A Choice of Treasons Read Online Free Page B

didn’t care that he was a lifer , that the only perk in his retirement package was a free burial in space.
     
     
    His Majesty, Edvard the tenth, Duke de Lunis, King of the nine beasts, Commander-in-Chief of the nine fleets of the royal navy, guardian and protector of the people’s faith, beloved emperor of the Lunan Empire, sat in the dark of his office and waited, feeling powerless and impotent.
    He was much younger in years than his appearance, but the constant strain of ruling a crumbling empire losing a two hundred year old war had etched deep lines in an almost boyish face. And as he had done so many times before in his thirty-eight years of living, he wished again he was not king and emperor.
    A soft knock at the door pulled him out of his dismal reverie. He rubbed his eyes and commanded the computer, “View.” A display on his desk showed a tall and powerfully built man dressed in a naval uniform, unable to hide his impatience as he waited beyond the door.
    “Admit,” Edvard commanded the computer.
    The door swung open instantly. The naval officer entered at a brisk walk, his back straight, and at first glance one might think him to be in late middle age, but a closer inspection revealed the signs of a much older man. He stopped before Edvard’s desk, and holding a single piece of paper in his right hand he stood at rigid attention.
    Edvard shook his head. “Please drop the formalities, Theodore. You have some news?”
    Without relaxing the naval officer took the piece of paper in both hands and looked at it carefully. “ Invaradin made transition into the Trinivanian system about an hour ago; they believe there are no Directorate ships in the vicinity. They’ve contacted the embassy and are trying to evacuate her personnel now, though the embassy reports approximately thirty dead so far. I’ve asked Invaradin to send us a complete list of casualties and survivors as soon as possible.”
    “What about her ?” Edvard demanded.
    The naval officer shook his head. “I don’t know. I was afraid to ask about her specifically, don’t want to draw attention to her. We can’t afford even a hint of suspicion.”
    “I know,” Edvard said, rubbing his eyes tiredly. “I know. Who’s captain of the Invaradin ?”
    “Alexiae Telyekev. Old-line nobility. Fifth son of the Earl of Seegat. No inheritance prospects so he’s made what he can of a commission. Basically a good man.”
    “Can he be trusted?”
    Rochefort shrugged. “God knows, but I wouldn’t risk it. If she’s already dead, then he can’t help, and if she isn’t, then she’s not likely to come to harm now that Invaradin’s on hand. And one never knows who’s working for AI or the church.”
    “Damn! How could it have gone so wrong? Years of careful planning, all for nothing.”
    “It’s not over yet. Invaradin’s a good ship.”
    “What about Red Richard?” Edvard asked. “You told me yesterday he’s been operating in that area. And there’re rumors that he’s working with the Syndonese.”
    Rochefort shook his head. “ Richard’s a Mexak, and pirates like easy pickings. I don’t think he’ll mix it up with Invaradin . I’m more concerned about the Syndonese. You know the riots on Trinivan began within hours of her arrival there.”
    “Coincidence?” Edvard asked.
    “Not likely. Somebody was tipped off.”
    “Not from this side,” Edvard said. “There are too few of us who know.”
    “It’s possible the Trinivanians are working with the feddies . I suspect Telyekev’s people are in a lot more danger than they realize.”

 
     
     
    CHAPTER 2: LONG AGO
     
     
    “Atteeuun . . . shuuuuun!”
    The shout startled York Ballin and he tried to assume the correct posture, but the manacles on his wrists and ankles prevented him from standing properly rigid with his hands at his sides. There was some sort of commotion near the front of the crowd, but he was yet only twelve years old and the forest of tall uniformed