Read Online Galactic Empire Wars: Rebellion (The Galactic Empire Wars Book 3) by Raymond L. Weil - Free Book Online Page B

then a battle to the death was arranged. If the challenger
won, they would take over the council seat of the slain Overlord. In this case,
the Zaltule had chosen four of the weaker Council Overlords, easily beating
them in open combat.
    Hymtal and
three other Council Overlords had been eliminated and replaced by Darthu,
Lackeln, Creedal, and Tintul all of the Zaltule. In addition, Overlord Harmock
had taken the position of Supreme Military Commander of the Kleese, a position
that was deemed equal to Xatul as the Supreme Overlord of the Kleese race.
    “The war with
the Strell is over,” Harmock announced his thick, hairy arms folded across his
powerful chest. His multifaceted eyes looked at the other Overlords as if seeking
anyone who might dare challenge the changes that had come to the council.
    “Then it is time
for the Zaltule to return to sleep,” suggested Raluth. “There are no further
threats to the Empire; the Zaltule have done their duty.”
    “No!” roared
Harmock his fierce gaze centering on Raluth in anger. “We were dying in the
sleeping chambers; we will not return there. The Empire still has many enemies
and as long as there are Zaltule, we will fight for the glory of our Empire.”
    “What
enemies?” Raluth dared to ask. He wondered if he continued to ask questions whether
a member of the Zaltule would challenge him to combat. He was a powerful
Overlord, but the Zaltule were trained as warriors from birth.
    “The nonaligned
races, to begin with,” answered Harmock, leaning forward and placing his two
hands upon the table. His six legs stomped the hard stone floor of the council
chamber noisily. “These races have been laughing at the Kleese, sitting behind
the neutrality agreements they signed with this council.”
    “Most of those
nonaligned worlds have a very high level of science and technology,” Xatul
began as he gazed directly at Harmock. He was not afraid of the Zaltule war
leader. “It was decided war against them could result in serious losses to our
exploration fleet. They were bypassed and the Empire continued to expand
against the inferior races, which populate the majority of the galaxy. The
nonaligned worlds serve a purpose in trading with the Empire and not
interfering in our affairs. They furnish many high-tech products, which are not
available on the more primitive worlds.”
    Xatul had
arranged for one hundred and ten of their large exploration ships to be in
orbit of the home planet when the Zaltule returned as a show of force. All of
them were controlled by Xatul or those loyal to him. It was his insurance card so
that he would remain as the Supreme Overlord of the Kleese. So far, Harmock had
not indicated that he was going to challenge that.
    Harmock turned
toward Darthu, one of the Zaltule who had taken over a seat on the council. He
was also very well versed in science. “How big a threat is the technology of
these worlds?” He'd been impressed by Xatul’s show of force with the
exploration ships. It had shown him that at least for now, Xatul could remain
as the Supreme Overlord. It would make the rest of the Kleese race more
tolerant of the Zaltule if Xatul remained in power, at least for now.
    “Several of
them are very highly advanced,” Darthu admitted. “They are unlike much of the primitive
vermin that infests other worlds.”
    “We shall add
their science to ours,” declared Harmock, waving his hands at the council. “We’ll
take them one by one until they know the feel of an obedience collar around
their necks. They’ll serve and work for the Empire!”
    “Their science
and technology will be a boon to our military might,” Darthu confirmed. “Once
we have assimilated their science and applied their technology to Kleese warships,
our warriors will be unstoppable.”
    Bixutl stood silently
upon his six legs, listening. He was not in as powerful a position as Xatul. He'd
made dealings with Kaluse, who had assured Bixutl he would be allowed to remain
an