by Saxon Andrew
The Assassin’s Guild
The Rage of the Brotherhood
Saxon Andrew
Copyright © 2018 Saxon Andrew
All rights reserved.
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locals, organisations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.
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Contents
Introduction
Chapter One • Chapter Two • Chapter Three • Chapter Four • Chapter Five • Chapter Six • Chapter Seven • Chapter Eight • Chapter Nine • Chapter Ten • Chapter Eleven • Chapter Twelve • Chapter Thirteen • Chapter Fourteen • Chapter Fifteen • Chapter Sixteen • Chapter Seventeen • Chapter Eighteen • Chapter Nineteen • Chapter Twenty • Chapter Twenty-One • Chapter Twenty-Two • Chapter Twenty-Three • Chapter Twenty-Four • Chapter Twenty-Five • Chapter Twenty-Six • Chapter Twenty-Seven • Chapter Twenty-Eight
Epilogue
Books by Saxon Andrew
About Saxon Andrew
Introduction
The fall of the Colonies from overpopulation has been delayed by a mass migration to new habitable worlds in the Andromeda Galaxy. The billions that fled to Andromeda did so to escape an Alien civilization that invaded six-colonies. However, the war is over and the Aliens invading the colonies have agreed to withdraw their forces and pay for the damages they caused. The war might have ended, but now a threat to the hundred new colonies in the Andromeda Galaxy has reared its ugly head placing them in extreme danger of extinction. The colonies’ government thought about moving them back to the original planets they left, but that would insure the fall of the fifty colonies from population pressures. Sending the billions out was done to prevent the coming civil war and the Council has decided that will not happen; the new colonies will have to stand on their own to survive against this new threat. The colonies have reached an agreement for Earth to defend the new colonies with their support.
Earth doesn’t want the responsibility but is forced to take an active hand in defending the newly established civilizations in Andromeda against an implacable enemy. Earth must also prevent the enemy from discovering its location in the Milky Way. If Earth’s location is discovered, this new enemy will forget about the new colonies to rush out to attack their ancient enemy. The Brotherhood will never give up and will stop at nothing to destroy the planet that forced them to leave Earth a thousand years earlier. The Brotherhood must be prevented from finding a star map showing all the locations of humanity in the Milky Way. If the new colonies are attacked, it is a certainty that a map will be found and all of humanity in the Milky Way will face the rage of the Brotherhood.
Chapter One
The meeting with Fleet Admiral Montana broke up and the five admirals left the conference room heading toward the front entrance of the giant headquarters building in Orlando. The parade to honor the survivors from the war against the aliens in the Large Magellanic Cloud was being held up, waiting for their arrival at the floats. A fast transport greeted the five admirals in front of the building and they boarded quickly, mustn’t keep the people waiting.
As Admiral Montana watched them pull away, Col. Sato turned to him, “What do you think about Admiral Talent’s suggestion of only sending six-warships out to scout Andromeda?”
Duncan watched the transport drive off, and turned to Sato, “Before I answer, tell me what you think about it, Colonel?”
Sato tilted his head slightly before starting to shake it, “I think he’s being very shortsighted, Sir; six warships won’t cut it.”
Duncan nodded slightly and raised his eyebrows, “I agree.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Pull rank, of course,” Duncan chuckled.
“He won’t like that, Sir!” Sato warned.
Duncan turned to go back to his office and nodded slightly, “The trouble with having been an assassin most of his life is that he’s been conditioned to work alone on his contracts. Getting comfortable with commanding a fleet is not something that comes easy.”
Sato’s brow furrowed, “I thought he was quite effective while fighting the aliens in the LMC, Sir.”
Duncan chuckled and turned back to Sato, “He was. But did you notice that he was in the center of every major action that took place?” Sato noticed Duncan staring at him and nodded agreement. Duncan chuckled again, “I’m going to be forced to make him grow up and learn how to play well with others. Come with me and we’ll start working on how to make that happen.” Duncan turned, and Sato followed him to his office.
• • •
The transport arrived at the long line of floats and bands gathered at the entrance to the Orlando Military Installation and the participants all broke out in cheers. Tal was obviously embarrassed by the roar and Ka smiled, “Get over it. All of you deserve it.”
Tal glanced at her and released a heavy sigh, “The ones that died deserve it more than us, Ka.”
“And if they could be here, the cheers for them would be the loudest of all.” Ka replied. “But they’re not and you need to accept the cheers for those that were lost.” Tal’s expression remained sad as he headed toward his assigned float.
• • •
The Parade Coordinator met them before they arrived and smiled, “You may want to go to the refreshment tent and relax. It’s going to be a while before your floats move out.”
“Why?” Tal asked.
“Every vessel that fought in the LMC is represented in the parade, Sir. The crew of the Brazil numbers more than a thousand and it will take fifteen floats to move them out. The four-Alpha-Warships had fifteen-hundred crewmembers on each of them and they will follow the Brazil. There will be a marching band between each vessel’s floats, along with many officials from around the world in decorated transports.”
Tal stared at him and finally asked, “Just how long will it be before we leave?”
The Parade Coordinator looked at his pad, “Ohhhh…about three or four hours if all goes smoothly.”
Tal rolled his eyes and looked up at the sky. He exhaled a loud breath and turned back to the coordinator, “Why didn’t you get this show on the road before now?”
“I tried, Admiral. But everyone refused to leave until you and your officers arrived, Sir. Even the Chancellor refused to lead the parade off the base without you being here.”
“Why, for creation’s sake?”
“He was concerned you might want to skip out on the adoration of those waiting to see you. He was prepared to have you arrested and chained to your float if necessary to insure your presence.”
Tal stared at the coordinator and, truth-be-told, he was planning to slip away. Ka watched his expression with a smile, “He knows you too well, Tal. This is part of your duty and you’re just going to have to suffer through it.”
“You know I don’t like attention, Ka!”
“That’s the assassin in you talking, Tal; this isn’t just for you. This is for those that you fought to save, and you will not diminish their experience by avoiding them. You will smile and wave like you’re enjoy
ing this, right?”
“Then you’re going to be on my float or I’m not doing it, Ka!”
“I wasn’t in the LMC!!” Ka raised her voice. “That’s what this parade is all about.”
Tal smiled, “I believe you came out to the Brazil and visited for a spell. That qualifies you and what’s good for the gander is good for the goose.”
“I WON’T DO IT!!” Ka said forcefully.
“Then I won’t either!” Tal laughed, “You’re starting to sound like me.”
Two-armored guards walked up and interrupted them, “Sir, the Chancellor has ordered us to insure you are on your float at the appropriate time.”
Ka laughed, “HA!”
The guard turned to Ka, “I ask your indulgence, but the Chancellor has also ordered that you be on the float with him, Miss. Albritton.”
“WHY!?!”
“Because it was the two of you that arrived on Earth and made a huge difference in our winning this war. He says you’re needed just as much as Admiral Talent in accepting their cheers.”
Ka glared at the Major, looked at Tal and saw him shaking with laughter, and then stamped her feet. She stormed off toward the tent and one of the guards followed her. Tal and the major watched her storm off; and the major said, “Man! She has quite a temper.”
“You have no idea.” Tal responded. He turned to the major, “Look, I give you my word that I will be on my float. I can see that this is important to the Chancellor and, after all he’s done for me, I’ll not disappoint him. I do suggest that both of you keep an eye on Ka, she can be quite slippery.” Tal thought about it for a moment and sighed, “I’ll go talk to her. You couldn’t stop her if she decided to avoid this.”
The Major nodded, “I’d really appreciate it, Sir. I suspect an entire company couldn’t stop either of you if you decided not to do it.”
Tal put his hand on the guard’s shoulder, “You’re right. Take it easy and let me see what I can do.” Tal walked over to the line of floats and yelled at Jee and Jan, “You need to come with me.”
They jogged over, and Jan asked, “What’s going on?”
“Your mother is refusing to get on the float with me.”
They glanced at each other and both shook their heads, as they walked with Tal to the tent to find Ka fuming at one of the tables. She jerked her head up to them and focused on Tal, “OH, SO YOU’RE GANGING UP ON ME!!”
Tal sat down next to her and softly smiled, “Do you think we deserve this honor being shown us more than you?” Ka glared at him. “Ka, it was your contributions and inventions in the lab that led to the development of most of the advanced weapons we used in the LMC. If you hadn’t been there, we would have lost. The Chancellor is right, you belong with us in this parade. If you really don’t want to ride with me, then go with Jee or Jan…but you, even more than me, deserve this. Surely you can see it.”
Ka’s face softened slightly, and Jan reached down and hugged her. Ka’s eyes narrowed, as Jan kissed her on the cheek, before saying, “Tal is right, Mom. You made the right decision in allowing us to go with him and have been the pivotal person in making it possible for us to survive. It was the two of you deciding to fight with Earth that made everything possible. You belong beside him.”
Ka lowered her eyes and then looked up at Tal, “It was you that decided we would do that.”
“But I couldn’t have done it without you, Ka.”
Ka nodded slightly and muttered, “You knew I would use my invisibility mode to get out of this, didn’t you?”
“I figured you might,” Tal replied. “You’re wearing the stretch suit under your uniform.”
“You could have done the same.”
Tal raised a shoulder and scratched his neck, “I considered it, but when everyone refused to leave without us present…it dawned on me that I needed to do it for them.” Tal paused before saying, “And so do you.”
Ka nodded with a toss of her hair, “There’s another reason we should do it.” Tal’s eyes narrowed, as Ka said quietly, “It just dawned on me that it was Sha’s death that made the aliens believe they were being scouted. We need to do it to honor her sacrifice.” Tal lowered his head and Ka put her hand on his shoulder, “She can rest peacefully now, Tal.” Tal kept his head down and nodded. Ka motioned to Jee and Jan that she was fine, and they walked away to their floats.
• • •
Jee arrived at his float and was still thinking about the sense of loss that Ka and Tal were going through. He was looking down and walked head-on into Mamani, “Oops, I’m sorry; I wasn’t watching where I’m going!”
Mamani stumbled back and asked, “Are you all right?”
Jee shrugged, “Tal and my mother are missing Sha.”
Mamani shook her head slightly, “I wish them peace from the great-spirit.” Mamani then asked, “What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“You and the other admirals were called in to a rather sudden meeting; something must be going on?”
Jee looked around and saw no one close and whispered, “An issue has arisen in Andromeda.”
Mamani’s expression turned tense, “Does that mean you’re shipping out?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because if you are, I want you to make sure I’m on your ship again.”
“Mamani, you’ve just gotten back from extended duty in the LMC. Take some time to decompress. You don’t need to worry about assignments.”
“Jee, if you’re shipping out to Andromeda, I need to be back on your ship.”
“If we’re shipping out, I suspect all of the survivors from the LMC will be eventually going.”
“Jee, I need you to make sure I’m back on your ship and not assigned to another vessel.”
Jee stared at her and saw her intensity escalate, “Why?”
“I just do!”
“That’s not an answer, Mamani. Why must you be on my ship?”
Mamani lowered her eyes and suddenly, Jee remembered Tal asking him if he was interested in anyone else. He started thinking and remembered the times he would see Mamani staring at him and suddenly look away. He recalled numerous times she refused to take her breaks when he was on the bridge. Mamani shook her head and said, “Please…just make sure I’m on your ship.”
Jee put his hand under her chin and raised her face. Her eyes were moist and Jee asked, “How long have you felt this way?” Mamani blew out a slow breath and lowered her eyes again. Jee said softly, “I’ve been blind to it, haven’t I?”
Mamani nodded, “You were getting over that woman and I knew you needed your space; I kept my distance.”
Jee raised a shoulder, “I guess I’ve been feeling that I can never find anyone that truly feels like I do. Everyone I’ve cared about didn’t really care for me. I thought I would give it some time to see if I could make better decisions.”
“I know, Jee! And I don’t want you to feel pressured to do anything. I just need to be on your ship. This is for me, not you.” Jee raised his eyes and looked up at the blue sky. Mamani saw him and continued, “If you don’t want me on board, I understand.”
Jee lowered his gaze and said, “It’s not that at all, Mamani. I just find it surprising that you’re even attracted to me. You are one of our best officers and a beautiful woman to boot.” Mamani started shaking her head and Jee quickly continued, “Tell you what. I’ll do what I can to get you on board and we’ll take this wherever it leads. I’m surprised by this but, I have to say, I’m really flattered that you’re interested in me.”
Mamani stepped forward and hugged him, “Thank you, Sir! Thank you so much!” She turned and ran to the float.
Jee watched her go and dropped his head. He wouldn’t know love if it came up and kicked him in the face! He should have seen this and missed it entirely. He smiled slightly…Tal didn’t miss it. Jee wondered what he thought about it. He turned and walked back to the tent, finding Tal and Ka having a drink. “Tal.”
Tal tur
ned around, “Yes.”
“When the crew assignments are made for our ships going to Andromeda, could you assign Mamani to my ship.”
Tal smiled, “You finally figured it out?”
“No, she had to tell me.”
“Tell you what?” Ka asked.
Tal chuckled, “I’ll see what I can do, Jee.”
“Thanks, Tal.” Jee turned and walked away.
“Tell him what?” Ka asked Tal.
“I think Mamani has a thing for Jee, Ka.”
“Jee just got out of a bad relationship! He’s not ready for another one!”
Tal chuckled, “If you can’t pick a good woman, then let a good woman pick you.” Ka saw Jee disappear in the crowd and thought about Mamani. Tal was right; she was exceptional. Suddenly, Ka heard a distant sound rise in the distance and heard Tal say, “The parade must have arrived at the start of the crowds.” Ka focused and smiled. The sound was the cheering of thousands gathered at the end of the thoroughfare leading out from the Orlando Base.
• • •
Several hours later, Tal woke up from sleeping on a cot and saw Ka reading a small booklet, “What is that?”
“It’s a list of all the elements taking part in the parade,” Ka answered.
Tal thought for a moment, and asked, “I know the Chancellor is leading the parade, who is behind him?”
Ka turned back a few pages and smiled, “I missed this the first time.”
“Missed what?”
Ka turned to him, “The crew of the cruise ship that brought us to Earth on our two-trips here are on the first-float.”
Tal’s head cocked before he remarked, “Really?”
Ka nodded, “Really. This says they are recognized as heroes for the role they played in getting us here.” Ka looked up, “I think someone is putting more into this than it deserves.”
Tal rolled his eyes and dropped his head back on the cot, “You think!” He wondered what the captain of the cruise ship thought about this. He posed more problems than benefits in their arrival.
