The Phoenix Reckoning (The Phoenix Conspiracy Series Book 6) by Richard Sanders Page B

reply. Finally, he spoke. “The Strigoi …” he said the word hatefully.
    “What about them?” asked Summers.
    “They are coming. They’ll be aboard some of the Khan transports when they arrive. The Khans are going to use the Strigoi to take Aleator, and the Strigoi are going to feast on the Roscos, mercifully slaughtering some, while transforming others. This will help grow their numbers. After that…who knows? But it won’t be good. Which is why the line has to be drawn here , and the Khans—along with their Strigoi allies—must be stopped as soon as possible.”
    “And we’re here to make sure their ships don’t make it to the station,” said Summers, seeming to understand.
    “Sir,” interrupted Sarah. “We have been cleared to dock with the station immediately.”
    “Thank you, Sarah,” said Calvin. “Go ahead and bring us in. Miles, lower the shields so we can dock.”
    “You got it, Cal.”
    As the view outside changed, the stars themselves seeming to swivel around them from the ship’s maneuvering, Shen said, “Wait a minute.”
    “What is it?” asked Calvin, wondering if Shen had detected something on the scopes. He hoped it wasn’t the premature arrival of the Khan fleet.
    “You said the Khans were kicked off of Tybur by either the Rotham or the Enclave, didn’t you?”
    “Yes.”
    “If the Enclave ejected the Khans from their base of operations, why would the Enclave be willing to help the Khans secure a new one?”
    “Because the Khans and the Enclave are not enemies,” said Calvin, as if this were common knowledge. He’d discovered this on Tybur himself, personally. And every observation he’d made since had only confirmed his suspicion that the two had struck up some degree of cooperation. So when Grady told him that the Enclave was coming, ferried over by Khan starships, Calvin had no reason to doubt that intelligence.
    “I see,” said Shen.
    They approached the station and soon Aleator One—in all its hideousness—was looming large in the forward window. As they began their docking operation, Calvin tapped the direct line to SFHQ.
    “Captain Nimoux, do you read me?”
    “Loud and clear, sir,” replied the living legend himself. Despite still recovering from a gunshot wound, Nimoux had volunteered to go aboard Aleator One and help to organize and manage their ground defenses. His Special Forces training, combined with his intelligence work, made him an ideal candidate for this job, injuries aside.
    “Are you ready?”
    “Almost. Just briefing my men before we go to the hatch. Have we docked?”
    “Not yet,” said Calvin. “But we’ve begun our docking operation. The seal should attach any moment now.”
    “I’d better get moving then,” said Nimoux.
    “Remember to be careful,” said Calvin. “I cannot emphasize enough how deadly and terrifying Strigoi soldiers can be. Especially once they begin to turn your own people against you.”
    “Thank you, sir. But rest assured, I understand the threat.”
    “And your men also, make sure they understand,” Calvin would not have a repeat of the Trinity. He’d sooner shoot himself in the head.
    “They do,” said Nimoux. “And speaking of men, I have a request to pass along to you. Rez’nac wishes to come along and join the fight.”
    “Denied,” said Calvin. “Tell Rez’nac that he is ordered to remain here.”
    “Understood. I’ll pass that along.”
    Even though Calvin was sure that Rez’nac could handle himself, and was a far better warrior than anyone on Aleator One, he was also a Polarian. And the Roscos were infamous for their disdain for aliens. They allowed them aboard their station, were happy to take their money, but all business transactions had to be conducted in Human, and enough Roscos were such extreme xenophobes that Calvin couldn’t help imagining a stray friendly bullet striking Rez’nac in the back of the head during the battle. No, he would not expose Rez’nac to that situation. Once