Servants of the Empire by Henrik Rohdin

Author:Henrik Rohdin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: space opera, science fiction, action adventure, political thriller, servants, science fiction thriller, science fiction action, sci fi thriller, scifi action, sci fi action, military sci fi, science fiction novel, science fiction action adventure, milsf, mil sf, alien science fiction, adventure sci fi, alien action, league of planets, part three, sci fi political thriller, sci fi space opera
Publisher: Henrik Rohdin

Chapter Fourteen: Services Rendered

Krokandir, Planet Rukkur, Kroka System

“The High Prod Trakk Nikkwill will see you now, Sharm Zurra,” the dutiful karp said to Zurra and nervously stepped aside. Zurra gave the junior officer a quick once-over – he looked terrified of the massive black Kenkosh. Did he know something Zurra did not?

Like most meetings with senior officers, Zurra had been brought to a nondescript building near Empire Plaza in the 1st District. As Zurra walked down the hallway, he could see the Manganese Palace between nearby buildings through frosted windows.

He knocked twice on the door at the end of the hall and received permission to enter from a gruff voice. He entered to find that Nikkwill was waiting in the tiny room by himself. That was the first sign to Zurra that he was in serious trouble – the more level-headed Tarkas was not there to deflect Nikkwill’s rage. The room had nowhere to sit, no flask of beastwine, and no windows. This was not going to be an ordinary debriefing.

“High Prod Nikkwill,” Zurra said submissively, bowing his head and clasping his fist in salute. How could he have been so stupid as to bring Gresham into the Empire? This was backfiring on him before punishment had even been meted out.

“Sharm Zurra,” Nikkwill replied and placed his hands behind his back. He was still wearing his ceremonial armor from the banquet. “Thank you for waiting. It has now been two hours since the incident at Ulkkorn’s apartment. What have you been thinking about since you were brought here?”

“I do not understand the question, sir,” Zurra answered evasively.

“You understand just fine, Zurra. Do not feign ignorance – you know exactly what I meant. What have you been thinking since the battle?”

“I have been thinking about how lucky we were to escape with our lives,” Zurra stated truthfully. “Those Progressives aimed to kill us. We could very well be having this discussion in the Last World, sir.”

Nikkwill narrowed his eyes and drawled, “Yes, I suppose we could.”

There was a long silence before Zurra asked, “Sir, what did you think that I was thinking about?”

“I was wondering, Sharm Zurra, if you had considered the concept of treason.”

The words were carefully calculated. Zurra opened his mouth, but no words were able to form. He felt as if a stone had plunged into his gut and he took a deep breath, deciding not to say anything. What was there to say?

“Did you hear what I asked you?”

“Yes, High Prod Nikkwill, I heard you.”

“And?”

“To answer your question, no, I had not considered the concept of treason. That was far from my mind.”

“It should not have been, because you may have unwittingly committed it.” Nikkwill approached him so that they were only two feet apart. “You are aware, Sharm Zurra, that aiding a foreign agent is an act of treason, punishable by death?”

“High Prod Nikkwill, if you would allow me to explain…”

“You will speak when I ask you to!” Nikkwill thundered, his spittle splashing Zurra in the face.

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