Broken Glass (Glass Complex Book 1) Read Online Free

need us as a barrier against whatever is out there.” He pointed upwards without real direction. “And most of all, the Empire wants subservient territories, which they can then pillage to their heart’s content.”
    Steg agreed. “The First Earl decreed that we should disguise our wealth to avoid attacks and raids by pirates and other predators. I think our visitors are predators.”
    “Our defense system is always armed—we could hold off the Empire’s Third Fleet, if we needed.”
    “Well, for a short while, “ agreed Steg. “Maybe it’s just reconnaissance. An Imperial officer was trailing the Castle guards at morning watch changeover. Their intelligence reports would be very interesting reading. We could learn what our weaknesses are if we could get a copy.”
    “If they file it or transmit it, we will see it,” affirmed Thomas. “The Acolytes will make certain of that. I daresay they are already searching for any report the Imperials produce about Homeworld. Knowing the Acolytes, they probably have penetrated Imperial ship security—probably dumped a copy of all the ship’s records into our memory glasses.”
    Steg checked the instruments. “Our evac point is coming up. We need to drop and get into the forest as quickly as possible.”
     
    Steg thumped his bedroll in a futile attempt to smooth out its lumps. They were half way through the tenday and the ground was not getting any softer. They were camped in a small clearing, still confident of little risk of detection. The night was exceptionally clear and the stars stood out against their black backdrop. This was Homeworld at its most relaxing, thought Steg. Five days of solid marching through the forest along barely identifiable trails had tested his stamina and he was enjoying this opportunity to rest. Then distant rumblings silenced the night sounds of the forest and roused him from his reverie. He raised his head and listened carefully. The sounds continued. He turned towards Thomas. Or at least towards his sleeping bag.
    “Thunder, explosions or cannon fire?”
    “Not thunder. Both explosions and cannon,” came the soft response. A barely discernible tremor of concern was evident in the drill sergeant’s voice. “And I was listening to routine traffic on the ComNet and suddenly it cut out—nothing now except heavy static.”
    “Accident or attack?”
    “Unlikely to be an accident.” Thomas paused, unable to immediately voice his suspicions. “Everything cut out almost simultaneously. That would be a strange accident. The ComNet has multiple stations and satellites. It would take a strange accident to take out the core, just like that. Now, a coordinated attack—that could stop everything at once. A report earlier mentioned a second Imperial destroyer landing at Castlehome port—an unscheduled visit apparently. But that is barely thinkable—”
    “Is it? They have got the men, weapons, and probably the inclination. The difficulty would be overcoming our defense system—how could they penetrate that?”
    “Traitors?” The drill sergeant reluctantly suggested. They both fell silent. Thomas continued to listen to his comunit.
    “Steg, listen up,” he instructed. “Condition red is being broadcast on DefNet. And also someone is transmitting a general order for all military personnel and auxiliaries to report immediately to Castlehome.”
    Steg grabbed his comunit. “That’s contrary to Standing Orders,” he commented as he plugged the earpiece into his ear. “They — whoever—are giving themselves away. Anything severe enough both to bring down ComNet and to cause a condition red alert on DefNet requires just the opposite—all military units to disperse and prepare for guerilla defense. This means Homeworld has been invaded, and Castlehome captured. The Castle in enemy hands—” His voice broke. “This is disastrous.”
    Thomas sounded horrified at the possibilities. “What has happened? Have the Imperials really somehow