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“How many ships did the Minotaur take?” I press “All that were in dock? Clearly this play against the Free Legions is a trap to lure the Republic fleets Draw their ht and sneak around to raze their planets But without support from Venus, you can’t sail on Mars or Luna The jaws of the trap are set, but your foot is in it too”
“Lysander, please Enough showing off,” Atalantia says
“After the Minotaur’s capture, one over to you, Atalantia How many swell to his banner no many ships have slipped away? Apollonius was a popular man And it would er to kill Magnus Perhaps he was betrayed Given ov
er to the enemy”
They look at s
I may not know the rules of the Riht Apollonius was betrayed Likely because of his popularity
I feel a sense of loneliness These are the people who Cassius thought would send assassins for hiave his life to ensure they never won this war If they do not even agree to entertain the idea of allying with the Ri
“My goodn One which I assu advance But without lifting a finger, Darrow has cut off your back foot Without your docks and reinforceo forward or backward I offer you an ally ten years fresh One with no claim nor desire nor manpower to rule your spheres They have been spit upon, and they have come for satisfaction Refuse them if you must It is your choice to make, not mine”
The crickets by the fountain carry the conversation
Ajax is the first to speak “If we destroy the Free Legions as they strike the Belt bastions and the Dockyards of Phobos, the trauument is not without virtue Nor does it detract from our imminent endeavor”
“I know his arguenital wart it has virtue I Just Hate Moonies” Her fingers trace Hypatia’s scales as she thinks “I will be terribly honest, young Diomedes I don’t think it wise to dance with venomous creatures I didn’t nurture as pups But you did not kill my father, did you? Nor Octavia for thatyou would be to court quagmire And there are so many others you can help me kill
“Answer me this Your docks were destroyed, yet somehow you found a way to build new ships like that curious corvette in ar No, I will not dissect it, because it will likely detonate if I do, yes?” Dioy source to h the ternable bastion How? Are you using foil caraval to skim helium from the Gas Giants?” She bares her teeth “I know Atlas would know if you dared mine the Kuiper…” Diomedes remains motionless as Atalantia’s queries multiply “How ions? These are things I need to know”
Diomedes is amused she thinks he would ever tell her “In the event of an alliance, any tasks given to the Riy will be fulfilled That is all I will say”
“Oh, to be young and think you kno things are done,” she says to the Primuses “These are not injurious queries, Dio you are, ould I choose you for a dancing partner, young man?”
“Because all others are taken, and the song creeps upon crescendo”