Read Online Omega Force 5: Return of the Archon by Joshua Dalzelle - Free Book Online Page A

since they had met the geltens in Colton Hub that Crusher had fully admitted that what Connimon said of him was true. Her slow nod of agreement seemed to say she took this as a small victory.
    “What do you mean that you still are?” Jason asked in confusion.
    “He cannot be removed from his position while he is still alive,” Connimon answered. “Felex’s death would need to be confirmed before the process of elevating a new Archon could begin. As an exile, he was far more useful; so long as he was thought to be alive no other could claim his place and cause them similar problems.”
    “I’d imagine there was also the added benefit that the legions, a militarily organized group, had a bit of a power vacuum with their Archon suddenly gone,” Jason said, thinking aloud. “This would allow the council to step into that leadership role and strengthen the opposition’s grip on the warrior caste just that much more.”
    “Very good, young captain,” Connimon said with some surprise. “You seem to have some grasp of the psyche of our warrior brothers.”
    “I know militaries,” Jason corrected. “And I’ve found that the similarities run deep, even across different species. Was I correct in hearing that there are no female warriors? I suppose there’s something obvious I’m missing … but how do you keep the race alive?”
    “Despite the physical differences, there is actually very little genetic difference between geltens and the warrior sub-race,” Doc said, speaking up for the first time since they’d reconvened. “A warrior child is always male, but can be born to what we would refer to as ‘normal’ geltens. Although the gene that determines this is carried by the female, a mating couple with a warrior male greatly increases the chances.”
    “Yes,” Connimon said. “Since warrior offspring are rare, one out of every few hundred, it is a great honor for the family when it happens.”
    “We’re getting a bit far afield here,” Crusher said, exerting control over the wandering conversation. “What exactly do you need of me?”
    “We didn’t seek you out to antagonize you,” Connimon said. “As I’ve said repeatedly, Galvetor is on the brink of war and the legions look as if they are ready to pick a side. Then there is the fact that senior leadership within the ranks have been rounded up and imprisoned.”
    “On what charges?” Crusher demanded.
    “Anything they can make stick. Sedition, conspiracy to overthrow the government, misappropriation of funds.” Connimon shrugged. “The list has been varied and predictably ridiculous, but thanks to the justice system the legions operate under, the conviction rate has been nearly one hundred percent.”
    “Where are they being held?”
    “They’ve been taken to Galvetor itself,” Connimon said. “They were deemed too dangerous to leave on Restaria.”
    “Restaria?” Jason asked.
    “It’s the second habitable world in our star system,” Connimon said. “Generations ago, the warrior caste agreed to live there after the last civil conflict on Galvetor. There’s something else, Felex … they took Fordix. His arrest and imprisonment was what made us leave and seek you out.”
    “We also felt it was only a matter of time before the Caretaker was also falsely accused and locked up in a cage,” Morakar said quietly from his end of the table. Crusher’s shoulders were bunched up and his fists were clenched. Jason knew his friend well enough to know that he was barely in control of his temper.
    “Caretaker,” Crusher began in a calm voice. “If you would, please give me some time to discuss all of this with my crew.”
    “Of course,” she said with a bow and led the other two warriors from the galley and back to port berthing where they’d already spent some time.
    “This is a lot to take in,” Jason remarked dryly. “So who is Fordix?”
    “The short answer is that he was my mentor,” Crusher said. “It goes much deeper than