The Phoenix Darkness Read Online Free PDF Page A

said Adiger, “or the attack is not so imminent
that…”
    “We both know hope alone is no kind of
defense at all,” said Kalila. “What do we do when hundreds of
Rotham warships storm The Corridor? Those systems cannot defend
themselves.”
    “With respect, Your Highness, many of those
systems have declared for the Assembly or, even more commonly, have
taken no side. How can we be expected to protect those subjects who
do not recognize your sovereignty?”
    Typical , thought Kalila. Adiger was
not a cold man, she knew, and he was choosing not to think of the
devastation and slaughter of innocence he was essentially arguing
they should allow to happen for purely pragmatic reasons. “We must
look to the defenses of such subjects, whether or not they kneel
before me now, because I am queen of an empire. And those systems,
whether they know it or not, are part of that Empire. Now tell me,
Captain, what sort of queen would I be if I cannot defend my own
people?”
    Adiger looked at her as if he expected this
to be some sort of trick question. “A pragmatic queen,” he
answered, after a moment’s pause. Still, clearly, married to his
idea of not throwing her forces, possibly to their demise, in
defense of worlds which had yet to bow to her. But she could
forgive him his pragmatism as he did not shoulder the weight she
carried, nor the guilt. Deep inside, Kalila had demons who haunted
her dreams, night and day, and would do all she could, including
laying down her own life if absolutely necessary, to right the many
wrongs which had unfolded before her. The wrongs she’d failed to
stop, she had allowed. In most cases, she’d failed even to
understand them, and the risks, before it was too late.
    “I would be no better than Caerwyn Martel,”
she said, her voice firm as steel. “He looks to himself and his
own, because that's what is good for him. What kind of monarch is
that? This Empire needs a leader who will defend the whole of the
Empire, and see to the needs of all. Not just the politically
convenient, wouldn’t you agree?”
    Adiger looked trapped by the question, but
gave his assent. Kalila even thought he meant it. Although she
could tell the wheels of strategy were turning in his mind and he
was doubtful committing to such an engagement would result in
Kalila ever retaking her father’s throne. Should she fight the
Rotham, her fleet would be decimated, if not destroyed outright.
With what, then, could she hope to challenge Caerwyn Martel and the
Assembly of fools he has under his thumb back on Capital World?
    “Then, it’s decided,” said Kalila, “should
the Rotham threat appear, we will defend our countrymen.”
    “Yes, Your Majesty.”
    “But that doesn’t mean we absolutely must
fight them alone,” said Kalila. “Now, tell me, how do I look?”
    Adiger looked taken aback by the question.
“Regal, Your Highness,” was all he could make himself say.
    “I intend to send a message,” clarified
Kalila, “and it’s important that I look my best and appear my
strongest.”
    “Who is the message to?”
    “The entire Empire.”

Chapter 2
     
    Repairs were ongoing at Taurus, but the Harbinger was beginning to look like the spectacle of death
it was always meant to be. Each new battle brought it new scars,
which added to its ferocious mystique and, as Raidan stared at the
magnificent dreadnought through the window of the shuttlecraft, he
couldn’t help but feel a chill trace his spine. She was still
battle-damaged; there was no denying that. And it was clear, from
the various tugs, bots, and other machinery working the starport
that new armor was still being outfitted onto the ship, while other
systems were repaired and replaced, each undergoing a series of
tests and diagnostics.
    Raidan had mostly enjoyed his time on the
red, oxidized surface of Taurus IV, inside the safety of the
above-and-below ground biodome network, of course. Raidan
considered himself to be rather well-travelled, but this