Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light by Marcus Johnson Read Free Book Online Page A

displayed the will of the people,” Valis said. “I know you’ve
briefed us Grigon, but is there anything else we need to know?”
    The old Malcovin
looked at Brian. “Are you sticking to the plan?”
    “Yes,” Brian
said.
    “Very well,”
Grigon said. He called up a number of real time positions of the Confederation
fleets. “Currently, they’ve detained Shiken Ka and his fleet at the
Confederation headquarters. We received word earlier today that Prime Minister
Hopart has arrived there as well.”
    “They’ll fight
the best legal battle for the organization,” El Kar added. “But I doubt the
High Council will listen to reason.”
    “No, they’re
convinced Heaven’s Light is my personal military,” Brian said. He looked at
fleet positions within the Degan system. “It looks like we won’t have much time
to rest.”
    Valis glanced at
the fleet at Dega Six. “They’re desperate,” she said.
    “They fear an
end to their time,” El Kar said. “Those who fear the thoughts of rising stars
will try crushing their ideals.”
    “It won’t work,”
Kivi said. “Even if we were destroyed today the peoples of the Alden will find
their way.”
    “But if we don’t
act there won’t be a Confederation to protect by the time that happens,” Zae
said.
     

Chapter 7 -
Negotiation Breakdown
     
    Shiken Ka slithered
back and forth angrily while waiting for his audience with the High Council.
His guards watched silently while a score of Minan troops kept them in the
waiting room. The door from the hall leading to the interior of the station
opened. Prime Minister Jabril Hopart of Kalaidia came through with a pair of
guards in tow. Shiken met her gaze and nodded as she went to him.
    “It’s been
awhile Lord Ka,” she said before saluting.
    He returned the
sign, “A long time indeed.”
    She put her
hands on her hips. “So they’re waiting you out?”
    Shiken laughed.
“If that’s their tactic it’s not working very well. Anger only fuels my defiant
patience.”
    “I’d expect that
from you,” she said.
    “I may be
speaking in metaphors to ease my mind,” Shiken said. “But from my experience
with you I must be deadly serious.”
    Jabril smiled.
“I’m not one for nonsense. Otherwise the people would’ve voted me out long
ago.”
    “True indeed,”
he said. The light on the door leading into the main hall lit up and buzzed.
“Looks like it’s time to dispense with the nonsense and get something done.”
    “Of course,”
Jabril said.
    The pair walked
through the door and onto the platform leading to the center podium. Up and
down the cylindrical chamber representatives of the twenty seven member worlds
waited. Jabril took position next to Shiken Ka and turned on the console in
front of them. Lord Kris floated forward in his gold and black exoskeleton. He
tapped the gavel to call order to the hall.
    “As all of you
know, the current situation threatens to tear us apart,” the Mylor said. “The
organization known as Heaven’s Light is primed to begin operation. The question
of how we’re to treat them is far from settled. As of now the Mylor abstain
from any decision. In our eyes, their organization amounts to nothing more than
a private military force under the jurisdiction of the Degan government. Given
that criteria, Heaven’s Light is legal and allowed under current law. Others
would disagree. The Ick-Tckt, Malcovin, and Viken governments have been the
most vocal opponents of this new organization. But in our last discussion on
the situation it was revealed that this disagreement is far greater than simply
three members. It was brought to our attention that half the member worlds are
against the existence of Heaven’s Light. In addition, they have charged Brian
Peterson of conspiracy, piracy, and for violations of the Law of Exclusivity.
These charges are grave and carry the penalty of death if true. That’s why we’ve
called for a rebuttal. The two races most vocal in the defense of