Ashes of the Realm - Death of an Empire (Ashes of the Realm (Book Three)) Read Online Free PDF Page A

on his armor and took the packet in his hand. He teleported out of the ship and looked down on the dead planet. He checked his scanners and saw a huge orange storm blowing across a vast plain. He teleported the bag ten miles in front of the oncoming orange cloud and released it above a rocky plateau. He focused on the bag and saw a small puff of dust from its impact. Carter looked at the planet and felt an overwhelming anger at creatures that would do this to a living world. He teleported back to the ship as it jumped away to find the next four targets. “How long will it take for the spores to start working?”
    “We’ve delayed the response for thirty days.”
    “Why that long?”
    “We want them to be carried by the invaders to other locations before they discover their existence and this will be a good way to see if the delay works.”
    Carter smiled, “That’s a good plan. Are we going to stay here?”
    “No, we’ll come back in twenty nine days and start recording what happens.”
    Carter smiled, “Good, I get to see Jenna.”
    * * *
    “Alex.”
    “Yes, Grace.”
    “The Algeans have started their trial. How far along are you on the new power system?”
    “Not far enough. Keep me posted on what’s happening.”
    “You need to hurry.”
    “Grace, we’re doing all we can. I’ll let Vring and Kreej know what’s going on. We’ll do all we can.”
    “Alex, I’m worried.”
    “Should we delay the Algeans?”
    “You know that won’t stop them. They are driven by different goals.”
    “How so?”
    “They’re working to prevent the discovery of the Stars Realm in their dimension. We are a secondary consideration.”
    Alex paused, “Grace, I’m afraid I’m on their side on this issue. My first loyalty is to the Realm.”
    “As is mine; this is a clear conflict of interest for them and us. Unfortunately we are not given any wiggle room on this issue either. We are sworn to the Realm and must allow them to continue but we’ve got to do all we can to try and save our friends here. You are the key to making that happen.”
    “Do the Algeans Know?”
    “They do; but like us they also have no room to maneuver. Their first loyalty is with the Realm.”
    “We’ll step up our trials, Grace. If we fail I want you here with me.”
    “I’m sorry, Alex. My destiny lies with our friends.”
    Alex decided that he was going to triple the trials. He couldn’t allow Grace to come to harm. Even Grace didn’t know she was his first priority even ahead of the Realm and he was not going to allow her to die; no matter what he had to do to protect her.
    * * *
    TK and Malah waited in the Defense Facility to receive their armor. TK had selected Malah two weeks earlier and had been given her Zecka just five days ago. “Are you excited?”
    “Yes, I am, TK. I’ve seen what the flyers can do and I want to start learning how to use my armor. What about you?”
    “I’m not sure. I’m still young to be placed in the ranks of the Flyers. I’m concerned that they might resent me. I know Jingos is not happy with having to wait.”
    “You just don’t look at their thoughts. I’ve never understood the reluctance of Humans to look at the thoughts of others. Jingos totally supports you getting armor now. All the citizens of the Realm want the Royal Family to have every protection possible. Jingos feels the same way.”
    “I wish Mon and Dad would get fitted.”
    “Your father just doesn’t feel he should. Your Mother supports him in that decision.”
    “Even so, it bothers me for some reason.” TK thought a moment and said, “Malah, we feel that to invade a person’s privacy it wrong. We’ll only do it if circumstances force us to it. You don’t have that problem because all of your species are telepathic. Besides, I don’t need to look as long as I have you.”
    Malah laughed, “Right you are. Let’s go and get us some technology and afterwards I’d like to use it to get home.”
    TK laughed with her and