The Independent Worlds (The Sixteen Galaxies Book 2) by William Drayman Page B
Authors: William Drayman
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what the hell’s he gonna do? He gonna fight this Kestil guy?”
“I wish I knew, Drifter,” Robert replied. “I wish I knew.”
8
Kestil’s base
Barney Cantock was just about to strip his rifle when a man in his thirties walked up. Like so many of the new additions to the personnel in John Crabtree’s converted missile silo, the guy carried himself well; military, well trained and hard. He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “Boss wants to see you, now.”
Barney laid the rifle down and stood up with a sigh. He made his way from the main command room to a small hallway of offices and tapped on Kestil’s door.
“Come in, Barney,” Kestil called. Barney shuffled in and Kestil waved him to a chair. Kestil stood up and checked the hallway, then closed the door. Kestil saw Barney tense and waved a hand at him as he sat back down. “Please, relax Barney. I’m aware that you and I don’t see eye to eye, and I’m sure you’d rather I had never showed my face on this planet. But, you and I are on the same side; John’s side. Is that not so?”
Barney just eyed the alien and shrugged.
Kestil sighed. “You are a man of few words, and I like that. However, I need to ask you a few questions, as I have a job in mind for you.”
Barney shifted in his chair. “What sort of job?”
“An important one, Barney; very important. You are perfectly suited to the task; I can assure you. But, you don’t like me, and that is a cause for concern. So, let me just ask you this; how dedicated are you to stopping the Sixteen Galaxies from taking control of this planet and the enslavement of your race?”
Barney’s eyes never left the Kestil’s face. “I’m completely dedicated to stopping any aliens from taking control of our people.”
Kestil blinked, and then smiled. “Honest to a fault, as always. Very good.” He leaned forward. “I think you misunderstand me, Barney. But, your distrust is natural. Let me explain some realities to you, and we’ll see what you think after that, okay?”
Barney shrugged. “Sure, I got nothing better to do.”
*****
Global News Update
“…The United States government announced today that the underground cyber protest group known as ‘Herald of the Truth’ has been declared a terrorist organization. The rapid spread of this group, who openly support the galactic empire known as the Sixteen Galaxies, has created mass hysteria with their constant publication of so-called ‘Evidence’ that purports to prove that the Independent Worlds, and its representative Kestil, are a threat to global security. US President Maitland was quoted as saying today that ‘there is no real evidence that Kestil and his society have anything but mankind’s best interests at heart.’ Herald of the Truth activists have been arrested across the United States, in what some refer to as the beginnings of a police state. Some question the validity of the declaration of terrorism, but the government is holding fast to their decision and has said it will not back down until every last one of these subversives is behind bars.”
“…In Africa, the city of Adamatzi is in turmoil, with the population being literally decimated by the drug Red Diamond. The infamous drug, which causes addiction with one taste, and kills the user if they try to stop taking it, flooded the city about four months ago. Since then, supplies have mysteriously dried up, and people are dying in their thousands. Mayor Ekene Emeka has declared the city under siege, and points to his campaign against drug use six months ago as the cause of the massacre. ‘The drug cartels declared open war on me and my administration just four months ago, and now my people are dying. We cannot fight this any longer.’ Mayor Emeka has announced his intention to step down from office, in a bid to stop the war. Many commentators say it is too little too late, and anyone previously hooked on Red diamond is as good as dead. The International Red Cross
“I wish I knew, Drifter,” Robert replied. “I wish I knew.”
8
Kestil’s base
Barney Cantock was just about to strip his rifle when a man in his thirties walked up. Like so many of the new additions to the personnel in John Crabtree’s converted missile silo, the guy carried himself well; military, well trained and hard. He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “Boss wants to see you, now.”
Barney laid the rifle down and stood up with a sigh. He made his way from the main command room to a small hallway of offices and tapped on Kestil’s door.
“Come in, Barney,” Kestil called. Barney shuffled in and Kestil waved him to a chair. Kestil stood up and checked the hallway, then closed the door. Kestil saw Barney tense and waved a hand at him as he sat back down. “Please, relax Barney. I’m aware that you and I don’t see eye to eye, and I’m sure you’d rather I had never showed my face on this planet. But, you and I are on the same side; John’s side. Is that not so?”
Barney just eyed the alien and shrugged.
Kestil sighed. “You are a man of few words, and I like that. However, I need to ask you a few questions, as I have a job in mind for you.”
Barney shifted in his chair. “What sort of job?”
“An important one, Barney; very important. You are perfectly suited to the task; I can assure you. But, you don’t like me, and that is a cause for concern. So, let me just ask you this; how dedicated are you to stopping the Sixteen Galaxies from taking control of this planet and the enslavement of your race?”
Barney’s eyes never left the Kestil’s face. “I’m completely dedicated to stopping any aliens from taking control of our people.”
Kestil blinked, and then smiled. “Honest to a fault, as always. Very good.” He leaned forward. “I think you misunderstand me, Barney. But, your distrust is natural. Let me explain some realities to you, and we’ll see what you think after that, okay?”
Barney shrugged. “Sure, I got nothing better to do.”
*****
Global News Update
“…The United States government announced today that the underground cyber protest group known as ‘Herald of the Truth’ has been declared a terrorist organization. The rapid spread of this group, who openly support the galactic empire known as the Sixteen Galaxies, has created mass hysteria with their constant publication of so-called ‘Evidence’ that purports to prove that the Independent Worlds, and its representative Kestil, are a threat to global security. US President Maitland was quoted as saying today that ‘there is no real evidence that Kestil and his society have anything but mankind’s best interests at heart.’ Herald of the Truth activists have been arrested across the United States, in what some refer to as the beginnings of a police state. Some question the validity of the declaration of terrorism, but the government is holding fast to their decision and has said it will not back down until every last one of these subversives is behind bars.”
“…In Africa, the city of Adamatzi is in turmoil, with the population being literally decimated by the drug Red Diamond. The infamous drug, which causes addiction with one taste, and kills the user if they try to stop taking it, flooded the city about four months ago. Since then, supplies have mysteriously dried up, and people are dying in their thousands. Mayor Ekene Emeka has declared the city under siege, and points to his campaign against drug use six months ago as the cause of the massacre. ‘The drug cartels declared open war on me and my administration just four months ago, and now my people are dying. We cannot fight this any longer.’ Mayor Emeka has announced his intention to step down from office, in a bid to stop the war. Many commentators say it is too little too late, and anyone previously hooked on Red diamond is as good as dead. The International Red Cross
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