Broken Glass (Glass Complex Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

attacked and neutralized our defense system?” His pragmatism came to the fore. “No such thing as an impregnable fortress. We need to find out what has happened.”
    “I agree,” urged Steg. “We have a long trek in front of us. While we cannot use ComNet either to make contact or to report, we must discover what disaster has befallen Homeworld. We will be needed to help arrange a counterstrike. Come on.”
    Thomas agreed with Steg’s air of urgency and they quickly broke camp, repacking for a forced march. Thomas paused to listen again to the broadcasts.
    “Instructions to report are still being broadcast. We are supposed to acknowledge.” Thomas’s tone was wry.
    “And if anyone transmits, they’ll have a trace and they’ll be prisoners before morning,” responded Steg.
    Thomas continued to listen, “Well, someone is thinking. A second transmission is reminding Homeworld listeners to follow Standing Orders. I think the Imperials are going to encounter major issues if they try to round up Homeworld military.”
    They set out, the drill sergeant leading. Steg soon realized Thomas was setting a pace that made the trek of the last five days a picnic by comparison. He would need to draw on all his inner resources, to keep up. The drill sergeant was an old and seasoned campaigner and could maintain his distance-consuming pace for hours, and when circumstances demanded, for days. Steg just hoped Thomas would remember to stop and rest occasionally.
    The night remained clear and whenever they moved out from the forest canopy, the stars were sharp and bright. Distant rumblings had faded and eventually stopped. The silence was broken occasionally by the sleepy protest of a disturbed animal as they passed by, or by the querulous chirp of a bird awakened before dawn. The chill seeping into Steg’s bones had nothing to do with the temperature of the night. Castlehome was his home, his life, and he dared not think about the possible fate of his family, of his parents and two older brothers. He could only carry on in the hope that all were safe and unharmed. He could not dwell on the alternatives.
    Thomas paused twice, each time to check the map and their heading. Steg was tired. Now the early morning glow of false dawn was softening the darkness of the night as the drill sergeant halted and dropped his packs. Steg quickly followed suit.
    “We can rest here for a while, Steg. The forest breaks into a clearing just ahead. Set out some intruder sensors and then settle in behind these fallen tree trunks. That way we both can get some sleep. Food first, and then sleep—five hours. If we can keep up this pace, by mid-day tomorrow we will reach a small farm village just on the edge of the forest.”
    Steg set out the sensors from his weapons pack and then heated up his field rations. He was asleep minutes after he finished his breakfast. He did not dream.
     
     
    The forest came to an abrupt end, as tall trees gave way to the openness of cultivated farmland. They both paused under the shaded coolness and checked the fields for movement. A small group of farm buildings centering the cultivation was quiet and without signs of life. Steg discerned a feeling of forlorn loneliness about the low stone-built complex and the afternoon shadows emphasized its emptiness.
    “The farmers have left here. Perhaps they also have gone to the village for news. Or they have already gone into hiding.” Thomas scratched at his beard.
    Steg checked the map. “The village is about twenty kays down the valley. We should keep going.” He hefted his packs back into place and they headed on past the deserted farmhouse.
    They reached the small village well after nightfall. They had encountered no one on the road, no farm animals and no one working in the fields. Even the automatic watering systems were powered down. Both ComNet and DefNet were silent. That silence was worrying. As they entered the village, they dropped off their supply packs in a