Page 142 of Stars in Halo

A slow grin curled K’Sumi’s lips as he savoured his relief. ‘Auban, you will find that cooperation is far more rewarding than defiance.’

The Rhesian jerked his chin at his Iccythrian counterpart. ‘Our representatives will escort you to the capital. Kindly drop out of the warp and give them passage onto your ship.’

The holographic image of King Auban flickered out, leaving His Highness ALMQ in his stateroom, a smug simper etched on his face.

The golden corridors of the super cruiser continued to hum, and the ship’s vibrations hurtled through hyperspace.

K’Sumi’s mind was already calculating his next moves to try to wrest control and power back into his hands.

His sudden change in fortune invigorated him, fueling his ambitions once more.

He leaned forward and flicked a button on his desk, bringing up the face of his pilot.

‘Prepare for our rendezvous with the Rhesian representatives,’ he commanded. ‘Make sure they receive the warmest of welcomes. It appears our alliance is back on track, and we are saved.’

His ship’s captain nodded, knowing better than to question his ruler’s proclivities.

Less than an hour later, the Iccythrian imperial cruiser dropped from hyperspace in full view of Rhesia and the glowing city of Enia.

Three gargantuan battleships waited at the jump point, hovering in space.

The Royal Scythe came to a halt.

The King, reading a holo magazine and eating grapes in his stateroom, glanced with mild interest through his screen as two corvettes detached from the gunships and headed towards his imperial vessel.

He was just about to call for his night toddy and a warm set of pyjamas when the doors to his quarters were flung open.

‘What the fokk?’ he cried out as a pair of figures sauntered through. ‘Who in Pegasi hell -?’

‘Good to see you again, Uncle.’

He jolted at the sight of his nephew and paled even further when his eyes swung to the man beside him.

‘Soren?’ What does this mean? Why are you here? With him?’

‘It means that you’re now in the hands and care of the Sable Riders,’ Xion announced in a murmur.

The Rider strolled into the stateroom, pausing by the sprawling gold dining table to help himself to a grape from a bowl, which he popped in his mouth, clearly enjoying himself.

K’Sumi stared at the tall, imposing, menacing man open-mouthed as the Rider continued. ‘Here it is, Your Highness. You commissioned a series of burglaries from the Sable Group using the D’Hanna family as proxies. We have proof of your crimes, including those perpetrated by yourself on me. As such, you’ll first face our courts and then be expatriated to Iccythria to answer for your transgressions there.’

K’Sumi surged to his feet. ‘But I have a promise from the King of Rhesia himself for safe passage to Enia.’

‘His Royal Highness Auban is part of the Dunia-Eden-Rhesia and Galicia alliance,’ Xion announced. He planted one hip on K’Sumi’s desk, glancing with casual interest through his framed art and collectables on the surface. ‘So whilst he was kind enough to extend an offer of exile to you, his loyalties to us exceed those to yourself. He was happy to comply when we requested to take you off his hands.’

The monarch’s face contorted in shock and fury as the realisation of his predicament sank in.

‘I demand to speak with Auban at once! This is preposterous!’ K’Sumi bellowed, his voice filled with anger as he tried to regain control of the situation, slipping through his fingers like grains of sand.

‘Also, King Auban has a little bone he had to pick with you. It seems you gave the order to steal his Serpent’s Iris, nada? He’s not well pleased,’ Xion rumbled.

‘Fokk!’ the Iccythrian monarch roared. ‘If I can only converse with him, he’ll agree it was all essential. It’s what us sovereigns have to do.’

Soren, AKA Duke, stepped forward, his gaze chilly, unimpressed. ‘You’ll have plenty of time to plead your case on Eden II, Uncle. The Sable Riders are keen to chat with you for a lengthy time. Afterwards, you’ll be headed to Iccythria to answer to your people.’

Fury burned within the absconding ruler, but an aloof sense of entitlement was simmered beneath it.

‘I have royal immunity!’ K’Sumi roared out, playing his last card. His voice quivered, eyes blazing.

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