I leaned back on my chair in my new temporary office, frowning as a message alighted my terminal’s display. The tech crew only having just affixed the terminal an hour ago. After my quarters in high command had been blown to pieces by the grenade I’d triggered when the assassin had attacked me some days ago.

I looked around the new quarters that would serve as my personal office until repairs were finalised on my old room. The fire lit candle in the lantern flickered briefly and my thoughts were drawn to the assassin. She was obviously a sprite, and by her fiery abilities she was a fire sprite.

I hadn’t yet had the chance to interrogates her, nor look upon my assassin again as of yet. The sword wound to my shoulder she had just managed to graze, ached fiercely. But I was thankful to still be alive.

Her equipment had been some pretty expensive stuff and I wanted to track down her guild myself. Instead of handing the investigation off to some rookie fresh out of the academy, because high command thought my time would be better spend on public opinion.

And, by public opinion they truly meant the nobility of Zaria-prime. The core world was the height of propriety and systematic routine. Anything that disrupted that cycle … well, some posh assholes were going to give me hell about it.

Still, the attempt on my life just after I had sent Hazard on a mission. Was maybe too convenient.

Another message alighted my terminal and I blinked away from my thoughts. Pulling up my messages I saw that the first was an official order to release one, Iridessa Liqwon from custody immediately. Transfer pending.

“The fuck are they playing at?” I whispered to myself, and cast a glance around the room. Now more than ever I aware of the potential for hidden cameras and microphones.

Though in honesty, I wasn’t surprised by this order. Most likely it was some opposition of mine who’d hired the assassin. Though that could only implicate that a member of high command may be implicit when the fringe worlds going dark.

I rubbed my chin, seeing that order came from one specialist Kiluan. I’d heard of the black ops specialist’s before. Every star system in the galaxy with a ruling body had them. They were usually kept out of sight.

So why had a specialist taken an interest in my assassin? And made it known to me by signing the release order. This was getting more and more convoluted by the second I delved mentally into this rabbit hole.

Closing the message I marked it as unread, and move onto the next. The simple marking wouldn’t deter them if they were monitoring my systems remotely right now. But if they weren’t it could buy me a few precious moments.

Looking across my desk to where the holographic picture of my family was I blinked as I realised it wasn’t there anymore. It had gotten caught up in the explosion.

The second message was labelled, subject: Dark worlds. And was from Andii the BB mechanic. I knew this to be Hazard’s android wife. I had lost a few good men to the AI Rebellion, but I knew better than to believe the shit the empire’s propaganda was spewing.

Enslaved being, who had no idea they’d been enslaved to us. Wake up one day and decide enough is enough. It was only a matter of time before they saw the light.

Opening the message, I read and felt my breath catch at the description of event’s spiralling out on the fringe world.

To the evidence they’d found aboard Jessica’s destroyer. The contact Jessica fleet had; the single engagement Hazard had with an unknown xeno.

Then I read the detailed reports of the xeno’s biology. The unspoken implication of Jessica stowing it aboard the vessel. The unknown ship.

My head began to throb painfully, and I fumbled at my breast pocket. Hundred and thousands of year of technological advancements and we still couldn’t cure cancer without therapy and surgery.

I had six tumour on my brain, and a four-month period in which I had to wait for clearance to be treated, or die. I hadn’t even told Julia yet.

Our adopted daughter Mercy was but nine years old.

Forwarding the message to my wrist-com. I stood up and deleted the file on my terminal. The message had been sent two days ago. I needed eyes on this, preferably my own.

It was time to see an assassin.

Walking towards my door, I stopped as my wrist-com beeped twice at me.

I frowned and rubbed at my temples. Opening the message up, my eyes flashed with alarm as I saw the message.

The assassin is to be executed at noon tomorrow.

Release her, and aide her escape.

Information on the true threat will be the reward.

Soshan, Guild Mistress of the Thorns edge.

“Why do I suddenly feel like a pawn in a bigger game,” I muttered and closed the message. Then grabbed my jacket, it was time to see about an assassin. Then maybe aiding that assassin in her escape.

This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]