Alliance of Serpents by Kevin Domenic Page B

him retrieve the implant,
or any ships carrying Kyrosen will be destroyed by the Armada.
Second, once we have presented Arus to Kindel, we will be allowed
to go our own way under the condition that we remain loyal allies
of the Armada. Thorus retains ownership over his ships, and he will
be free to track us at anytime, anywhere."
    The smile quickly faded from Olock's face,
and F'Ledro was muttering something under his breath. How could
Truce agree to give such power over to one of their most bitter
enemies? "Sir, how can you be sure that we can trust him?"
    "Do you remember the deal my father struck
with the Military of Senluthia twenty years ago?"
    Olock recalled the incident well. The Kyrosen
had landed on the planet to refuel and restock their supplies when
a rebel group calling themselves the Military of Senluthia hijacked
two of their transports and one assault ship and proceeded to use
them in their personal battle against their country's elected
government. Aratus worked out an agreement to recover his ships on
the condition that the Kyrosen would help the rebels eliminate
their enemies. In the end, the Kyrosen turned on the Military of
Senluthia as soon as the ships were back in their possession. The
rebels were quickly annihilated, and the Kyrosen absorbed their
weapons and supplies into their own before leaving the planet. At
first the deal had seemed like a catastrophic blunder. But in the
end, it turned out to benefit the Kyrosen in more ways than one. No
doubt Truce expected the same from this situation. "I remember,
Boss. We were barely twenty years old, then."
    "We were all nervous, but it all worked out
in the end, right? I realize that many of you may be uneasy about
being allied with the Armada, but I ask that you trust me on this.
Once we capture Arus and the implant, freedom amongst the stars
will once again be ours. And if anyone even considers turning their
backs on the Armada, I will take it as an act of treason against
the Kyrosen as well. Kindel doesn't trust as, which I'm sure comes
as no surprise to any of you, and he has taken me prisoner as his
collateral. Should any of you betray him, I will be killed. That,
Olock, is why I've put you in charge. I cannot oversee everything
myself, but I know that you are capable of filling in while I'm
gone. Once Kindel has the implant and we go our separate ways, I'll
return to my place at the head of the Kyrosen. Until then, Olock,
treat any traitors to the Armada the same as you would treat
traitors to the Kyrosen. My life, this partnership, and the future
of the Kyrosen depend on it."
    "Understood, Boss," Olock answered. "I'll
keep them in line. When should we expect these transports?"
    "I requested time for our people to gather
their belongings and prepare to vacate the Underworld, but Thorus
wouldn't have it. The transports will touch down on the Mayahol
tomorrow at midday. That gives you one day to prepare to leave.
Take only what you need; food and supplies will be provided for
you. Again, and I cannot stress this enough, treat the Armada
soldiers as you would treat your Kyrosen brothers and sisters. They
are our allies now, and anyone who disrupts that relationship will
be punished harshly."
    "You needn't worry, Boss," Olock assured him.
"Our loyalty is to you, and if you give an order, we follow it
without question."
    "Well, you  give the orders now,
Olock. Be firm and steadfast, and don't let F'Ledro get out of
line." He laughed with a joy that Olock had not heard from Truce in
years. "I must go now. Be ready for the transports tomorrow.
Kindel's ships will not return for anyone who gets left behind.
Remember, I guaranteed long ago that the Kyrosen would return to
their former glory, and I never go back on my word. Truce out."
    The transmission crackled for a moment before
going silent. Mutters arose amongst the Kyrosen, most seemingly
skeptical about a partnership with Kindel Thorus. Helping him
retrieve the implant was one thing, but borrowing ships