Chronicles of Nethra: Reckoning by E. R. Donaldson

Author:E. R. Donaldson [E. R. Donaldson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mythic North Press, LLC
Published: 2022-07-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“In this time a great plague will go out among the stars. The plague will be spread by the Kindred, and the masters will know nothing of their servants’ designs.

“The plague will strike Honor first, and when Honor has fallen it will return home.

“Those of the Blood will seek to control it, to subjugate it as they subjugate all but the Masters. Yet, even in knowing that the plague is Death, they will not deter.”

—Wisdom of Riven, Chapter 23, Verses 2–4

Though the infiltration had suffered heavy losses, it was far from halted. Indeed, Arc’s forces had suffered numerically greater losses and had been beaten back at every choke point.

This made Arc indescribably angry. [Initiate Citadel emergency lock-down. Executive authorization only.]

The return prompt was so unexpected that it took Arc the better part of a full second to comprehend its meaning. [Access denied.]

What? [Initiate Citadel emergency lock-down. Authorization override-ARC.4.8.2.12.20.19]

[Access denied.]

How in the nine hells? He realized the source of the problem almost instantly. There was only one place on Minos Station that could possibly override the access to his own installation. “Ardren,” Arc growled. “Report to the communications node immediately. Take as many assets as you feel are necessary. I need this problem taken care of.”

The Citza stuttered for just a moment. “B-but sir, I—”

With a roar of fury, Arc smashed his fist into the nearest console. The combined strength of his cybernetic arm and rage sent his fist crashing deep within the computer. He yanked his arm free, ignoring the pain in the limb that was already being repaired by his nanite technology.

“Do. It. Now!”

Ardren’s eyes were wide with terror. “Right away, my lord.”

As Cali’s servant rushed from the room, Arc fought to reign in his fury. Control. You need to be in control. Consider the facts: the enemy forces are crippled. They have bled for every centimeter. You’ve lost nothing of value. Your best defensive assets are deployed. You still own the field.

Except, that wasn’t entirely true, was it? His greatest asset had yet to be deployed: himself.

Yes, it was time to enter the fight. What was the Terran saying? “If you want something done right,” he muttered, “do it yourself.” He rounded on the nearest technician. “Maintain all current feeds of data to my communications submind. I will be watching from the central terminus.”

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