Читать книгу Defiant. Tome 1. Defiant - - Страница 6

Cipher sat on the bridge of his ship, watching the Laithorian fleet surrounding what little spaceships were left of the once proud and vast Company forces. The man knew how hard the war was on everyone, and understood the sacrifices that have been made.

He sacrificed much in the course of his life. First – for the Company that employed him and gave him some sense of a belonging. Then he sacrificed the life he had built – however futile it was – and ran from the bastards that never really understood how to keep their people loyal, always pushing them to the brink of morality and hope.

Cipher sighed, remembering the fateful meeting he and his friends stumbled upon.

Serena seemed to have been stripped of all hope and sense of life – of any kind, except that she got used to. She was such a hopeless girl when they’ve met. And yet he later learned how much she too had sacrificed. Just to stay alive.

Time and time again, after being in such strange circumstances, she showed him how sacrifice can be made willingly, not forced or made out of desperation. She taught him so much over the years they stayed together.

Her greatest sacrifice was made not when she jumped to shield the Laithorian Empress, but when she destroyed Terra, following the order her Empress gave. The Captain knew how hard this would impact her crew. She knew, and went through with the order. That day she sacrificed her own happiness and the life she had built for herself for the greater good.

They didn’t know that at the time.

Now, being on the same side as the Laithorian forces and supporting the fight for freedom on human colonies that have been abused by the Company for so long… Cipher couldn’t bear the thought of being here alone, without Serena by his side with her magnificent ship MSS Lyssandra.

He wished things would be different.

And yet here he was today, watching history being made.

Empress Alathea was meeting with the representatives of the Company, negotiating their absolute surrender. He heard over the communication lines what the Laithorians demanded. Cipher found it fair and justified – after everything the Company did both to Laithorians and the people on Terran colonies, the demands made were but a small retribution.

«I wish Serena was here.» he sighed.

His crew – though small – stood silently, each thinking of their own.

Finally, Fisk, who decided to join them while the MSS Lyssandra’s crew stayed on Velutha, spoke up:

«I’m sure she wouldn’t see this as something she started.»

Dean grunted – though, the mute had his ways of communicating, he still held a grudge against the Captain of MSS Lyssandra for what she had done to the population of Terra.

«I don’t think she actually started the war, Fisk.» Taliesin ran his hand through the now dyed purple Mohawk on his head. «She played a part in it, sure, but come on…»

«A significant part, Tal.» Pher stepped up to the window, watching the Terran fleet slowly falling back to return to the colonies they still had after all the fighting. «Serena has done much more she would have ever admitted to herself.»

«We don’t know her at all, and damn! Than woman sounds like one I’d like to have as a friend!» a woman chuckled behind him.

Pher turned to the two newcomers of their crew – two women, beautiful, yet tough – and thought how they came aboard, joining their fight on one of the colonies. So far they’ve proven to be loyal and just. Lilith and Lola looked like striking opposites – one tall, lithe and blond, another one shorter, more muscular and dark-haired.

«I think she’d love to have you as friends, girls…» Cipher took a deep breath.

«Incoming message, Captain.» Lola leaned in to her work station.

«Put it through.»

The window turned into a screen, showing one of the Generals Cipher already knew.

«Captain Cipher.» the black-skinned man bowed slightly, greeting the Terran man.

«General.» Cipher returned the courtesy, already used to the ceremonial traditions of Veluthians that treated him and his crew with respect and trust.

«Empress Alathea expresses her gratitude to you and your crew for being part of the frontier negotiations and wishes to pass you a monetary reward for your efforts alongside an offer to continue working for her.»

«Thank you. I appreciate the gesture. I’d have to think it over though, no offence.»

«None taken, Captain. You may return to Velutha to reconvene and discuss this with your friends. You and your crew are always welcome there.»

«Thank you, General.» Cipher watched the man bow again and the communication line cut off.

«We’re going back?» Fisk asked.

Cipher took a few minutes to think:

«I’m not sure anyone from MSS Lyssandra are ready to face us yet.» he grunted. «Anyone have any ideas where we could spend some time?»

«Sir?» Lola called out. «The Laithorian people have uploaded a number of possible missions we could take along the way…»

«Oh?»

«Here…» the woman sent the list to Cipher’s screen. «We could help a couple of colonies.»

«I know a place or two in these ones…» Lilith leaned in next to Cipher with a charming smile. «They have good booze there, we could pick up a couple of cases to treat the others…»

Cipher grunted, thinking it over, and then sent confirmation to others about a couple of missions he was going to take upon before returning to Velutha.