RED KNIGHT
a STAR FRONTIERS Novel
by Layne K. Saltern
Unnatural echoes gurgled through the shady curves of the Sathar base. Slime oozed from every facet of the throne room as the Red Knight entered and reverently kneeled.
A platform rotated with the gushy churning of gears, revealing what, in the dark, could only be identified as a man-sized slithering form. Gray mists billowed with a hiss on either side of it.
"Report on your planned conferenssse strike!" came an inhuman lisp.
"All is as planned, your Excellency."
The creature paused, then croaked, "Good."
"You wished to cover other matters?"
"Doesss the name. . .Kro'khan Zek'et mean anything to you?"
"No, your Excellency."
"It ssshould. The Gray Knight remembersss him well, for it wasss he that almossst sssingle-handedly dessstroyed the Gray Knight'sss 'Doom Project.'"
The Red Knight bowed his head to hide an expression of contempt for his fellow Knight. He managed to keep it out of his voice. "The Gray Knight lives. If it was he that fell, why does he not settle this?"
"The Gray Knight's forssseful methodsss have already failed againssst this man. But perhapsss a sssubtle attack of ssskill and cunning, sssuch as is your ssspecialty, would have more sssuccesss."
"You flatter me." The Red Knight lowered his head in outward humility, but smiled underneath with pride and confidence.
"Mossst importantly, Zek'et will be attending the sssame conferenssse you are already planning to hit."
"How convenient."
"Do not fail me, as the Gray Knight did!"
The Red Knight rose to his full height.
"I never fail."