Gambler by Justine Davis

Author:Justine Davis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BelleBooks Inc.
Published: 2019-05-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 30

DRAKE WAS PACING his quarters again, and Brander could not blame him. An unexpected, unpredicted clear night threw more than a twist into the works. He had called the best of them into this meeting, hoping someone would have an idea of how to deal with this blow.

“Whatever gods the Coalition prays to must have been listening today,” Pryl muttered.

“Or they knew,” Brander said.

“I did not,” Iolana said from where she stood at Kye’s side. “For that would be far too clear and useful,” she added wryly, earning her a chuckle and smiles from many. She was on her way to being accepted by most of the Sentinels.

“But they destroyed the weather center, and all the instruments,” Kye said. “All the things that used to tell us when the mist might lift.”

“Not to mention they likely wouldn’t know how to use them,” Eirlys added. She had insisted on being here for this, and after her sizeable contribution to this morning’s mission, Drake didn’t refuse her.

“I suppose even the Coalition gets lucky now and then,” Galeth Harkin said.

“Well it couldn’t be worse,” his brother said.

“Unless they found a way to clear the mist themselves,” Kade said.

The room went silent. Brander stared at the newcomer. This was something that had never occurred even to his agile mind. Just the thought of losing their one main advantage in this fight was shattering. And he doubted it had ever occurred to any Ziemite that the mist that shrouded their world could be artificially eliminated. He doubted, in fact, that many of them would want it done had it occurred, for it would change the very essence of their lives, perhaps even more than the Coalition had. Perhaps they would not even survive, if they had to live in the heat and light of sun-season all year round.

Brander felt an odd sort of pressure, and yanked his gaze away from Kade to find most of the Sentinels present looking at him. Including Drake.

“Is that possible?” Drake asked.

Brander’s mind was racing, but he knew instinctively he was looking for answers he did not have. “I cannot think of anything that would accomplish it, but nor can I say that the Coalition hasn’t come across something on some distant world they’ve conquered.”

“I hope to Eos they have not.” Drake drew in a deep breath. Then he gave a slow shake of his head. “We cannot worry about that now. We will learn soon enough if they have found a way. Now we must deal with the immediate situation.”

“Getting from here up to the cavern under a clear double moon?” Kye asked.

“We have no choice. We must be gone from here before the night is done.”

“A diversion?” Teal Harkin said. “Although I’m not sure there’s any diversion that could be big enough.”

“True,” agreed his brother. “You’d have to blow up their entire compound.”

“Not that I wouldn’t like to,” Teal said, “but it would take that fusion cannon we don’t really have to do that.”

Brander winced inwardly. If he’d been able to figure that out sooner, they might have been able to fake that.

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