Read Online Defender of the Empire: Cadet #1 by Catherine Beery - Free Book Online
Authors: Catherine Beery
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thought miserably. “Thank you, sir.” I said looking back at him, none of my misery in my tone.
I followed behind Admiral Knight. We stepped from the landing pad and onto the glass-like sidewalk. It was clear like glass with flecks of red, blue, and green here and there. Either it was very thick glass or something more durable than glass since it was being used as a sidewalk. Under it were painted flowers, nebulas, and famous Legion Fleet starships. A few even I had heard of, like the emperor’s flag ship the LFH Nova Imperia . Then there was the LFP Terrenza , a fast cruiser that had had the latest technology. It was a legendary ship because it had turned the tide during the last war with the Zar’daka. Unless Aunt Sylvie’s books were mistaken, that had been several decades ago. Since then there has been little word about the Zar’daka. I’m sure the government knows more. But for common Janes like me, word was that the last war had finally proven to the rival empire which was the stronger.
The admiral led me toward the intimidating white building closest to the landing pad. The white marble glistened with metallic flecks. I wondered if everything on the capital planet was made like this. Extravagance was everywhere I looked. It was elegant, but still everywhere till it become the norm. Looking around I was both awed and somewhat bothered. I guess I would have expected this in the palace and other buildings of state not at an academy where only students came… with the odd officer . I amended with a glance at my companion.
THE CAPTIAL IS OLD. The mouse spectral said softly. THINGS THAT CAN STAND THE TEST OF TIME HAVE BEEN FOUND AND THUS MUST BE MADE APPEALING.
I cast a glance at the murals under my feet beneath their protective covering. It just isn’t practical . I thought. This was priceless artwork under my feet and it was… well…under my feet. It should have been in a fancy museum or art gallery to be given a place of honor to be admired and never touched. Back on Lenti, anything like this, left out without protection, would have been taken within days. And that was before the war started. Lenti had not been a crime planet before, but there were cities and there was crime. The gangs were around before the war and they had to keep the old business running. Now, after the start of the war, some people might use the artwork to buy passage out. But for the most part, I couldn’t think of anyone caring enough to try to protect it. It would simply be laid to waste. Like everything else.
The other spectral, my cryptic friend, joined the discussion. NEVER SAY BEAUTY IS IMPRACTICAL. THERE IS NOTHING MORE PRACTICAL THAN BEAUTY. I struggled not to show my confusion outwardly. Inwardly I had no such compunctions. How does that even make sense?!
The mouse sniggered before squeaking to the other. YOU ARE BETTER QUILIFYED TO EXPLAIN TO HER THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF BEAUTY. I LEAVE IT TO YOU, MY FRIEND.
I AM STARTING TO REGRET SAVING YOUR SORRY ASS. The wonderfully cryptic spectral muttered, adding yet another question to my growing pile. VERY WELL. He continued. THE PRACTICAL USE OF BEAUTY IS APPARENT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, RYLYNN. I blinked at his use of my name. I hadn’t told him it, but I figure having access to my thoughts would allow him to learn it. Even understanding the ‘how’ did not make it any less unnerving… YES, I KNOW YOUR NAME. DO YOU WANT ME TO TELL YOU OR NOT? He snapped impatiently.
Sorry. I thought quickly before he decided to keep his answers to himself.
VERY WELL, BEAUTY MAY APPEAR TO BE IMPRACTICAL, BUT IT IS THAT VERY APPEARANCE THAT SERVES A PURPOSE. IT DISTRACTS. IT DRAWS THE EYE. IT CAN ALSO SOOTHE, CAUSING PEOPLE TO RELAX AND PROGRESS
I followed behind Admiral Knight. We stepped from the landing pad and onto the glass-like sidewalk. It was clear like glass with flecks of red, blue, and green here and there. Either it was very thick glass or something more durable than glass since it was being used as a sidewalk. Under it were painted flowers, nebulas, and famous Legion Fleet starships. A few even I had heard of, like the emperor’s flag ship the LFH Nova Imperia . Then there was the LFP Terrenza , a fast cruiser that had had the latest technology. It was a legendary ship because it had turned the tide during the last war with the Zar’daka. Unless Aunt Sylvie’s books were mistaken, that had been several decades ago. Since then there has been little word about the Zar’daka. I’m sure the government knows more. But for common Janes like me, word was that the last war had finally proven to the rival empire which was the stronger.
The admiral led me toward the intimidating white building closest to the landing pad. The white marble glistened with metallic flecks. I wondered if everything on the capital planet was made like this. Extravagance was everywhere I looked. It was elegant, but still everywhere till it become the norm. Looking around I was both awed and somewhat bothered. I guess I would have expected this in the palace and other buildings of state not at an academy where only students came… with the odd officer . I amended with a glance at my companion.
THE CAPTIAL IS OLD. The mouse spectral said softly. THINGS THAT CAN STAND THE TEST OF TIME HAVE BEEN FOUND AND THUS MUST BE MADE APPEALING.
I cast a glance at the murals under my feet beneath their protective covering. It just isn’t practical . I thought. This was priceless artwork under my feet and it was… well…under my feet. It should have been in a fancy museum or art gallery to be given a place of honor to be admired and never touched. Back on Lenti, anything like this, left out without protection, would have been taken within days. And that was before the war started. Lenti had not been a crime planet before, but there were cities and there was crime. The gangs were around before the war and they had to keep the old business running. Now, after the start of the war, some people might use the artwork to buy passage out. But for the most part, I couldn’t think of anyone caring enough to try to protect it. It would simply be laid to waste. Like everything else.
The other spectral, my cryptic friend, joined the discussion. NEVER SAY BEAUTY IS IMPRACTICAL. THERE IS NOTHING MORE PRACTICAL THAN BEAUTY. I struggled not to show my confusion outwardly. Inwardly I had no such compunctions. How does that even make sense?!
The mouse sniggered before squeaking to the other. YOU ARE BETTER QUILIFYED TO EXPLAIN TO HER THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF BEAUTY. I LEAVE IT TO YOU, MY FRIEND.
I AM STARTING TO REGRET SAVING YOUR SORRY ASS. The wonderfully cryptic spectral muttered, adding yet another question to my growing pile. VERY WELL. He continued. THE PRACTICAL USE OF BEAUTY IS APPARENT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, RYLYNN. I blinked at his use of my name. I hadn’t told him it, but I figure having access to my thoughts would allow him to learn it. Even understanding the ‘how’ did not make it any less unnerving… YES, I KNOW YOUR NAME. DO YOU WANT ME TO TELL YOU OR NOT? He snapped impatiently.
Sorry. I thought quickly before he decided to keep his answers to himself.
VERY WELL, BEAUTY MAY APPEAR TO BE IMPRACTICAL, BUT IT IS THAT VERY APPEARANCE THAT SERVES A PURPOSE. IT DISTRACTS. IT DRAWS THE EYE. IT CAN ALSO SOOTHE, CAUSING PEOPLE TO RELAX AND PROGRESS
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