The Shattered Empire (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 2) by Kal Spriggs Read Free Book Online Page B

the table began to mutter amongst themselves at the last.
    Captain Doko continued, “Melcer we’ve already successfully attacked.  It seems unlikely that it might have been substantially reinforced in the time since to the point that we cannot capture the system.”
    The next star in the short chain began to blink.  “From Melcer, the system Tehran is only a three day journey through shadow space.”  He cleared his throat, “Tehran was an independent world.  Going off of our intel on the Shah and his people, it seems likely that they will have fought against the Chxor.  We don’t know the extent of their resistance, but it seems likely they will welcome any kind of relief from the Chxor.”
    “That seems overly optimistic, doesn’t it?” Lucius asked, his brow furrowed.
    Admiral Dreyfus spoke, “Baron, we’ve analyzed your more recent records, especially the… disagreement between the Shah of Tehran and Nova Roma.  Although they disliked outsiders in general, we believe that they’ll welcome any help in removing the Chxor.”
    Captain Doko shrugged, “In any case, sir, we’ll have control of the orbitals and use of the system for long enough to open other possible supply routes.  Judging by the chaos the Chxor left here on Faraday after their brief occupation, Tehran will be in disarray for some time.”
    Lucius nodded, “I believe that warrants further analysis, but your point is valid.  We can hold the system for a time before issues of occupation versus liberation come up.  Continue.”
    The hologram chain strobed on the third system, the one closest to Nova Roma.  “That leaves us with Danar, gentlemen, and that is altogether another issue.”  Doko's voice held confidence, but Lucius could still hear the edge of anguish there.  Danar had claimed the lives of more of Nova Roma's military forces than any other system.
    The hologram zoomed in to show an expanded diagram of the system.  “It was Nova Roma’s second largest Fleet Base, with large reserves of mines, missiles, and an extensive sensor network.”  Doko gritted his teeth, “Due to a... miscommunication, the commanding officer stood down most of the defenses just prior to the Chxor offensive, and he surrendered with minimal resistance when the Chxor enveloped the Empire.”
    Lucius bit his tongue against the words he wanted to say regarding Admiral Vibius’s shameful actions.  Pride and arrogance sent five battleships, two squadrons of cruisers and the entire screen element into a point-blank gunfight with the Chxor dreadnoughts in the worst defeat of the war.
    “We believe that our forces are strong enough to break the Chxor element in the system and to hold it long enough to fortify it and move on to Nova Roma.”
    Admiral Mund spoke, his voice dry, “As you can imagine… some of us Nova Romans have doubts in that regard.”  He shook his head, “Admiral Ambrogino thought much the same and he had a significant firepower advantage when he mounted his first attack there.”
    Captain Doko nodded, “Yes, sir.  But, at the time, the Chxor expected a counter-attack.  Their commander also got lucky when Admiral Ambrogino’s carrier hit a wandering mine.”  The loss of the Praetorian to that ill fate had cost Nova Roma a thousand sailors and the chance to refuel and rearm its fighter squadrons.
    “And what about the subsequent defenses that they prepared for Ambrogino’s return?” Admiral Mund asked.
    “It seems doubtful that they left such extensive minefields in place, sir,” Admiral Dreyfus's intelligence officer, Captain Wu, said, from down the table.  “The Chxor, having secured that front, are unlikely to leave such hazards for their own merchant and military traffic through the system.”  Her voice was confident, though Lucius remembered well enough how other officers had been confident about recovery of the Danar system.
    “But we can’t be certain,” Admiral Mund said, “Not until we arrive in the