Read Online Sacred Planet: Book One of the Dominion Series by Austin Rogers - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Austin Rogers
Tags: Fiction
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Unity for a few months, but already he realized the man was far more complex than his public image would suggest. His shrewdness often got in the way of his principles, but only the few who worked for him could discern that.
“Not an easy task, pleasing everyone.” Riahn put on a lax smile as a representative from the Unification Party entered, an old friend, apparently. “Lola, my darling, you look lovely. Horrible about Sierra, isn’t it?”
Aisha glanced between the tight groups of politicians, aides, and lobbyists locked in serious discussion. More talk of implications mixed with whispers of possibilities. He noticed the room was mostly Unificationists with a handful of Dominionists and a few Reformists—the three largest parties. Aisha wondered about this coalition that Riahn seemed so animated about. The Minister of Unity—technically a Unificationist but far too concerned with people-pleasing to be a hardliner—worked his way through the room, shifting deftly from hopeful to doleful depending on his audience. No one spared Aisha a glance.
Back in the main chamber, a new speaker took the podium. To Aisha, that held far more interest. Out there, he felt the pulse of political life in a way that made sense: statesmen and women would debate, exchange ideas, speak for entire planets—some of them thousands of lightyears away.
Aisha weaved through the packed gathering and returned to his place on the balcony.
Chapter Twelve
Ulrich Morvan, Minister of Arms, stood behind the lectern, looking as suave and polished as ever. The popular Dominionist leader bore a slight, confident smile and a knowing gleam in his eyes. His ink-black hair was slicked back to a tight point at the nape of his neck, and his dark eyebrows came to sharp tips. The collar of his suit sat stiffly around his neck, while his wide, glossy lapel flared out to his waist. He exuded an air of calm, of poise, of elegance. His very presence on the podium made Aisha lean closer, hoping to hear the way forward.
Prime Minister Falco had not given any. Perhaps Morvan would.
The Minister of Arms took a short breath. “In the beginning, God created.” He paused, seemingly to let the rather innocuous statement sink in.
Riahn slid open the glass door of the suite and tapped the tablet screen in Aisha’s hands. “Take notes,” he whispered.
Ulrich Morvan: begins with appeal to True Religion , Aisha entered quickly.
“And his creation was perfect,” Morvan said in a smooth, golden voice. “But man rebelled and has been rebelling ever since. Nevertheless, to those who would listen, God spoke.”
Aisha wondered why he had to take notes when Riahn was standing right beside him, listening to the speech in person—not to mention the fact that it would be recorded and played on every news channel in the republic.
“To Noah, righteous in an era of corruption, God spoke a merciful warning, and the ark-builder listened. He and his family were saved from the wrath of the seas.”
Anecdote of Noah—point?
Aisha noticed the teleprompters were off. Morvan gave the speech from memory, impassioned, as if he had been born to give it. Aisha made a mental note to find out if Morvan delivered all of his speeches this way.
“To Abraham, our forefather, God spoke, and the man of faith listened. Abraham trusted God when it took great courage and strength, and he was rewarded. His sons became the progenitors of great nations.”
The orator’s eyes swept across the house floor with a twinkle that gave Aisha confidence he would somehow connect all this back to the prima filia’s death.
“To the children of Israel, God spoke through Moses, at a time when they needed to hear him most. Israel listened, and with great faith, they conquered nations and empires.
“To Jew and Gentile alike, God spoke through the Christ, the Prophet-Messiah, at a time when their hearts were darkened, turned everywhere but to God. Those who listened went on to dominate the empires of
“Not an easy task, pleasing everyone.” Riahn put on a lax smile as a representative from the Unification Party entered, an old friend, apparently. “Lola, my darling, you look lovely. Horrible about Sierra, isn’t it?”
Aisha glanced between the tight groups of politicians, aides, and lobbyists locked in serious discussion. More talk of implications mixed with whispers of possibilities. He noticed the room was mostly Unificationists with a handful of Dominionists and a few Reformists—the three largest parties. Aisha wondered about this coalition that Riahn seemed so animated about. The Minister of Unity—technically a Unificationist but far too concerned with people-pleasing to be a hardliner—worked his way through the room, shifting deftly from hopeful to doleful depending on his audience. No one spared Aisha a glance.
Back in the main chamber, a new speaker took the podium. To Aisha, that held far more interest. Out there, he felt the pulse of political life in a way that made sense: statesmen and women would debate, exchange ideas, speak for entire planets—some of them thousands of lightyears away.
Aisha weaved through the packed gathering and returned to his place on the balcony.
Chapter Twelve
Ulrich Morvan, Minister of Arms, stood behind the lectern, looking as suave and polished as ever. The popular Dominionist leader bore a slight, confident smile and a knowing gleam in his eyes. His ink-black hair was slicked back to a tight point at the nape of his neck, and his dark eyebrows came to sharp tips. The collar of his suit sat stiffly around his neck, while his wide, glossy lapel flared out to his waist. He exuded an air of calm, of poise, of elegance. His very presence on the podium made Aisha lean closer, hoping to hear the way forward.
Prime Minister Falco had not given any. Perhaps Morvan would.
The Minister of Arms took a short breath. “In the beginning, God created.” He paused, seemingly to let the rather innocuous statement sink in.
Riahn slid open the glass door of the suite and tapped the tablet screen in Aisha’s hands. “Take notes,” he whispered.
Ulrich Morvan: begins with appeal to True Religion , Aisha entered quickly.
“And his creation was perfect,” Morvan said in a smooth, golden voice. “But man rebelled and has been rebelling ever since. Nevertheless, to those who would listen, God spoke.”
Aisha wondered why he had to take notes when Riahn was standing right beside him, listening to the speech in person—not to mention the fact that it would be recorded and played on every news channel in the republic.
“To Noah, righteous in an era of corruption, God spoke a merciful warning, and the ark-builder listened. He and his family were saved from the wrath of the seas.”
Anecdote of Noah—point?
Aisha noticed the teleprompters were off. Morvan gave the speech from memory, impassioned, as if he had been born to give it. Aisha made a mental note to find out if Morvan delivered all of his speeches this way.
“To Abraham, our forefather, God spoke, and the man of faith listened. Abraham trusted God when it took great courage and strength, and he was rewarded. His sons became the progenitors of great nations.”
The orator’s eyes swept across the house floor with a twinkle that gave Aisha confidence he would somehow connect all this back to the prima filia’s death.
“To the children of Israel, God spoke through Moses, at a time when they needed to hear him most. Israel listened, and with great faith, they conquered nations and empires.
“To Jew and Gentile alike, God spoke through the Christ, the Prophet-Messiah, at a time when their hearts were darkened, turned everywhere but to God. Those who listened went on to dominate the empires of
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