Earth Gambit by Hudson G.P

Author:Hudson, G.P.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thavma Press
Published: 2023-01-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter twenty-three

The transport took me to Bothar’s ship, and a couple of scowling Schrik escorted me to see Bothar as I wondered why so few of these aliens seemed to have a sense of humor. At least meeting Bothar was not as dramatic as meeting the Centurion, and I found him waiting for me in his office.

“Hello, Jack,” Bothar said as I entered. “It is good to see you again.”

“Thanks, Bothar,” I said. “It’s good to see you, too.” I guess I had gotten used to his scales, claws, and sharp teeth.

“I trust your meeting with High Commander Antistius went well.”

“Yeah, my meeting with the Centurion was enlightening, to say the least.”

“Centurion?”

“That was his title when he lived on Earth. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you knew all along about the Raeth and told me nothing.”

“Did the High Commander not tell you the reason for that?” Bothar said.

“Yes, Bothar, he did. My problem is that you fed me all this bullshit about being duel brothers when you were really just manipulating me.”

“I did not feed you bullshit, as you call it, Jack. We are duel brothers. Nothing changes that.”

“Whatever, Bothar. I don’t care. Just don’t lie to me, okay?”

“Forgive me, Jack. It was done to protect you.”

“No, it was done to protect the Imperium. Which is fine. I get the reason for it. You were worried I’d break if captured. It makes sense.”

Bothar nodded. “Then why are you upset?”

“I don’t like being played. That’s why.”

“I understand,” Bothar said.

I held eye contact with my Schrik friend, trying to gauge whether I could trust him. My instincts told me I could, which was good enough for me. “Good. Now tell me about this other warlord we have to kill.”

“Yes, of course. Her name is Sebril. She is the same species as Klichton.”

“Klichton was disgusting,” I said. “What species are they.”

Bothar shook his head. “The name does not translate well and is impossible to pronounce outside their language.”

“Fine. I’ll just call them blobs.”

“That is an odd name but strangely accurate.”

“So what’s the deal with the blobs, anyway? Are they all traitors?”

“I do not know, but it is strange that there are so many warlords among their species. I used to think that they were similar to us Schrik, and had exceptional martial capabilities. But now I am inclined to believe that Raeth assistance has enabled their success.”

“But the Imperium can’t prove it,” I said.

“Correct. So it is left to us.”

“We do the dirty work. I’m assuming this Sebril won’t be as easy to kill as Klichton was.”

“Sebril is vigilant, and that vigilance will be amplified after Klichton’s assassination. We will need to move in force to achieve our goal.”

“Another invasion?”

“No, an ambush,” Bothar said. “Sebril does not travel lightly, but if we use a combined force to ambush her convoy, we can succeed.”

“That’s not exactly subtle, Bothar. How do we justify something like that?”

“Sebril was vocal about her displeasure at Klichton’s assassination. It turns out that she is a distant relation of his.

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