Robert nodded. “Alan, Admiral Kaar has told me about your experiences with Prince Kobak, and he asked me to pass along his gratitude for your unswerving services.”
“Sir, the young boy needed help and guidance, and I gave it freely. I wasn’t trying to be some kind of hero.”
“Alan, you have looked after and guided my son throughout this horrible war. I know the caliber of man you are, and I am glad you are in our lives.”
Cole fidgeted. He wasn’t used to taking compliments, especially from a four-star admiral. “Sir, did Admiral Kaar say how things are going during the transition of power?”
“He did indeed. Kobak will be proclaimed emperor in about a week’s time. So far, there have been no major hiccups other than Chancellor Kordus going AWOL. Kaar said that Kobak has the majority of the empire firmly behind his ascension to the throne.”
“He’s a smart kid. If he listens to Kaar, I believe he will make a good emperor.”
“Kaar is the best officer they have. Kobak will be well served.”
“What about you, sir? I heard you’re all but guaranteed to be Earth’s first ambassador to the Kurgan Empire.”
“I wonder who gave Kobak that idea?”
Cole shrugged. “Beats me. When do you leave, sir?”
“My replacement arrives to take command of my fleet in three days’ time. After that, I’ll be boarding a Kurgan destroyer for my flight to the Kurgan homeworld so I can sign the peace treaty on behalf of the Federation President.”
“What about Michael?”
“I’ve already signed the order repatriating the four of you back to Earth. The war is over, and it’s time you all took a long-deserved break. You’ve all been assigned to a Marine training cadre in Southern Africa.”
“Sounds rough.”
“It’s close to Tarina’s parents, and more importantly, the beach.”
“I think I could get used to that.”
The elder Sheridan stepped close to Cole and offered his hand. “Keep an eye on my son for me. He’s been through a lot.”
Cole shook the admiral’s hand. “Don’t worry, sir. I think Tarina’s going to keep him busy for the next few months.”
Robert Sheridan raised an eyebrow.
“Kids! Tarina wants kids. You’re going to a grandfather before too long.”
Robert smiled. “Yeah, I think I could get used to that.”
Chapter 46
Through the blowing dust storm, a figure approached the front gate of a walled complex.
A soldier wrapped from head to toe against the biting sand raised a hand. “Halt. Who goes there?”
The figure ignored the soldier and kept walking toward the gate.
The guard raised his weapon and pointed it at the mysterious stranger. He was a second too slow. Katin dropped to one knee and threw a dagger at the soldier’s right eye. The blade embedded itself in the man’s skull, killing him. The soldier’s body fell back against the wall and slid to the ground. Katin helped herself to the dead man’s keys and opened the locked gate. She drew a pistol from underneath her camouflaged jacket and ran for the nearest door. At the entrance was a coded key panel. Katin entered the four-digit number and waited to see if the money she’d paid for the code was worth it.
The door popped open with a loud click.
With cat-like grace, Katin slipped inside and aimed her pistol down the empty corridor. She activated the jammer on her belt, rendering all the motion sensors and cameras in the building inoperative. With her pistol at the ready, Katin moved down the hallway.
A half-asleep guard stepped out of his room and died a split second later with a hole blasted through his skull.
The information Katin purchased from a former member of Kordus’ inner circle told her there were only four guards and Kordus living in the compound. She moved with her back against the wall until she came to the guards’ sleeping quarters. Katin placed a hand on the door and quietly pushed it open. In the dim light, she could see two men asleep in their beds. With ice water in her veins, she brought up her pistol and shot them both.
With no one to stop her, Katin holstered her gun and pulled out a short, curved blade. She walked to Kordus’ room and opened the door. The former chancellor sat in a red leather chair next to a roaring fireplace. In his hand was a glass of amber liquid.
“Please do come in, Princess Katin,” said Kordus. “I wondered how long it would take you to find me.”
“I took me the better part of a month to find the first whiff of a trail,” said Katin, walking toward Kordus and twirling her knife in her hand. “And then two more to find someone willing to sell me information on you.”
“Who sold me out?”
“Colonel Koller didn’t really sell you out. I obtained information from him in exchange for not killing his family, then killed him anyway for being a traitor to the empire.” Katin stopped just out of arm’s reach.
“I take it Major Sheridan is still alive?”
“You are correct. The last piece of the puzzle fell together when you foolishly contacted your nephew and told him to contract some Terran killers to assassinate Major Sheridan and his wife on Earth. Unfortunately for you, your nephew has been under constant surveillance since you went missing.”
Kordus took a stiff drink. “How is my nephew?”
“He and the rest of the co-conspirators were ejected out the airlock of my ship right above your planet.”
“You’re a cold-hearted Khhatak,” said Kobak, using the Kurgan word for bitch.
“I do what I must to ensure my brother’s safety.”
Kordus’ eyes widened as he dropped his glass and let out a wet cough. “You’re too late. I’ve poisoned myself. I’m a dead man.”
“Not yet,” said Katin, stepping in close and sweeping her blade across Kordus’ throat. Blood shot like a fountain from his severed arteries.
Katin stepped back and wiped her knife on her trousers. She smiled at her handiwork and took a picture of Kordus before pirouetting on her heels and walking out of the room.
For now, her brother was safe.
On the far side of Kurgan space, a shielded probe shot past the outer rim of defensive satellites unnoticed and flew deep into the heart of the Kurgan empire. In a matter of weeks, it had gathered information on the strength of the Kurgan fleet and its disposition. The intruder also determined the number of habitable planets— the size of the colonies and military garrisons established on every one of them. When it was done, the probe sent a coded transmission back into the depths of space. As per its programming, the probe selected the nearest star and flew toward it, intent on burning up so an enemy force could never capture it.
Far away in the vast coldness of space another more advanced probe picked up the signal, analyzed it, and forwarded the information to the nearest scout vessel. After years of fruitless searching, they had found what they were looking for.
Something was coming.
– THE END –
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Crimson Fire (The Kurgan War Book 8) Page 20