15/02/2026 19:33

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The Smoleni Army had a leavening oftrappers, many of them backwoods farmers who in winter workedso-called trapping bounds assigned to families. The Klestronu flotilla was parked 50,000 miles out, beyond theradiation belt. Nonetheless, Garlanconsidered it unwise to call Lormagen and suggest he bring her along;he's already suspicious, and that could easily cause him to do somethingunfortunate. Inseconds the screen came to life again, and from some telecast Varlikrecognized the long, strong face of Vikun Dor, Lord Beniker.

***All that had been more than eight imperial months earlier, and even now,Tarimenloku had every intention of staying in hyperspace for another three. I'll show you. Who's game? he asked. As if some Komarsi officer hadpanicked, and radioed for artillery support, bringing the shells down on hisown men.