Read Online Galactic Empire Wars: Insurrection (The Galactic Empire Wars Book 5) by Raymond L. Weil - Free Book Online Page B

were not willing to submit to the
Kleese and had always dreamed of a brighter and freer future. This would be
their first step in reaching that goal.
    “Combat range
in two minutes,” reported the sensor operator. “Kleese vessels are opening the
hatches on their missile tubes. Short-range sensors indicate the Kleese have powered
up their weapons systems and activated their defense shields.”
    Admiral Hiath buckled
himself into his command chair.
    “Sir. Chancellor
Odis is demanding we turn back now or he will have you removed from command,”
reported the communications officer.
    “Like that’s
going to happen,” muttered Mileth. “There’s not an officer in the fleet who would
obey that order.”
    Hiath nodded.
He and his fellow officers had considered all the ramifications of what they
were about to do. If they succeeded, they would live to fight another day and
perhaps sometime in the future, with the Humans help, they would return and set
Bashan free.
    -
    On Bashan, Chancellor Odis turned in anger to his defense minister, who was also responsible
for the fleet. “What is Admiral Hiath doing? Why won’t he obey my orders and
return to defend Bashan?”
    The defense
minister was an older individual who should have retired years ago. “He knows
we face an impossible battle. Even if his fleet returns to Bashan space and
allows the defense grid to augment his firepower, he cannot stop the Kleese.
They have come in numbers too great to fight against.”
    Chancellor
Odis sat down hard in his chair, looking with chagrin at the defense minister. “Are
you saying the Kleese will destroy our fleet and the defense grid?”
    “Yes, I fear
very shortly that we will all be wearing the Kleese collars of obedience we
have heard so much about.”
    Chancellor
Odis turned pale at hearing those words. “What of the fleet of passenger and
cargo ships assembled in orbit? On whose orders are their ship commanders
acting?”
    “I fear I had
less control of the fleet than I suspected,” the defense minister replied.
“When Admiral Hiath came to us months ago and pleaded for us to join the Human
led Alliance, we should have listened. I believe shortly after that he and a
number of his commanding officers took matters into their own hands. From the
reports I have been receiving those ships in orbit are some type of evacuation
fleet. Many of the family members of the crews of our warships and some of our
most acclaimed scientists have gone on board.”
    “And you did
nothing to stop this?” roared Chancellor Odis, rising to his feet and glaring at
the defense minister.
    “I chose not
to,” the defense minister admitted, meeting the chancellor’s eyes. “At least
this way some of our people will remain free.”
    Chancellor
Odis choked down his anger. “Where are they going?”
    “I imagine to
the Human led Alliance to seek sanctuary or possibly even to the Humans’ home
system. We did have an Alliance delegation come to us months ago and ask us to
join. I believe Admiral Hiath even met with the Human representative.”
    Chancellor
Odis mulled over the defense minister’s words. “At least Admiral Hiath will pay
for his treachery with his life when he engages the Kleese fleet.”
    The defense
minister slowly shook his head. “I don’t think Admiral Hiath intends to die.
The formation his fleet is in indicates he plans on escaping and joining the
refugee fleet.”
    “He leaves us
to face the Kleese alone?”
    “No, he leaves
us to fight another day, and I wish him the best of luck.”
    “I shall have
you thrown in detention!” shouted Chancellor Odis, feeling he had been
betrayed.
    “It doesn’t
matter,” responded the defense minister, rising to his feet and turning to
leave the room. “Shortly, the Kleese will be the ones telling us what to do,
not you.”
    Chancellor
Odis didn’t reply as he watched the defense minister open the door and leave. Odis
sat back down, feeling very much alone. He realized now he