Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
But he did look serious. Very much so. However, that was no surprise.
He held my chair as I sat. And once I did, he did, as did everyone else.
“Carry on,” King Fillion called.
The female standing aimed a laser pointer at the little red area on the holo map.
“The preliminary breach was at the southwest dock. The boat signal was that of Baron LaFleur, who was, with his wife, to be an attending guest at the Masque. Radio communication affirmed that the voice heard after hailing was LaFleur’s. However, an hour ago, the baron and his wife were found deceased in their flat in Nocturn,” she stated. “Murdered.”
I nearly gasped, even though I’d never met the LaFleurs.
Although I wasn’t certain why I was there, I knew this was a briefing of important people (I just didn’t know I was that important), so I didn’t want to do something stupid, like gasp.
The holo pixilated like falling dust into the table, and a new one sprang up in 3D, full color, of a male in an elaborate mask and tuxedo alighting from a boat and going to talk to the RS agent who was guarding the dock.
“This male has been identified as Randal Tapshine, an Arnaud sympathizer,” the female reported.
I had to hold back another gasp as Tapshine engaged his demon speed and snapped the neck of the RS agent. He then turned some kind of weapon on the other agent who was in the guardhouse, and faster than a blink, she went down too.
Tapshine then moved into the guardhouse, and it was sickening how matter-of-factly he yanked her body out so he could enter it.
“At this point,” the female reporting said, “Tapshine hacked into security, commandeering cameras to display false images. He also jammed nautical detection beacons and the frequency sensors on the west side of the island.”
That holo dropped and the island came back up again.
“Therefore, the trolls approached by boat and were able to breach the island here first.” She pointed to the red area, and another red area sprang up at the western end of the island. “This was their second point of entry.” A third illuminated on the northwestern side. “And this was their last. The landing was coordinated, and we found comm tech in their boats that were set to a short-range frequency to corroborate that.”
She took a deep breath and gave her conclusion.
“We believe the trolls were meant to decimate the beings populating the isle and then occupy it. The boats were captained by demons, and once the drop-off had been accomplished, they made their escape.”
“Considering what’s been happening, and the increased security we were meant to have because of it, in twenty-four hours I’ll want a report on how island security was so easily breached by a single male,” King Fillion said tightly.
The female nodded solemnly. “I can already report, the digi-disk he used to hack our systems was something we’ve never encountered before. He took it with him, and it self-destructed when he was apprehended half an hour ago. We already have our techs working on the remnants, and any trails it left in the system, and obviously, they’re treating this code red. Our lads in the lab are good, your majesty. If there’s something to find, they’ll find it.”
“And the voice recognition that clearly did not detect a recorded voice?” the Prime Minister demanded.
“This, too, we’re looking into,” she replied.
“Your highnesses,” a male across the table from us broke in, and he appeared to be addressing both Aleksei and Tanyn. “Arnaud approaches the border to Sky’s Edge.”
My eyes flew to the screen displaying the lone craft being tracked. A craft that I now knew was transporting the pretender king.
Aleksei and Tanyn exchanged a glance.
Tanyn jutted his chin.
“Send in the units,” Aleksei said.
The image moved from a screen on the side to the one at the foot of the table and everyone watched as craft from all around appeared from out of nowhere, surrounding the red UtiliSport.
I could see RMI craft, Night’s Fall military craft, but also others that appeared to be not only from Sky’s Edge, but from Central Command (the law enforcement agency of the Center).
“Open channel to Alpha Squad,” one of the uniformed females called. Then she ordered, “Report.”
A voice filled the room. “The subject has been informed he’s being detained due to infractions of InterRealm Statutes 1A, sections eight, twelve and fifteen, 2C, sections three and seven, 5E, section four, 9B, section two, and to be questioned regarding the murder of Tula Longshot. His craft has been shielded and locked down. Tractor beams are engaged. Reversing course.”
Tula Longshot?
Who was Tula Longshot?
I watched as the formation of crafts switched directions and started gliding the other way.
“I’m out,” Tanyn announced, prowling toward the door.
“Tan,” Aleksei called.
The prince turned back.
“Good luck,” Aleksei bid.
Another chin jut from the prince, and he was out the door.