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Vraik is in shock. In silence, his mouth twitches.
The sentinels laugh. “Tit for tat,” the leader says. “You kill one of ours, we kill one of yours.”
“She was pregnant,” I shout.
They don’t give two shits about the fertility rites of our people. These monsters are solely dedicated to the path of evil.
I don’t know what to do.
My reaction is to lash out and kill every goddamn sentinel that comes our way, but with these cuffs, I am bound to Empire forever.
My love. Our love. She’s gone…
Maybe I should look away, but I can’t stop staring at the burning landscape below. Embers drift through the wind-stream, carried toward Empire City.
I remember her smile. I can still see that gleam of life flash before my very eyes as she laughed and felt the true emotion of love.
I still carry her scent on the frayed edges of my shirt. I miss her so fucking much, it’s more debilitating than the cuffs around my wrists.
Emma was a bright star in the darkness of space. She taught us how to feel. She taught us to love.
We didn’t cherish what we had. Didn’t give enough to it…
What’s life worth without love?
A sentinel nods toward his commander. “Empire City is approaching, sir.”
The leader nods. “Good. We will take them to Justice Quarters and hold a preliminary hearing. Then Slain will wish to speak to the criminals.”
“Criminals?” Vraik shouts. “We fought for his rebellion. We ensured his rise to power.”
“And you plotted to destroy him,” the alien thug responds.
“This is against intergalactic law,” I say. “You killed a female. She was bearing a child. They’ll kill you for this.”
He laughs. “There are plenty of females to choose from outside of this planet,” he says. “You and I both know this as truth.”
“What are you saying?” Lök asks, bloodied but still breathing.
The sentinel turns and eyes the quickly approaching city. “There is instability in the outer quadrants of the planet.”
“No shit,” I growl.
Lucky for me, he and his guards ignore my response.
He continues. “He planned for this moment. Every victorious rebellion faces attacks. It was only a matter of time until one of our own betrayed him.”
“Spit it out,” Vraik mutters.
“You are the source of instability. At least, the people will think you are,” he says.
“So your plan is to plaster our faces across the planet?” I ask. “Make up some lies to buy you an extra couple of years?”
He grins. “Yes. Once you are vilified, the Lottery system will be expanded. Slain will bring in a transport of exotic women. The best miners will be rewarded mates. That will buy us more than a few years.”
One of the lackey sentinels chuckles. “Slain will look like a hero.”
Give the people a little bread, and they’ll ask for more. That’s the plan, right? Well, it just might work. That is, if we let it happen.
