Read Online The Forsaken Empire (The Endervar War Book 2) by Michael Kan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michael Kan
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eleven billion. Home of the Arcenians, and aligned with the Alliance. Vellanar is a
Wait, he said. Yes. Vellanar.
He looked up at the image. What came to him did seem familiar. A green world, orbited by three moons. Half the planet was in the sun, the other half in shadow. There, the cities were etched in fields of light. Then he saw the ring around the periphery. It was colossal, entirely man-made, and circling the planet in a barbed belt of machinery.
Red thought back to the memory. It was now less about the image and more about the sensation. The sensation that this was crucial.
Yes! he exclaimed. Vellanar. Farcia was thinking of this planet I’m not sure why. But it must be connected.
He glanced at the Sentinel woman and saw her slowly nod. She was also looking at the screen, and her eyes were just as intense.
But how did you know? Red asked.
Of the hundreds of worlds he could have examined, the Sentinel knew specifically where he should look. Arcenian space, she had said, almost certain it was important.
The two women looked at each other, silent. To them, Red was still a security risk.
Naturally, he was curious. His first instinct was to move beyond words and into the mind. But this time, Red refrained. It wouldn’t be polite to read the thoughts of the ensign. Nor was it right; he didn’t want to violate any trust.
In the end, the Sentinel spoke; the risk was worth taking. He was their best lead.
This is from our general analysis, she revealed. We’ve been examining Farcia’s past attacks, looking for the motive. Our latest analysis suggests that the Arcenian Empire may be the true target, although it’s still conjecture.
Before him, the map changed. It faded as the black pool rippled again to form a new image. Red saw what he thought was a face. It looked like stone. The skin, and even the eyes, were gray and hard, while the chin and snout were long and protruding. At the back of the head there seemed to be long whiskers, the hairs curled but unkempt. To Red, the alien seemed old.
Do you recognize this man? the Sentinel asked.
No, not at all.
This is G. Kozanis, from the Arcenian race, she said. Our best guess is that Farcia’s attacks may revolve around his work.
Who is he? Red asked.
A brilliant scientist, within the Alliance. During his three-hundred-year career, he was known for refining hyperspace technology and his breakthroughs in N-Wave tech.
Kozanis, however, is dead, the ensign added. He died over fifty years ago. But his work lived on through his colleagues.
Other images then appeared. More faces a few from the same race, but many more, not.
Eleven of his associates are now presumed dead, the Sentinel said. Killed off in explosions during the first four attacks. Do you recognize any of these people?
He walked up to the screen, carefully examining each face.
So far, it’s just conjecture, the Sentinel explained. But we think Farcia may be looking for something. Perhaps she’s trying to acquire technology.
Red then stood back, taking one last glance. Finally he shook his head. Ultimately, the faces were all foreign to him, though Farcia’s intent was not.
You’re right about one thing. She is looking for something. She almost has it. I just remember the planet. Vellanar something was there. Either on the planet or near it. She was just waiting maybe preparing for another attack.
He spoke every word uncertainly and slowly, as though he were delicately tiptoeing over a rope. But it was more than that. Lives were possibly on the line. The Arcenian home world was home to eleven billion of them.
You have to warn the planet, Red said. Even if I’m wrong something has to be done, just in case.
He was nervous. The sense of doom was not just his own. It had come from Farcia. The memories from her were tainted with it.
The Sentinel woman crossed her arms. Can you verify? she asked Justice.
The ensign had been quietly observing Red. He felt her mind delicately prick at his
Wait, he said. Yes. Vellanar.
He looked up at the image. What came to him did seem familiar. A green world, orbited by three moons. Half the planet was in the sun, the other half in shadow. There, the cities were etched in fields of light. Then he saw the ring around the periphery. It was colossal, entirely man-made, and circling the planet in a barbed belt of machinery.
Red thought back to the memory. It was now less about the image and more about the sensation. The sensation that this was crucial.
Yes! he exclaimed. Vellanar. Farcia was thinking of this planet I’m not sure why. But it must be connected.
He glanced at the Sentinel woman and saw her slowly nod. She was also looking at the screen, and her eyes were just as intense.
But how did you know? Red asked.
Of the hundreds of worlds he could have examined, the Sentinel knew specifically where he should look. Arcenian space, she had said, almost certain it was important.
The two women looked at each other, silent. To them, Red was still a security risk.
Naturally, he was curious. His first instinct was to move beyond words and into the mind. But this time, Red refrained. It wouldn’t be polite to read the thoughts of the ensign. Nor was it right; he didn’t want to violate any trust.
In the end, the Sentinel spoke; the risk was worth taking. He was their best lead.
This is from our general analysis, she revealed. We’ve been examining Farcia’s past attacks, looking for the motive. Our latest analysis suggests that the Arcenian Empire may be the true target, although it’s still conjecture.
Before him, the map changed. It faded as the black pool rippled again to form a new image. Red saw what he thought was a face. It looked like stone. The skin, and even the eyes, were gray and hard, while the chin and snout were long and protruding. At the back of the head there seemed to be long whiskers, the hairs curled but unkempt. To Red, the alien seemed old.
Do you recognize this man? the Sentinel asked.
No, not at all.
This is G. Kozanis, from the Arcenian race, she said. Our best guess is that Farcia’s attacks may revolve around his work.
Who is he? Red asked.
A brilliant scientist, within the Alliance. During his three-hundred-year career, he was known for refining hyperspace technology and his breakthroughs in N-Wave tech.
Kozanis, however, is dead, the ensign added. He died over fifty years ago. But his work lived on through his colleagues.
Other images then appeared. More faces a few from the same race, but many more, not.
Eleven of his associates are now presumed dead, the Sentinel said. Killed off in explosions during the first four attacks. Do you recognize any of these people?
He walked up to the screen, carefully examining each face.
So far, it’s just conjecture, the Sentinel explained. But we think Farcia may be looking for something. Perhaps she’s trying to acquire technology.
Red then stood back, taking one last glance. Finally he shook his head. Ultimately, the faces were all foreign to him, though Farcia’s intent was not.
You’re right about one thing. She is looking for something. She almost has it. I just remember the planet. Vellanar something was there. Either on the planet or near it. She was just waiting maybe preparing for another attack.
He spoke every word uncertainly and slowly, as though he were delicately tiptoeing over a rope. But it was more than that. Lives were possibly on the line. The Arcenian home world was home to eleven billion of them.
You have to warn the planet, Red said. Even if I’m wrong something has to be done, just in case.
He was nervous. The sense of doom was not just his own. It had come from Farcia. The memories from her were tainted with it.
The Sentinel woman crossed her arms. Can you verify? she asked Justice.
The ensign had been quietly observing Red. He felt her mind delicately prick at his
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