Naero's Gambit (A Spacer Clans Adventure) by Elliott Mason

Author:Elliott, Mason [Elliott, Mason]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: High Mark Publishing
Published: 2013-09-13T00:00:00+00:00

32

Naero’s final day on Janosha…either way

For good or ill, it started just like most others.

She and Hashiko fought each other to a grudging standstill in the sparring circle.

They had grown more or less equally matched it seemed.

They had seen all of the other’s tricks and techniques. Many times over.

Until one or the other of them progressed further or learned something new, they were at a stalemate.

Of course Hashi said nothing personal to her.

She said her initial farewells to Iika, Bahan, and her Tua family.

Hopefully there would be time for more.

Vane finally summoned her, to his private quarters in his larger, infinitely nicer cave.

In the entire three year’s time, Naero had never set foot in it once. She’d never even seen inside it before.

And of course, it was filled with tek conveniences and gadgets by the way. Thank you very much, High Master Vane.

That really pissed Naero off.

But she couldn’t say anything, as usual.

Not when Vane held her life in his very hands.

He ignored her at first and puttered around.

If he did decide to kill her…she wondered if she’d get a chance to say farewell to any of her family or friends.

Knowing Vane, probably not.

How were her friends after the three months?

And what had happened to Khai? She still needed to find out.

If she survived the day of course.

Hey, it was only three months. What could have happened?

Master Vane turned to Naero suddenly.

Then Hashiko flashed in.

“What’s wrong, Master? You sent me and urgent summons?”

Vane looked at them both and did not hesitate.

“The Fifth Spacer War is beginning as we speak. The Clans are now at war throughout all the known systems, on every front.”

Naero gaped.

She slipped away for three lousy months.

And everything went straight to hell?

It figured.

Hashiko asked. “How are we–”

“We are losing. Very badly. Our foes have armed all of their fleets with the advanced ion cannons. They’re dominating every battle. And they have superior numbers. What’s more, they have refused to take any prisoners. Any of our ships or allies that they take are being blown up, or dumped into the nearest star–with their crews still inside.”

Hashiko snarled, cursing. “The bastards!”

Vane turned to Naero.

“At least this means a reprieve for you, Maeris.”

Naero was still stunned about the war news. Struggling to take it all in.

The Clans. Her people. They were losing? She couldn’t believe it.

“Janosha to Naero…”

“Huh?”

Vane shook his head. “I can’t really kill off a valuable resource like you very well now, can I? Not with a desperate war on and all that. Not when the Clans need every available weapon to fling at the advancing foe. Even a monster like you, Maeris. I’ll just bet you can do some damage to our enemies, before they cut you down.”

“Who are we fighting now?” Naero asked.

He rolled his eyes. “Why the Gigacorps, of course.”

“Which ones?”

Vane glared at her like she was a total idiot.

“All fourteen of them, including the remnants of Triax. Everyone but Joshua Tech, of course. The devils are all in. Fully committed to wiping out the Clans for all time.

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