Read Online The Ninth: Invasion by Benjamin Schramm - Free Book Online Page B

chose not to answer the last two questions; you must answer mine.  That’s the rule of the game.”
    She stared at him with such malice it was a wonder it didn’t harm him.  Finally, she let out a small sigh and straightened in her chair.
    “We plan to accept Core Industries’ claim.  Truth be told, I’m bored entertaining guests from the local region.  I’ve missed interplay like this, and with CI’s assistance, maybe I’ll be able to lure other silver-tongued devils like you to my table.”
    “Do you want another hint, or are you tired of the game?” Cain asked with a smile.
    “I’m quite interested in hearing about this person you hold in such high regard.  After that little display it’s obvious you are quite cunning, but you say there is one even better in the group.”
    “Wonderful!” Cain said as he lifted the soggy bread out of the bowl.  “My bread is soft!  It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full, and I’m dying to try this.  Why don’t the rest of you tell her about Brent.”
    Cain started chewing on the soft bread, obviously avoiding Mrs. Lucchesi.  She looked expectantly at the rest of the troopers.  The troopers exchanged glances; none of them had expected things to turn out as they had.  Suddenly, Tyra started laughing.  One by one the troopers stared at her.  Her parents and even Cain focused on her.
    “Looks like you met your match, mother.  I’ve waited years for this.”  Tyra smiled contently as she stopped laughing.  “Cain was the best bookie on the station, maybe anywhere.  However, compared to Brent he is just a master of parlor tricks.  Brent has passed every obstruction placed in front of him.  He has risked life and limb to protect his friends and been to the brink of death and back.  Although, despite all that, he is incredibly humble.”
    Tyra’s voice broke for a moment and she paused to wipe at a tear.
    “Even though he has accomplished such amazing things, he is the first to praise others, to give credit away.  Thanks to him I’ll probably get credit for one of his greatest achievements.  I’m not going to point him out to you mother; after what we’ve said he wouldn’t want the attention.  But trust me, if you pay attention, it will become obvious which one of us he is.  After all, he nearly saved me from you .”
    Tyra got up from the table and left the dining room, wiping at her eyes as she left.  Ronald got up and saluted Mrs. Lucchesi before following after his squad leader.  The troopers were stunned.  Cain continued eating.
    “What a mood killer,” Cain said with a half full mouth.
    Some of the troopers chuckled.  Cassandra threw her hard bread at Cain.  Mrs. Lucchesi was staring deeply into her plate.  Her entire demeanor had changed.  Brent wondered if there was any place in the Commonwealth he could hide from such drama.
     
     
     
    Brent waited until a few troopers finished their meals before he got up and left.  He hadn’t wanted to leave too early and draw attention to himself.  Cain was full of surprises.  He had gathered from the altercation on the ship that Cain was a supporter of Core Industries, whoever they were.  Either they kept their followers well informed of company endeavors, or he had a contact inside the corporation.  In either case, all it amounted to was Cain had out foxed the Governor’s wife.  After her defeat and what Tyra had said, Mrs. Lucchesi was bound to be paying close attention to the squad’s actions from this point on.  More than anything else, Tyra’s speech had bothered him.  As Brent left the large structure, he made his way to the girl’s barracks.  Just as he was about to reach it, Cassandra came out of nowhere, grabbed his arm, and pulled him behind another empty barracks.
    “Where are you off to?” she asked.
    “I was going to talk to Tyra.  Our performance in the Gauntlet was mostly due to her actions.  I didn’t contribute as much as she thinks I