by M J Dees
“Why did he do that?”
“Because you’re less likely to rise against him if you are all busy fighting among yourselves.”
“Well, I wouldn’t worry. We are well outside of Republic jurisdiction.”
“Herse is probably the system most loyal to the Republic in the outer regions. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kirkland turns his expansionist attention here, now that he has pacified the Zistroetoveans.”
“But I still don’t get why we need to act all guilty when we were innocent of the crimes on Future.”
“President Kirkland chose not to because he wanted us out of the way.”
“So, are we stuck with these identities?”
“For the moment, I just wish we could get these supplies somewhere else other than Herse.”
“What’s the problem?” Ay-ttho approached them.
“The Republic is on Herse, Ay-ttho. You can’t risk it, they might identify us.”
“The Mastery of the Stars won’t make it elsewhere, we need to get refuelled and restocked.”
“Even with our anti-matter drive? Just be careful,” Tori left the bridge.
“I don’t think he got enough sleep,” said Ay-ttho, watching Tori leave.
The Mastery of the Stars landed in a hanger which overlooked a city filled with elaborate architecture.
“Do we need our suits?” asked Sevan.
“No,” said Ay-ttho. “The atmosphere is almost identical to Angetenar.”
Sevan followed Ay-ttho off the Mastery of the Stars and out of the hangar to a broad avenue lined with statues of gods. Yor joined them as they marvelled at the sight.
“Those are just a few of our gods,” said Yor. “So, in order, from near to far we have Avmos, God Of the Workers of Metals, Enia, God Of Oracles, Hoorr, God Of Animals, Hedur, God Of Autumn, Iteus, God Of Rain, Edum, God Of Wisdom, Uius, God Of The Land, Wimir, God Of Destruction, Weslo, God Of Chance and Kholous, God Of Magic. You should visit our museum of deities while you are here. We also have a museum dedicated to the military actions of the Republic. You would be particularly interested in the new exhibition on the battle of Genzuihines and the wing on Penrewei is impressive.”
“I don’t know if we will have time,” Ay-ttho tried to be polite.
“Of course you will,” said Yor. “It will take time to restock and refuel your ship. Well, come and dine with us. I will send attendants to see to your ship and give you all the supplies you need. Where is your cleaner? He must eat too.”
“He’s cleaning.”
“You drive him too hard. I will send food in for him.”
“Are those Republic patrol ships?” Ay-ttho pointed to the horizon.
“You have a keen eye, Ytseb, yes they are.”
“But Herse is in the outer regions.”
“Yes, but we have a very close relationship with the Republic. Almost every resident is a retired Republic officer. Let us eat, you shall meet a few.”
Yor took Sevan and Ay-ttho to her large residence, where they had already prepared a large room for what looked like a banquet.
Scotmax wasted no time in showing Nadio around the house.
“I hope you like manirs gamma-beetle,” said Yor. “We’ve also got vitro-farmed olgirans legs and assorted mesaois rings.”
“Sounds delicious,” said Sevan, not convinced that it would be.
The room filled with retired Republic officers. One of them approached.
“You look familiar,” he said to Ay-ttho.
“This is Ysteb, she is a Saturnian missionary,” said Yor.
“Oh, I must have been mistaken. You remind me very much of someone from the battle of Genzuihines.”
“Sorry, it wasn’t me,” Ay-ttho lied.
Yor beckoned over two young officers, one of whom looked like a young Kirkland. Ay-ttho and Sevan both felt uneasy.
“Let me introduce, Matthews,” said Yor. “She is the offspring of President Kirkland and Ydna. They have sent her here for us to look after her while the president is at war with the Zistreotovens.”
“I should be with the fleet, fighting them,” Matthews complained.
“What an admirable spirit,” said Yor. “Please, take your seats.”
“Maybe Tori was right,” Sevan whispered to Ay-ttho. “It’s too dangerous here.”
“We only have to stay until they restock us.”
Sevan thought the meal was spectacular. The manirs gamma-beetles weren’t as bad as he imagined, the Vitro-farmed olgirans legs were delicious and the assorted mesaois rings reminded him of gurlan pea lozenges.
After the meal, Yor insisted they follow him on a tour of the Museum of Republic Military Actions. He took them straight to the new exhibition on the Battle of Genzuihines.
“Look at the art that has been produced celebrating this splendid victory,” said Yor proudly.
Sevan inspected a painting. It depicted Republic soldiers slaughtering creatures that Sevan remembered as the beasts that had helped him on Genzuihines. He read the title of the painting: Brave Republic Soldiers Defeat the Vicious Monsters.
“They weren’t vicious monsters, they helped me,” Sevan complained.
“You were at Genzuihines?”
Yor was almost as surprised as Sevan was that she had overheard him.
“What was a bounty hunter doing on Genzuihines?”
“Not, during the battle,” Ay-ttho jumped in. “Isn’t that right, Edicla?”
“Er... yes, that’s right,” Sevan belatedly agreed.
Yor led them to the wing on the battle of Penrewei, which contained a large quantity of images.
“The battle was particularly well documented,” said Yor.
Ay-ttho became interested in a section of images that illustrated the looting of dead bodies.
“Disgusting vermin, these looters,” Yor spat. “We shot most of them, but some of them got away, unfortunately.”
“Edicla? Come and look at this,” Ay-ttho said, pointing to an image. “Edicla!”
Sevan realised she was referring to him and went to see what she wanted to show him.
“Who is that?” she asked, pointing to a looter in an image.
“It’s D’Auria, without a doubt,” Sevan confirmed.
“Exactly. Yor? Show this image to Scotmax.”
“Okay, I’ll do that. Can you tell me why?”
“This is the thug who allegedly saved your offspring in the battle.”
“Are you sure?”
“Without a doubt.”
“But he was a looter.”
“Exactly. I assure you that if this thug saved your son, it was purely by accident.”
“Do you have time for our museum of deities,” asked Yor, changing the subject.
“That’s very kind of you, but I really think we should get back to the ship and co-ordinate the restocking.”
“If you insist.”
“I do. Thank you very much for your hospitality, Yor, and for restocking us a second time.”
“You are welcome. Any friend of my offspring’s offspring is a friend of mine.”
Scotmax interrupted them when she rushed in.
“Here you are,” she said, in a panic. “Come quickly.”
“What is it?” asked Yor.
“It’s Effeek’o’s medical ship. There’s an angry crowd around it demanding they leave.”
They hurried to where the ship was docked.
“What’s the problem?” Yor asked a protester.
“There are swordsmen of Angetenar on board. We won’t have their scum on our planet.”
“But they are here as our guests.”
“No swordsman should be a guest of Herse, they oppose the Republic.”
Yor addressed the crowd, but only placated them when he promised they would leave.
“I’m sorry,” she said to Effeek’o.
“That’s okay, I was a little dubious about the reception we would receive.”
“We will help you find a system
where your patients can receive the medical care they need,” promised Ay-ttho.
“And I will escort you,” said Scotmax. “If only this rabble realised I am a swordsman.”
“Thank goodness they don’t,” said Yor.
“I am coming with you,” said Nadio.
“But of course,” Scotmax agreed.
As soon as the three ships were refuelled and restocked, they said their farewells to Yor and set off to search for a suitable system that would accept them and had the medical facilities Effeek’o’s patients needed.
*
Enjoy this book? You can make a big difference.
Reviews are the most powerful tools in my arsenal when it comes to getting attention for my books. Much as I’d like to, I don’t have the financial muscle of a large publisher. I can’t take out full-page ads in the newspaper or put posters on the subway.
(Not yet anyway)
But I have something much more powerful and effective than that, and it’s something those publishers would kill to get their hands on.
A committed and loyal bunch of readers.
Honest reviews of my books help bring them to the attention of other readers.
If you’ve enjoyed this book, I would be very grateful if you could spend just five minutes leaving a review (it can be as short as you like).
Thank you very much.
Get a free and exclusive bonus chapter to The Swordsmen of Angetenar, only available here.
Building a relationship with my readers is the very best thing about writing. I occasionally send newsletters with details on new releases, special offers, and other bits of news relating to my novels.
If you sign up to the mailing list, I’ll send you an exclusive bonus chapter to The Swordsmen of Angetenar.
You can get the epilogue, for free, by signing up at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/kgf6wd242r
Still not ready to leave Sevan?
The Star Masters
Book Six in the Mastery of the Stars series
To be released 22nd August 2021
Pre-order now
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M J Dees is the author of six novels ranging from psychological thrillers, to dystopia, to historical to humorous fiction, as well as the Mastery of the Stars sci-fi novella series. He makes his online home at www.mjdees.com.You can connect with M J on Twitter at @mjdeeswriter, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mjdeeswriter and send him an email at [email protected] if the mood strikes you.
ALSO BY M J DEES
Living with Saci
When your partner goes missing and you become the prime suspect, what do you do?
Living with Saci is set in the sprawling metropolis of São Paulo, Brazil. It tells the story of Teresa da Silva, an overweight, depressed, drink dependent, and her struggles in the city. Estranged from her daughter, who lives with the ex-husband in England, life seems to constantly deal Teresa a bad hand. She wonders whether the mischievous character from Brazilian folklore, Saci, might have something to do with it. Events seem to take a turn for the positive when she meets Felipe, who asks her to marry him. But when he disappears, Teresa finds she is the object of suspicion.
Get it now
Living with the Headless Mule
A car crash and an encounter with a priest turns Teresa’s reunion with her daughter into a life-changing struggle.
Teresa is a drink dependent, middle-aged Brazilian who just wants to be reunited with her daughter, but her ex-husband’s accidental death leads to a fight for custody of their child.
Bob is a pastor with secrets. He makes Teresa an offer which seems too good to refuse until the truth about him is revealed. Teresa must choose between her daughter, the pastor, or her life.
Book two in the Teresa Da Silva series, this spicy psychological suspense novel, Living with the Headless Mule can be read before or after M J Dees’ debut novel, Living with Saci, for which this is a prequel/sequel.
Get it now
The Astonishing Anniversaries of James and David: Part One
How do you know if you have achieved success? No matter how successful he becomes, James doesn’t feel happy. Meanwhile, his twin brother, David, seems content regardless of the dreadful, life-threatening events which afflict him year after year. The Astonishing Anniversaries of James and David is as much a nostalgic romp through the 70s, 80s and 90s England as it is a shocking and occasionally tragic comedy.
Get it now
When The Well Runs Dry
In a country divided by civil war, one city stands above the chaos. Since the system collapsed, citizens are struggling to survive. Marauders are destroying what little is left. However, not everyone is ready to surrender. The Alder and her loyal supporters find themselves caught in a life or death struggle to save, not only themselves but also those around them. The future of the nation is at stake. When The Well Runs Dry is the first book in M J Dees’ dystopian series set in a future where resources have all but run out. Read this book while there is still a future in which to read it.
Get it now
Fred & Leah
At a time of war, soldiers are not always the only casualties.
On September 3rd, 1939, Fred knew he would have no choice but to go to France and fight. However, when he found himself among the thousands of men stranded after the Dunkirk evacuation, he did not know when he would see his wife Leah and his two children again.
Leah is left trying to raise her two children by herself but, even she can’t stop the bombs from falling on her street.
M J Dees’ fourth novel and his first historical novel, Fred and Leah, is based on a real-life love story of two people whose lives were irrevocably altered by war.
Get it now
Albert & Marie
What would you do if you were convinced you were going to die?
Swept up in the frenzy of patriotism, Albert volunteers to serve his king and country.
They shipped him off to the trenches of France along with almost every able-bodied man that he knows, leaving his estranged wife and his child behind.
Convinced he will die a horrible death, he seeks comfort in the arms of Marie, a local French woman who gives him hope his last days might become bearable.
Unfortunately, to do so would mean committing bigamy, and he is caught between love and the law.
M J Dees’ First World War drama of love, loss and survival is based on a true story.
Get it now
DEDICATION
To Victor Hugo for bringing such a great story to life..
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am indebted to the following for their help: My beta reading team, especially Peggy Coppolo, Chris Wells and C Moon and my Advance Review Team.
COPYRIGHT
First published in 2021 by M J Dees
E-book first published in 2021 by M J Dees
Copyright M J Dees 2021
The moral right of M J Dees to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor to be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Cover Design by James, GoOnWrite.com
ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share