target.
The cannon exploded with a single blast. Earth took the hit and, for a moment, seemed to absorb the shock. But seconds later, it burst and disintegrated into dust. Then, with the force of the outward explosion, it pulled into itself and was gone forever.
The Royal Air Force of Earth drew back, most likely in shock, allowing Velkas to escape. They had no idea how close they had come to defeating the most powerful empire the universe had ever known.
Now with the lessons he had learned eight years ago, Ruvera would never be vulnerable again. Dacian had used the rift cannon to usurp his father and rule Ruvera. He brought countless worlds under his thumb and used them to build his unstoppable armada.
So it was interesting to him that the leader of the attack that almost killed him was still alive and somehow involved. Maybe he should have ordered the attack of those worlds known to harbor Earth’s survivors. Too late now. He wondered if the old captain had any idea what he was getting himself into.
-o-
Render disembarked the sharp blood-red ship. The flight crew followed after, sullenly. There was worried talk among them. Letting an Eckelion strike force overwhelm them and losing the valuable object their leader, Master Velkas, wanted was embarrassing to them and the empire—especially after all the work it took to recover it from that primitive Salarian world, Vale.
Render watched Dacian's ship enter the docking bay and land next to them.
His guards came out first, and then the pale, wrinkled face of their leader appeared. Judging by the look on that face, he wasn't too pleased.
Dacian saw Render go down on one knee as he approached. No amount of bowing would soften his punishment. Dacian ignored the assassin and walked past.
He stood before everyone else, Render's crew.
"Ruvera hasn't been successful because of failure. It is successful because we crush the weakest links out of our organization." Dacian continued to eye the worried faces unable to make eye contact with his disapproving glare. "So that can only mean one thing, I'm afraid. We are at an impasse. A parting of the ways."
The crew looked from one to the other, scared and confused.
"But there is one thing we'll all learn from this." He motioned for his armed guards. "We'll see which one of you can hold his breath the longest."
There was a short scuffle as the crew was apprehended and led away. The airlock wasn't far, and soon, their bodies were floating outside the ship.
"Render." He looked to his assassin.
Render rose back up.
"You are lucky you still are still of some use to me. Let this be a reminder to you should you decide to fail again."
Render didn't answer; just nodded once.
"Well, do you still have the Salarian you captured?"
"Yes, sir," came the robotic reply.
"Good. Something came out of this absolute failure. Anyway, we have things to discuss. An old friend of yours has become involved with our situation. Someone you know well. I'm sure you remember the son of Scott Andrews?"
Render passed a hand along the scar that ran underneath the dark helmet from the wound that had mangled and transformed it into the disfigured living robot that remained.
"Yeah. I thought you'd like to see him again."
Dacian led the way back to his private ship. There was much to discuss.
Chapter 6
The Endari Energy Ribbon ripped and roared across them once more. Violent bolts of lightning struck randomly, and one outer panel exploded. Nathan ducked and dived as best as he could through the unpredictable storm, calm as could be. Then, in moments, he pulled the Wrath out of it. They surfed the calm space beyond the ribbon.
Thankfully, there weren't any Ruveran Breakers waiting for them. That meant they had a
The cannon exploded with a single blast. Earth took the hit and, for a moment, seemed to absorb the shock. But seconds later, it burst and disintegrated into dust. Then, with the force of the outward explosion, it pulled into itself and was gone forever.
The Royal Air Force of Earth drew back, most likely in shock, allowing Velkas to escape. They had no idea how close they had come to defeating the most powerful empire the universe had ever known.
Now with the lessons he had learned eight years ago, Ruvera would never be vulnerable again. Dacian had used the rift cannon to usurp his father and rule Ruvera. He brought countless worlds under his thumb and used them to build his unstoppable armada.
So it was interesting to him that the leader of the attack that almost killed him was still alive and somehow involved. Maybe he should have ordered the attack of those worlds known to harbor Earth’s survivors. Too late now. He wondered if the old captain had any idea what he was getting himself into.
-o-
Render disembarked the sharp blood-red ship. The flight crew followed after, sullenly. There was worried talk among them. Letting an Eckelion strike force overwhelm them and losing the valuable object their leader, Master Velkas, wanted was embarrassing to them and the empire—especially after all the work it took to recover it from that primitive Salarian world, Vale.
Render watched Dacian's ship enter the docking bay and land next to them.
His guards came out first, and then the pale, wrinkled face of their leader appeared. Judging by the look on that face, he wasn't too pleased.
Dacian saw Render go down on one knee as he approached. No amount of bowing would soften his punishment. Dacian ignored the assassin and walked past.
He stood before everyone else, Render's crew.
"Ruvera hasn't been successful because of failure. It is successful because we crush the weakest links out of our organization." Dacian continued to eye the worried faces unable to make eye contact with his disapproving glare. "So that can only mean one thing, I'm afraid. We are at an impasse. A parting of the ways."
The crew looked from one to the other, scared and confused.
"But there is one thing we'll all learn from this." He motioned for his armed guards. "We'll see which one of you can hold his breath the longest."
There was a short scuffle as the crew was apprehended and led away. The airlock wasn't far, and soon, their bodies were floating outside the ship.
"Render." He looked to his assassin.
Render rose back up.
"You are lucky you still are still of some use to me. Let this be a reminder to you should you decide to fail again."
Render didn't answer; just nodded once.
"Well, do you still have the Salarian you captured?"
"Yes, sir," came the robotic reply.
"Good. Something came out of this absolute failure. Anyway, we have things to discuss. An old friend of yours has become involved with our situation. Someone you know well. I'm sure you remember the son of Scott Andrews?"
Render passed a hand along the scar that ran underneath the dark helmet from the wound that had mangled and transformed it into the disfigured living robot that remained.
"Yeah. I thought you'd like to see him again."
Dacian led the way back to his private ship. There was much to discuss.
Chapter 6
The Endari Energy Ribbon ripped and roared across them once more. Violent bolts of lightning struck randomly, and one outer panel exploded. Nathan ducked and dived as best as he could through the unpredictable storm, calm as could be. Then, in moments, he pulled the Wrath out of it. They surfed the calm space beyond the ribbon.
Thankfully, there weren't any Ruveran Breakers waiting for them. That meant they had a
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