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

more than
capable of doing near anything.”
    “He said they're going to kill me. But that
was until the Queen released a message for peace. Things may have
changed since Donnchadh left to get me.”
    “So that was a public message,” the contact
mumbled. “I wasn't sure what they were doing in that room.”
    “You heard it?”
    “Just because I've been hiding in the
tunnels, doesn't mean that I haven't been listening in on things,”
the contact a sly grin crossed the image’s face. “I missed the
whole Donnchadh thing, but I heard the Queen's message. I wasn't
sure if it was really being sent to all of Orion or if they were
just playing her.”
    “Well, it was definitely real, and Donnchadh
wants to use it against them.”
    “How exactly would he use that against
them?”
    “He wants to take me to the leader so I can
strike a deal,” Kirill answered. “He said that it'll buy him enough
time to start a rebellion.”
    The contact's head nodded. “I do think
that's a good idea. It's the best chance we have to get out of this
mess. Unless we do something, this entire galaxy will fall
apart.”
    “No,” Kirill shook his head. “I think it’s a
terrible idea. The plan is foolish and reckless.”
    The contact looked at Kirill with a look of
confusion. “You don't think his plan is a good idea?”
    “No,” Kirill laughed. “It's awful, but
Donnchadh thinks it's great, which I can play against him.”
    “I'm kind of lost here. Where are you going
with this?”
    “I told Donnchadh I'd follow along with his
plan. I'm not.”
    “You don't plan on attacking the crodillians
without any type of assistance, do you?”
    “Hell no!” Kirill chuckled. “Even I'm not that dumb. I know what I have on hand and it's no match
against the crodillians. My men will be best fit fighting on the
crodillians’ side and that's what I'll propose to their
leader.”
    “Their side?” The contact leaned forward.
“You can't be serious. Oh, Kirill, don’t do this.”
    “I'll strike an alliance with the
crodillians,” he lifted his chin proudly. “We have almost the same
goals in mind, so why not work together?”
    “I can give you plenty of good reasons why
not to work with them!” The contact said.
    “Well, I don't want to hear any of them,”
Kirill glared. “Just because we strike an alliance doesn't mean I
can't betray them later. I’ve been patient this long, I can be
patient some time more.”
    “You really don't want to mess with the
crodillians, Kirill,” the contact warned. “I've seen what they do.
You don't want any part of it. If you were wise, you’d get off of
Erebos as quickly as possible.”
    “I've seen what they can do,” Kirill said.
“And they seem to be doing almost exactly what I want to do. We
have many things in common. I believe we’ll get along just
fine.”
    “Since I'm apparently not going to talk you
out of it, how are we proceeding?”
    “I'll surrender when Donnchadh comes to get
me,” Kirill nodded to himself, already falling in love with his
plan. “But I'll reveal his betrayal to the crodillians and let them
kill him for it. It’ll gain the trust I need in order to speak to
Merikh. From there, I'm sure we can work some things out. I’m a
flexible man, I’ll make something happen.”
    “Your plan sounds like may work, but are you
sure that's what you want to do?”
    “Of course I'm sure that's what I want to
do. Donnchadh came to kill me, now I'll make sure the crodillians
kill him. He’s failed me and he’s crossed me, for that, he’ll pay
with his life.”
    “I don't care about Donnchadh,” the contact
said with a flick of the wrist. “I'm talking about working with the
crodillians. You won't win the hearts of Orion teaming up with
them. These creatures have torn apart families and ravaged planets.
When they catch whiff of this, it’ll be seen as betrayal. Any
chance you had that they’d follow you would be gone.”
    “Then I'll have to find a way to make