Free Saint (Gateway Series Book 2) by Brian Dorsey Page B

the truth?”
    “Yes.”
    “Not all of us want to be ruled by them. My treason against ProConsul Maximillus was an attempt to overthrow the government so that we could share the truth with our people and rise up against the Xen. But once the first stage failed, the rest of the leaders remained quiet to protect themselves and wait for another opportunity.”
    “Others?” asked Stone as he lowered his sword.
    “Yes, other powerful First Family leaders feel the same as I—as we—do. The Malius, Vanari, Plaxis, Centius, Juli, Vae, and Scarus families, or at least some members, were ready to support the coup had the assassination been successful.
    “General Darous Vanari and Admiral Carsis Plaxis?” asked Stone.
    “Yes,” replied Nero. “And other officials and officers.”
    “I had just assumed—”
    “Don’t think so little of your own people, Stone. Our society may have been corrupted by the Xen, but don’t lose faith in the Humani people. They can’t be held responsible for the shortcomings of our forefathers and their current leaders.”
    “I had no idea,” replied a calm, humbled Stone. There was hope for his people yet, from within as well as from an outside power.
    “One day we’ll return home and fight for the freedom of our people,” declared Nero as he placed a hand on Stone’s shoulder. “But until then, we must fight against both the Xen and the First Families. Even if it means we fight our own, misguided people. Just like Juliet 3. I am sorry for the loss of your men.”
    Stone understood but did not have the words. Instead he nodded his head.
    Nero returned the nod and gave Stone a quick pat on his shoulder.
    “I hope to see you again soon, Tyler Lucius Stone, but I am only onboard Winter Moon for a briefing and must return to my men soon.”
    The two Humani warriors, once adversaries and now both traitors in the eyes of their people, gave one another a long look of understanding that only they could share. And then they went their separate ways.
    ***
    Preparations for the long mission to Echo 2 and the unbearable anxiety from waiting on permission to move forward with the ceremony that might bring him closure had consumed his thoughts.
    With two days left before the mission was to start, Stone sat in his stateroom waiting on Mori to return. As a Ka-itsenko and a female without a senior male warrior in her family, she was forced to make the request of the Shirt-Wearers themselves. Mori had told Stone that her status as a Ka-itsenko assured the Shirt-Wearers would hear her request, but it didn’t mean they would approve it.
    As Stone sat waiting for Mori’s return, he flipped through data screens on the terrain and population centers for the Talia landmass on Echo 2. Mindlessly shifting from one screen to the next, he soon realized he wasn’t retaining any of the data; all he could think about was the pending decision of the Shirt-Wearers. Restarting from the beginning data screen, he started over, this time reading the data aloud.
    “Climate: Seasonal ranging from four to twenty-seven degrees Celsius—”
    The sound of the door to his stateroom opening instantly brought his review to an end. He quickly stood and turned toward the entrance. Before Mori could make her way into the room, he spoke.
    “Any word?”He tried to read her face but it was surprisingly vacant. “Mori?” he asked again.
    “They said yes,” she replied flatly, her face blank. Stone smiled at Mori, but she turned her head away and looked toward the floor. He knew she was worried about the outcome of the ceremony but had hoped she would have at least been happy it was approved.
    “I know you’re worried,” he replied, walking toward her. “But once we get back from Echo 2 and—”
    “You’ll have your vision tonight and undergo the ceremony tomorrow,” replied Mori as she looked up toward Stone. Her face was pale and she still refused to look him in the eyes.
    “That’s too soon,” blurted