Worlds Without End: The Mission (Book 1)

by Shaun F. Messick

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  "You see, Dorange. I told you that she was trustworthy," said Koroan as he sat at the head of his conference table with his computer open. "I really should be angry with you because you dare accuse her of being the spy. However, I have to admit, the evidence you presented to me was almost convincing."

  Dorange looked disappointed.

  "Come now, Dorange, do not look so disappointed. You should be pleased that your future bride is not the spy."

  Even though Celeste had denied the accusation, Dorange would have loved to see her punished by her father. He knew that if she had cracked under pressure and admitted to being the spy, her father would not have killed her, but would have forced her to marry him.

  He also knew that Koroan desperately wanted a son to inherit the throne, and Koroan had made it known, only to Dorange, that he was disappointed in having two daughters. When Dorange married Celeste's older sister, he had high hopes of obtaining the rule from Koroan when he died. However, when Raqel died, Koroan gave the inheritance to Celeste only upon the condition that she marry a worthy Gnol, thereby voiding all the inheritance rights of Dorange.

  Nevertheless, Dorange knew what he wanted, and that was to be heir to Koroan's empire. So, being the resourceful and manipulative Gnol he was, he convinced Koroan that he was the best suitor for Celeste. Now, if he could somehow trap Celeste into marrying him.

  "Why do you not speak, Dorange?"

  Dorange was startled out of his thoughts by Koroan's authoritative voice. "Oh, I am sorry, Father," he said.

  Koroan smiled. Dorange knew that Koroan liked to be called "Father" because Dorange was the son Koroan never had. Koroan, however, only allowed him to call him "Father" when they were alone, in order to show the other generals that Koroan didn't have favorites.

  Dorange continued, "I was just thinking about how I look forward to finally having revenge on those rebels, especially their leader, Adrian Palmer."

  Koroan grew serious again. The Gnol seemed to change moods more than a chameleon changed colors. "Yes, that is what I wanted to ask you about. You wanted me to put you in charge of the mission instead of Thourad, and I gladly did because I knew you would succeed, whereas Thourad would not have. But ?"

  "But what, Father?"

  "I am curious as to why you have such a vendetta against this human, Adrian Palmer."

  "Father, I thought you knew."

  Koroan looked questioningly at Dorange. "You know I should know everything, so why do you not inform me of what I do not know?"

  Dorange put on his best grief stricken face. "That day our precious Raqel died."

  "What about that day?" asked Koroan, as he gave Dorange a look that sent shivers down his spine.

  Even though Dorange had learned how to sweet-talk Koroan, the very image of him angry made Dorange nervous.

  Koroan continued. "You told me the day Raqel died that she had fallen down the steps of the wall that surrounds my city, and that is where you found her."

  "Yes, but I was suspicious of the accident."

  "You were? Why did you not inform me of your suspicions?"

  Dorange was able to muster a tear and looked apologetically at Koroan. "I am sorry, Father, but I did not want to upset you even more with the grief you suffered from the loss of your oldest daughter."

  Koroan gave him a look of appreciation. "Yes, that was wise of you."

  "Because I did not want to upset you, I conducted my own investigation."

  "And?"

  "And ? one of my agents discovered that she did not die because of her fall down the wall steps."

  Koroan now seemed to grow inpatient. "Well, then, how did my beloved Raqel die?"

  Dorange managed to look sad again. "She was murdered."

  "What!" said Koroan as he slammed his right fist down on his computer monitor. The monitor shattered into pieces. Koroan looked at his right hand as drops of blood began to drip from it. He ignored it. "Why was I not informed of this?"

  Dorange backed away from Koroan. "I am sorry, Father, but I sent Captain Sartel to inform you of our discovery."

  "Captain Sartel never informed me of anything!"

  Dorange now looked angry. "He did not? Well, for his insubordination, I shall have him killed immediately!"

  "Yes, you must. In fact, I would very much like to see you be the one to kill him with your telepathic abilities."

  Dorange had to think fast. "Yes, Father, and I would love to demonstrate my power and ability to do so. But first, you must know why I seek revenge on the rebel leader."

  Koroan nodded his head.

  "Through my investigation, I uncovered a plot designed by the rebel leader, Adrian Palmer, to have your family murdered one by one. I found documents left behind at the scene that had not been discovered when Raqel was found dead. On the documents were direct orders from Adrian Palmer to a secret infiltration group. This group was ordered to infiltrate our society and first murder Raqel, then Celeste, and then your wife. Their ultimate goal was to break your spirit, and in your grief, they had hoped you would let your guard down so they could murder you."

  Koroan sprang to his feet. He grabbed his chair and threw it crashing through the glass doors that led to the balcony. "Why was I not shown these documents?"

  Dorange kept calm and tried to hide the smile that began to form at the corners of his mouth. Yeah right. You are supposed to be some so-called god, he thought. "Father, Captain Sartel had the documents in hand when I ordered him to report to you."

  Koroan had a look of revenge in his eyes. "General Gar! Two days from now, when you attack the rebel base, I want Adrian Palmer brought to me alive with his family. I will deal with them personally. Meanwhile, I want you to arrest Captain Sartel and schedule his execution, which you will personally see to, for tomorrow. But first, I must go and speak with Celeste."

  "Yes, Your Eminence. I will go and arrest Captain Sartel now," Dorange said as he stood and bowed his head.

  Koroan nodded his approval. "You are excused."

  "Thank you, My Lord," Dorange said as he turned and walked out of the conference room. As he walked out of the door, Dorange's mind was going a hundred miles an hour. There were a lot of things that he had to accomplish tonight before he supposedly arrested Captain Sartel and planned the attack on the rebel base. He also smiled, as he thought to himself, all too easy.