The Dark Before the Light (The Guild Wars Book 5) by Tim C. Taylor

Author:Tim C. Taylor [Taylor, Tim C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Seventh Seal Press
Published: 2020-06-15T22:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

Chapter Forty-Five

Endless Night Command Ship, Aneb-4 Orbit

“Come now, Commanders. Our situation is so commonplace, even the Humans have a term for this. Realpolitik.”

Retenex snarled at the Tri-V image of the Tyzhoune general. Coron was rigid with anger.

“Long Reach now obeys my instructions,” said Shiyu, “and since she transited in-system this morning, I now have naval superiority in the Aneb System. Of course, if Commodore Fenrikho were to concentrate her remaining assets, our superiority would be contested, but why fight? There are credits enough for all of us.”

“You overstretch yourself, Shiyu.” Coron’s voice was dangerously quiet.

The Tyzhoune bared his hooked fangs at the little elSha’s image.

Oh, how simple you are, thought Grael. You dismiss Coron out of hand due to her tiny build. She thought of her elSha protégé busy recruiting an army across the nebula. Those who underestimated Franjo were mostly dead.

“We are settling into a new equilibrium,” said the Tyzhoune. “One that better reflects our relative strengths. From now on, Endless Night controls the space routes, while we control the F11 synthesis facility at Romalin. Neither of us can thrive without the other. There need be no change in business over what went before. Consider this to be an outsourcing of a part of your operation. Like all outsourcing, you must pay for the privilege of what we have taken off your hands. Let neither of us forget, there is plenty of wealth to go around if we get this right.”

“We shall send negotiators to codify this outsourcing of Romalin,” said Retenex.

“Let us be clear on one thing,” added Coron. “Endless Night rules supreme across the Spine Nebula. We own the Infinite Flow trade. You still work for us.”

The Tyzhoune bowed. “Of course.”

Coron gestured for the transmission to end.

“The Tyzhounes must be destroyed,” she said, voicing Jankel’s thoughts.

“And quickly,” said Retenex, voicing Grael’s, “before they ruin everything.”

“Against Shiyu’s forces, our mercenary recruits may be inadequate, and they cannot be diverted from their tasks elsewhere in the nebula. Franjo is making excellent progress recruiting the Scythe, but they are unlikely to be enough to launch a successful invasion of Romalin.”

“Now that we know the unique artifact at Romalin is not so unique after all, we shall manipulate the Spine Patriots and Tyzhounes into destroying themselves and leaving us with the other two engines.”

Jankel’s fur went limp.

What is it, brother? thought Grael, but operational security meant she was a dumb Lumar with no business worrying over an Oogar brute.

“Do I detect hesitation?” Retenex asked Coron.

“As they draw their dying breath,” Coron replied, “I prefer my enemies to see my face and know I have destroyed them. This will be a disappointing form of victory.”

“I agree. Yet we are now responsible for the Night, and as commanders, these are the sacrifices we must make. Spine Patriots, Midnight Sun, and now General Shiyu—they are but minor obstacles along our path to domination.”

“More than that,” said Retenex, his whiskers perking up, reflecting Jankel’s mood. “They will toughen our operation so that we shall be more resilient when we take on more powerful foes.

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