Warlord Conquering (The Great Insurrection Book 3) by David Beers (bill gates book recommendations TXT) 📕

"The AI gave it to me. I think it's some kind of a joke because of his accent. You'll have to ask Jeeves if you want the answer."

They were in one of the ship's smaller meeting rooms. The table came to life and projected a holovid a foot above it. Everyone in the room knew who they were looking at: the Imperial Ascendant, Alexander de Finita. Alistair had served the man for his entire adult life. Everything he'd believed in had been embodied in him.

He'd met him twice, though he doubted the Ascendant would remember. Looking at his face now, Alistair thought he’d hardly aged a day.

He immediately knew something was wrong with the message. They could have sent audio only, and the transmission would have taken half the time. However, the Commonwealth wanted those on this ship to see something.

The Ascendant's voice filled the room, bold, strong, and showing no hint of worry. "This message is for the traitor Alistair Kane. You have violated countless laws, as I'm sure you already know. The commandeering of a dreadnought, while aggressive, will not stop us from finding and stopping you."

The Ascendant's face had shown no emotion during the first sentences. They had all been necessary to show that Alistair was a Subversive. The Ascendant's face changed after the last, though, showing a slight upturn on the right side of his lips—not quite a smirk, but very close to one. It was a sign that what came next was the purpose of this whole charade.

"You understand your ship is surrounded. While you sit in the third dimension waiting for this message, our two remaining dreadnoughts float in the fourth. We have more coming your way too, sailing at full speed from one of the many portals we own. There is no way to escape. There is nothing you can do except wait to be boarded or destroyed. I care not which you choose. However, I have someone here who would like to speak to you."

The Ascendant stepped away from the lens, and for a second, nothing showed over the table. During that moment, Alistair remembered what Hel had told him about his wife. The Ascendant had to know there was nothing else on Earth that he could threaten Alistair with. They could only use his love against him.

Luna's face appeared over the table.

Alistair stepped forward, unable to stop himself.

She looked beautiful. Her hair was different, styled in a way he hadn't seen before. Her makeup was a little heavier and different around the eyes. She was wearing a fashion from First City. None of that mattered to Alistair. She was and had always been the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

Her voice filled the room.

"Alistair, they tell me they can send this video across the universe and that you're going to get it. If that's true, then I guess I'm talking to you right now. Is what they say true? Have you joined those you used to hunt? They tell me the Commonwealth didn't want to burn Pluto, but you forced their hand. Is that true too? That even now, this is being sent to a ship in another galaxy because you've taken it?"

There were tears in his wife's eyes. His as well. She paused and reached up with a handkerchief, dabbing at the corners to keep the tears from spilling and ruining her makeup. Alistair didn't realize it, but he was leaning forward, his hands gripping the table and his face mere inches from his wife's. His bruised knuckles were turning white from how hard he pressed on the table.

"I'm asking you to stop, Alistair. I'm asking you to stop everything you're doing right now. It's madness. Turn yourself in. Come back to Earth. This isn't you. This isn't the man I love. Come home, Alistair."

His wife disappeared, and for another moment, nothing hung over the table. Tears spilled from Alistair's eyes.

The Ascendant reappeared. His face was as close to Alistair's as his wife's had been, and he had a hint of a smirk on his lips again.

"Your wife knows about your deeds, Mr. Kane. She knows what you've done and what you continue to do. For what reason? What could cause you to go against the Commonwealth, which has given you and your family so much?" He paused, and Alistair knew what the question meant: I know what propels you, and I have her here. She is under my control and will remain so. She might die, depending on what I decide to do. You, Alistair Kane, are powerless.

"Do as your wife asks," the Ascendant continued. "Stop this insanity. Come home to Earth. I promise you a fair trial. The Commonwealth is not vindictive; we never have been. Help your wife, and help yourself. Stop this. If not, Kane, you will force my hand, and I promise you do not want that to happen."

The transmission ended. Everyone in the room stared at Alistair, and he looked at where the holovid had been. Now he saw only a wall. One word ran through his mind, a name: Hel.

It repeated. Hel, Hel, Hel.

She had told him the Ascendant would go to his wife. She had known, so she would know more. At least, that was how Alistair's mind worked at that moment: a simplistic view in which hatred and anger had taken over.

"Pro," Thoreaux said from behind him. "You okay?"

He reached up and harshly wiped the tears away with his palm, then straightened and turned to the door.

"Pro," Thoreaux repeated, sounding more worried now.

Alistair said nothing. He strode toward the door and then out into the hallway, leaving his council in stunned silence behind him.

Thoreaux had forgotten about the emotionally traumatic experience he'd had mere minutes ago. He stared after Prometheus, wondering where he was going and what he would do when he got there.

Servia turned to him. "Did you know about his wife?"

Thoreaux ignored the question. "Where's he going, AllMother?"

Servia looked her