Page 1 of Warrior's Reign
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Vykhan Rhyksai,FirstAdekhan,elite imperial warrior and master of Silence, tired of restraint. His sword arm flexed, anticipating an enemy’s destruction.
It was a shame Beysikan Province criminals were this stupid—they provided little challenge. Evvek had metaphorically tripped over the trafficking cell while doing a routine sweep of the capital city’s quadrants.
He could have arrested his prey on ground—but that wouldn’t have been as satisfying. Patience, over the last several years of hunting the weak links in a human trafficking cartel was in short supply.
When he finally tracked those links to their master, he would strangle the person with it. If the chain led to . . .
Vykhan chased the stripped Imperial cruiser over the ocean away from the innocent population. He gave control to his vessel and left the cockpit, pressing a button to activate his flight armor.
Silver gray encased him, edged with royal blue and gold and etched with the insignia of his office and rank. Stepping into the exit shaft, sixty seconds later it ejected him into planet Yedahn’s atmosphere.
There was a split second of free fall before his suit activated, and he hurtled towards the enemy.
“Evvek.”
:Twenty seconds to override,: the tech said.:We discontinued this model fifty years ago, but they still retrofit them on the market. Expect up to six crew.:
Tai’ri, his Second and lead covert ops, had been displeased when Vykhan promoted Evvek from his smaller unit to overall operations with Vykhan. Tai’ri’s displeasure had been noted.
A stream of enemy fire tracked Vykhan. He weaved through the air, evading the deadly strikes as his cruiser deflected the blasts. His vessel was smaller than the one he chased, but faster and equipped with the latest tech.
:Ten seconds.:
Vykhan withdrew his en-sword. He flew above the enemy cruiser, flipped in the air and landed in a crouch, his feet locking to the hull. A round escape hatch slid open, and he jumped in before the ship’s system identified the security hack and closed the hatch.
Landing in a corridor, Vykhan’s secondary shields sprang around him in a glow of silver as hidden slots in the walls slid open and fired.
En-sword whipping, he confronted the ship’s defenses, his shield deflecting the few strikes that made it through the wall of his whirling blade. His armor would absorb the rest. Sprinting down the corridor as Evvek loaded the ship’s schematics into his visor, Vykhan turned a corner and encountered the hard-eyed security crew. Such as they were.
:Vakhsit!: Evvek swore as Vykhan’s visual feed fed him data. :Those aren’t good odds. They crammed twelve crew on board.:
“You insult me,” Vykhan murmured.
An alert signaled incoming one person flutter-cruisers, his warriors finally catching up. Vykhan knew what his team wanted, but this fight was his. It was so rare he indulged in such an exercise.
“Maintain your distance,” he said. “The day I cannot handle such as this is the day you lay me to rest.”
He abandoned speech as he engaged the enemy. There were more of them than data had indicated, but no matter.
Only two wore full body armor, the rest in cobbled together pieces that protected the head and vital organs. One faced Vykhan with an en-sword, the others used late model blasters or inert blades.
Disappointing. He nearly abandoned the skirmish as an insult to his time, but that would set a poor example for his team. Follow through was everything. Never begin a fight you did not win; if your opponent was unworthy, then next time, choose better.
:You’re not even sweating,: Evvek muttered. :Body temp is stable. Heart rate consistent with a stroll through the park.:
. . .of course.
Once he’d dispatched the criminal’s guard, he smashed the door panel with his gloved fist. This model cruiser’s functions were susceptible to physical damage. When the panel short circuited, the door to the cockpit slid open.
In a seat at the helm, the criminal raised his arms, swiveling slowly in his chair.
“You are under detainment by authority ofBdakhunIbukay Jorokai, Youngest Imperial Daughter of the Beysikan Province,” Vykhan said. “Cooperation with your detainment will be noted. Resistance will be met with decisive force.”
The criminal smiled. Vykhan stilled. At that moment, Evvek shouted into his ear.
:Sir! TheBdakhunis under attack.:
