Beyond the Empire by K B Wagers

Author:K B Wagers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2017-11-14T00:00:00+00:00

An hour later, I kept my attention on the window as the Bristol swooped low for a landing at the private port near the governor’s mansion. It was less for the view and more to avoid my Ekam’s scrutiny.

“That is a lot of people,” Zin said from behind me with a low whistle.

“I guess they weren’t happy about Phanin’s takeover.”

“They could be on his side, ma’am,” he replied.

“No. They’d be shooting at us.” I grinned over my shoulder.

“It’s still a problem,” Emmory said, bracing himself against the jolt as the Vajrayana ship touched down. “I have less than a dozen BodyGuards without armor and it’s forty-five meters from here to the mansion.”

“Even at a sprint that’s a long time for someone to line up a shot.” Zin studied the crowd, a frown creasing his face.

“Or a rocket launcher,” I murmured.

Emmory closed his eyes and sighed.

“Well, we’re going to have to give that crowd something or they’re going to rush the tarmac.”

We all turned to look at Hao, who was standing back by the door with his arms crossed.

“Ekam, do you trust me?”

“As far as I can throw you.”

Hao grinned. “I suspect that’s a decent distance. I’ll take it as a compliment.” He gestured at me. “Come on, Your Majesty. Let your Guards coordinate your transportation with someone in the governor’s mansion. We’ll go talk to your people.”

I exchanged a quick look with Emmory, who surprised me by nodding. “Cas will meet you in the cargo bay, Majesty.”

With Cas on one side and Hao on the other, I walked down the Bristol’s ramp and out into the midday sunshine of Ashva. The roar of the crowd nearly flattened me.

Johar and my Marines had disembarked before us and set up a stack of cargo crates behind a makeshift shield generator Johar had somehow cobbled together in less than ten minutes. Cas boosted himself up and then offered me a hand.

The silence that rolled through the air was almost as stunning as the cheers. I looked around, unable to see any of the far-off faces, but I knew there had to be cameras around and so I smiled.

“Citizens of Indrana. It is good to be home.” I folded my hands and pressed them to my heart, lips, and forehead. “I grieve with you over the murders of our beloved matriarchs and promise you that justice for those responsible will be swift and uncompromising. For now, go home to your families. You have done great works here today in liberating your planet from the traitors to our empire. Go home and celebrate your freedom, grieve for the dead, and prepare for tomorrow. We still have a lot of work to do.”

“Jaya ma!” the crowd shouted back at me, several thousand voices raised to the sky. Then the chanting started, “Long live the gunrunner empress,” and I had to bite my cheek to keep my laughter from dancing out into the air.

“Majesty, we’ve got transport incoming,” Emmory said in my ear. “Zin and I are headed to the cargo bay.

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