Read The Cyber Chronicles IX - Precipice for Free Online Page A

ever starting. No one wants to draw
the attention of an Overlord, and we ensure that it remains like
that.
    "As my friend,
you've become used to my company, and you know me for what I truly
am. But for those who have never met an Overlord, we're terrifying,
mysterious beings who rule with an iron fist, and for most of those
who have met one, we're even more frightening."
    Sabre frowned
at his drink. "Yeah, you're right."
    "I appreciate
your wish to ease my burden. The best way you could help us is to
find young empaths for us to train. Then perhaps we could build
more ships and make our lives easier."
    "I'll keep that
in mind."
    Fairen raised
his head and addressed the air. "Shrain, release the enforcer
commanders, and send Atrashka and Prello back to Myon Two."

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
    Tassin entered
a massive dining room filled with powdered, overdressed people, all
of whom turned to stare at her, most with disdain, some with
curiosity, and several with overt hostility. An immense banquet
table, covered with a burgundy cloth, held a king's ransom of gold
cutlery, silver platters, crystal goblets and jewel-encrusted spice
containers. Vast crystal chandeliers hung above it, casting
multi-hued light in slowly moving patterns. Liveried flunkies stood
in the corners like statues while others moved amongst the crowd,
offering golden trays of exotic drinks.
    Tarl wore a new
brown suit over a scarlet shirt. Judging by the way he scratched
and fidgeted, the clothes itched and pinched him under the arms,
but she suspected he had no choice but to wear them. He had
received his summons just half an hour before the allotted time,
presumably because Ashmond had told Endrovar about his cyber tech
skills. Tassin had chosen to wear a layered silk gown of deep
cobalt trimmed with gold embroidery, and a net of seed pearls
covered her elegantly coiled hair. More pearls clasped her throat
and dripped from her ears. A fortune in jewels had been available
in her room, but she had confined herself to a tasteful
minimum.
    Ashmond came
forward to greet her, his eyes sweeping over her with a gleam of
appreciation. "Very nice, Your Majesty, you do indeed look
queenly."
    Tassin raised
her chin. "Ashmond, I would look like a queen in sackcloth and
ashes, simply because I am one."
    "Of course." He
bowed over her hand. "Endrovar is eager to speak to you."
    The baron led
her through the throng, and Tarl followed. Soft music lilted from a
trio of harp, lute and flute players at the far end of the room.
The banquet hall’s walls were adorned with battle banners, stuffed
trophies, scarred weapons and coats of arms, with suits of armour
standing like steel sentinels between them. Ornately framed
portraits of dyspeptic looking individuals stared down with
aristocratic disdain, their rough surfaces yellowed with age.
Clearly Endrovar had striven to buy himself a history as well as
culture, but the man himself lacked any, Tassin mused as the
massive emperor came into view, sprawled in a cushioned chair and
surrounded by giggling courtiers. He was clad in a robe that
appeared to be made out of someone’s unwanted red and gold brocade
curtains, belted with a gaudy jewelled golden rope.
    Ashmond stopped
in front of the emperor and bowed, then stepped aside. Endrovar
gestured, making the fawning fops retreat, and leered at
Tassin.
    "Very nice; a
definite improvement. Now, I want to speak to this cyber technician
of mine."
    Tarl said,
"That would be me, sir."
    Endrovar
studied him. "Where did you learn to be a cyber tech?"
    "On Myon Two. I
was a repair tech for fifteen years."
    "Why did you
leave?"
    Tarl frowned.
"Well, I realised that they feel pain, and I couldn't stomach
it."
    Endrovar’s
brows rose. "They don't feel anything. They're computer
controlled."
    "They feel
pain."
    "What makes you
think that?"
    "I was working
on one with a defunct brow band, and he spoke to me. He begged me
to kill him, because he was horribly burnt. He died a minute
later."
    The