Ascendant Sun: A New Novel in the Saga of the Skolian Empire Read Online Free PDF

won't happen. No one is left." Bitterly Jay added, "Even if this miracle appeared, you think it would help? The Skolian, Eubian, and Allied Space Commands would do everything possible, legal or otherwise, to imprison or assassinate your 'miracle.' "

Kelric stared at him. "Why are you so angry?"

A flush spread on Jay's face. It was a moment before he answered. "I lost my parents in the war."

Quietly Kelric said, "I'm sorry."

Jay shook his head. "It's the principle, too. Everyone treats the Ruby Dynasty as if they're great prizes to own and control. Why don't people leave them alone?"

His remarks surprised Kelric. Even he saw why the Allieds refused to release his family. A Ruby Triad powered the psiberweb: the Imperator, the Ruby Pharaoh, and Kelric's father. Until Kelric joined the Triad, his father was the only Triad member still living. By holding him prisoner, Earth kept him from remaking the psiberweb. By holding the rest of the family, they stopped anyone else from joining the Triad. No Triad meant no web, and without the web, Skolia wouldn't risk another war. The instantaneous communications provided by the psiberweb had given ISC its one advantage over the Eubian Traders. It was why Imperial Space Command survived despite having fewer personnel, vessels, and equipment than Eubian Space Command. ESComm lumbered: ISC sailed.

What surprised Kelric more, though, was that Jay voiced his criticism to a Skolian citizen. As a Dawn Corps volunteer, Jay represented Earth.

Curious, Kelric extended a probe to Jay's mind. Before he made any contact, though, pain sparked in his temples. So he let his concentration relax. Instead he asked, "You don't approve of your government's actions?"

Jay stiffened. "Of course I do." He indicated the forms Kelric held. "Shall we begin?"

Kelric had no intention of filling out anything. He handed Jay the papers. "I'll come back."

"Are you sure?" As Jay's focus returned to Kelric, his tension faded, replaced by genuine concern. In a gentle voice he said, "You look like you need a place to eat and rest."

His solicitude touched Kelric, as had his earlier kindness. Standing up, he said, "I'm fine. But thank you." He wasn't fine, but he couldn't risk revealing more about himself.

"Come back if you need anything." Jay rose and extended his arm, his hand held sideways. Kelric blinked at it. Just as Jay began to look self-conscious, Kelric remembered the custom. He clasped Jay's hand and moved his arm up and down. It felt odd to touch a stranger.

After Kelric left the Dawn Corps, he sat on a bench outside and watched people go by. Exhaustion weighed on him. Even the thought of walking a few steps was too much. He had used up his depleted physical resources and now he just wanted to sleep. But he had to make plans. He needed to contact an ISC base, one strong enough to protect a member of the Ruby Dynasty.

In normal times he probably could have found passage to ISC headquarters. But in this chaos, with civilization breaking down, he was painfully vulnerable. Nor would it be easy to find officers he could trust. Many in ISC stood to benefit from the current lack of leadership. If he approached the wrong people, he could end up in more trouble than if the Allieds caught him.

Even his claim to his title was tenuous. The Imperator had no coronation. His investment consisted of joining the Triad powerlink, which he couldn't do until he reached one of the Lock command stations used to create the psiberweb.

He stood up— and spots swirled in his vision. Swaying, he dropped back on the bench and sat still, waiting for the vertigo to pass and his nausea to recede. When he felt steadier, he took a deep breath and stood again.

He needed help. Soon. He was the only member of his family free to assume the leadership his people needed.

And he was dying.
* * *
     
     
    The line of men outside the hostel stretched along an ocher wall that bordered the sandy street. Kelric waited in line, hugging his arms