Hellhole Awakening by Kevin J. Anderson & Brian Herbert

Author:Kevin J. Anderson & Brian Herbert [Anderson, Kevin J. & Herbert, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: E, P, U, B, ,, , O, R, I, G, I, N, A, L, _, E, P, U, B
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

49

When Ian Walfor interrupted her meeting in the Saporo admin tower, Tanja knew it was something important, even dire. His face bore a dismal expression, didn’t even show a smile upon seeing her; he looked haggard.

Tanja had been sitting on one of her office terraces with a group of her military advisers, where they had a magnificent view of the harbor with its floating buildings and heavy boat traffic. Seated around an outdoor table, they were discussing planetary defenses, including the six new ships placed in orbit. She looked forward to returning to Theser soon, to have a dinner with Sia Frankov and thank her for helping to make the new hub secure. Tanja also had patrols in the air and defenses on the ground, not to mention the shadow-Xayans, who had promised to defend Candela with their telemancy. She felt much safer—but the expression on Walfor’s face changed all that.

With shaking hands, he poured himself a glass of water from a pitcher on the table. Though he had rushed here, he now seemed reluctant to say what was on his mind. Finally, he put down the glass. “Theser has been wiped out. Riomini did it—left one of his flags where the capital city used to be. All of Eron is only charred remains.”

Her advisers gasped, one of them lurched to his feet, while others sat in stunned silence. Tanja felt cold, then feverish, as emotions surged over her. “And Sia Frankov? Any word that they took prisoners?” She felt uprooted, reminded of how she and her friend had planned their joint commercial empire, trade routes, dreams. “Any survivors, witnesses?”

“There’s nothing recognizable anywhere.” Walfor slumped into a chair. “Not so much as a blade of grass.”

Tanja slammed a fist down on the table. “The Constellation is going to drown in all the blood they’ve spilled.”

* * *

In her noisome cell, Marla Undine was obviously convinced she would never get out of this place alive. She sat brooding on the edge of her cot; as far as Bebe Nax could tell, that was all she ever did.

The harsh conditions seemed medieval, but Tanja Hu insisted on the humiliation, for reasons of her own. After hearing Ian Walfor’s appalling news about Theser, which he had delivered yesterday, Bebe was inclined to agree that any representative of the Constellation should be treated like an animal.

Bebe doubted the captive territorial governor would show any remorse, nor would she be any more cooperative. Bebe stood outside the cell with Jacque at her side; she let out a heavy, impatient sigh. “I can improve your conditions here if you will just record the message for Sonjeera. It’s the best way to resolve the situation.”

Tanja had demanded that Governor Undine record a message to be sent to the Diadem, which Tanja would include along with her own condemnation of the Diadem’s actions on Theser. But Undine did not seem tempted at all.

“I refuse to be part of your propaganda.”

Jacque was visiting from his boarding school, and Bebe wanted him to see this.

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