Read Online Battle Beyond Earth: Insurrection by Nick S. Thomas - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Nick S. Thomas
Ads: Link
finally nodded in agreement to acknowledge his defeat. Taylor was glad to accept it. They could hear the thunder of footsteps. Jones and several of their Immortals rushed into the room in support, and then stop in amazement to see Taylor's condition and the standoff between him and the Emperor. Jones didn't say a word. He simply nodded to give his support. Taylor looked back at the Kuyok, who for the first time looked truly scared. Taylor's expression towards him was contemptuous.
"Colonel Taylor, we can surely work something out."
Taylor didn't say a word. He quickly drew the pistol from his side and fired a single bullet. It hit the Emperor between the eyes and killed him instantly. His body slumped forward. As he smashed down to the ground, the crown toppled from his head and rolled across the floor, coming to a standstill just a metre in front of Taylor. Jones couldn't believe what he was seeing; the others didn't fully appreciate the severity of the situation. He lowered his rifle and walked up to Taylor. The Colonel simply stood looking at the body of the dead Emperor that he had slain.
"What have you done?"
But to his surprise, it was not remorse Taylor was feeling, only a sense of achievement.
"Completed the mission," he replied confidently.
"Is this really what we came here to do?"
Taylor nodded.
"We came to do whatever was necessary to ensure the Cholans no longer presented a threat, and that they would fight for us," he replied, looking down at Tuin.
"Do you understand that?" he asked the Cholan.
Tuin nodded.
"I understand," he replied sincerely.
"You were willing to lay down your life to protect him, and yet this does not bother you?"
"I did everything I could to fulfil my duty, and I must continue to do the same for my people."
Taylor was impressed. He was the only Cholan he had ever found he could relate to, and as he swept the blood from his nose, realised an opportunity had presented itself.
"I don't want to seize power here. I only want the Alliance to be as strong as it can be. This back and forth, this violence, it ends today, you understand?"
Tuin nodded slowly. Taylor took a few paces forward and reached down to pick up the crown. He studied it for just a moment. It was far heavier than he had expected and could see from the rare jewels that it must be priceless. It was also tarnished with the Emperor’s blood. He looked over to Tuin who didn't understand what he was doing.
"I need someone who can be trusted to lead your people. You are the only candidate I am willing to back, want the job?"
Tuin shook his head.
"I cannot. I am not of noble birth."
Taylor smiled, knowing he had the right man. He tossed the crown into the alien's lap. Tuin caught it and almost seemed scared to touch it. He held it up and at a distance. It was clear he had never handled it before. One of the Cholan officials stepped forward in an exasperated fashion.
"Sorry, Colonel, but you cannot do this. We have a strict tradition that must be adhered to, and..."
Taylor swivelled around and glared at the alien, who stopped when he saw the pistol still in his hand.
"You know what I have learned about tradition?"
No one dared say a word and waited for him to continue.
"I learned that it changes in time. Whatever you have been doing, it isn't working, and whether you like it or not, I am here to tell you things are changing."
He stepped over to Tuin and hauled him to his feet. He took the crown from his hands and placed it on the Cholan's head. Tuin still looked uncomfortable, but Taylor placed a hand on his shoulder and reassured him.
"You are a better man than all these assholes. You've got skill and courage, and that is enough."
He offered out his hand, a gesture Tuin clearly recognised but had never experienced. He took it eventually.
"If you continue to show the courage I saw here today, then I will gladly call you my ally, and my friend. Your people need you. The Alliance needs you. Will you step up and do
"Colonel Taylor, we can surely work something out."
Taylor didn't say a word. He quickly drew the pistol from his side and fired a single bullet. It hit the Emperor between the eyes and killed him instantly. His body slumped forward. As he smashed down to the ground, the crown toppled from his head and rolled across the floor, coming to a standstill just a metre in front of Taylor. Jones couldn't believe what he was seeing; the others didn't fully appreciate the severity of the situation. He lowered his rifle and walked up to Taylor. The Colonel simply stood looking at the body of the dead Emperor that he had slain.
"What have you done?"
But to his surprise, it was not remorse Taylor was feeling, only a sense of achievement.
"Completed the mission," he replied confidently.
"Is this really what we came here to do?"
Taylor nodded.
"We came to do whatever was necessary to ensure the Cholans no longer presented a threat, and that they would fight for us," he replied, looking down at Tuin.
"Do you understand that?" he asked the Cholan.
Tuin nodded.
"I understand," he replied sincerely.
"You were willing to lay down your life to protect him, and yet this does not bother you?"
"I did everything I could to fulfil my duty, and I must continue to do the same for my people."
Taylor was impressed. He was the only Cholan he had ever found he could relate to, and as he swept the blood from his nose, realised an opportunity had presented itself.
"I don't want to seize power here. I only want the Alliance to be as strong as it can be. This back and forth, this violence, it ends today, you understand?"
Tuin nodded slowly. Taylor took a few paces forward and reached down to pick up the crown. He studied it for just a moment. It was far heavier than he had expected and could see from the rare jewels that it must be priceless. It was also tarnished with the Emperor’s blood. He looked over to Tuin who didn't understand what he was doing.
"I need someone who can be trusted to lead your people. You are the only candidate I am willing to back, want the job?"
Tuin shook his head.
"I cannot. I am not of noble birth."
Taylor smiled, knowing he had the right man. He tossed the crown into the alien's lap. Tuin caught it and almost seemed scared to touch it. He held it up and at a distance. It was clear he had never handled it before. One of the Cholan officials stepped forward in an exasperated fashion.
"Sorry, Colonel, but you cannot do this. We have a strict tradition that must be adhered to, and..."
Taylor swivelled around and glared at the alien, who stopped when he saw the pistol still in his hand.
"You know what I have learned about tradition?"
No one dared say a word and waited for him to continue.
"I learned that it changes in time. Whatever you have been doing, it isn't working, and whether you like it or not, I am here to tell you things are changing."
He stepped over to Tuin and hauled him to his feet. He took the crown from his hands and placed it on the Cholan's head. Tuin still looked uncomfortable, but Taylor placed a hand on his shoulder and reassured him.
"You are a better man than all these assholes. You've got skill and courage, and that is enough."
He offered out his hand, a gesture Tuin clearly recognised but had never experienced. He took it eventually.
"If you continue to show the courage I saw here today, then I will gladly call you my ally, and my friend. Your people need you. The Alliance needs you. Will you step up and do
Similar Books
