Broken Glass (Glass Complex Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

their return to Castlehome; the trip would be steady, they would need to restrain their sense of urgency.
    “When you reach Castlehome,” explained the farmer. “You can leave it at the Deer’s Head; the owner is my uncle. He will re-charge the batteries until we can collect it. We are happy to be of some help, little though it may be.”
    “We will do our best,” promised Thomas. “However, in these times, circumstances may—”
    “I understand.”
    “We will ensure your brother is reimbursed if the load does not survive the trip,” promised Steg. “That is, assuming we do.”
    Thomas then worked on both sides of the trailer, taping long strips of HEx to the underside, just along the edge of the trailer bed, working the plastic material into position. The explosive was almost undetectable, and would be well disguised from prying eyes. He fixed in remote detonators. When armed, it only required a slight touch on a minor imperfection on the inside of his belt to trigger each one. When fired, the explosives would cause metal strapping around the edge of the trailer bed to flail out in pieces of shrapnel, causing significant injuries and perhaps death, to anyone standing within ten yards or so of the sides of the trailer. At last he was satisfied.
    “The Imperials will—I trust—think that only primitive backworld farmers could bother with a cargo like this. They will not be too eager to search it thoroughly. Now come on lad, move thy lazy self, we ain’t got all day. It’s after sunrise and we need to be off.”
    The innkeeper handed them a food pack and Steg and Thomas took their positions on the tractor unit. They quietly thanked the anxious farmer and innkeeper. Steg noted other villagers positioned protectively around the small village as they began their journey. Thomas set the gear lever for forward travel and slowly edged open the throttle lever. The electric motor was almost silent as the tractor and trailer eased into movement.
    Steg tried to relax on the passenger seat. He was certain they were going to experience a long, hard ride. The road ahead was dusty, winding around several small hills before leading into a broad green valley where it hugged a shallow and meandering river. Open patches of pasture grasses stirred and rippled in the light morning breeze. Occasionally, both the road ahead and the river were hidden by small wooded areas, until at last they separated and went their own ways into another larger and densely wooded valley. As yet no other travelers were on the road although life on the small farms along the way was beginning to stir. Steg was eager to glimpse the peaks of Castlehome. He relaxed as much as possible; in different circumstances, he could have enjoyed the peacefulness of the panorama through which they were traveling.
    They had no warning. As they rounded a blind corner, an Imperial squad moved into the center of the road, signaling them to stop. Thomas pulled back the throttle lever and stepped hard on the brake pedal, and the heavy trailer ground to a halt. An officer, an Imperial lieutenant, came forward, almost blanching as the ripe aroma made its presence felt. He covered his mouth and nose.
    “Ugh. What is that garbage? Come here, both of you, away from that damned stink.”
    Steg and Thomas both clambered down from the tractor and moved to where the officer indicated. The squad appeared to be well armed and Steg glimpsed a flyer parked some yards off the road. He slouched carelessly as the officer approached them and kept his eyes downcast, carving an arc in the dust on the edge of the road with the side of his boot.
    The officer ignored Steg and addressed Thomas. “Well, where do you think you are going?”
    “Sir, we need to go to Castlehome to sell our cheese.” Thomas maintained a servile attitude, in complete contrast with his usual drill square autocracy.
    “That’s cheese? I suppose you barbarians will eat anything. Now tell me, have you seen any of the