Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott

Author:Kate Elliott [Elliott, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781250197245
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 2020-07-07T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

Most of a brigade has gathered inside the armory where fifth years muster for field exercises. The big doors gape open as stragglers stream in. The armory stands partway up a slope on the edge of the forest at the westernmost edge of the grid. We have a clear view into the center of town toward the appalling sight of the broken sky-tower and smoke-wreathed pagoda. Our brigade commanders, jovial Chief Bu and serious Chief Dara, stand on the riding platform of a six-wheeled Bear with Jade Kim and Solomon at attention behind them.

Chief Bu speaks into an amplifier cuff to boom words over the crowd. “Fifth Brigade will create a perimeter guard. Form up by—”

The chief breaks off as the background rumble spikes in volume. The ground trembles. I stagger to a halt. The topmost roof of the Moon pagoda shudders. Flames shoot out of its eaves. With a fearful rolling grumble it pancakes onto the roof below. The massive whump sends hammering shock waves through the air, cadets swaying, my ears throbbing. Incredibly the lower floors hold, but it’s just a matter of time.

Sun shoves up to the vehicle and leaps up onto the hood. The chiefs do a double take as they recognize her. When she indicates the amplifier cuff, Chief Bu hesitates for a breath because Sun is not in the academy’s chain of command. But she is who she is, so he peels it off and hands it over.

The princess speaks into the cuff, her voice as sharp a call to arms as any siren.

“Stand to attention, Fifth Brigade! I am Princess Sun, daughter of Eirene, the queen-marshal of the republic you are sworn to serve. Like you, I just witnessed a craven attack by Phene raiders on a peaceful town.”

There’s a stunned silence as the cadets take in her accusation.

In a low voice meant only for her and Dara, Chief Bu says, “Do you have classified intel on those freighters, Your Highness?”

“I have the same sound signatures you have analyzed by now.”

Chief Dara says, “Like I said, Bu, disguised exteriors, gunships underneath.”

“What does an attack on the academy accomplish?” Bu shakes his head. “No strategic or tactical benefit.”

“It’s not an attack on the academy,” Sun says. “You’ve heard the theory the Phene are controlling Gatoi soldiers with engineered hallucination.”

“Wild speculation.” Again Bu shakes his head.

“Except it’s true. There’s a classified lab hidden in the industrial park. Chaonian scientists are working to break Phene control of the banner soldiers. It will change the course of the war. Do you understand?”

Chief Dara whistles.

Bu says, “Yes. That’s big.”

Facing the assembly, Sun speaks into the cuff. “The Phene are headed for the industrial park. A second wave of our high-atmosphere alert fighters will take at least thirty more minutes. They might be held back in favor of ground-based fighters who have to be prepped, fueled, and armed. Even a quick reaction force will take an hour. But we can get to the park in twenty minutes. And you cadets have done training exercises in its avenues and blocks.

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