Dawn of the Mad Read Online Free Page B

was dangerous. Once the war between planets broke out, refugees were the first to begin the exodus out of the star system. Soon, pirates, mercenaries, deserters, and many others sought the relative safety of fringe space. Governmental presence did not reach that far out. If the enemy had an outpost in fringe space, there could be no telling what they were up to.
    Von Jesonik nodded his head. “Your concern is duly noted. We lost many agents in acquiring this information. I know you are a military man, Johann, and politics never interested you much. The supreme chancellor has distrust among his ranks, as do I. These are turbulent times, and I dare say it, but our government is destroying itself from within. Many would like the supreme chancellor removed from power, yet others that say it is only his iron will that is keeping this empire together.”
    Empire . Chuikova had started his military career on Karn and was a junior commander on Celbrius. Those planets were long since destroyed, their cities shattered and enshrouded in lethal clouds of radiation. If there were any survivors, society would be reduced to medieval by now, or worse, and those survivors would be forgotten by their own brothers.
    Von Jesonik continued, oblivious of Chuikova’s wandering mind. “I know I can trust you, Johann. This project is enshrouded with the utmost secrecy. Only the supreme chancellor, I, our Auger-Lord brethren, and now you know of its existence. The experiments within this complex are rumored to concern a new weapon that could turn the tide of the war in the enemy’s favor. That is why I am giving you this mission. Your assault force will comprise three platoons that are already garrisoned here. They know they were selected for a special mission, but they don’t know what it is. Captain Cruwell is assigned as your executive officer. He is a very accomplished officer who will serve you well.”
    “I take it you have a way to get us into fringe space undetected? It won’t be much of a mission if we are detected by their fleet. They have spies everywhere.”
    “Not to worry. Star Admiral Raus will take you to your drop point in his flagship. You will use a modified drop pod that that will enable you to return home if Raus is destroyed by hostile forces. The Auger-Lords have divulged this ancient technology. Even they fear our destruction.”
    “You speak too much of the Lords! Why do they hoard the technology of their ancestors? They could have given us a technical advantage decades ago!” Chuikova continued. “I sometimes wonder if they are prolonging this conflict intentionally. Their ability to foresee certain events must show them something.”
    In a hushed voice, Von Jesonik replied, “I suggest you don’t try to figure out their ancient ways. The Auger-Lords and their seers are guardians of power we cannot conceive, and they must maintain the balance of power. We have co-existed with them in harmony for thousands of years. To take sides against them would unfairly upset the natural course and have disastrous effects on the future.”
    “Very well.” Chuikova knew it was futile to argue, and he was a man of his word and a man of honor. Questioning the motives of the Auger-Lords and Auger-Seers was dangerous. Their reign reached back beyond memory; they had always been the custodians of unimagined power and energy.
    Most of the populace on Hellenheim caught only brief glimpses of the highly secretive sect of reclusive priests who called themselves Auger-Lords. Schools taught children about an ancient race that had been in their galaxy for hundreds of thousands of years, perhaps longer. These lords were able to harness tremendous amounts of energy by mining remnants of collapsed neutron stars. The neutron pulsar energy powered everything they possessed, including ships of massive size that could travel to the furthest reaches of space.
    With all of this power, however, came unpredictability. As it is told, one star mining