The Phoenix War
Page 42
“As you say,” said Alex. He got up and left the bridge. Thinking, our plans have changed and only I know it.
Chapter 28
In the silence of alteredspace, Hunter Four glided unseen. Racing across the galaxy at maximum jump depth. Blackmoth leaned over the ship’s flight controls and listened to the seeming stillness. It was a kind of calm, he supposed, but a false one.
Three of five, he thought. The third of five destructions had befallen the galaxy. A firestorm of violence and chaos that had pulled thousands of souls into the void like divine arms sweeping across the cosmos. Soaking the Apollo System with blood and crippling the Empire’s mighty fleet. Once the very bastion of humanity’s false sense of security and smug superiority, now it was broken and divided—no longer able to protect them. Just as the One True God had said. The ravens and crows will descend upon the smoldering ashes and feast upon the festering corpses, thought Blackmoth, and they themselves will fall prey. Blackmoth knew the slaughter at Apollo was only the beginning. A mere pinprick compared to the ocean of blood that promised to flow unrestrained until the very stars themselves had been purged clean.
Two more destructions there shall be. Two shall make five. Five is the number of the One True God. His design cannot be stopped, it shall be fulfilled. It is the very soul of the universe itself.
Blackmoth traversed the galaxy with all speed. Knowing it was his duty and divine mission to initiate the fourth destruction. The fourth must happen to make way for the fifth, and only after the fifth and final destruction will all be as it must. The slate will be swept clean. And the One most worthy will re-forge the galaxy according to His will.
Until then, there was work to do. A fool named Zander believed he’d outsmarted the others. And perhaps he had. But he could never outsmart the One True God. All actions, even those that defied the plan, were merely steps along the ladder of fulfilling the Grand Design. It is inevitable, the One True God sees all and commands all. I am His loyal servant. A weapon in His hands.
“I’m coming for you, Zander,” said Blackmoth to the empty cockpit. He gazed into the black void and imagined the terror and chaos that would soon rise. Knowing that in the deepest, darkest corner of the galaxy, the Dread Fleet stirred.
Five there shall be. Five destructions to cleanse the galaxy. Five is his number. Blood is his price. All glory to the One True God!
(End of Book 4)
The story continues in The Phoenix Darkness
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Acknowledgements
This book is dedicated to Ruth and Brandon. You two have stuck by me through thick and thin, read every version of every manuscript of every book, and have always given me your honest feedback. (Even when it was hard to hear.) Without you this series never would have gotten off the ground or amounted to anything. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you both.
I would also like to express my deepest thanks to all the readers, especially those of you who take the time to send me e-mails, write reviews, and introduce your family and friends to these books. You’re wonderful people and it’s a true pleasure to write for an audience like you.