The Phoenix War Read Online Free PDF Page A

like defective reasoning to her. No, it has to
be something else , she thought. Raidan must be
lying .
    “Who could say why they’d take such a
course?” said Raidan. “But you know the ancient expression, don’t
you? About how there exists no honor amongst thieves. I suspect
this was a weak, very tenuous alliance, and the two groups, the
human and Rotham co-conspirators, had always planned to betray one
another once their beneficial cooperation was complete.”
    “And I take it this surprise murder, the
slaughter of the human conspiracy leaders, wound up throwing a
wrench into the plan to expose them before the Assembly?” said
Summers.
    “Yes. With no living witnesses and no strong
evidence left behind to identify a culprit… there was no conspiracy
to expose. Not in time, anyway.”
    “Then the throne…?” Summers steeled herself,
ready for the bad news she knew was coming.
    “Fallen. The Assembly stripped it from the
Akira House.”
    “What about the King?” Surely Hisato Akira
wouldn’t simply step down and watch the Empire shred itself to
bits, would he?
    “Dead.”
    Gasps filled the bridge. Cassidy covered her
mouth, her face flushed white. The others stared at the speaker,
expecting to hear more. Waiting for the details to flow forth. But
Summers just sat there, blinking. Not really sure what she’d heard.
Raidan’s voice had come through clearly, she’d heard the word. She
knew what it meant. But… she simply couldn’t accept it. Like the
word had completely bounced off her skull, never reaching her
brain.
    “I’m sorry, what was that?” asked Summers,
clinging to her disbelief.
    “The king is dead,” said Raidan. “As are his
heirs, save one. Kalila lives. At least for the moment. But
Genjiro, Kanna, and Azumi are all dead. Along with Hisato
himself.”
    Summers shook her head. No…. No it can’t
be . “How?” her voice cracked.
    “The King was murdered on the Assembly
Floor,” said Raidan coldly, impassively. “Shot in the head. Who was
the killer?—no one knows. Probably some lackey hired by Caerwyn
Martel or one of the others who stand to inherit the throne. Maybe
it was the Rotham element, the same aliens who arranged for the
Phoenix Ring to be dealt with . It’s anyone’s guess… As for
the crown prince and his sisters, they were killed in very
suspicious-looking accidents. I’m certain they were likewise
murdered.”
    “Then the Empire…?”
    “Is finished as we know it. There’s
pandemonium on Capital World, the Assembly struggles to assert
control. Usurpers— all of them …” said Raidan. Summers wanted
to believe he was lying, certainly these claims were far too
ludicrous to be true, but she heard the anger in his words. It was
subtle, but it was there. And she knew what it was when she heard
it, and that it always accompanied an unpleasant truth. One that
ate at him on the inside. She’d only heard it a few times when
she’d served as his XO, but there was no mistaking it.
    He speaks the truth …
    “And the Executor?” asked Summers finally.
Almost too hesitant to form the words. She wondered if she’d ever
get the chance to return Calvin’s stupid ship to him. Please be
alive …
    “Escaped,” said Raidan, much to Summers’
relief. “He is aboard the Black Swan along with Kalila Akira
herself. I am rallying all the forces I can and have asked the
Princess to jump her ship to the coordinates I provided, somewhere
safe.”
    “Somewhere safe? You mean, they remain in
danger?” asked Summers, her momentary relief instantly gone.
    “Last I saw it, the Black Swan was at Capital
System with the Eighth and Ninth Fleets bearing down on it, not to
mention a wounded but still fierce ISS Andromeda and other hostile
ships nearby. But don’t worry, I’m certain they jumped away in
time. If they didn’t… then it would already be too late for anyone
to help them.”
    So that was it then? Summers thought.
All their efforts, all their hopes… dashed and