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

sure
no one finds out my true intentions,” Kirill grinned. “I won't need
the crodillians forever.”
    “And they won't need you forever
either.”
    “They may not, but I'll be done with them
before they're done with me.”
    The contact let out a breath. “Let's hope
so. For both of our sake's.”

    Pyrrhus' ship entered Hermes' atmosphere and
headed towards Thermopylae. He could tell the races were confused
about what to expect from the crodillians. They’d heard the Queen's
message, but had also seen the death and destruction suffered by
several planets. The spaceport and surrounding city wasn't teeming
with life as it normally was, but those outside appeared ready to
rebel upon sight of any crodillian.
    He’d been smart to choose this planet first,
otherwise every race would've been slaughtered. The closer his ship
got, the more he could see going on in the city, and it didn't look
good. Many of the roofs occupied by several races holding cannon
launchers, and what few ships there were, were circling the city
waiting to attack. Pyrrhus would have to calm things down quite a
bit, but at least he wouldn't have any problems finding rebels to
fight for his cause. The whole planet seemed defiant and that was
good news for him.
    The pilot landed the cargo ship and Pyrrhus
stepped onto the spaceport. He wasn't approached by anyone, in
fact, he was completely ignored by every race on the pad. He walked
through the city where races were giving out weapons and headed
directly to the bar. If there was a leader in charge of this
recklessness, he’d be in the bar getting drunk. At least that’s
what he’d be doing if he was in charge of something with so little
thought put into it. The door was already opened when he arrived
and he stepped in the dimly lit building.
    “And then we'll blow those bastards to
pieces and send them back where they came from!” A white female
human pumped her fist in the air. “No one comes to our home and
kills our families, not without paying the price!”
    A group of men were gathered around her, but
Pyrrhus wasn't sure if it was because of her looks, or because she
had such a strong, demanding, voice that boomed to every corner of
the bar. She was over average height for a female human, standing
about as tall as himself. Dark brown hair touched the shoulders of
her old battle armor and her green eyes pierced through him when
she turned his way. A sonic rifle was slung over her back and she
held a laser pistol in her right hand.
    Pyrrhus pushed his way through the group of
male races. “Blow who to pieces, may I ask?”
    “The crodillians of course,” she answered.
“Who else? Have you not been watching what's been happening around
Orion recently, or have you just been living under some rock?”
    Pyrrhus leaned in closer. “Oh, I've been
watching and listening. And if I remember correctly, and this is a
big if, the Queen said not to rebel like fools. At first glance,
this would look like rebelling like reckless fools.”
    The female pushed him back with both hands
and pointed her pistol at him. “You want us to surrender as the Queen suggested. That's not the Queen I
know. The Queen I knew would never surrender, no matter what the
cost.”
    “Maybe that Queen was trying to save your
ass,” Pyrrhus crossed his arms.
    The female raised her eyebrows. “And how is
that, Mr. What’s your name?”
    “Pyrrhus,” he answered. “ General Pyrrhus.”
    Whispers erupted around the room as he spoke
his name. He could see races pointing at him, as they were finally
matching the name with the face. The female seemed to back up a
little before regaining her composure and lowering her weapon.
    “Why are you here to stop a rebellion,
General?” She asked. “I wouldn't think you would want us to stop
rebelling against these monsters. You know as well as any that we
can’t let them take over this galaxy.”
    “You’re right. I don't want to give our
homes to them,” Pyrrhus nodded. “They