Rise of the Resistance (War for Orion Trilogy Book Two) by Conner Walworth

Kirill pointed out.
“I kind of screwed her a while back. That’s something that can’t
really be forgiven.”
    “I'm sure you two can work something
out.”
    “I can always have her killed, I guess,”
Kirill shrugged. “I’ll have it made look like an accident.”
    Donnchadh ignored the comment. “Just know
that whatever deal you make is only temporary. We can't let the
crodillians take total control of Orion. I'm sure that even you
know that.”
    “How much longer until you arrive on
Erebos?”
    “Soon,” Donnchadh answered. “Are you going
to do what I told you?”
    “Yeah. Yeah,” Kirill waved his hand.
“Surrender peacefully so we can get rid of the crodillians once and
for all.”
    “I'll call you again right before we land,”
Donnchadh hung up.
    He’d expected Kirill to follow along with
his plan. Though he wasn't much different than Merikh deep down,
he’d always be up for a plan that had the potential to put him in
power. With the crodillians in control, he had absolutely no chance
to be in power. They were much more powerful than any enemy he had
ever faced. Kirill wasn't old, but Donnchadh knew that he couldn't
be patient much longer. He’d never truly get the chance to rule,
but he was needed in order to put together a rebellion, and if he
thought there was a chance for power, Donnchadh would allow him to
think it.
    He let out a breath and sunk his face into
his black hands. He was scared and wanted to do what the
crodillians told him and be done, but he couldn't. He’d followed
twisted, cruel, orders enough in his life. He was treading very
dangerous waters right now, but if he didn't, who would? The videos
of Gaea were only a small example of would happen to rebellions. He
was sure almost every race would obey any order give, so that left
only him. Races couldn't give up like this and someone had to risk
their life to save Orion, otherwise they were all doomed. Pasts no
longer mattered, even if he was one of the biggest traitors in
Orion's history.

Chapter 8
    Kirill immediately called his contact who’d
been out of touch with him since around the time of the attack on
Hera.
    The contact's blue image popped up. “It's
not safe to be contacting me, Kirill. There's a reason I haven't
reached out to you yet.”
    “I think it's safe.”
    “They've killed everyone else in the Palace
except for the Queen! Please tell me how I'm safe from these
monsters.”
    “They haven't killed you yet, you'll be
fine.”
    “The only reason they haven't killed me is
because they haven't found the secret tunnels yet! If they find
them, then I'll end up like the rest of the Palace. Tortured to
death in the dungeons and left to rot away.”
    Kirill ignored him, knowing he was blowing
things way out of proportion. Sure the crodillians were probably
killing everything they saw, but his contact was safe from harm.
The tunnels were well hidden. “We have more important things to
discuss. If you want, we can talk about your tragic situation
after.”
    “Don’t mock me! You have no idea what it’s
like hiding like a rat,” the contact let out a long, exasperated,
breath. “What do you need to talk to me about? If you’re still
thinking about taking Adira’s spot on the Throne, I hate to tell
you, but that’s out of the question.”
    “No. No. I don't want to discuss that quite
yet,” Kirill waved his hands. “Donnchadh is still alive. The
crodillians freed him from his imprisonment.”
    “What? You've seen him?”
    “He just contacted me!” Kirill revealed. “He
wants me to surrender to the crodillians.”
    “He's working for the crodillians now?” The
contact asked.
    “I'm not really sure who he works for,” he
shrugged. “He said they freed him from Keres and now he's leading a
bunch of ships to capture me. Maybe he’s just helping them, but I
know him, he has other motives driving him.”
    “Why would the crodillians send him to get
you? They have their own for that. They’ve proven to be