John Ringo & Dav

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.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmllike wildfire, anyway.And they have sent out light armored vehicles andassault shuttles to bring in the Prime Minister, the other Cabinet ministers,and the leaders of the major parties in both the Lords and the Commons, aswell as at least a dozen major journalists," Gianetto continued."Once they'vehad a chance to get the Empress independently examined, we're all screwed.Unless, of course, we make sure that the results of that examination neverbecome known.""I understand, Sir.""Be sure you do, Victor." Gianetto's voice was bleaker than ever as he gazedinto the pickup of the com unit aboard the inconspicuous vessel carrying himaway from the planet."The only way to keep everything from falling apart isto take out the Palace and all of these bastards from orbit.Which is going tomean taking out an almighty big chunk of Imperial City, as well.It's onrecord that 'Roger' already blew up Prince Jackson's home and downtown officein an effort to kill him.If the Palace goes, as far as anyone will know oncewe get done spinning the story, it'll be because our valiant defenders managedto hold him off long enough for the Navy to arrive.At which point he eithersuicided to avoid capture, or even better hit the Palace with a KEW of his ownand managed to escape in the confusion.You understand what I'm telling you,Victor? And that it has the Prince's approval?""Yes, Sir.I've already heard from Prince Jackson, and he entirely concurs."* * *Roger had gotten one of the Mardukans to find a broken pike, and he wasleaning on that when NewMadrid was brought in.Roger had to admit that he truly did look a good bitlike his father.They'd never actually met before.Pity that the meeting wasgoing to be so short, he thought coldly."Give me a sword," he said to the nearest Vasin as two Diaspran infantrymenthrew his father at his feet.The Earl of New Madrid was trembling, his terrified face streaked with sweat,and he stared mutely up at Roger as the Mardukan handed him the blade.Thecavalry sabre would have been a two-handed sword for almost any human, butRoger held it in one hand, rock steady as he slid the tip of the blade underhis father's chin."I'm curious, Father," he said."I wonder why my mother would scream at the sight of me? Why sheshould expect to see men she can't even remember in her bedroom? Why she'scovered in bruises and burns? Why she thinks someone who looks just like mekilled my brother John in front of her? Do you think you might know theanswers to those questions, Father?""Please, Roger," New Madrid whimpered, shaking uncontrollably."Please!I I'm your father!""'Bad seed' they called me," Roger half-whispered."Behind my back, usually.Often enough to my face.I wondered what could make them hate me so? Whatcould make my own mother hate me so?Now I know, don't I, Father? Well, Father, when a doctor finds a cancer, he cuts it out." Roger droppedthe pike and raised the sword overhead in two hands, balancing on his goodfoot."And I'm going to cut you out!""NO!" Nimashet Despreaux screamed from the doorway."I have the right!" Roger spat, not looking at her, trying not to see her, the sword held overhis head and catching the light."Do you know what he's done?!"Page 211ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Yes, Roger.I do," Despreaux said quietly.She stepped into the room andwalked over to stand between Roger and his father."And I know you.You can'tdo this.If you push me aside if you could do it I'll walk.You said it.Carefully, quietly.No muss.No fuss.We try him, and sentence him, and thenslip the poison into his arm.But you will not cut off his head in a presenceroom.No one will ever trust you again if you do.won't trust you."I"Nimashet, for the love ofGod," Roger whispered, trembling, his eyes pleading with her."Please, stand aside.""No," she said, in a voice of soft steel that was as loving as it wasinflexible."Roger," Eleanora said from the doorway, "the Prime Minister is going to behere in about.oh, ninety seconds." She frowned."I really think it wouldbe better, in both the short and the long run, if you didn't greet him coveredin your father's blood.""Besides," Catrone said, standing beside her in the door, "if anybody getshim, I do.And you told meI couldn't do him.""I said you couldn't torture him," Roger replied, sword still upraised."You also said we'd do it by the Book," Catrone said [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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