Through the Gate by Chris Kennedy & Kevin Steverson

Author:Chris Kennedy & Kevin Steverson [Kennedy, Chris & Steverson, Kevin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Theogony Books
Published: 2020-06-08T22:00:00+00:00

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Eight

“The payment just cleared the account,” Shaleen said as she stared out over the balcony of her family hold. The sun shone down through a clear sky, and a gentle breeze helped to keep things cool.

“Not bad for your first contract,” her father said, leaning toward her. They’d stood at the balcony for some time in silence, watching another tulleth herd move along the river.

“And the premier agreed not only to let us purchase military arms, she’s giving us that glider dropship and a flight of gliders as a bonus for delivering the Suumhar. The pilot needs to settle up some business back home, but she’ll be joining us in a month or so.”

“It’s all coming together,” he said, turning to her with a slight smile. “Any word from the premier about the Suumhar, or why Minister Stokahn facilitated Hishkara’s attacks on the Elwharri?”

Shaleen sighed, then turned to face him.

“She was a bit evasive, not really answering my direct question on both points. She did agree to give us any relevant information that wouldn’t jeopardize global security, but she didn’t say when.”

“Something’s going on,” he said simply.

“No doubt,” she replied.

“So what happens next?”

“We keep training until Jahvik says we’re good enough to go toe-to-toe with his special ops buddies, then we head for the Salvage System.”

“The what?” Her father had never heard the term.

“It’s something Bith Administrator Dokmor said.” She looked out over the pastures once again. “Worlds are reaching out to the Salvage System to find mercs. We’re going where the jobs are, Da.”

He nodded slowly, and another silence stretched out between them.

Finally, he said, “I can’t go with you, you know.”

She nodded. “You have to manage the family holdings.”

“And you have to manage yours, my magnificent daughter.” He put an arm around her and squeezed. “I’m so very proud of you.”

“Thank you, Da.”

Shaleen felt a swell of pride at his words, but then the image of Mahvrosh’s dead body lying on the grass outside Stokahn’s hold filled her vision. She was a mercenary now, and there would be more fatalities. Inevitably. She swore to do everything she could to keep as many of them alive as possible.

Her eyes lifted to the sky, and she thought of the Salvage System. What might lie in store for them there? Only the future would reveal that particular little mystery.

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