The Phoenix Project by Kris Powers Read Free Book Online Page A

to
avoid a confrontation.
         “It wouldn’t be easy to
convince others.” Elik   moved another
piece into a confrontation. “Impeachment.”
         “Elik, if we lose our moral
judgment in all this, we become as ruthless as the Nevargh.”
         Lathiel countered with his
Director piece.
         “Some would say that’s
necessary for survival.”
         “But you know better than
that,” Lathiel replied.
         “How many ships would you
need?”
         “My ship, possibly an escort.”
         “I can probably get you two,”
Elik said and moved another piece.
         “You’re in danger of
dismissal,” Lathiel said.
         He examined the board and
moved his Professor. Elik removed his trapped Director from the board.
         “Dismissed,” Elik said.
         He removed the patriarchal
piece from the checkered board. With the game over, Lathiel arranged the
pieces back in order.
         “Another game?” Elik asked
over two empty glasses. “I’ll break out the special vintage brandy.”
         “Which one?”
         “The Forty—First Edition,”
Elik replied.
         “I’m in.”
         Elik got up, opened a large
liquor cabinet, and retrieved a dusty bottle of the glowing liquid. He smiled
as he opened it and poured Lathiel and himself half a glass.
         “I haven’t opened it until
tonight. I hear it’s one of the best ever made,” Elik said.
         “One more game.”
         “Two. This is the best Ruby
Brandy you’ve ever had.”
         “It’d better be,” Lathiel said
and allowed Elik the first move.
         Lathiel enjoyed the old
vintage as the pieces moved around the board in the candlelit room.

 
 
 
    Fifty—seven ships appeared in
the darkness surrounding Earth to join a growing evacuation force. Ships
resembling birds of prey, long faceted cigars, and all other make and colour of
vessels were rising and falling from the United States of America.
         The largest evacuation in
Earth’s history was underway.
         Maria had been put in command
of the evacuation by Fleet Admiral Nelson and had the displeasure of
confronting a large group of hyperactive reporters.
         “Will all of the people in the
affected zone be evacuated before this weapon arrives?” one reporter demanded.
         “We have near completion of
the evacuation of the Moon and are one quarter through the evacuation of the
possibly affected areas of the United States.”
         “Is there any possibility that
you won’t be able to complete the evacuation in time as some experts in the
media have suggested?” the same reporter asked.
         Maria balked. “I have
personally seen the numbers and we do believe the citizens of the United States
will be in safe havens within the time allotted. Those who cannot find other
places on Earth to find refuge are being taken to other colonies. There are
hundreds of evacuation vehicles that have already arrived and more are on their
way.”
         “Some scientists have said the
Moon’s destruction will lead to Earth’s destruction. Their opinion is that
large portions of the Moon will impact our planet. Do you have any comment on
this?” a reporter demanded.
         “There is some truth to that
statement,” Maria said and had to pause when a dissonance of noise answered her.
“Please let me finish. A large portion of the moon will be vaporized on impact.
The rest of it will be fractured into smaller pieces. Some of these pieces will
be no larger than the size of your fist. Some of these pieces could be up to
five miles in diameter.”
         “Won’t debris that large be a
threat to Earth?”
         “Normally, yes it would. That
is why the Coalition and the Alliance
have agreed to pool their military resources on this occasion. All ten of their
battle groups and all six of ours will be around Earth after the Moon is hit.
That is over six hundred