Unite the Frontier by J. Malcolm Patrick

Author:J. Malcolm Patrick [Patrick, J. Malcolm]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-11-15T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20-They Made Their Move

“The rulers are more afraid they will not have anything left to rule over” - Platus

Imperial Palace

Like everyone else, Aaron was on his feet now. Lee whispered into his ear.

“Probably should have let me bring my pistol.”

Aaron gritted his teeth. “Next time I give you a fancy speech about diplomatic overtures, remind me about today.”

Cato was kneeling over his father’s body, holding his father’s back and neck to his chest as blood stained his hands, the color drained from the Emperor’s face. “Marcus, what have you done?”

Cato suddenly rushed his brother and received a backhand for his trouble.

“Stay silent, little brother, and you might just survive this. I will teach you in the proper ways, ways which father neglected.”

The centurions stopped their march several feet away. There must be at least two hundred. Each armed with long spears, short-swords and shields.

Marcus commanded the centurions’ commander. “Take the Lord Commander and his honored guests. I’ll deal with Quintus myself later. These,” he said pointing at Aaron, “we can use to stall the United Systems. They are our hostages.”

Lee shifted.

Marcus didn’t miss it. “Not another inch,” he said to Lee. “I will order the centurions to gut every one of you if you make any moves with that arm of yours. Centurion, place the scrambler on this one’s left arm. Before he attempts to crush someone’s head with it.”

The centurion stepped forward raising the scrambler to Lee’s arm.

“Marcus!”

Everyone turned to find the voice.

Platus stood at the far end of the Hall with a pulse pistol raised. Aaron and Lee ducked. The beam sizzled inches away. The centurion holding the scrambler crumbled.

“Move now!” Aaron shouted. They kicked off in a run across the Great Hall.

Pulse blasts continued to heat the air as Platus laid down continuous fire, forcing the centurions to cover behind their shield wall. He covered their escape to the end of the hall.

As they reached two marble pillars, hails of spears crashed down around them. One caught Rachael in the leg out in the open. Aaron scrambled from behind the pillar and grabbed her good leg and dragged. Another flurry of spears arced overhead. He shielded her and closed his eyes.

Loud clangs assaulted his ears. He turned. Just in front, Lee carried a shield in one hand, covering Platus who continued to fire.

“This way!” Platus motioned.

Lee covered their retreat with the shield while Platus led them through a small door into a maze of corridors. Lee dropped the shield and Platus sealed the door.

“I believe that’s twice I’ve saved your life now, Commander Rayne. Your debt is slowly mounting.”

“I’ll be sure to write you in my will,” Aaron said, and turned to Quintus. “What the hell have you dragged us into?”

Quintus still had a look of disbelief. “I wish I knew,” he said slowly.

Platus signaled. “There’s no time. If you must discuss it, do so while moving.”

Aaron knelt by Rachael. She was on the floor cradling her injured leg. Aaron had Lee tear a strip from his white tunic, and he bandaged the wound.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.