The Shattered Empire (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 2) Read Online Free

stockpile of munitions to the black market, which meant that the locals had a paltry reserve to draw upon after the War Dogs had turned over the Colonial Republic ships to them.  In theory, Admiral Mannetti could have made up that lack from the ships she'd captured.  Of course, she'd moved those to one of her bases 'for repairs.'
    Garret seriously doubted she'd ever turn over any of the ships and he had some dark suspicions about what had happened to the prisoners she promised to 'repatriate' to the Centauri Confederation.
    Of course, the people of Halcyon Colony didn't ask many questions, in that regard.  Their allies and hired help had come through, and they had liberated the planet.  But funding was tight, the Colonial Republic had cut all trade and the Centauri Confederation had already threatened to retaliate for the loss of their ships and the profit of Nova Corp.
    So now the locals had turned to privateering... which meant more work for the War Dogs, of course, but it also meant stronger ties to a pirate.  A generous man would have assumed that it was just one of those things that happened.  Garret being an experienced mercenary figured it was all according to Admiral Mannetti's plan... and that the long term survival of his former homeworld was in far graver jeopardy than it's inhabitants realized.
    “I assume that Commodore Pierce has already received payment for the transfer?” Garret asked.  Wherever his loyalties might, in theory, lie, he was still a mercenary.  Payment of goods and services was a necessity, especially for when this entire enterprise fell apart and the people of Halcyon colony were left holding the bag.
    “Of course,” the nameless commander answered.
    “Great,” Garret smiled.  He knew his white, even teeth would stand out starkly on his dark face and seem even more friendly.  “I'll just call Commodore Pierce, then, to confirm and see how many we've been paid for already.”
    The nameless commander grimaced, “Oh, well, that's fine.  I, uh, meant to say that the President of Halcyon authorized a transfer for payment and I can arrange delivery.”
    “Excellent,” Garret said and his smile grew broader.  “I'll wait then, until the payment arrives.”
    The commander grimaced, again, “Usually this sort of thing is done on trust.”
    “Good, then you can trust me to transfer the munitions upon receipt of payment,” Garret said.  “In the meantime, I've got some preparations to make.”  Garret turned away and didn't bother to listen for a reply.  He could almost hear the other man's teeth grind in frustration.  He listened as the other man struggled a moment to think up some way to dig himself out of the hole he'd dug and then turned and stalked away.  This kind of move was exactly the sleazy treatment he'd come to expect from Mannetti's people.  Why, after all, did they need to even pretend to be fair to the hired help?
    Garret loved to turn that around on one of them, especially since he had caught the other man trying to cheat him.  The War Dogs couldn't afford the best munitions, but if they were transferring over enough to augment the Halcyon ships, then it would a quantity be worth hundreds of thousands in any currency worth mentioning.  The crews of those ships needed those munitions, Garret didn't doubt.  So far, they and the War Dogs had gone on two similar 'raids' with Admiral Mannetti.  To Garret, it looked more like the Admiral wanted to use them in high visibility missions to lessen her own exposure.
    Commodore Pierce had remained remarkably quiet about why they had remained under the contract at Garris Major.  Garret had fully expected news that they would depart just after they'd turned over Heinlein Base to the locals.  Instead, the Commodore had attended a number of meetings with the newly elected President Monaghan and his staff.  One of dad's old cronies, Garret thought, if I remember right.
    “You want me to let them know to prepare to