Read Online Dahlia's Deception (The Annihilation Series) by Saxon Andrew - Free Book Online

around him. In Dean’s mind, his stature went even higher.
    • • •
    They entered normal space and Ping lifted the communicator, “This is Paul Kendal requesting permission to enter the pattern.”
    “We’ve been notified of your visit and a path had been reserved for your approach, Your Highness. I’m sending it to your panel.”
    “Thank you, Control.” Ping entered the coordinates into his teleport unit and the small ship made ten fast jumps and arrived directly above the planet. Dean looked at Ping, “Why so many jumps?”
    “Ross is surrounded by a teleport and jump suppression field. The only way to arrive at the planet quickly without following the normal traffic patterns is to have the fields removed from teleport points. Only extreme emergencies would ever use just one teleport path to the planet. Only members of the Royal Family can authorize a single jump to the planet.”
    “They must have been attacked in the past.”
    Ping tilted his head, “You’re right and they’ve developed a system that works.” Dean looked out of the view port and was stunned by the number of commercial vessels coming and going from the planet. He shook his head, “How many?”
    Ping looked at him, “It’s my understanding that more than ten million commercial ships move through the traffic patterns daily above Ross.” Dean looked down at the planet below and the entire sky appeared dark with moving vehicles. He looked at Dahlia and saw her expression. They moved down into the vast numbers of vehicles flying above the planet. They moved below the upper traffic lanes and Dean saw the giant city below. His eyes went wide and he almost lost his balance. Pare moved into a clear area and he saw the planet’s surface far below. The size of the city was stunning. Five small ships came roaring in and surrounded the tiny ship, “Welcome back, Your Highness. We’re taking you directly to the Castle. Your ship will land on the central spire; the pad had been cleared for your arrival.”
    “Thank you, Captain. Lead the way.”
    Dean could only shake his head as his ship spiraled down to one of the most beautiful structures he had ever seen. It was huge and surrounded by a two mile barrier of beautiful parks, where the flowers seemed to explode in frenzies of color. Dean knew that his civilization was less than nothing compared to what he saw below him. He looked at Dahlia and saw sympathy in her eyes. “We’re more than you know, Dean.” Dean just shook his head and watched the giant structure growing larger as they approached it.
    They landed on the pad located on top of the tallest spire, the three exited the Mite and walked down the steps. Four officials came rushing out of a door and bowed to Ping. Dean walked away from them and looked out over the wall at the giant city surrounding the Castle in the distance. Dahlia came up and put her arm on his shoulder, “Dahlia, you never told us about this.”
    “Do you know why?”
    Dean took a deep breath and blew it out, “No one would believe it and it would destroy our self-esteem. We’re like a Mite next to a Battleship.”
    “Is that how you feel…diminished?”
    “How can you not after seeing this?”
    “This planet was uninhabited until the original Rulers of the Realm decided to make it their home. It was the people that made this place…two of them. I seem to see that number standing right here.”
    Dean looked at Dahlia and smiled. “Thanks Sis.” Dahlia leaned over and kissed Dean on the cheek. She walked over and joined Ping with the four officials. Ping came over and said, “I’ve been asked to make a quick verbal report with the King’s staff. They need to prepare a report before our meeting. Would you like to go with us?”
    “If you’re not going to be there long, would it be ok for me to wait here.”
    Ping smiled, “This does take some getting used to; we’ll come back after we’re done.” Dean nodded and turned back to the wall. He stared