short amount of time. Most of the major cities were wiped out in less than twenty-four hours.
    The prime minister didn ' t care how many people he killed or how much was destroyed in the process of taking control. Most everything could be rebuilt, even population, so long as the natural resources he was after were not affected.
    “Have the ground troops move in and take over a few of the smaller unprotected towns and turn them into prison camps.” Sidious placed the report in a folder and dropped it on the table. “We'll hold people there under guard until all this is over. Earth has a large population, so we'll need several of these camps set up.”
    “Do you want the usual, my lord? Education and medical?” Sidious nodded as he studied another set of reports handed to him. "Yes.” From the beginning, the population here concerned him. The previous planets had not had this many people on them. He had tried to tell Rigora the number of people could be a problem for them, but he had held up his hand, stopping him. “I believe you are capable of handing this situation, Captain. I want this planet, and I expect you to get it for me. Am I clear?”

    Sidious had to bite his tongue to keep from saying what was really on his mind.
    He didn't need this planet. It was the challenge Rigora craved. The rush of conquering yet another world and forcing its people to do his bidding, to bend to his rule. Once again, Sidious held his temper in check and said exactly what he knew Rigora wanted to hear.
    “My lord.”
    The sergeant's voice broke through his thoughts, and he stared at him with narrowed eyes. “What, sergeant?”
    He swallowed nervously, then asked, “Will there be anything else?” Sidious sighed and turned to leave the tent. “Not at the moment. I am returning to the Destroyer. If you need me, you may contact me there.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Climbing into his personal ship, Triton , he started the engines and headed back to the Destroyer. The Triton was a little bigger than an Imperial Flyer, but just as fast and maneuverable. It had a long, narrow middle section that could hold two people sitting side by side with about ten feet of storage space in the back that could be used for carrying supplies or baggage. The wings were each about fifteen feet long, with ends that tipped upward like a bird's wings.
    Flying low over the northeastern part of the continent -- a region called the United States -- he wanted a look at the destruction firsthand. Then he wished he hadn't. There was so much smoke that covered the city of New York due to fires caused by repeated bombings, the visibility was less than a quarter of a mile. A little farther south, the city of Washington, DC was pretty much in ruins, as well.
    They should have just surrendered, he thought, although he understood why they didn't. If he were in their shoes, he would have done exactly the same thing.
    He was so tired of all this destruction and conquest. It was time someone put the prime minister where he belonged. He took his time getting back to the Destroyer, flying low over the Earth several times before heading back. It gave him time to get his thoughts together.
    It must have been a beautiful place before all this happened. Maybe they could hold on until he and the rebellion could get their plan into motion. As he flew out of the Earth ' s atmosphere, he came up with a way that he might be able to help them.
    He secured the ship on deck six and powered down the engines.
    “Welcome back, Lord Marcone.” Ensign Gregor rushed forward to greet