The Star Cross Read Online Free PDF Page A

can possibly evacuate,”
answered Tomalson, leaning forward, his voice sounding determined. “We relocate
off planet as many scientists, technicians, scholars, teachers, physicians, and
whoever else we determine might be useful in the war effort. Perhaps, if given
the necessary time to build a bigger fleet and more particle beam cannons, the
admiral’s fleet can return and drive the Profiteers from Earth permanently.”
    “What!”
uttered Stroud, standing up and waving his fist at the fleet admiral. “We can’t
allow them to leave Earth orbit. They have to fight. It’s their duty!”
    “Then they
will die, and where does that leave us?” asked Tomalson, his eyes narrowing
sharply. “With no fleet, we will be powerless against these Profiteers.”
    “I agree with
the fleet admiral,” commented General Braid after a moment. “I understand the
military situation, and now isn’t the time to fight. We can’t ask Admiral Vickers
to sacrifice his fleet in a hopeless battle that leaves us defenseless before
the aliens. Vickers’s fleet is a valuable asset and must be preserved.”
    “But the
Profiteers might not return,” protested Stroud, looking around at the others
for support. “Just having our fleet in orbit might be enough to keep them
away.”
    “We managed to
intercept a lot of their communications, while they were in Earth orbit,” Secretary
of Homeland Security Raul Gutierrez said. “They were boasting to each other about
all the credits they would make from looting our world. They will be back, and
they’ll bring others with them. We’re too big a prize for them to give up on.”
    “What else do
we know about these Profiteers?” asked Mayfield, looking intently at the secretary
of homeland security. The president had been briefed by Raul already, but he
wanted the entire Cabinet to hear what the man had to say.
    “They come
from what they call the Gothan Empire,” responded Raul, taking a deep breath. “We
determined from the communication intercepts that it’s a loose federation of
nearly 120 star systems that routinely raid many of the civilized races of the
galaxy.”
    “One hundred
and twenty star systems,” uttered Anne Roselin, shaking her head in amazement.
“Just a few weeks ago we were wondering if we were alone in the galaxy.”
    “That
question’s been answered,” commented Mayfield dryly. “What else do we know
about them, Raul?”
    “They do only
a limited amount of raiding against the more civilized worlds,” continued Raul.
“They don’t want to encourage any reprisals from the more powerful star
systems. However, they are constantly seeking out new worlds in what they
consider unexplored space. We just happened to be the latest one they found.”
    “What do they
want?” asked Secretary of Energy Max Sallow.
    “Rare
minerals, jewels, platinum, art, and, strangely enough, gold,” Raul replied.
    “Gold!” echoed
Secretary of the Treasury Dwight Michaels. “Why gold? The platinum they are
asking for is more valuable, and our Moon is overflowing with it. Plus other
lesser-known minerals are even more valuable, like black opals from Australia, red diamonds from Brazil, the bixbite from Utah.”
    “As hard as it
is to believe, the galaxy at large uses a form of money called credits ,
and it’s based on the value of gold,” Raul said, his dark eyes focusing on
Dwight.
    “Reports confirm
several thousand people being abducted and taken to some of the ships, which
left immediately after the original attack,” Mayfield said, looking at Raul
with raised eyebrows. “Any idea as to why they took those people?” He had tried
to downplay those rumors in his broadcast so as not to alarm the civilian
population.
    “Yes,” Raul
answered, not looking too happy about what he was getting ready to say. “Evidently
there is a market for slaves on many of the worlds in the galaxy, including
some of the more civilized ones. The slaves are used for simple household jobs
and