The Timeweb Chronicles: Timeweb Trilogy Omnibus Read Online Free PDF Page A

follow in his father’s footsteps , the Prince thought. It is the natural order of things.
    But Noah had been defiant and headstrong. So much so that the Prince had not expected him to accept the invitation. But he had.
    What is Noah thinking? What are his wishes, his dreams?
    “It is time,” the Prince announced to his daughter. And he ordered her out of his office, hardly noticing the fiery glare she shot back at him.
    * * * * *
    The reception room where Noah had been told to wait was on the fourth level of the upside-down pyramid, with a wide picture window that looked out on the gardens and fountains below. Since each floor was larger than the one below it, he saw an overhang outside the window, and knew that each floor all the way to the top was like this as well, in a dizzying arrangement of inverted tiers.
    He was pondering the upcoming session with his enigmatic father, and only half noticed a number of CorpOne security police in silver uniforms gathering on a flagstone area outside. Over their heads, blue-and-silver CorpOne banners fluttered, each bearing the stylized designs of elephants.
    Suddenly he heard the violent pop-pop of gunfire. The private police took cover behind plants, benches, and fountains, and drew their weapons. But many of them were not quick enough, and they fell under the onslaught.
    Stunned, Noah saw a squadron of green-and-brown uniformed soldiers running onto the flagstones, carrying shiny blue puissant rifles, setting up a ferocious volley of high-intensity fire that drove the defenders for cover. Many died in the onslaught.
    The uniforms looked like those of Noah’s own Guardians! But they couldn’t possibly be his people. He had not ordered this! Oblivious to any danger, he pressed his face against the window glax. He didn’t recognize any of the individuals. Who were they and why were they doing this?
    Noah’s thoughts went wild. He couldn’t imagine what was occurring. Now the attackers were hurling explosives that detonated and shook the building.
    Furious and confused, Noah hurried into the corridor, where he met his entourage of six Guardians, all with their weapons drawn. “Follow me!” he shouted. And he led them back the way they had come in.
    * * * * *
    Only moments before, Saito Watanabe had been standing at a window of his large office, considering what he would say to his son. It had been a long time since the two of them had spoken at all, so it would be an extremely awkward situation. Lifting a tall glass to his lips the old man took a long drink of sakeli, a syrupy liqueur, and admitted to himself that he was afraid the meeting would not go well. A tiny remark could set off yet another argument, so he would be careful about what he said … and try not to take offense too easily.
    We need to get to know one another again .
    His dark gaze flickered around the room and settled on a scroll attached to the wall. It was his Document of Patronage from Doge Lorenzo, the legal instrument attesting to the fact that Saito had been elevated to the status of a nobleman, even though he had not been born to such a station. Saito’s entire corporate empire rested upon that piece of inscribed tigerhorse skin, and upon the ancient political system that supported it.
    My son should receive this some day.
    Like other merchant princes, Saito believed that a strong son could carry on the family traditions in ways that a daughter could never do. Francella had been trying to fill that role, but something had been missing. The Prince knew it, and she must as well.
    Canopa, one of the wealthiest Human-ruled worlds, was dominated by CorpOne, the mega-company owned by Prince Saito Watanabe. Under grant from Doge del Velli, the Prince owned industrial facilities on more than a hundred moons and planets, including distant Polée, a mineral-rich but sparsely populated world that generated immense profits. With a wide range of operations, Watanabe was especially proud of his medical