Cobra Gamble by Timothy Zahn Read Free Book Online Page A

should already be gathering at the staging area," the doctor panted. "But there was someone who wished first to say farewell to you."
    Whether from the fresher air, the lack of medicine being pumped into his body, or the sheer adrenaline-driven fear caused by the doctor's reckless driving, Daulo's head had mostly cleared by the time they reached their destination. It turned out to be a medium-sized conference room equipped with a table, a dozen chairs, and a line of blank monitor screens. Seated at the table were three older men, while six younger men dressed in the gray Djinni combat suits stood silently at the ready around the room's edges.
    The three older men looked up, and with a jolt Daulo realized he knew two of them. One was Moffren Omnathi, special advisor to the Shahni and a legend among the Qasamans. The other was Miron Akim, who with the rank of Marid was overall commander of the planet's entire Djinni combat force.
    "Daulo Sammon," Omnathi said gravely as the doctor wheeled Daulo's chair up to the table. "My apologies for bringing you here instead of letting you go directly to your departure area."
    "No apologies needed, Your Excellency," Daulo said, making the gesture of respect and throwing a furtive glance at the unknown man. From the look on his face, it was clear he wasn't happy with this interruption to their meeting. "But what is this departure area business? Why is everyone leaving in such a hurry?"
    "The invaders are destroying Sollas," Omnathi said, "and that destruction is nearing this area."
    Daulo winced. No wonder the doctor had been in such a hurry. "Then you're right, we'd best get moving," he said, glancing down at his robe and recovery jumpsuit. "It would be very embarrassing to die looking like this."
    "No fears of that," Omnathi assured him. "Some of the earlier refugees were met with violence, but the later groups have been allowed to leave unharmed." He gestured at Daulo's clothing. "And more suitable travel clothing is waiting at the departure area. The doctor will help you change before you go."
    "Thank you, Your Excellency, that will be very helpful," Daulo said, a small relief trickling into the simmering darkness of fear and uncertainty. At least they weren't going to be shot the moment they reached the outside air. "My apologies for the impertinence, but may I ask why exactly I'm here?"
    "Marid Miron Akim and I wished to say a final farewell," Omnathi said. "You and your family have served Qasama well, and we wanted you to know how grateful we were for that service. May God watch over you, and may you win through to see your village again."
    "Thank you, Your Excellency," Daulo said, again making the sign of respect. "To both Your Excellencies," he added, this time including Miron Akim in the gesture. "But if we're all leaving the city together, it would seem to me that your farewells are premature." He frowned as a thought occurred to him. "Or won't we be traveling together?"
    "Our paths will lead—" Omnathi's lip twitched "—along different roads. When you and the remaining civilians from this sector depart from the subcity, the invaders will learn the location of one more hidden passageway. With that knowledge, they'll undoubtedly enter to explore for data or useful items that may have been left behind. We will remain behind to make one final assault upon them."
    Daulo looked at the six gray-suited men standing silently against the walls. "What, six of you against the entire force of invaders?"
    "Seven," Akim corrected calmly. "Though I'm a civilian, as Marid-commander I also count myself among the Djinn."
    "My apologies, Marid Akim," Daulo said. "But I fail to see how one extra Djinni will tip the military balance. In fact, I can't see how you can accomplish anything but a waste of all your lives."
    "Your impertinence is not welcome, villager," the third man said brusquely. "These men are warriors of Qasama. They'll attack the invaders because it's their duty to do so."
    "Their