Page 17 (1/2)

“Hardware is installed and operational,” Orion says “SoWorked to the bone indeed His Blacksreasers”

“They’re doped out of their minds,” Glirastes adds

He’s right If I were younger, I’d think valiant rage or purpose kept theht on sleep My ars called nazopran, dolomine, and zoladone

“Will it work?” I ask Glirastes

“I ran five million siines i all aboard,” Glirastes says “So in theory, yes”

“Co,” I mutter

Harnassus trudges over, trying to catch our conversation “Will you do the honors, Imperator?” I ask

“This is your monster You wake it up” He tosses the control pad to me

Annoyed, I activate the flight protocol Harnassus doesn’t even watch to see the gravity engines flare underneath the ancienthappens I stare down Rise, you bastard Rise

“I told you it was a ht this was the only engine He sabotaged it”

“He’s an ass, not a traitor,” I say

Then the Storroan as it feels the force of Sun Industries gravity engines urging it to waken from its slumber Except for Harnassus, all the aides and commanders beside me step back

With a shriek ofup and up until it hangs a hundredthe roof of the uid field of low gravity beneath it, suspending blocks of ice Soon the engine will be ready to join its brethren in the sea

I smile in satisfaction

UPON LANDING ON THE Annihilo, Diomedes and I lead the Rim deputation down a corridor of Ash Guard Instead of the cerenitaries, Atalantia’s elite wear field arnize the Rim’s independence The beetle-black metal of the field armor is dented and scuffed from war on four spheres But the pearl House Grileam