Free The Gambit with Perfection (The Phantom of the Earth Book 2) by Raeden Zen

golden phoenix that hung from a golden chain around her neck. Mineral crushers, which consumed limestone and granite, would not be of use here; the structure of the territory had been compromised by the collapse.
    Isabelle hand-signaled her Janzers, who coordinated their telekinetic energy within the ZPF; they removed alloy beams, granite, wires, pipes, carbyne, limestone, and corpses. When the Janzers had cleared enough debris, Isabelle stepped through the smoke. She halted, cleared her mind, raised her arms, and closed her eyes, concentrating her consciousness in the ZPF. Sensing the waves and particles of matter within the Earth as only she could, she opened her eyes slowly. She telekinetically parted the remaining debris, clearing a two-kilometer tunnel through the earth wide and tall enough for transhumans to crawl in.
    She took controlled breaths to settle her singing heart. Her arms and legs trembled, while sweat budded on her neck.
    You must hurry, Lady Isabelle sent to the Gallians. I won’t be able to hold this for long.
    Thousands and thousands of men and women of the Seventh Ward crept out, first slowly, then so fast they looked like ants rushing to sugar. Isabelle feared they might crash into her. Their faces were covered with dust, their tunics and bodysuits torn, their bronze skin streaked with blood and bruises. They surrounded her in concentric circles, kneeling. When the last of the Gallians had escaped, Isabelle collapsed, and so did the rubble, spreading thick smoke toward the crowd.
    Isabelle remained conscious. She sensed one of her Janzer divisions access the ZPF, forcing the smoke to the Granville sky where vents sucked it out of the territory. She heard a faint chant, noises that sounded as blurry as her vision. Soon she couldn’t mistake the words: Serve Beimeni, live forever. Serve Beimeni, live forever. Serve Beimeni, live forever.
    Their chorus gave her strength, and Isabelle Lutetia, Lady of the First Ward of Beimeni City, Supreme Director of the Department of Communications and Commonwealth Relations, and Master of the Harpoons, found her lips lifting in a smile. She pushed off the ground with her hands, reclining.
    The crowd parted before her, revealing a group Gallians who made their way through the throng. They encircled her and lifted her above their heads. A Janzer division rushed forward, then stopped at Isabelle’s command. The Gallians kept the supreme director aloft, their hands grasped around her feet, ankles, thighs, back, neck, arms, and head. Their grips were strong and secure. Isabelle felt a surge of adrenaline flow through her. They raised and lowered her and shouted so loudly that she worried the rest of the city might crumble as well.
    Finally, they set her on the ground on her feet. She raised and lowered her hands in the air, calling for silence.
    “I cannot give you back your homes,” she began. She licked her lips and tasted minerals. She frowned, then continued, “I cannot bring your loved ones back from the dead.” Isabelle raised her fist in the air and moved it in rhythm with her telepathic message: But I promise you, I will find the terrorists responsible for this destruction and bring them to justice!
    The crowd roared. Isabelle moved her chin up and down swiftly, then hand-signaled the Janzers. Some began handing out clothing, food, water, and benaris; others began the reconstruction process, moving material through the air with ease of thought.
    Lady Isabelle, along with a Janzer division, marched toward the intracity transports.

    Beimeni City
    Phanes, Underground Central

    “Were you nervous when you delivered the Warning to the Barão Strike Team?” Lady Isabelle said.
    “You’ve taught me to control my emotions well, my lady,” Valentine said assuredly. “I felt nothing.”
    The courier sat across from Isabelle upon seating built into an oblong porcelain tub in the largest chamber in Phanes Spa. The warm soapy water steamed and bubbled close to their