Read Online The Sunfire by Mike Smith - Free Book Online Page A

Emperor
Marcus Aurelius, and your duty is clear. You might not like it and you might
not even want the role, but that is who you are and you cannot change it.
Likewise, I am the Praetorian Commander, my sworn duty is to protect you and
the Empire from any threat. Nothing more, nothing less, but I must also be seen
to be fulfilling my duty. This must come before our personal desires, as that
is what people expect of us. To be idols, put on a pedestal and to be an
example to others. Elsie and the other Praetorians sacrificed their lives in
the name of that duty and I cannot, and will not, taint their sacrifice in the
name of my own selfish desires.”
    Distraught beyond belief, Sofia just stared at Jon in shock.
Each one of his words shattering her heart until it seemed broken, beyond
repair. “In that case perhaps I should succeed my father,” she spat back. “One
lesson I learned clearly from him is that what he wanted, he got. If I want
you, I will have you. Brought to kneel at my feet in chains if that is what is
necessary,” she cried, whirling around and fleeing the room.
    As an automatic door it could not be slammed, but the kick
that Sofia gave the door had a similar effect.
    Jon stared at the now closed door in despair, wondering how
events in his life had managed to spin so quickly out of control. A few moments
later the door slid open again and looking up Jon tried to explain. “Sofia — ” But it wasn’t a Princess standing in the doorway, but a tall
officer wearing the Imperial Navy uniform of a Fleet Captain. With his blond
hair and bright cerulean-blue eyes, the officer looked like he belonged on the
front cover of some modelling magazine, instead of leading a special forces
task group and being one of Jon’s closest friends.
    Paul looked on with some bemusement as Sofia disappeared
around the corner, still in tears. “What is it with you and women?” Paul asked
exasperatedly. “They all seem to flock to you, but soon after head off in the
opposite direction, in tears. Me, on the other hand, with my young, good looks,
they seem completely immune. By the way, you look like shit.”
    “Thanks Paul, it’s good to see you again too. How about
closing the door so that the whole planet doesn’t see how bad I look,” Jon
replied irritably.
    “So who was the stunning redhead that just flashed past?”
    “That would have been the Imperial Princess Sofia Aurelius,
daughter of the late Emperor Marcus Aurelius.”
    Paul’s jaw dropped open in disbelief. “Really?”
    “Really.”
    “Wow. She’s stunning, not at all what I had in mind when I
pictured Marcus’ daughter.”
    Jon had to bite back his irritation at everybody constantly
referring to the late Emperor as a distant uncle. “So what did you imagine that
she looked like?” He asked curiously.
    “Older, and fatter,” he laughed. “So what did you do to
upset the Princess?”
    “It’s a long and convoluted story, and you wouldn’t find it
interesting,” Jon replied. Knowing for a fact Paul would find it completely
hilarious. He would be sure to tell his wife and before Jon knew it most of the
planet would be aware of what had transpired between the two of them. The
Imperial Navy had yet to invent an information dispersal system as quick and
effective as the navy rumour mill.
    “By the way, I just got out of a confidential briefing by
Admiral Sterling. He is quietly moving the fleet in this sector onto an alert
footing. He is obviously expecting trouble. I am sorry to hear about Marcus and
your fellow Praetorians. If only my taskforce had been in the system at the
time. We might not have been able to save Marcus, but at least we could have
helped your squadron.” Paul frowned, well aware of the futility of playing the
‘what-if’ game.
    “Thanks Paul,” Jon replied honestly. It was good to have at
least one friendly face around that he could trust. Eyeing the floor
speculatively, with his feet still dangling several centimetres above