Free First Comes Duty (The Hope Island Chronicles Book 2) by PJ Strebor Page A

who would dare to threaten their freedom.
    Yes, the Talgarno people would die, but in their noble sacrifice they would be saved. Their belief would save the most important part of them: their very souls.  
    Time. Time was always the enemy. How often she wished to visit the Noranda Falls and pay homage to the ancient seer Emaonon. Over two hundred years ago, he had united the warring factions of Talgarno into a single people. Their fledgling colony would have self-destructed through political and moral conflict without his intervention. All Talgarnos worshiped his teachings and owed him their existence as individuals and members of a pious society. While the pure waters of the Noranda Falls flowed into Lake Serenity, their sins would forever be washed away. Even in death, their souls would ascend to Nirvana and never-ending joy. 
    Their faith had always given the Talgarno people the courage to endure even unto death. Yes, one more time before the end I must visit the holy waters. She shook herself. Now, she had the business of war to attend to.
    Her comm chimed.
    “Yes Richard, I know the time.”
    “Oh, ah, sorry, Madam President, I just wanted to—”
    “I’m on my way.”
    Minutes later the president walked into the war room. The utilitarian room contained every manner of technology, busily chirping away and displaying the disposition of their outnumbered forces. A good number of light blue uniforms of the Talgarno Navy complemented the scene. Clear composite covered most of one entire wall, giving an unobstructed view of Talgarno’s southern continent. The setting sun cast long shadows across their world, the bright blue of the ocean darkening as nightfall rushed from the east.
    Sellassy took her rightful place at the head of the long, dark wooden table. Now the meeting could commence. Considering what they were facing, the atmosphere contained a remarkably positive feeling.
    A civilian stood to one side of the room. She did not recognize him, and, considering his youthful appearance, wondered what brought him here.
    “Shall we begin, ladies and gentlemen?” she offered.
    A tall, severe man caught her attention from the opposite end of the table.
    “Before we begin the briefing,” Admiral Julien said, “there is someone who would like to say a few words. As one of the two survivors from the Porus massacre, it is his right to be heard.” Every head turned toward the young man. “Little has changed to our strategic posture in the last twenty-four hours, so I have consented to his request.” The admiral nodded to the young civilian, who stepped forward.
    “Thank you, Admiral Julien.” He nodded to the assembled group. “Ladies and gentlemen.” He took in the surrounding faces with detached interest. “There are three nuclear devices placed at highly strategic locations on the surface of Talgarno.”
    A disbelieving, collective gasp greeted his words.
    “Where?” someone asked.
    “They are within a relatively narrow corridor running along the eastern coast of the main continent.” He waved a hand at the huge, clear view-plate behind him. 
    “How do you know this?” someone else asked.
    A hard smile drew across his face. “I know because I placed them there.”
    Every armed person in the room leapt from their chairs, drawing their sidearms as they rose.
    The stranger held up a hand and smiled menacingly. “Kill me, and they will all detonate.”
    Everyone froze in strangled indecision. The president shook away her stupor. 
    “Everyone, disarm immediately,” she snapped. “Admiral Julien, have your sensor techs check this out immediately.”
    “No need, Madam President,” he said gruffly. “Talgarno is blanketed by a continuous sensor array. We would know immediately of any such device.” Julien glared down his long nose at the young civilian. “I think we have a madman in our midst.”
    The civilian touched his ear and spoke briefly into his mike.
    “Admiral, I am detecting a nuclear