Page 42 of Stars on Fire

They encouraged him to meet with his Prime to make their dealings seem legit. To offer him their cutting-edge technology and resources to build high-tech-based services on Dunia. Everything from advanced hospitals, factories, roads, infrastructure and even weapons for the planet.

Dreading the inevitable, Massimo had returned home and approached Kei’Lano with the proposal. Instead, the Prime had shut him down in seconds.

Kei’Lano had schooled Massimo on the true intentions of The Technocracy. The Prime had reminded his Defence Minister how The Technocracy’s empire and warfare capabilities had been built off the back of treaties with poorer planets in The Omega-verse. For the same rewards, they were offering Dunia. The Technocracy forced these worlds to integrate with them over millennia, becoming resource cows for their war on their greatest enemy.

Kei’Lano had reiterated that he had no interest in Dunia being the crats’ foothold colony in the Pegasi galaxy. Neither did he want his people or their resources conscripted for an unending war with the Alpha Imperium.

He’d dismissed Massimo, not knowing that his defence minister had already sold him and Dunia down the river. For he couldn’t repay their excessive ‘gift’.

Massimo devised the only plan he could to save himself and his kin.

He went back to his benevolent sponsors. He persuaded the crats to fund a power takeover, promising them that this action, and only this action, would secure control over the xentium they so desired.

His arguments had worked. They backed him, handing over more jewels and gold stripped from the colony planets they controlled. It was enough for Massimo to fund the coup he so desperately needed.

If this complete overthrow of Dunia now failed, The Technocracy would exact revenge on him, his wife, their children, and their extended family.

Eventually, Eminence 478Q1 strode back to the Dunian man.

‘Massimo Makori, our wisdom says we cannot fight an entire planet. Not one that can physically ravage us like this. We have agreed that we will cut our losses and leave this system. We will not sacrifice anything further for a lost cause.’

Massimo started on his feet. He visibly paled, clenching his fists against the waves of panic.

‘Eminence?’

‘This is the only solution The Technocracy will accept. We also need to be reimbursed for our troubles,’ the shrouded leader continued. ‘We expect to be repaid in full. In the next standard day.’

Massimo winced.There was not going to be any repayment, he thought.Not now, not even in the next 24 hours.What he hadn’t used to pay back his loan sharks, he’d poured into planning the coup.

And now his dynasty could be doomed, an especially bitter pill to swallow given the machinations and manipulations he and his family had devised over the last few years. Never mind the hoops they’d jumped through and promises they’d made to even their most detestable of rival dynasties—all to assure themselves of victory.

And for what? It couldn’t be for anything. He had to prevail.

Perhaps there was a way out. The Prime’s unremarkable offspring and apparent heir to the seat of the Prime was the key. It was a known fact that the Munene family line inherited the ability to speak with the planet. Maybe the Prime’s daughter could tap into the sentient world’s power and, with some persuasion, stop the mayhem.

But first, he had to find Selene Munene - soon, given the urgent bounty he’d put on her. Followed by getting her to give up control of the planet’s powers. This would lead to gaining unfettered freedom to offer Dunia’s most precious resource up for sale while restoring his dynasty’s coffers and honour.

Then he’d get rid of her for good, which had been his plan until she’d escaped the city and disappeared.

Rationalisation complete, he bowed. ‘Eminence, may I be so bold to suggest an alternative?’

Eminence 478Q1 lifted its carapace arm and waved it, giving Massimo permission to continue.

A promising sign,he thought.

‘What if Dunia is not entirely a lost cause?’

‘What do you mean?’ the Technocrat asked, leaning forward slightly.

‘I still control the capital and the second largest city Paris Minor. I still have access to a cabal of military generals and militia loyal to my cause. What if I can marshal my people and find out who summoned the planet? And we can get them to appeal to Dunia’s sentience and make it work in our favour? We could manipulate them into allowing us to control the entire planet, including its sentience. Which would ensure the xentium ore fields are made available to you. If we prevail, will you still be interested in keeping to our agreed arrangement?’

The obscure figure cocked its head and nodded in soundless communion with compatriots unseen.

Minutes later, it swivelled to face Massimo. ‘Your offer intrigues us, Massimo Makori. Xentium is, after all, The Technocracy’s most well-regarded prize.’

Massimo nodded, making sure not to look too eager. ‘Then will you also consider leaving me with the blockade ships plus a few, shall we say, soldiers, tools and aids to make things easier so I can prevail?’

There was a short pause which felt like an hour to the ex-Defence Minister.

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