Alliance of Serpents by Kevin Domenic Page A

he growled. "Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again or
I'll make sure it costs you your hide! How many times must you be
punished before you'll learn to—"
    The communications array came to life with a
series of crackling sounds. Olock shoved F'Ledro away, nearly
tossing him on top of the crowd, and immediately cranked the volume
knob to its maximum. "Quiet, everyone!" he yelled. "Listen up!"
    It was several more moments before Truce's
voice came from the communications array. "This is Sartan Truce, do
you read me?"
    "Yes, Boss!" Olock responded. "I've gathered
everyone according to your orders. We await your instructions."
    "Well done, Olock. As always, you've
performed above and beyond my expectations. That having been said,
I ask that you and everyone else trust my judgment as you have so
many times in the past, because what I am about to say may shock
many of you. A decades-old conflict has finally come an end, and
the agreement that has been reached will set into motion a sequence
of events that will—and I stress that word—it will return
the Kyrosen to space where we belong!"
    That sent a murmur rolling through the crowd.
Olock held his hand up to silence the people as Truce continued.
"First off, I want to apologize for my failure at the castle. I was
in charge of the mission, and I alone accept the responsibility for
what happened there. I wanted to provide proof of the implant's
power, and in the process, I wound up losing it to the Aeden
Alliance. Rest assured, it will be recovered, and it will be
recovered soon." There was some applause in response, but Truce
went on. "Following the incident at the castle, I followed the rest
of you who managed to escape into the streets of Cathymel. We
scattered according to the contingency plans we had set, but along
my escape route I was apprehended by assistants of Kindel Thorus
and the Vezulian Armada."
    An even louder rumbling of voices came from
the Kyrosen. Beads of sweat formed on Olock's forehead at the
mention of Kindel Thorus. "I was taken to his ship and brought to
Kindel himself, where I managed to work out a deal. However, no
deal comes without compromise on both ends. That having been said,
for an unspecified amount of time, I must step down from my
position as leader of the Kyrosen. Olock will be taking over,
effective at the termination of this transmission. I expect you to
answer to him as you would answer to me, because I fully intend to
deal with any dissenters when I resume command. Olock, be firm but
fair in your decisions. I have full confidence in your abilities. I
wouldn't have chosen you if I didn't."
    "Thank you, Boss," Olock acknowledged. "But
what are we to gain from this deal? The Armada has never been
friendly with the Kyrosen before. Why start now?"
    Truce chuckled openly. "I wouldn't exactly
call them friendly, Olock. But we've reached a professional
agreement over a common enemy. As we know, Arus and the implant
were taken by the Aeden Alliance. Thorus is going to help us
retrieve the implant from them, at which point he will keep it. In
exchange, he will provide transport ships for all remaining Kyrosen
on Terranias."
    A mixed reaction came from the crowd. Some
were excited and joyful about the prospect of returning to space,
while others were understandably concerned about trusting the
Armada. Despite the risks, Olock felt a bit of excitement of his
own. If everything worked out—and that was a big ‘if'—the
Kyrosen would be back among the stars where they belonged. No more
caves, no more heat, no more dirt and filth and sand snakes and
wretched humans interfering with their society. Finally, they'd be
free again. "That's good news, Sir. We've been away from space for
far too long. How did you get Thorus to agree to that?"
    "As I said, no deal comes without compromise.
He ordered some restrictions that I must tell you about," Sartan
responded. "But I feel they are necessary sacrifices to attain our
own goals. First off, we must help