Empress Game 2
Page 38
“Of course we are,” Rigger scoffed. “Not that they’ll catch us.”
“What else?”
All eyes went to Malkor.
“Gee, thanks, guys.” He sighed, sending Kayla into bracing mode. “The Council of Seven made their decision.”
“Already?”
“Record time,” Rigger said.
Malkor continued. “They’ve adopted the Sovereign Council’s plan to send more forces into Wyrd Space and expanded it, increasing the amount of manpower and ships beyond what the Sovereign Council proposed. They’re calling it Operation Redouble.
“With that kind of manpower, they’re either going to annex your planet or destroy it—assuming your people still refuse to develop a cure for the TNV.”
The words washed over her, taking a minute to become real. Everyone held their breath, waiting for her reaction. There were a dozen variables in play—Ilmena could finish refitting their battleships, Ida and her crew could make the Yari fly again, a cure for the TNV could be found—all in a race against time with the empire. The Wyrds could and would eventually beat back the empire, but, before her homeworld was ripped apart in the process?
Even in the face of all that, a question lingered. She had to know. She had to. “How did Isonde vote?”
“Isonde voted for a peaceful withdrawal in the hopes of a full reconciliation with Ordoch,” Malkor said, “as did Ardin and the Protectorate Council representative. They were outvoted by the emperor, empress and the two Sovereign Council representatives.”
Despite all Isonde had done, the ways in which she betrayed them, she still kept her end of their bargain. Maybe she really did care for her people as much as she claimed…
It didn’t matter now, only one thing was certain:
The game was over.
The war had begun.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Every book of mine starts with a huge “thank you!” to my critique partners, Jen Brooks and Diana Botsford. These two wonderful writers and friends improve my writing with their insightful critiques. In addition, they keep me accountable for meeting my goals. I couldn’t do this without them! I’m also lucky to have a supportive network of writers in my SHU family – the alumni and faculty of Seton Hill University’s graduate program in Writing Popular Fiction.
Thanks must go to the wonderful people at Titan Books who have been so supportive of the Empress Game trilogy – you make me feel like a rock star. A special thanks to my editor, Natalie Laverick, who took the reins on book two and helped me sharpen everything. Thanks to my agent, Richard Curtis, for all he does behind the scenes to keep things moving, and for all he does to keep me sane.
Most importantly, thank you to my family and my husband. I wouldn’t be who I am today if not for all of you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rhonda Mason divides her time between writing, editing, bulldogs and beaching. Her writing spans the gamut of speculative fiction, from space opera to epic fantasy to urban paranormal and back again. The only thing limiting her energy for fantastical worlds is the space-time continuum. When not creating worlds she edits for a living, and follows her marine biologist husband to the nearest beach. In between preserving sea grass and deterring invasive species, she snorkels every chance she gets. Her rescue bulldog, Grace, is her baby and faithful companion. Grace follows her everywhere, as long as she’s within distance of a couch Grace can sleep on. Rhonda is a graduate of the Writing Popular Fiction masters program at Seton Hill University, and recommends it to all genre writers interested in furthering their craft at the graduate level.
You can find Rhonda at www.RhondaMason.com.
COMING SOON FROM TITAN BOOKS
EXILE’S THRONE
RHONDA MASON
The thrilling conclusion to the Empress Game trilogy, available August 2017.
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ALSO AVAILABLE FROM TITAN BOOKS
THE EMPRESS GAME
RHONDA MASON
One seat on the intergalactic Sakien Empire’s supreme ruling body, the Council of Seven, remains unfilled: that of the Empress Apparent. The seat isn’t won by votes or marriage. It’s won in a tournament of ritualized combat. Now the tournament, the Empress Game, has been called and the women of the empire will stop at nothing to secure political domination for their homeworlds. Kayla Reinumon, a supreme fighter, is called by a mysterious stranger to battle it out in the arena.
The battle for political power isn’t contained by the tournament’s ring, however. The empire’s elite gather to forge, strengthen or betray alliances in a dance that will determine the fate of the empire for a generation. With the empire wracked by a rising nanovirus plague and stretched thin by an ill-advised planet-wide occupation of Ordoch in enemy territory, everything rests on the woman who rises to the top.
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THE HIGH GROUND
MELINDA SNODGRASS
Emperor’s daughter Mercedes is the first woman ever admitted to the High Ground, the elite training academy of the Solar League’s Star Command, and she must graduate if she is to have any hope of taking the throne. Her classmate Tracy has more modest goals—to rise to the rank of captain, and win fame and honor. But a civil war is coming and the political machinations of those who yearn for power threaten the young cadets. In a time of intrigue and alien invasion, they will be tested as they never thought possible.
“Melinda Snodgrass just keeps getting better and better.” George R.R. Martin
“Space opera with a social conscience as well as lots of sprawling action.” David Drake, bestselling author of With the Lightnings
“Written with an easy elegance. The opening salvo of what promises to be a grand space opera.” Bennett R. Coles, author of Virtues of War
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