Legion Of The Damned - 01 - Legion of the Damned by William C. Dietz

Author:William C. Dietz [Dietz, William C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, General, Fiction, Cyborgs, Genocide
ISBN: 9780441480401
Publisher: Ace
Published: 1993-07-31T04:00:00+00:00

Carl von Clausewitz

On War

Standard year 1832

Planet Earth, the Human Empire

The Emperor stood with his back to the room. A tiny insect buzzed around his head. Sunlight streamed in through the high arched window and threw his shadow across the floor.

Admiral Scolari stood just beyond it, her heart beating like a drum. This was the moment that she’d been waiting for, when the Emperor made his decision and the tide turned her way. Like his mother before him, the Emperor had done a masterful job of playing each branch of the military off against all the rest, preventing any of them from growing too strong.

After all, why grant the Legion their own planet, if not to balance the influence of the Navy and Marine Corps?

But the Hudatha threatened the entire empire, and in order to counter that threat the Emperor would have to place all of his forces under a single command or risk the possibility of defeat. There was no substitute for a single vision, a single strategy, and a single leader.

And there was little doubt that she should be that leader, since it was the Navy that tied the empire together and would bear the brunt of any attack—an attack she’d meet with the largest fleet ever assembled. Then, by dealing the enemy a single decisive blow, she’d join the short list of military leaders who through a single engagement had changed the course of history.

And then? Well, who knew? But it would be stupid to let all that power go. Besides, there was the Consortium of Inner Planets to consider. They had sponsored her and would expect a say. Would they decide to leave the Emperor in place? It seemed unlikely at best. The Emperor interrupted her thoughts.

“My decision is made.”

“Yes, Highness.”

“All of my forces will withdraw to the inner planets and prepare to defend them.”

“Including the Legion, Highness?”

The Emperor spun on his heel. Sunbeams rayed around him. His voice was hard and unyielding. “I said all of my forces, did I not?”

Scolari bowed her head. “Yes, Highness. Sorry, Highness.”

The Emperor waved the apology away. The copies argued in his head. Some favored his decision while others opposed it. Damn them anyway, eternally squabbling, making his life miserable.

“There’s no need to apologize. You have your orders. Carry them out.”

Scolari bowed low. “Yes, Highness. Immediately, Highness.”

The Emperor nodded and turned his back. Scolari did an about-face and her cloak swirled around her as she headed for the door. An insect was perched on her left shoulder but it was far too light for the admiral to notice.

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