Read The Descent into the Maelstrom (The Phantom of the Earth Book 4) for Free Online

care.
    “Silence!” Carmen said. “Or I will hold you all in contempt of your chancellor!”
    Charles turned toward the judges. “This man acted out of fear and under the influence of a synthetic hallucinogen, telepathically and genetically delivered by Antosha. This can be the alleged crime’s only explanation, and you would do your best to serve this commonwealth by commuting Captain Broden Barão’s sentence and holding him in the DOP until a full round of—”
    “Where is your proof, Minister?” Carmen said. “Words are worthless to this court.”
    Charles spoke, but Carmen bashed the gavel, overwhelming his voice.
    “We’ve seen the lab tests! We’ve seen the live Granville feed from the forest! We’ve heard from the witnesses! And we’ve arrived at a fair and just conclusion for the greater good of the people of this Great Commonwealth of Beimeni!”
    Carmen signed the Decision Decree.
    A hologram formed above the judges.

    PERSONA NON GRATA

    “ Gods ,” Nero whispered and fell to his knees.
    What does this mean? Connor wondered. He’d learned some basic Beimenian law in Piscator, but this was a term he had never come across, perhaps, he assumed, because it was a rare sentencing. For sure it must be terrible.
    Beimenians in the Judgment Center moaned and wept and fell. A few Navitans in bow ties and suspenders clapped and cheered.
    “Order!” Carmen said. “I will have order in my Judgment Center!”
    Xylia screamed, and the crowd rushed into the center aisles. Janzers stormed inside from every opening.
    “I will have order—”
    Jeremiah cut the feed.
    “Was he sentenced to death?” Connor said.
    His father put his arm around him. “Worse.” He paused and stared at Nero. “Captain Broden Barão will reside on one of the islands in Farino Prison prior to his departure for Region 7 of the Lower Level. He will serve out his sentence there, for the rest of his days.
    “He will die slowly, daily, and by the end not even his developers will recognize his body and mind.”
    “How does Xylia know him?” Connor said.
    “She grew up with him in Portage Territory, and they were arrested at the same time, but while he was purchased by the Variscans, the Kaspasparons kept her hidden from the commonwealth, and now she’s a—”
    “BP spy,” Connor finished. Connor didn’t know much about Xylia, certainly not her history with Captain Barão. She must still love him like a brother, poor girl.
    Nero breathed heavily. He sounded incoherent. Snot dripped down his nose, his eyes were as streaked as a nebula. He slumped forward. “Verena,” he said, “Verena, Verena …” Tears ran down his cheeks as he mumbled, “And the twins, my gods,” he covered his mouth, “the twins!”
    Nero wiped his grimy face and glowered, breathing hard. He turned to Father, who said, “Whom do you serve now, striker? ”

ZPF Impulse Wave: Gwendolyn Horvearth
    Palaestra City

    Palaestra, Underground Northeast

    2,500 meters deep

    “Aha, mademoiselle,” Juvelle said, “I have your robe and clothing ready.”
    Gwen ignored her keeper bot and scrubbed her arms and chest and legs till her skin was raw.
    She cried.
    “Mademoiselle?” Juvelle said. “Aha, are you all right?”
    The bot’s eye slit shone brightly beyond the cloudy glass and steaming hot water that sprayed Gwen, who hung her head and watched the swirl of suds and muck and skin descend the drain.
    Every night since the Bicentennial, she’d let him touch her. Every morning she awoke upset. “Take a whiff of this,” Antosha had told her, “and dance with the good captain, and humiliate him, and all shall be ours.” She’d whiffed and danced and thought the captain’s humiliation complete when he’d wobbled through the orgy, covered with champagne and sweat and women’s kisses that didn’t belong to his eternal partner. How wrong she’d been.
    She turned off the faucet.
    “I’m fine,” she said. “Marcel isn’t here yet, is