Star Soldier (Book #1 of the Doom Star Series)

by Vaughn Heppner

  Both Marten and Omi leaned over the recorder listening, the tops of their heads almost touching. The words and even the footfalls faded into nothing.

  The two shock troopers straightened, Marten taking the recorder and snapping it off.

  “Gelding?” asked Omi.

  Marten nodded sharply, and said, “Cutting off our balls.”

  “They... they can’t be serious.”

  Marten snorted. Then he walked to the secret wall panel and sealed the recorder in it.

  “The Praetor was talking to Lycon, our Training Master?” Omi asked.

  “Yes,” Marten said.

  Omi blinked several times. “You’re talking castrated. Would they use a pair of scissors?” Omi shook his head. “The Highborn have done a lot dirty tricks to use, but cutting off our jewels like a neutered dog, that’s too much.”

  “What if I said we could leave here?” Marten asked.

  “We’re stranded in the Sun-Works Factory. We’re orbiting Mercury.”

  Marten gestured farther down the corridor.

  “Forbidden territory,” Omi said. “Yeah. Show me.”