Shadow Space Chronicles 1: The Fallen Race Read Online Free PDF

occurs over incidents of honor.”
    “ Well, Captain, that’s actually understandable.” Major Proscia said.  His voice suddenly sounded more confident. 
    Lucius restrained a sigh, “Any details?”
    “Negative, sir.  We have three of the individuals from the bridge, all of them are badly injured.  We’ve also found six others, all of them restrained and confined to a storage room just off the bridge.  Two of them have senior officer rank.  I’d like to transfer them over to the War Shrike , if possible.”  Major Proscia paused for a second, “Prisoner manifest reads Fleet Consul Feydeb and Strike Leader Maygar.  There is also—“
    “ Major did you say Strike Leader Maygar?” Lucius asked, his voice tight.
    “ Uh, yes, sir.  I don’t read Ghornath well, but that’s his name and rank.”
    “ I’d like him brought to the conference room immediately, if possible.” Lucius said.  He felt suddenly much more alert and awake.
    “ Perhaps the interrogation room—“
    “ No, Major, have him brought to the conference room as soon as your Marines get him aboard.” Lucius said.  “My apologies, Major.  I know that particular Ghornath.  I… I owe him better than to meet him in an interrogation room.”
    The Major cocked his head, “Understood, Captain.  I’ll have my men notify you when they’ve got him secured there.”
    “Thank you, Major.  Please continue to keep me informed.” Lucius cut the circuit and stared down at his hands for a long moment.  After a moment’s reflection, he turned to the sensors tech, “Brunetti, that ship, its registry is the Gebneyr , correct?”
    “ Uh, yes sir.” Brunetti’s startled voice came a moment before he looked up from his console, “How’d you know?”
    “ I’ve seen her before, a long time ago.”
    Lucius stared at the battle-scarred hulk.  Craters and gouges pitted its armor and, here and there, the inner structure of the ship lay open to the cold void of space.  Something in Lucius wanted to weep when he remembered the sleek, predatory vessel he’d encountered twenty years ago.  “I wanted to destroy that ship the first time I saw her.”
    Time wrought its changes on everything.
    Lucius wasn’t aware he’d spoken until Ensign Tascon answered him with a leer, “Shouldn’t be too hard, now, eh?”  Lucius turned an unblinking gaze on the olive-skinned officer.  Tascon flushed and looked away.
    “Captain, Sergeant Alsan here.  We have the prisoner in the conference room as you requested.”
    “ Very well, I’m on my way.” Lucius stood, “Tascon, let me know of any developments.”  He stepped off the bridge and closed the heavy hatch behind him.  He didn't see the two Marines snap to attention as he passed.  He walked in a haze to the door of the conference room.  One Marine stood outside and the sergeant himself stood inside.
    The heavy alien sat, his hairless skin rough.  He looked like an aged stone statue.  Two silver eyes peered from under a heavy brow.  A heavy muzzle filled with dull, triangular teeth, and absurd, almost comically pointed ears finished the ensemble.  Most Ghornath looked the same to humans, and vice-versa.  Even so, Lucius felt a start of recognition as he stared on the face of this once-enemy.  “Hello Strike Leader Maygar.”
    “You have the advantage of me,” the Ghornath’s flawless Terran might have surprised the Marine guards.  It did not surprise Lucius.  “Who are you?”  The alien squatted at the end of the table.  His cuffed hands rested on the table surface.  If he were to stand, he would have to hunch over in the room.  Few human ships were designed for three meter tall aliens.
    Lucius narrowed his eyes when he noticed the bandages swathing the alien’s left shoulder, “Did my men wound you?”
    Strike Leader Maygar shook his head.  “I repeat my question, who are you?”
    “ Twenty years ago, hours after the fall of Ghornath Prime, a dozen Ghornath ships made a