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

hot, juicy, and with that little bit of garnish,” Mason responded.  He tapped on the menu and typed in the code.  “But best to work, I agree.”  Just before he typed in the last digit, he adjusted the empty plate to be certain it would be in the view of the camera.
    Lauren rolled her eyes.
    The holounit hummed to life and a waiting signal appeared.  “Well, that's not nice,” Mason said.  “At the least, I would assume our benefactor would be ready and waiting.”
    “You took over an hour to eat,” Lauren said.
    He smirked, “And waiting and waiting and waiting...”
    The ansible connected and a moment later a familiar face appeared.  “Ah, Mister McGann,” a rough voice said.  The craggy face that stared out of the holounit looked as if could have been carved from stone.  “Or should I say Tommy King?”
    Mason's eyes narrowed.  “Well, Admiral Collae, I'm afraid you've got me mistaken.  But if you'd like, I'll go ahead and leave, I'd hate to intrude.”
    “So eager to leave?” Admiral Collae asked.  “Why, I'm reminded of our first encounter.  You left rather abruptly as I recall... Tell me, what did happen to the fake Tommy King that was with you?”
    “He died,” Mason said, his voice harsh.
    “As I would expect the real one would treat an imposter,” Admiral Collae said, his gruff voice satisfied.  “I must say, you played me quite well.  Mistress Blanc too, she's actually quite upset with herself, you know, it's rare that someone so completely fools a psychic.”
    “I'd imagine,” Mason said.  “Well, if all you wanted was to reminisce and catch up, thanks for the meal, but I've a ship to catch.”
    “Of course,” Admiral Collae said, his rough voice level.  “But if you leave, now, you're making a tremendous mistake.  One I'm sure will weigh heavily on you and your new girlfriend as well, especially with her loyalty to Baron Lucius Giovanni.”
    Mason dropped his feet off the table and he leaned forward, “Why should I believe a word you say?  For that matter, what would you care about Lucius Giovanni?”
    Admiral Collae gave a smirk, but Lauren didn't miss the dangerous glint in his eyes.  “Your Baron Giovanni has struck a considerable blow to the Balor.  But, as the saying goes, never do an enemy a small wound.  The Balor are regrouping... but most of the Colonial Republic thinks they're gone for good.  Their alliances are unraveling... and it's only a matter of time before a lot of the old rivalries explode into a nice civil war.”
    Mason's eyes narrowed and Lauren saw his hands drop to his pistols.  “Couldn't happen to a nicer group of tyrants, corporate hacks, and terrorists, present company included.”
    Admiral Collae's smirk grew into a smile, “Ah, there's the old hatred I had heard so much about.  You know, I was actually disappointed when the original news of Tommy King's demise reached me.  I never had the chance to test myself against the legend... disappointing, that.”  He cleared his throat and if anything, his rough voice sounded even harsher when he spoke.  “The end times are on us, Tommy King.  You know what that means, don't you?  Chaos, disorder, planets and systems scrabbling for safety, for a strong figure...”
    Mason's eyes went dark, “I do.  Lots of petty tyrants will try to set themselves up as the next big thing in town.  Most of them will kill a lot of good people as they do it.  I saw it happen when Amalgamated Worlds crumbled... I don't imagine it will be much better with the Colonial Republic.”
    “I'm not just talking the Colonial Republic,” Admiral Collae said.  “President Spiridon of the Centauri Confederation just dissolved their Senate and Sigma Draconis and Epsilon Indi seceded.  The Tau Ceti Separatists have splintered into factions yet again, with Tau Ceti's Prime Minister going as far as to declare war with the Republic of Formalhut.  Nova Roma is effectively gone.  Who does that leave?  What