The Legion and the Lioness (World Apart Book 1) by Robert D. Armstrong

Author:Robert D. Armstrong [Armstrong, Robert D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cyberpunk, space war, space battle, science fiction, androids, sci-fi
Publisher: Robert D. Armstrong
Published: 2017-12-18T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

THREE HOURS AFTER THE attack...

“All right, all right, everyone, calm down. Cleanup crews are still working. If there is nowhere to sit, I apologize, but you’ll just have to stand where you can,” Corvin said, showing us the palms of his hands.

A few hundred of us had gathered in a large auditorium area crammed with people. Most here were military, the rest political figures I assumed. Corvin sat on a stool in the middle of the room, along with the mystery men and two other colonels I hadn’t seen before. It reminded me of a town hall meeting.

“Thank you for your patience. We’re going to start in one minute. We’ve got soldiers all around the colony that wouldn’t fit in this room, so we’re broadcasting this to them as well,” Corvin said.

I studied the glass ceiling above, noticing the winds overhead. They carried the smoke from the destroyer’s wreckage to our north. By the entrance, Xena stood, extending her arm to stop people. She was checking credentials, from hero to bouncer, a robot’s life.

When we retrieved her, I didn’t get a good look. Now in the lighting, I could see everything. She still wore her battle armor, but without a helmet. She reminded me of a hunk of metal caught in a lightning storm. Her armor was nicked and scorched all over from laser fire, with small chunks missing out of it here and there. Around the right side of her torso, an entire section of armor had been blown off, even penetrating her body.

I observed her black and gray colored ribs exposed, shielding her synthetic organs that were light blue in color. They pulsated like someone breathing into a paper sack rapidly. I wondered if that was normal or due to damage, I wasn’t an expert.

“The reason you’re all here now is to discuss our military plans going forward,” Corvin interrupted my thought. He stood up and began to pace slowly, clamping his hands behind his back. He glanced around the room, meeting a few soldiers’ eyes.

“What we did today, will be remembered, forever.” He pointed his finger to the north.

“A surprise attack by four destroyers repelled, a flagship brought down by our small human colony. Let that be a reminder to humans in the years to come that we will not go quietly,” he rallied.

A man beside me erupted, “Yeah!” Several more people bellowed out, some clapped, but they allowed Corvin to keep the floor.

It was difficult not to feel the emotion. As I panned around the room, I saw military personnel that were unfamiliar, but their unwavering gaze wasn’t. Those I remembered. They were ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. They were willing to be an unknown bearer for humanity.

Despite my disapproval of the Titan military investment, and the lax nature of their disposition, I was starting to see a small glimmer of hope.

Realistically, though, the attack was just what Corvin said before we took off, a test of our defenses. A full attack would have buried us, and it was coming sooner than later.

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