Spirit of Empire 4: Sky Knights by Lawrence White Read Free Book Online Page A

at Borg, the Great Cat who was sitting at attention in front of Lady Krys and Sir Tarn.
    Borg’s eyes narrowed and his head reached out toward Limam as he returned the look, then he said in amazement, “I sense her. So do my brothers. She senses us as well.”
    Limam shook off Galborae’s hand and padded deliberately across the room, her attention shifting between Borg and the other Great Cats. Absolute silence reigned, and most held their breaths waiting to see what would happen.
    Limam stopped directly in front of Borg and stared up at him, both cats taking the measure of the other as Borg looked down on her from his sitting position while she remained standing. Galborae felt himself locked out of her thoughts, something he had felt only rarely and then only when Limam was on the attack. His hopes plummeted, but he held to one critical shred of evidence—her back had not arched.
    Limam broke eye contact with Borg, then she padded to his side and joined him, sitting with her eyes taking in the whole room with her ears pitched forward.
    Borg’s gaze went to Galborae, then to Washburn. “She protects,” he said. His amber eyes brightened for a moment, then he turned his head to Limam and growled low in his throat.
    She tossed her head and returned the growl with a soft snarl, then stood up. Borg also stood and padded over to the other Great Cats, passing before them. Limam followed, looking each of them in the eye as she passed. When Borg continued toward Stven, the dragon, Limam did not hesitate, though she had opened her thoughts to him again and he sensed her unease. He also sensed her trust in Borg. The two of them passed before each member of the crew with Limam making eye contact with each, then Borg returned to Galborae’s side.
    Galborae placed a hand on Limam’s neck, and she got the message and sat beside him, but her gaze remained on everyone in the room, not threatening but protecting. The room itself almost seemed to breath a sigh of relief.
    “This is a first for me and my brothers,” Borg said.
    “For me, as well,” Galborae said. “She sensed the demons and guided us to them. As you can see, her wounds are still healing.”
    “We see,” Borg said. “She is welcome here.”

Chapter Four
     
     
    Galborae had been on Aldebaran I for three months, and his patience was at an end. All the marines wanted him to do was train, train, train. They seemed to have no other purpose in life. He had done everything they asked of him: learned to use their stunners and blasters, the combat armor and visor, and he had kept up with his unit during the grueling exercise periods despite his still-healing wounds. In return, they ignored his demands for action. He neither heard or sensed any urgency concerning Tranxte.
    He barged into General Stymes’ office with Limam close on his heels, her ears flattened to her head. Despite Galborae’s constant mental reassurances during the preceding months, the cat still projected anxiety when among certain aliens, especially when Galborae was, himself, upset. He crossed through the general’s conference area—comfortable, padded chairs he had occupied on a sporadic basis during planning meetings—and in just a few more steps reached the general’s desk.
    The general had his back to him and was deep in discussion with another man, both of them dressed in immaculate, white uniforms, their hands shifting several computer projections through the air. Both of them were big men, the general blond-headed and barrel-chested while the man next to him was darker complected and trimmer with hair just starting to turn silver.
    “I have to get back,” Galborae said, the tone of his voice brooking no argument.
    Both men turned. When Stymes saw the look on Galborae’s face, he reached into a pocket for his translator. He attached it to his ear, handed one to the other man, then looked a question at Galborae.
    “I have to get back, General. Even now, there might not be anyone left