The Empire’s Corps: Book 01 - The Empire's Corps by Christopher Nuttall Read Free Book Online Page B

as well be magic as far as they’re concerned. Upwards of twenty billion people in city-blocks who have no concept of just how bad the universe can become, or what’s waiting for them in the Undercity. If the bomb explodes under them, all hell will break loose. Perhaps you’re right.”

    “Perhaps,” Gwen agreed. “Or perhaps they’ll call us back to deal with the chaos.”

    Edward said nothing.

    “Cheer up,” Gwen said, dryly. “It could be a lot worse.”

Chapter Five
     
    One of the most dangerous signs of decline is the sudden reluctance to tolerate different points of view in political debate. Questions and issues that were discussed freely are suddenly forbidden, limiting the realm of political science. The reluctance to question the fundamental basis of our culture and society is, in itself, crippling free enquiry and freedom of speech .
    - Professor Leo Caesius, The Waning Years of Empire (banned).
     
    No one would have called the Sebastian Cruz beautiful. It was little more than a two kilometre-long block of metal, with a drive section flaring out to the rear. It was ugly, pitted and scarred by the strain of an existence right on the edge, yet to Professor Leo Caesius it – she – was the most wonderful sight in the universe. She represented escape from Earth, escape from the horror that had gripped his family over the last year, and he would have forgiven her anything. He’d accessed recordings of the interior of the Marine Transport – the designers, it seemed, didn’t have comfort or luxury in their dictionaries – but even though she was uncomfortable, she was safe ! He couldn't wait to climb onboard her and escape to the Rim.

    “We’ll be docking in two minutes,” the pilot said, from his seat at the front of the tiny shuttle. “When we dock, unbuckle yourselves and climb out the hatch, taking your bags with you. Don’t look back.”

    “Understood,” Leo said, nodding towards the young man. He hadn't known if the Marine pilot knew who he was ferrying, not until now. A direct order from the Commandant of the Marine Corps might as well have been an order from God, as far as the very junior pilot was concerned, but he might not have been enthusiastic about it. “We won’t delay.”

    “I hope that there will be some proper accommodation onboard that...thing,” Fiona chimed in, from her seat. Her petulant tone made Leo wince. Fiona was the same age as himself – forty-seven – but unlike her husband, Fiona had never been treated with regeneration therapies that would have restored her lost youth. The first streaks of grey were appearing in her hair, no matter how much she tried to hide them. They reminded Leo of his own guilt. The entire family had been stressed to the limits, because of him. “I could do with a long soak in the bath.”

    “I'm afraid that there are no bathing facilities onboard the transport,” the pilot said, tonelessly. Leo was sure that he was trying to hide a grin. “The bathing compartments are restricted to sonic vibrations and the occasional sponge bath. Water is a luxury in space.”

    Leo said nothing, watching as the minnow of the shuttle slowly approached the massive whale. Two years ago, he had been a respected academic, teaching the Empire’s history to the best and brightest students from all over the Empire. The University of Earth, the most famous university in the Empire, had granted him tenure. A bright future had laid ahead, one where Leo, his wife and his two daughters could make a comfortable life for themselves. They had even been talking about having more children, or buying more comfortable accommodation away from the towering city blocks. The whole universe had seemed to be waiting for them.

    And then he’d been struck by the curiosity bug. One of his students, a young girl from the out-worlds, had questioned the very basis of the Empire’s mandate. Another Professor would have put her firmly in her place – it was an