Read Darkness Falling: Soldiers and Slaves for Free Online

mistake,” Xander kept his voice calm despite the simmering anger within.
    “I’ve already obtained the services of the Enforcer’s partner to aid you in this. He will be able to better predict the movements of the criminal than anyone else, especially you.” The insult was not lost on the prince, who could only curl his lip in a false smile. “Treve En-Harn. He is waiting with the helicopter.”
    “Yes, Father,” Xander bowed stiffly, reminding himself that he would not always be taking orders from an old man.
    He did not wait to be dismissed. The situation was too critical for pleasantries, instead he rode the elevator up to the roof. The wind snapped and popped against the energy surrounding the Tower, ruffling his hair. Air could pass freely through the Field Energy. It was particles in the environment, such as dust or pollen, which caused the disturbance.
    A sleek black helicopter waited with its blade already spinning. Three Enforcers stood beside it, fully geared for battle. They snapped to attention when they saw him. Two of them he knew already, they were regular pilots in the Imperial Guard. The other must be the one his father had mentioned.
    The young man saluted. “Treve En-Harn, your highness,” he said, his brilliant glowing eyes shining out from within his helmet.
    Xander frowned in annoyance. “I don’t care,” he snarled. “Speak when you are spoken to.”
    The Enforcer dropped his hand and didn’t respond.
    “Do you understand?” Xander spoke very slowly in a mocking tone, leaning forward to make his point.
    “Yes, your highness.” The Enforcer kept his eyes looking straight ahead, showing no emotion.
    At least he was well trained.
    Xander pulled himself up into the helicopter. The others took their places, two pilots in the front and the Enforcer across from him near the door.
    The Imperial helicopters were one of the greater advancements of technology. With enhanced blades and the use of energy they were nearly silent in flight. The chopper lifted from the roof. Above them the field energy appeared to slide away, producing a small opening through which they passed with ease.
    “What intelligence do we have on the traitors?” Xander asked the Enforcer.
    “The most recent report states that they were heading south and jumped the barricade at the southern wall.” Treve answered.
    Xander raised an eyebrow. This was getting more interesting all the time; a fun little game of cat and mouse. He also knew Impyra wouldn’t be able to keep playing her little tricks for long, especially not of that caliber.
    “They’re going to need to rest,” Xander said.
    “If we don’t catch them on the road they’ll most likely seek cover in Ro'Tesche-En, it’s the nearest town from here.” Treve offered.
    Xander glared at him. “I know that,” he snapped. Again Treve looked at him without feeling. He didn’t even flinch. “They won’t be able to hide from us. What else do we know?”
    Treve pointed out the right side window. Another helicopter had fallen in formation with them. “We’ve got support,” he said. “Shots were fired during the initial confrontation. Two Enforcers were killed.”
    Xander smiled. That was good news, knowing that the soldiers wouldn’t hesitate to fire on one of their own.
    “Whatever happens, we are not to take the girl alive, do you hear me? The other one, I don’t care about. She has already been tried and is to be executed. I’d prefer to be the one to do it.”
    “Understood, your highness,” Treve said firmly, then shifted his attention to the road below, white energy gun at the ready.
    Xander grinned. The true test of loyalty: to gun down a friend at an order from a person of power. If this one could pass the test he might be worth having in the Tower instead of out on the streets.
    Rau'Tesche-Awn was slipping away behind them. Beyond the wall the once fertile fields and farms were nothing more than a gray, dead wasteland. It shouldn't be too hard