RED KNIGHT

a STAR FRONTIERS Novel

by Layne K. Saltern

Chapter 9

Conference Day 2

They sat spaced about the glossy conference room table as I entered. From left to right: Thibaut, Krenny, Xid'kit, Tulk'n, and then Katrina. Admiral Zhelk stood with military rigidity at the head of the table. The only one not at the table was Zhelk's bodyguard, Voar Tung, who stood with his laser rifle near the door.

I pulled a chair into the narrow space between Katrina and Commodore Tulk'n. "Sorry I'm late."

My apology went ignored.

"Welcome to the 24th annual Pale Conference," said the Admiral. "Lieutenant Z'ungheure has prepared a micro-reader device for each of you. In the device's memory, you will find a personalized agenda describing each meeting to be held, and stating which each of you is to attend. The entire conference has been scheduled for five Pale days, or 275 hours."

At Zhelk's signal, Tung passed a hand-held computer device to each person at the table. I glanced at mine and saw a list of antendees:

Admiral Jac Zhelk -- Administrator
Rear Admiral Venta Krenny -- Representatvie of Task Force Cassidine
Commodore Kel'krich Tulk'n -- Representative of Strike Force NOVA
Commodore Zap Xid'kit -- Representative of Task Force Prenglar
Space Commander Luc Thibaut -- Department of Non-Attached Warships
Lieutenant Voar Tung -- Security
Liuetenant Katrina Z'ungheure -- Record Keeping
Clarion Midshipman Kro'khan Zek'et

It seemed bizarre that I was the only one listed without a function. I wasn't sure whether to be curious or embarassed.

A red line appeared at the top of my device's viewscreen. The line slowly dropped, covering the screen with a blanket of flat crimson. I wondered if I had pressed a wrong key somehow, but then I saw that everyone's micro-reader was doing to same thing.

Bold black letters appeared on the blood-like background: "Enter the Red Knight."

"What does--" I had barely opened my mouth when it was shut again. Blinding light seared throught the window. The room rocked in the wake of an explosion as a sound like thunder deafened our ears.

Blackness followed.

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