Shadow Space Chronicles 1: The Fallen Race by Kal Spriggs Read Free Book Online Page B

“We’ll have enough problems surviving on our own.  I won’t throw their lives away for nothing.  You aren't the only man who has lost someone they loved.  Half the crew has family and friends on Nova Roma.  Do you think they feel any better?”
    “ Get out.” Reese turned his head away.  “Just get out.”
    “ Reese…” Lucius sighed.  “Look, if you want to talk...”
    “ You abandoned your sister and my wife because you’re a coward, and I never want to see you again.  Your father was a traitor, I see you inherited that.” Reese’s voice was hollow.  “Get out or I’ll kill you.”
    Lucius stared down at the other man.  He felt an ache in his chest.  The weight of command seemed to increase a bit.  The uniform seemed to constrict a little tighter around his throat.
    Lucius shook his head and turned away.
    ***

 
    CHAPTER II
     
    August 3, 2406
    Faraday System
    Unclaimed Space
     
    “Attention inbound craft,” the patrol ship announced, “this system is the property of the Colonial Republic, if you do not turn aside you will be intercepted and destroyed by CRA Fleet assets.”
    Lucius smiled a part of him wondered if anyone in the Colonial Republic could ever be so courteous.  It didn’t matter.  The Colonial Republic had not claimed the system.  He switched his communications to tight band and made a circuit of communications between himself, the patrol craft and the jury-rigged contraption on the Gebneyr .  He also activated a second line.  This broadcast everything from the first to the planet.  “Very interesting, tell me, I assume you have a task force within easy hailing distance, at least a couple dreadnoughts, correct?”
    The speaker showed no sign of hesitation, “Four dreadnoughts as a matter of fact, escorted by a number of destroyers and light cruisers.”
    “Ah, now, please explain to me why the Colonial Republic Liberation Forces would be using dreadnoughts.” Lucius said with a smile.  “As they have never used them in combat before, and they don’t have the shipyards to build any?”
    The speaker on the patrol craft didn’t answer for a moment.  “Attention inbound craft, turn aside from your course immediately or you will be attacked by all craft in-system.”
    “That’s what?” Lucius asked matter-of-factly, “Two destroyers, a patrol cutter,  maybe a squadron of fighters or so, and a couple of corvettes?  If that force couldn’t destroy a crippled battlecruiser, what exactly do you think it will do to two fully armed and operational capital ships?”
    There was a longer pause on behalf of the patrol craft.  “I repeat, turn aside from your course or you will be fired upon.”
    Lucius smiled even more, “Patrol cutter, you seem to be losing forces as we speak.”  One of the destroyers and both corvettes began to break orbit, not in the direction of Lucius, but in the opposite direction.
    “ No doubt they are going for reinforcements?” Lucius asked.  “You just cannot trust mercenaries anymore, can you?”  He let that bit of information sink in, and then he turned up the heat.  “Our ships will move into a high altitude orbit of your planet in a little less than an hour.  We will not initiate any hostile moves and we hope that you will not.  Any use of force against us will bring instant retaliation.”
    Lucius waited.
    “What do you want?” the voice was subdued now.
    “ I want to talk to whoever is in charge down there.”  Lucius replied.  He kept his voice level.  He did not want to sound hostile, merely strong.
    “ The Contractor is a busy person–”
    “ Whom, without a doubt, will want to meet with the commander of the two ships that can turn your colony to cinders,”  Lucius answered.  He didn’t like making threats, but he had to make it clear who held the better hand up front.
    “ I’ll see what I can do.”
    ***
     
    The planet was quite beautiful, Lucius decided upon arrival.  No pleasure world, to be sure,