Throne of Novoxos: Van Laven Chronicles by Chase Tyler & Quinn Laura

Author:Chase, Tyler & Quinn, Laura [Chase, Tyler & Quinn, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
ISBN: 9798398156577
Amazon: B0C7TCPD7W
Goodreads: 177330221
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: 2023-06-13T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 40

“It is merely a show of force,” Crausin replied, hiding his alarm as they hurried down the corridor toward the command center. When had Larrs discovered his daughter’s affair with Comron? To assemble such an enormous attack force, he had to have known at least a day before he learned of it. He hated feeling a step behind that infuriatingly despicable man.

“With all due respect, Sire,” Straland answered, “one does not assemble a force of that size and magnitude for mere saber rattling. Bastionli is loaded for bear and is blazing a path to our door.”

“Raise our defenses, assemble a counterstrike force,” Crausin ordered. Dear God, Comron what have you done to us?

“I can have full planetary shields raised in a quarter of an hour, all major cities in less.”

“I want it done in half that time,” Crausin commanded as the steel doors of the command center parted before them.

“Yes, Sire.”

The command center was alive with activity as the officers manned their posts speaking into their com units and reviewing the positions of their forces on the large holographic screens. Some of the officers glanced surreptitiously at their duke as if wondering if this weren’t some rather elaborate drill.

“Sire, I must reiterate that this is not proper protocol,” Straland said. “We need to move you and the royal family underground to Command Base One for your protection.”

“Northridge Castle is a fortress unto itself,” Crausin replied irritably. “I will remain here. Set up a private communication link in one of the conference rooms here.”

“But Sire.”

“Do as you’re told,” Crausin snapped. “Open a channel to the flagship. I will know the meaning of this dog’s impudence and gross disregard of inter-planetary law.”

Crausin had dreamed of a day when Nethic and Ti-Laros would face each other on the battlefield, but not like this, not under these ridiculous circumstances. It infuriated him that Nethicaen history would forever remember Comron as the traitor who instigated a war by crawling into bed with the Bastionlis.

He considered hauling Comron up from the cellar to face the calamity that he had wrought, but decided to leave him below so that he could focus his full attention on Larrs Bastionli.

General Straland informed him that the communication link had been established. Crausin watched as the large black screens that blinked to life displayed holographic images of the defense mechanisms erected all over the planet. The two screens at the center displayed the oncoming armada of Ti-Larosian warships.

Crausin’s chest heaved at the fearsome sight. But his pride was restored at the sight of the mighty Nethicaen fleet rising with its own impressive company of warships and world-class destroyers. Outnumbered two to one, it was enough to make Bastionli think twice about any rash moves.

“Sire, Bastionli is hailing you,” said Straland.

“Accept and provide visual,” Crausin replied, drawing himself up for the confrontation.

Instantly, Larrs Bastionli appeared upon the screen, plainly incensed and outraged. But it was Crausin who spoke first.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t blast you and your fleet straight to hell,” he said.

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.