Revolutionary (The Athena Lee Chronicles Book 4) by T S Paul Read Free Book Online Page B

armed. Their only crime was asking questions and demanding change. My brother spoke to me about those new laws. My brother..my Brother was there. In the crowd. He was the man who tried to protect the children. I saw him brutally gunned down for trying to save children. He and them were murdered by the very government I now serve!”
     
    Surprised the Captain’s eyes widened at my rhetoric. “My brother was a man of peace. He was simply a farmer. I just talked to him yesterday, he was concerned about the higher taxes and farm levies. My family.” I paused a look of shock upon my face. “I have to call my father! By the Gods, he and the others, I need to call them. Captain may I?” The Captain motioned toward the communication station. I turned and almost ran to it. Keying in the proper codes I linked into the Militia communication net and sent my message. I didn’t need to tell him, he already knew.
     
     

Chapter 6
     
     
    Colonel Lee rode at the head of the column in an armored personnel carrier. Behind him riding in trucks was as many troops that could be found. He had two battle ready platoons and a third that was a mis-mash of available warm bodies. Hopefully they would be in time. Grabbing the many troops, equipping them, and finding transportation took time. The militia base was ten miles from the city center. As they entered the city reports were already streaming in from the newscasts and local reports. In the distance black troopships hovered like vampire bats strafing the crowds of people with rockets and lasers. Reaching the causeway the militia troops were slowed by crowds of bloody, wounded civilians screaming for help as they stumbled and ran. After nearly hitting a wounded man, the Colonel slowed the column to a crawl.
     
    Turning to his communication specialist Colonel Lee said “Contact my daughter Major Lee!” Colonel Lee used his link and contacted Governor Stoner. The Newsies were broadcasting every bloody detail, the Governor already knew. “Roy, I’m sorry we could not get here in time. What are your orders?”
     
    Governor Roy Stoner had been in his position for over 30 years. Governor for life he liked to joke. Even through the war he had never had anything like this happen, not to his planet. This was a moral decision not a political one. First and foremost was justice for all the innocents that were killed today. He didn’t like it but he knew what he had to do.
     
    “Colonel I want justice for our citizens. Do whatever you have to do to bring them to justice. You have my complete authority!”
     
    Taking the communicator from his aide Colonel Lee bowed his head and said a silent prayer. “Major Lee, your orders are to take out those troopships using any means necessary by order of Governor Stoner!”
     
    The colonial attack ships moved in for the kill on the unsuspecting troopships.
     
    With blood in his eyes and fire in his heart Colonel Alexander Lee began shouting orders at his troops. If he was going to commit treason he might as well go all the way! He ordered his two combat platoons to start rounding up any and all Empire personnel from inside the buildings.
     
    “Get them all, anyone with authority.” He needed prisoners they could bring to trial.
     
    He instructed the mixed platoon to start organizing survivors and help get the medical aid stations set up. Emergency services were, just now, starting to show up. The Colonel walked the front line of the dead. He was checking for any survivors among the march leaders or any of the murdered children who now lay in the street. His face was like a piece of stone as he watched his troops search for the living. A pile of bodies in the center attracted his attention. Stepping carefully he and his small protection team picked their way across the carnage. Near the center of the street was a literal pile of adult bodies. Behind them were the remains of children who had tried to hide. The bloody and tattered remains of one