Event Horizon by Beck Todd

Author:Beck Todd
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rebecca Todd

24

Peace in Our Time

Cantara's mind whirled as she and the others were escorted to the Peace Summit. The last few minutes replayed themselves in an endless loop. Dakota was actually here. She feared they would never see one another again. Or not until they were much older. Perhaps this was a good thing. More than a mere coincidence. Maybe Dakota could come back to Dionysus, get his life back on track. Stop running. But those people he was with. The girl seemed confused, and the guy was without a doubt pissed off. Did she just mess up everything for him?

"Cantara." She jumped as her father placed his hand on her shoulder. The Peace Summit, located in a spacious conference area adjacent to the Senate, had begun. Hundreds of people crowded the area, grouped together by planet and star system. Tables and chairs were arranged to face a large central podium, designed to allow the speaker to look in any direction. Multiple screens and flags adorned the walls. Cantara took her seat at the Dionysian table, only able to halfway focus on the present.

The clocks chimed twelve times. High Lord Quintillius, accompanied by a slew of armed guards, took his place at the podium.

So much for peaceful, thought Cantara, eyeing the weapons.

"Delegates from across the Republic," the high lord began. "I want to personally thank each and every one of you for attending this Peace Summit. Your presence here is proof that we all wish to preserve the Republic, and not allow it to shatter. My hope is that, as we approach the new year, it will be the last year for war, and that all of us may move forward in peace."

A moderate applause responded. Cantara observed that only a handful of the Dionysians, Malchus included, clapped.

The high lord continued, "Peace cannot be achieved through one man talking to a crowd, so my wish is that you speak and debate among yourselves in order to determine the best ways in which peace with the Dissenters can be accomplished.”

Rowland let out a heavy sigh. They had all assumed that the Peace Summit would be a glorified Senate meeting. Several hours each day listening to the high lord drone on, their loyalty proven by their presence alone. Cantara knew how much her father hated speaking in public, even to a small group. And with the fallout from the emergency meeting, many would question his loyalty, wondering if he was a Dissenter in disguise. How many times would they have to prove Dionysus' loyalty today?

Rowland's phone pinged. He opened it, and Cantara leaned over to get a better look. The message read, "Urgent. Read Immediately." The color drained from his face as he read.

"What's wrong?" Cantara asked. Rowland had moved the phone away.

"Ivan Hawkins has been arrested by mercenaries on Helios. He's being transported to Novatera to stand trial." Ivan Hawkins, the man everyone believed was the true cause of the war. No jury would dare find him not guilty. Cantara's thoughts immediately went to Rodya and his family.

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