Falco Invictus: On the Forge of War Read Online Free PDF

world.
    The Imperator’s palace was constructed from
the same gray stone as the rest of the city. Bronzed armored
centurions lined the steps of the massive complex that stood
opposite the Senate building. There could be little doubts however
that power rested with the Imperator and not the Senators who
bickered among themselves in the smaller building.
    Dressed in royal purple with a golden olive
crown rested upon his graying brow, Romulus watched his ship enter
foldspace from the comfort of his plush eagle throne. He knew he
had done a good thing for his people. Expansion alone would ensure
his citizens safety and the journey into space had become necessary
to seek resources which would allow his Imperium to grow more
powerful.
    Senators from the provinces stood with their
Imperator to watch the launch of the foldship. Many held they
should not have allied themselves with the British in this project.
It was a sentiment born out of resentment from the actions of many
Europeans after the last war.
    Romulus, old as he had become, was still a
fierce figure. A crown of once black hair remained cut in its sleek
military style. Even with the disease which slithered inside his
bones and threatened to make him weak, he continued to inspire awe.
U.S. Marine training let him survive the wastelands and bring
together the warring factions to form his new great Imperium. A
promise of glory he would keep at all costs.
    The Imperator at last rose from his chair
and walked the room. Each of the twelve Senators watched him, a
calculating gleam in their eyes. All wondered who would take
Romulus's place when he died. He had no children of his own and
trusted only his Praetorian Guard. Surely his favorite among them
would take his place? Senator Viktor Paxon bowed. “Your Excellency,
the DSV Excalibur is indeed a fine vessel –”
    “But you still think a captain from the
Imperium should be in command,” Romulus Giovanni finished. “The
alliance called for a Brit to be in authority We have centurions
aboard, and a security officer has been assigned to overlook
Captain Braden in this most perilous, but important mission.”
    “What may I ask, are their orders?” Paxton
enquired carefully. The Imperium's Senate had been kept in the dark
about what the ship's inaugural mission would be. Now they knew
exploration was part of it, but they remained unaware of Romulus's
true intents for his space fleet.
    “No, you may not.” Even the DSV
Excalibur 's command crew knew nothing of the Imperator's
orders. Not until they reached the Imperium’s first deep space
outpost would they open the sealed commands to learn the true
objective of their voyage. Romulus glared at the old man. “For the
time being the mission is secret.”
    The senator did not look pleased, yet he
accepted what his Imperator told him with all due respect. This man
had saved all that remained of a fallen America, and so Victor
Paxon figured he owed him that much gratitude at least.
    “ DSV Excalibur is a mighty ship,” a
voice echoed in the room. “It’s a perfect chariot to carry the
Enlightened to the stars.” Each of the senators cringed at the
metallic noise, which sounded as if it were modulated through a
synthesizer, or someone scratched nails on rusted steel.
    Imperator Romulus for his part remained
oblivious to the sound, surprised that the owner of the grating
voice hadn't appeared sooner. “Welcome back, Styx.”
    Styx's face was concealed under a golden
bucket shaped helmet. No one ever saw his face. Even his eyes were
obscured by a black rectangular shield that made it impossible to
know what Styx actually looked like or if he even ever were human
at all. The bishop clothed himself in a scarlet robe from head to
toe. On a heavy chain dangled a golden cross resting at his waist.
He tucked his gloved hands away in the folds of his sleeves. Styx
deliberately turned his head to glance at each of the Senators. He
grinned as he watched them cower, despite their