《Sovereign》The meeting
Advertisement
With intention to go briefly through all points of agenda, consisting of establishing the communication lines, taking care of the food-poisoned, and decreasing of current level of chaos, Gromov had no time to deal with Akane. Still, he could not resist asking.
“Would you mind explaining yourself?”
She put on an innocent kitty face and answered with a question: “What do you mean, sir? Did I screw up?”
“Except for harassing the clerk from Ministry?”
“Oh, that one. You told them to shut up. It is not my fault she did not understand a very clear order. Nobody is nobody in my dictionary. What could she expect? That I’ll pat her back? But sir, I was really careful not to break her arm.”
Gromov stared, speechless. Not only because of her “Not my fault” attitude, but because the others, who gathered around did not perceive such an action as inappropriate. Who do they think we are? The desperados?
“I was hungry,” added Akane, like making a valid point. “Not my fault, you see?”
Lieutenant Schubert, who arrived at this moment, just nodded in agreement, and blurted: “That’s not certainly her fault she had nothing to eat, don’t you think, sir?”
“Are you implying that her lack of self-restrain comes from the fact I ate her dinner?”
“You ate my dinner? I was waiting all the time for it.”
Gromov carefully avoided answering that. He turned his attention to the MP officer: “Talking about the food, I’ve noticed you’ve detained the chef and hotel manager. Why?”
The MP scratched his head. He was a tall robust man with black skin, curly black hair and the grayish mustache under the large nose.
“Actually, sir, we’ve just followed the order of Colonel Steiner. At one o’clock, he came to us, talking about a battle alarm. He was hard to understand and frankly, we were sure he was drunk. From his words, we comprehended something about the sabotage. He seemed to think someone had poisoned us to undermine Space Forces authority. According to him, the hotel manager and the chef ruined his career and threatened the position of Minister of Defense.”
Advertisement
“Why would they have done that?”
“Colonel accused them to take a bribe from the opposition.”
“The Plantarians?”
“No, it seems he had the political opposition on mind. “
“The inner enemy, perhaps.”
“Yes, exactly. You know who they are, sir?”
The inner enemy was Steiner’s mantra. Whatever went wrong, the culprit behind was the mysterious inner enemy. Andrey Jerzinski and Heinrich Schubert knew it as well, because they grinned. Only MP stayed clueless.
“Pay it no heed,” said Gromov. “Do you know who had announced the highest level of battle alarm?”
“I believe it was Colonel Steiner. I heard him talking to communication wristband, giving that order. He repeated it several times before he collapsed. After few minutes, Major Sholto came downstairs but you saw his state. He could barely speak... Should we release them?”
MP pointed at the chef and manager.
“Guarding them with weapons would be far-stretched. Still, until we understand what happened, we have to keep them in the detention. Not only them, though, all the hotel personnel and guests are not allowed to leave this building, unless decided otherwise. Contact your superiors for further instructions. I cannot possibly tell you how to lead the investigation. For now, work under worst scenario, meaning the whole incident is the enemy diversion.”
“By the enemy, you are referring to the political opposition?”
“No, to the Plantarians or their agents.”
Nobody around accepted Gromov’s proclamation calmly. “Plantarians, sir? Are you serious?”
“We are at war,” said Gromov gravely. “The enemy is one big unknown. We cannot dismiss possibility of their involvement just because no such situation occurred before. Or would you rather work with Colonel’s theory of political struggle? For all we know, it might have been just regular food poisoning. Nonetheless, more than half of military personnel are out of action. Furthermore, biologic warfare belongs to specialties of aliens. With an attack above our heads…”
Advertisement
“What attack?” interjected Schubert. “We are under attack? How comes?”
Judging from their surprised faces, Gromov realized they did not consider possibility of incoming ambush at all. Only Andrey nodded, which was not that surprising as he had more experiences than the others did. Still, Gromov would expect better judgment from his peers.
“Under current level of uncertainty, we should expect the worst,” he started the explanation. “From what I’ve learned so far, I imagine the following: Colonel Steiner, being stricken by symptoms of intestinal flu, got a message from orbital station that the enemy had been detected. He probably went to wake up Major Sholto. After the realization they both were suffering from the same symptoms, he concluded the incoming enemy and the disease might have been related.
Sergeant Jerzinski told me that Colonel gave personal guarantees to the Minister that this summit won’t present any problem to the local safety. My opinion aside, the truth is there should be plenty of time to get on orbit, even with local stuff down on Earth. This is not the case anymore, apparently, since Steiner’s subordinates were decimated in numbers. Given his personality, I doubt he would announce battle alert just because of case of food poisoning. He likes to see himself as the man of steel. He had to come to the conclusion he needed all pilots, thus, he declared the highest level possible.”
“Great,” said Akane cheerfully, patting perplexed Schubert on the back. “So glad we will fight together, Lieutenant. I’ve heard you had no real action here for few years. Follow my lead and you won’t get another red number on your sleeve. Do you care to exchange our shirts, by the way? This one is still wet, though.”
While captain Chi was wondering why they would want to do that, Gromov just shook his head: “There is no time for fraternizing, Akane. We need Heinrich to contact the orbit station and confirm the status. Until then, we will go on under presumption we need to gather pilots and gunners, transport them to the space lift, and get ready for defending this perimeter. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Blond Lieutenant left them to find a calmer place, putting his wristband nearer the mouth. Now, with nobody allowed to use the communication devices, he should have no problem to connect. Relieved, they saw him talking, which left Gromov with one worry less. That has changed as soon as Schubert came back.
“Bad news, Captain,” he said. “All your assumptions were correct. Major Milano, who is in charge of station, gave us twelve hours to get aboard. If we are late, it will be a massacre. Our radar system estimates more than one hundred space vessels. Their types are unclear, but according to characteristics, they expect Q-Field generator carrier amongst them.”
Hearing that, all pilots, standing nearby, exchanged disturbed looks. Akane blurted “Excellent! Not only we will fight together, we will even die together. What a day!”
Advertisement
- In Serial72 Chapters
Let's Imagine a Female Knight From Another World
The distant lands of Euphoria are plagued with corrupt kings, ruthless knights, savage beasts, and endless bloodshed. After dying an unseemly death, Momoko Miwa meets with the Goddess of Sorcery, who offers her refuge in the world to defeat the foreboding Evil King. Unfortunately, due to her inept perception of fantasy, she accepts with the hopes of becoming an incredible knight like the heroine of her favorite manga. She finds herself on the outskirts of Phoenia, one of the strongest military powers in the world currently being targeted by all governing nations due to their increasing level of magic proficiency--something the other powers lack entirely. With the secrets of magic unfolding, alliances being tested, and mentalities being broken: Will Momoko prove to be a worthy Holy Knight, or will her new surroundings overwhelm her into oblivion?
8 242 - In Serial14 Chapters
The Challenge of Erros
The story follows the adventures of Darren Murphy and his ward Rhea as they combat against the mysteries of the world they live in. They travel the world of Artegen without knowing the plot they are involved in.
8 170 - In Serial26 Chapters
Awakened; Dungeon Tales
For decades now, strange places inhabited with monsters have been appearing across the globe. People call them dungeons and those who enter them delvers. For years, delvers explored and conquered, becoming beacons of hope—idols in a world wracked by war. Nowadays, thousands of youths each year undergo the Awakening ritual, foregoing their mundane life in favor of a more magical one. Marco is one such youth. He has a cushy life and a good family that wishes only what is best for him. He isn’t satisfied, however—he wants more. What exactly, he doesn’t know. He only knows that inside the confines of what is considered normal, he won’t find it. I update twice a week, on Tuesday and on Saturday. P.s. Before you start reading, I would like to say a few words. For starters, I never thought I would one day publish something on this website, and I want to thank all the other authors who inspired me to do so. I would also like to thank whoever spends their time to read my novel—it means a lot. So, thank you. Finally, I think it is imperative I warn you. I’m not a native English speaker: English is not my first language. If you see mistakes, feel free to point them out. I will correct them as soon as I have the time to do so. Cover: It was done by Ioannis Ioannidis. It can be found for free on Pixabay. Should the author ask, I will remove it immediately.
8 183 - In Serial6 Chapters
DEATH QUEST
You are Hayden Waltess. You have no skills, no money, one family member, and a few good friends. If you don't find a way to make six hundred golden claws within the next forty eight hours, your little sister Shale is going to die. Steal the money? You can't break wards, and you don't know anyone who can. Beg for it? You live in Lecliss, the corrupt capital city of Raun. Beggars pave the roads. No one will notice an extra pebble. Earn it? Not through any normal job. You'd be lucky to make even a single golden claw in a week. No. There's only one way to make that kind of money in time. In a corner of the adventurer's guild lit by a dim lantern, three long, dusty, ragged pieces of parchment are pinned to a huge board on the wall. Each piece of parchment has an enormous sum of money written in bold at the top, an illustration in the center, and then countless names of adventurers below, each name written in a different hand, each invariably crossed out with a thin red line. The sign above the board reads: DEATH QUESTS An interactive action/adventure story with game-like and horror elements, set in the same universe as my other story, Gattican Drive. You can also read it on webnovel. Updates once every three days (unless it doesn't)
8 94 - In Serial20 Chapters
Meritocracy
Updates Monday-Wednesday-Fridayand sometimes when I feel like it :) For now I'm going to try to post during the weekend The meritocracy is a utopia compared to the rest of the world. The centre of all knowledge. The only reason they are not constantly hounded by warfare is due to their reclusive nature and their supreme defences. But although the world outside is content with leaving the sleeping giant alone, struggles within the meritocracy seek to destroy its very foundation. Along comes Clara, a girl, a prodigy amongst prodigies, and seemingly chosen to be the leader of the next generation.
8 207 - In Serial31 Chapters
Being Frank
**Author's Note** This was my 7th attempt at writing this story. I've worked on the story since 20 years ago but my writing style and skills haven't been satisfactory to me. So after working as a digital content manager for 2 years and after a very long deliberation I've decided to drop this 7th attempt and start on my 8th attempt. This 8th attempt will be the same story but starting from a different point in the timeline of my story. Thank you for your support on this 7th try, it is only due to your reviews and comments that I have the confidence to work hard on my 8th attempt. I started on my 8th attempt with the intention that my 8th attempt will be the final one as I'm a lot more confident and content with my where my writing skills are currently at. Volume 1 In a world filled with magic, war, giants and other awesome races lives Frank. Who being Frank is somewhat of a hermit. He loves to tinker with various contraptions trying to bend the laws of magic to his will. Through his successes he has garnered some attention; unwanted attention. If only that was all there was to it. .... war is coming Volume 2 Frank was born as a normal child, born in a normal family. His father was a scientist and was busy working most days. This is also why Frank was especially excited when his father decided to take an extended holiday to travel to Asia with his family. But their trip turns out to be one from which there is no going back. Writer's notice: I will continue to participate in the NaNoWriMo every November till I finish all that I have planned to write. I expect to have this story finished in 14 years approximately.Update:I was unhappy with how I had first written the first and second volume but am leaving the editing and finishing of those volumes till later and have started on the third one. The chronological order so far is 2-1-3. Might fix that too later.
8 122