Shadows and Light. Part 1

[Bossk]

Hi guys. Tis me again. I have been asked a lot recently about if I was going to write a new story following on from the end of "For the only reason there is...."

To start with I was a bit hesitant. Mainly because I have not finished a project that I started on over a year ago that has been struck down by a serious case of writers block and was not sure if I wanted to start another one. I then got to thinking. Why not? If I can get the juices flowing again with a fresh story that was on the forum, then it might help with the stuck project. So I sat down and started to write. And here it is. If you have read my other story then you will find that the style is different, but I think that is mainly down to getting back into the heads of the characters. As always, I am open to suggestions and comments.

*****Story Note*****

This is a direct follow on from the events in For the only reason there is...... Whilst this story can be read on its own, it may be of use to some of you to read the last one to get an idea of the background and some of the characters.

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Revelations

Sitting in her chair at the head of the table, Jade looked around at the men and women of the council. Of the two dozen people here, most were non combat pilots. They were bureaucrats, Politian’s, talkers. People who loved the sound of their own voices and were only interested in what was best for their systems, their people, their money. For them the empire was a vehicle on which to get rich and stay alive. Not that is was so safe any more. Since the assassination of Bossk 6 months ago, Jade had had more that 15 of the original council “removed� after finding out they had links with The Pilot and the renewed conflict with the Vonari. Until now she knew she needed them to keep the empire together. It was true that there was a renewed sense of patriotism for the empire and most of the billions of people in it had accepted Jade as the new leader of the council, but she had yet to make her stamp as an Empress. Bossk had started the empire from nothing. He had brought the worlds together in peace and was universally respected by the masses. His death had sent shockwaves out to the farthest colony, but in death he had named Jade as successor. So be it. Now she needed to earn their respect

Dengar stood behind her. His large, unmoving frame made him look like a statue. A man who was just has happy to kill as he was to shake your hand or drink until the early hours of the morning with you.. He was ever present. A permanent reminder of imperial authority. He was as devoted to Jade as he was to Bossk. But he was no mindless thug. He stood in silence and watched the room, waiting. He knew it would be soon.

She had had enough of the bickering. It was time to put this to an end. Standing, she slammed her fist on the table. The sound reverberated around the chamber; causing echo’s to dance around the occupants. As one they stopped and turned.

“Enough� she shouted. Dengar stood ready.
“Why are you here?� she asked. Most of the people at the table looked around, confused. Unsure of who she was talking to.
Jade moved from her chair and stared walking slowly around the table behind the council members. Each person followed her approach to them and then snapped their head around as she walked behind them. Dengar watched
A worried council member looked at her. “S..sorry, We..we don’t understand. What do you mean?�
The council member for Aries watched her walk around the table. His leering eyes paying far too much attention to the way her fleet uniform hugged her figure. He liked his job.
Jade stopped and turned towards him. Her eyes fixed on him. Dengar watched.
“I said why are YOU here?�
His mind snapped back to the real world. Looking up, he met her stare. “How could she know� he thought. The Pilot had assured him that she would never find out. Panic started to slowly creep up his body. He tried to speak, but the words got stuck in his throat. A shadow danced across his face. Breaking her stare, he looked to his right. Dengar was moving.
“I…I…d..dont know what you mean� The words finaly falling out of him. Real fear was starting to consume him. She knew. He was sure of it. Slowly he started to move his hand down to the small weapon he had concealed in his pocket. Fumbling, his sweat covered palms griped the handle and found the trigger.

Pushing the other council members aside, Jade reached across the table and grabbed his jacket. His hand dropped the gun and it clattered to the floor.
“Tell me who he is, and I will let you live� she hissed.
Dengar was now stood behind him. Resigning himself to his fate, the council member started to talk.
“He..he wanted me to give you a message. I was to leave it in the chamber for you to find later. I swear that is all. I was only to deliver the message�
Jade still had a firm grip of him and she was not going to let go.
“Well here I am. I’m listening�
“There is a data pad in my pocket. He wanted me to leave it here.�
Dengar reached into the pocket and pulled out the small reader and handed it to Jade. She released the council member. Dengar pulled him out of his seat and threw him to the guards who had now arrived in the chamber.
“Make sure he is comfortable. I will speak to him later� He turned to the rest of the council. “Leave�.

A few moments later the room was empty. Jade was sat in her chair, looking at the data pad. Dengar approached her.
“What is it?� He asked. There was no emotion.
Saying nothing, she threw the pad across the table. Dengar picked it up, and looked at it.
“I will gather the others� he said. Placing the pad back on the table, he turned to leave the room.
“I think we will need more help than that my friend�
He stopped and turned back to see Jade, a worried expression across her face.
“Understood�
He strode out of the room, on his way to see and old friend.

Jade got up and followed him out of the room. Leaving the data pad on the table; she gave it one more glance. On the small glass screen was a single image. It was a image of a ship. Its silver and red colouring stood out against the darkness of the space around it. Surrounding the ship was at least 70 smaller ships, each sharing the same silver and red colouring. All that is except 1. That ship had the familiar grey colouring of an old Federation or Alliance battle cruiser. And it was in formation with the others.

[Cindy]

Very nice Bossk. Now I'm wondering what is going to happen next. Maybe I shouldn't click here 'til after the story is finished, but... I couldn't make myself do that.

[sundalo]

Woot! Bossk is back in business! Perhaps we can kill of some more characters with some juicy gorfburgers lol!:P:D

[SeeJay]

Great story Bossk. Keep it coming;)

[Maarschalk]

Wow, Bossk, Great come back, looking very much forward to the next chapter....

[DaveK]

Great - when it's a bit further on it will easily justify a second edition of the Short Story Anthology!