The Soul Monger: Book One by Matilda Scotney

Author:Matilda Scotney [Scotney, Matilda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-30T22:00:00+00:00

She left him there to his reflections, but Xavier didn’t return to their quarters that night. Laurel managed to doze but was up and dressed before Issie arrived to marshall them for the day. Eli and Chloe went with Harry for flight training. Helen, Marta and Laurel continued to the combat training room.

“Can you offer us more on the techniques the enemy have used up to now?” Laurel asked Cere, “From what they have told us, most of the individual battles, despite the devastation, seem like skirmishes. We have a theory the actual war may be yet to come.”

Marta agreed. “A warring species would single out a more aggressive adversary. Simple folk leading simple lives would hardly represent a challenge; their actions imply an ulterior motive.”

Harry arrived at that moment and overheard the conversation. “I hope you’re not right, Laurel, Semevale is the closest system to the nebula. If Semevale 8 falls, the invaders are well placed to gain access to six separate systems bordering on Semevale space. The invaders must recognise the tactical edge; access to their portals and control of the region.” He paused, “And if you have theories; please bring them to me.”

“Xavier thinks you either have something they want or it’s a grudge,” Laurel recounted a comment Xavier made the previous night.

Harry was dubious. “Semevale has nothing material of benefit to anyone; its greatest asset is its people but subduing several star systems might destabilise the League.”

“Have you ever expelled anyone? Perhaps Xavier is right, and someone is harbouring a grievance,” Laurel pressed on. Xavier had produced some persuasive arguments, but Harry knew nothing, Laurel was sure of it.

“Not from across the nebula. The League has had dissidents of course, but no outright conflict and no expulsions. This enemy has no other purpose than to inflict chaos and destruction.”

“Then the League is naïve,” Marta said, “to believe that because they cannot find a way to navigate the nebula, then no-one can. This enemy does have a purpose; you need to find what it is. No-one takes up arms on a whim.”

“I beg to differ, Marta,” Harry raised his chin, prepared to defend the League and everything for which it stood, but at that moment, Laurel caught the wavering in his resolve. This theory wasn’t his; it was propaganda, fed to the League soldiers, presumably by Canon Akkuh. Laurel kept silent; it wouldn’t do to challenge the idea when she didn’t have any solid clues of her own.

Harry continued, “Historically, man engaged in war to secure power and position. As we have no idea what drives this enemy, we can only assume it’s a play for power.”

“You’ve mentioned intelligence,” Laurel said. “Are there operatives working in the field?”

“No, any attempt to infiltrate ended in disaster. It’s extraordinary; there were a few instances where we received information on the enemy’s operations. There are no means of identifying that person, but someone within enemy ranks.”

“He or she could be leading you into a trap.”

“Not so far; the intelligence has been valuable.

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