Conquest of Earth (Stellar Conquest Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

readout mapped the Jupiter system in exquisite detail, which made the defense’s losses all the more painful. Not only had this sector lost nearly half its Sentinels, but three of the four Empire bases had been vaporized by the forbidden thermonuclear weapons of the rebels, and the main command center on Io was under assault. Cheng’s horror at the loss of Meme and Blend life was only sharpened by the doubt gnawing at his vitals.
    Cheng had always been loyal to the Empire. Only the most dedicated Underlings gained such prestigious postings as this, with the awesome responsibility of controlling defensive weapons systems. He’d been well educated on the dark times before the Empire had arrived to bring peace and enlightenment to humanity, putting an end to its fractiousness and strife.
    Now, everyone lived in harmony. Everyone knew his place – Meme, Blend, and Underling, fulfilling the natural order. This, Cheng had been raised to take as gospel.
    Why then did the doubts gnaw at him?
    Cheng patted Tama on the shoulder before walking over to stand next to O’Rourke. “What do you think, sir?” he eventually asked.
    “I think we are losing this fight,” O’Rourke said even more quietly. “The rebel’s dreadnought is a ghost, moving from place to place at will, and even the Weapons on Luna failed to destroy it. They have dozens of nuclear missiles and we have none. We have lost half our defensive strength. The Yellows and those of the Pure Race are dead or soon to be. In return, we have destroyed a few fighters, and only because it seems the enemy is being less than ruthless.”
    “Less than ruthless?”
    O’Rourke turned to Cheng. “With the power they have displayed, the rebels could have taken their time and wiped all twenty-four Sentinels out before starting on the main bases. Instead, they seem to be sparing us unless we threaten them directly.”
    “What does that mean, sir?”
    O’Rourke stared at Cheng for a long, long moment, searching his eyes before leaning over to speak in his ear. “It means we may be on the wrong side.”
    Within Cheng, a lifetime of indoctrination warred against the facts, and against curiosity about the rebel humans, the ones not under the Empire’s rule. He knew Underlings should be happy with their lot, but he also knew he had little chance to ascend. A post like this, or perhaps to become a member of a communal council, was the highest he could expect. Real power was reserved for Blends, and the Pure Race above them. Suddenly, it seemed unfair.
    Remembering the history classes and the documentaries of the bad old days, guilty fascination surged again in his mind. Instead of merely disgusting him as the stories of crime and misrule were meant to do, the tales also drew him in with their human drama and passion. Unlike the staid and boring times of today – up until the enemy appeared, anyway – the days when humanity ruled itself seemed to teem with opportunities for advancement and excitement, adventure and romance.
    Cheng could see O’Rourke watching him closely, and he realized his commander had revealed himself with his question. Men had been executed for saying less, and now he must decide how to respond.
    He thought about Delivery Worker Second Class Brenda Gleeson, and how her calves flexed as she rode her bicycle through the tunnels beneath the rebuilt city of York, England, where he had grown up. He remembered how their pairing had been denied by the Council on Mating and Breeding…and how shortly afterward he had been sent to man this orbiting Sentinel, so far from her lovely legs.
    Brenda’s memory made Cheng’s decision surprisingly easy, and his heart hammered as he crossed the line. “I believe you are right, sir,” he breathed. “But we must be careful.”
    O’Rourke nodded slowly, and took his hand from his jacket pocket. Cheng suddenly realized the captain’s sidearm was not in its holster. It must have been in O’Rourke’s hand, pointed at his