Free Machine Gods (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 2) by Michael G. Thomas

the star T’Karan, and
that their name derived from the star itself. It had been a
political decision, but she suspected many in the Alliance would
continue to use its given name. The Admiral continued explaining,
this time in a slightly quieter voice.
    “ M any T’Kari have visited our own worlds to share knowledge,
technology, and resources. In many ways this is our Golden Era, and
our citizens have embraced them with surprising
courtesy.”
    He stood up and walked around the room to
Teresa.
    “Plans have been in motion for over a year now to
send an expedition with T’Kari guides to visit ancient worlds that
we have never even heard of. The opportunities in the worlds of
science and economics are staggering. All of this has been
accelerated because of a new development that involves your
husband.”
    He looked at Teresa.
She could see his expression already changing.
    “ As you might
expect, Spartan has managed to get himself into another situation,
and one that has now altered the direction and timeframe of this
operation. He’s got himself into trouble,” he then looked over to
Gun, “and so has Khan.”
    This part grabbed
the attention of the weary looking Gun. As the unelected leader of
his own people, he was well used to responsibility, but Khan was
something else. They were like brothers, and the group of four had
witnessed some of the greatest and most violent events in the
history of the Alliance together.
    “ He’s managed to get
himself into major trouble again, this time with a group of T’Kari
Raiders in the asteroid belt. It’s about two astronomical units
from the red subgiant star here in T’Karan.”
    Gun looked down to
Teresa, who was by now looking very worried.
    “ What exactly was he
doing there that caused this situation?” asked the
Admiral.
    Before Teresa could
answer, one of the T’Kari lifted her hand. She started to speak;
there was a short delay before the suit converted the voice to
something more familiar.
    “ Spartan and the APS
Corp were carrying out security work on behalf of our mining
outposts in the asteroid belt. Raiders have been appearing and
attacking our transports. We arranged a contract with APS to assist
us with the capture of them.”
    Teresa looked at
the T’Kari and wondered why they were
unconcerned at giving up private information so freely, and for no
obvious benefit to themselves. She looked to Anderson and noticed
he didn’t seem suspicious of the information; it looked more like
he was worried about something.
    “ Admiral Anderson,”
s he started, “the T’Kari Raiders are a
small group of perhaps five or six ships and several hundred exiled
T’Kari that have been preying on their brethren for years. If you
recall, last year when the T’Kari co-signed the Hades Accord, they
provided us with a detailed history of their people, and we did the
same for them.”
    Admiral Anderson nodded in agreement.
    “ Yes, I am well
aware of the information the T’Kari shared, as well as the
information that is only now coming to light since your last
little, well, assignment?”
    Teresa looked at him and then to the T’Kari who
looked on with nonplused expressions on their faces. Admiral
Anderson continued speaking before she could say any more.
    “ The Raiders started
attacking at roughly the same time as our victory at Hyperion. It
would appear that our victory also weakened the enemy’s outposts in
T’Karan. We’ve found the remains of the Rift entrance, as well as
factories and equipment on Hades. Something remained in this part
of space though, and the T’Kari are now telling us that it might be
to do with a number of their recent exiles.”
    Teresa was surprised
at the tone used by Anderson. She knew him well enough to recognize
that he was angry, and perhaps a little disappointed at the
information he’d received from the T’Kari. It didn’t come as much
of a shock to Teresa , however she was
surprised they had given them so much information to