Talosian Chronicles 3: Talosian Alliance Read Online Free PDF

doubt he will be able to do that. I don’t anger that easily,” Ian replied. "At least, not so I lose control.”
    “That is good, since that is exactly what, and why, he is most likely going to do it. Either that, or he will try to trick you into doing something else equally as damning. When dealing with this person, you will have to really be on your toes,” Serena replied.
    Ian chuckled. “Well, not so much, as we are not, after all, part of the Alliance yet, and as such, are not subject to its laws and regulations.”
    “You swore the oath, that binds you,” Serena stated.
    “That’s true, we did swear an oath, but since that time, the charter and constitution we agreed to uphold have been rewritten, which, by the letter of those very same rules, frees us from that oath,” Ian explained.
    “They could still order your ship to return to Talosian space.” Serena replied, but she was looking thoughtful.
    Ian shook his head. “Nope, the ship was programmed by the old Talosian High Command, not the new one. Since that body no longer exists, she considers herself my personal property acquired under the rules of salvage. Star Dancer will not answer to the New Talosian High Command or Council without my express permission to do so.”
    “Holy shit! I bet they never thought about that. Most of their arguments hinge on the fact that they believe that Star Dancer is still their property!” Serena said. "They are in for a rude awakening!”
    “Yup, that’s why I’m not too worried about them and their shenanigans. Since I’m not yet a part of the Alliance, I can even kick they’re happy asses right out of the sector if I want to!” Ian said. “If they want to play hard ball, I can do that, too, and there isn’t a damn thing they can do about it.
    “Yes, I would like their help, but as I see things right now, they need us, almost as much as we need them. Hell, half my staff is ready to give up on them as it is. Too much more bullshit, and the Council will tell me to say to hell with it, and we’ll start building our own ships and handle our own defense. I’m already of half a mind to contact the Alliance of Races directly and petition them for entry.”
    “I know, that’s what I told Admiral Goya, and it’s one of the reasons he’s coming along. Ian, we really need you. The politicians don’t see it that way, but it’s the truth. If they keep us following this path, we are going to be left to our own devises when dealing with the Imperial fleets, and we will lose if for no other reason than attrition,” Serena replied.
    “You know, what I don’t understand is why those two houses haven’t tried to rebuild their facilities in another system. They have to know that if they do, then the chances that they’ll get their original facilities back will go up dramatically,” Ian replied.
    “They won’t get them back, the AI’s destroyed them when the system fell. All military assets in the lost systems self-destructed when the defending forces were either destroyed or pulled out. Nothing was left for the Empire to use against us,” Serena said. Ian knew this was a sore subject for her to discuss, since her family had been on one of the military stations when it was destroyed.
    “Ah, well still, it’s a valid point, why haven’t they rebuilt their docks or expanded production on their existing facilities?" Ian asked. “It makes no sense at all.”
    “Politics. The two houses in question wanted certain concessions from the Council before they would look into expanding production at their stations. The concessions would have basically put them in complete control of the Council forever, so no one agreed to it. Because of treaties and agreements, no other houses are allowed to build facilities of that size either. So here we sit, basically dependent on other races for repairs to keep our aging fleets in space, while the house docks put out maybe two new ships a year and bitch about other races being