Read Online The Shattered Empire (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 2) by Kal Spriggs - Free Book Online Page A

the Shogun to look after his people, in the darkness and uncertainty of the future.”  His answer was interesting to her, in that it contained not the slightest trace of irony or sarcasm.  It could have been a rote response, yet, in a way, his tone suggested it held levels of importance and meaning.  A very odd people, she thought.
    Kate took another sip of her champagne.  She didn't speak for a long moment.  “That's an interesting offer.  I can honestly say that is something that the Baron will have to think about.  It is, however, something that I don't think he'll discount off-hand.”  They would need ships of their own in the war against the Chxor.  Yet, it seemed likely that they would soon liberate Nova Roma and Danar, both of which held large shipyards.  At that point, they may well have more building capacity.  Those discussions were ones that would have to happen at the highest levels, between her, the Baron, and Admiral Dreyfus, probably with some of his other advisers.  Matthew Nogita still held a nebulous role, not quite military and not quite civilian, in helping to organize their industry.  She felt certain he would step in. For that matter, she felt that Alicia Nix, as the head of the new Federal Investigation Bureau, would have a role.
    “Well,” Mike said.  “In the meantime, I'd love to get a chance to see what I can of your military... and to get to know some of your more corruptible politicians.”
    ***
     
    Halcyon, Garris Major System
    Contested
    July 16, 2403
     
    Garret paused as he stepped out of the taxi.  The neat, tidy house seemed unchanged from a decade ago when he had last seen it.  The colorful flowers and decorative shrubs still showed the attentive detail of Jessica's mother, while the carefully maintained vehicle in the driveway showed that her father was still just as stubborn about keeping the battered machine going.
    He turned and leaned over.  “Wait here,” Garret said and passed the driver a few of the new local scrip.  The driver grimaced at the payment, but he didn't argue.  There wasn't much trust for paper money, Garret knew, but he wasn't about to spend anything else here, not when half the War Dogs' pay was in the local currency.  The other half went to an off-world account at Port Klast in escrow, backed by precious metals.
    Garret stepped forward and opened the whitewashed wooden gate.  He was halfway to the porch before he hesitated.  Do I really want to do this, he wondered, do I really want to drag Jessica into this mess?   He couldn't answer the question and part of him didn't even know if he was reluctant about bringing her in because of the risk to her... or the risk to himself.
    He turned around and looked back at the cab.  The driver sat, bored, in his seat.  The sun on Garret's dark skin and the familiar scent of pines in the air both unnerved Garret and made him feel at home.  I never wanted this, Garret thought.  He had forsworn it all, the planet, his father, even Jessica.  He never wanted to return, but what choice did he have?  Admiral Mannetti put the entire planet at risk and they seemed oblivious to it.  Their ignorance put the War Dogs at risk as their employees.  He had to know why ... and all it cost him was opening up a part of his life that he should have come to terms with long ago.
    “ Garret? ” an incredulous voice said from behind him.
    Her voice sounded so familiar that Garret felt his throat close up.  He turned, her name on his lips, but froze with shock to see a red-headed woman on the porch.
    “It is you!”  The young woman jumped down and ran over to give him a hug.  He stood there awkwardly.  “Wow, who would have thought that you would come back.”  She released him and stepped back.  Something of his confusion must have shown on his face and she grinned at him, “Don't you recognize me?”
    “Uh, no?” Garret asked.
    “It's Abigail, you know, Jessica's little sister?” She gave a giggle