Free Exodus: Empires at War: Book 8: Soldiers (Exodus: Empires at War.) by Doug Dandridge Page A

species can muster the courage and determination
that we can win.  So,” he finished, grabbing his wine glass and raising it
into the air, “to victory.”
    The room erupted
into a loud and long cheer, a celebration that would go out over the media to
the entire planet and beyond.  Sean dropped back into his seat, and
Jennifer put her arms around him.  And Sean hoped that the
disinformational part of his speech would do what was intended.  That the
Cacas would be caught off guard when his forces rolled into New Moscow space
and kicked them out.  And that the offensive would catch them enough off
guard that they could rescue most of the people the Cacas had in their death
camps.
    *    
*     *
    “So, what do you
have for me?” asked Special Agent Sonia Rupert of the Imperial Intelligence
Agency.
    “Not a whole
lot,” said the Maurid known as Striped Wolf to the agent.  The
strong and smooth moving alien was mostly several shades of orange, like a
large tabby cat, though in form it was closer to a canine, though not quite
enough to mistake it for a real wolf.  One look at its large cranium and
intelligent eyes would disabuse anyone of the notion that it was an
animal.  “My masters kind of left me to my own devices as they fled your
space.”
    “Do you expect
them to get back in touch with you?”
    The creature
stood there on all fours for a moment, then shifted to a bipedal stance, its
front feet unfolding into hands.  Its rear extremities stayed in the
configuration of feet, though they also could become hands at need.  “I
hope you don’t plan on trying to use me in a manner I don’t wish to be used,
just because I am not in touch with my masters.”
    The Maurid
flexed her hands, revealing the razor claws that were her primary natural
weapons.  Sonia stared at those claws in fascination.  She was
augmented herself, with the same kind of strength and speed as a Ranger or
Naval Commando, if not the same mass.  Her lesser mass made her a little
weaker and a little faster.  But here was an unaugmented creature that she
was sure could rip her apart without much effort.
    “I would not
think of capturing you,” she told the creature.
    “And I know
that’s a lie,” said the Maurid, showing her sharp teeth in an intimidating
smile.  “I know I would consider such an action, if it was in the best
interests of my mission.  You are not stupid creatures, so I am sure that
you think the same.  Which doesn’t mean I would do such a thing, or that
you would, but it doesn’t hurt to be just a little cautious.”
    “OK.  I can
say that such has been discussed at levels above mine.  And it has been
vetoed by my Director and the Emperor.  You have been useful to us in the
past, and we suspect you will be at least as useful to us in the future. 
If not, we have no doubt that you will not reveal anything you don’t want to
reveal.”
    “Very well,”
said Striped Wolf with another smile.  “Since I am stranded here, I
have no choice but to trust you.  But while we are talking about this, I
really could use some more supplies.”
    “Anything else
for your comfort?”
    “I have all the
comforts I can desire, with the exception of a male of my species.  Which,
I am afraid, you cannot provide.”
    “I wish we could
help you there,” said Sonia, who had been celibate herself since starting this
mission, not having time for a love life, or proximity to anyone she would want
to have sex with.  “You have my com address.  I expect you to get in
touch with me if you hear anything of interest.”
    “Of course,”
said the Maurid, sitting back on one of the rocks in an almost human posture,
this time unfolding a rear extremity into a hand and stroking her fur. 
“And thank you.”
    “For what?”
    “For not forcing
me to try and run back to my so called masters.  That in itself is a gift
beyond measure.”
    “You really hate
them that much?”
    “I really hate
them that much,” she said,