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“Do you remember it? A great deal was made about it on the news feeds and social media platforms because General Qubad’s grandson was a patient there.”
She paused, giving everyone the time to remember. “The hospital was supposed to be leveled, and the attack blamed on the rebels.”
Even this deep in space, Taly swore she could hear millions gasp in disbelief.
“I know this because the cyborg ordered to carry out both these attempts told me. How is that possible, you ask? It’s possible because, during Shui’s trial, I snuck onto one of the prison transport ships.” Taly paused, knowing her next words could very well cause her parents’ deaths. Still, it needed to be said. “I did this because I have a half-brother, unbeknownst to the rest of Kirs.
“A half-brother that I love very much.
“A half-brother who is a cyborg.
“I wasn’t going to let him rot in prison for doing the right thing, for protecting not only me but all of you, from a tyrant. So, I snuck onto the ship I believed he’d be on and waited until the time was right to free him and his pod, but something happened. And not what the emperor told you.
“I was hiding in a maintenance closet when I overheard two guards talking about getting to the escape pods because the ship was set to self-destruct in fifteen minutes, and there was no way to change it. You can imagine my shock. Our emperor, the one so many of you support, or support because you’re too afraid not to, planned on murdering thousands upon thousands of citizens right before your eyes.
“Discovering this, I did the only thing I could, the thing I believe every one of you would do in the same situation. I opened the cells and freed the prisoners, giving everyone at least the chance of survival on that transport ship.
“That’s how I found myself in an escape pod with five strangers the emperor had branded as rebels, four cyborgs and one civilian. We didn’t know one another and had never met before, but we worked together and made our way to my private transport docked on the dark side of Tyurma. We were able to make our escape, but not before helplessly watching as the Kirs military systematically fired on the remaining escape pods.”
Taly didn’t try to stem the tears streaming down her cheeks. “I have never witnessed such carnage in my life. How evil must a man be to order such a thing? How soulless the ones that carried out such a heinous act.
“As for the cyborg ordered to assassinate me? I now consider him a trusted friend. He was one of the cyborgs seen in the recording on Yelmurn preventing me from leaving the Troubadour. It wasn’t because he was kidnapping me. It was because he was protecting me from the bounty hunters chasing me. Bounty hunters the emperor is paying to conceal his murderous crimes.
“So there can be no doubt. No question. I’m stating that I, Talyani Zulfiqar, completely stand with those who stand against Emperor Shui’s reign of tyranny. I’m asking you, the citizens of Kirs, Bionus, and every other planet in the universe, to stand with us. To fight with us. To assist those Shui has condemned any way you can.
“One day, I will sing for you again in a free and peaceful world, but until that day, I must do what I can to end this evil. I hope you will join me in making that happen.”
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Ranvir stood, utterly stunned by what he had just seen and heard. His Taly had been amazing. She’d just called out Shui in the most public of ways. In a way, Shui couldn’t manipulate or change, not the way Vujcec had broadcast it. Kirs was now aware of what Shui had done and was planning on doing.
Would it help the rebellion?
Or had the emperor already crushed it?
Only time would tell.
Touching his earbud, he ordered, “Ganesha, get us out of here.”
“With pleasure, Major. Destination?”
“Tuater. Maximum speed.”
“You still want to go to Tuater?” Taly asked, walking up to wrap her arms around his waist.
“Yes.” Leaning down, he captured her lips for a quick kiss. “It’s a good place to hide and rest while we plan our next move. You were amazing up there.”
“Was I? There was so much I wanted to say. I’m not sure I got it all in.”
“You did,” he reassured, leading her out of the concert hall and toward the lower level.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked.
“To the dining room. After all we’ve been through, we deserve a decent meal.”
“I can agree with that. I’ll even…” she trailed off as the most fantastic aroma hit her nose. “What’s that?”
Entering the dining room, they found Sato just setting down a steaming bowl on a table that already held several platters of food.
