Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Assault on Khorram (Star Legions: The Ten Thousand Book 2)
    Assault on Khorram (Star Legions: The Ten Thousand Book 2)
    Assault on Khorram (Star Legions: The Ten Thousand Book 2)
    Ebook296 pages5 hours

    Assault on Khorram (Star Legions: The Ten Thousand Book 2)

    By Michael G. Thomas

    4/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Burning with rage from the combat losses at Cilicia, the Black Legion wants payment, and Lord Cyrus has a target that will satisfy even the most greedy of his warriors. It is a target so rich that he wonders if the mercenaries will even have enough ships to carry off the loot.

    Hundreds of ships and thousands of mercenaries start their epic journey through the deadly Su'bartu Maelstrom that will take them to the heart of the Median Empire, a region protected by the vast Imperial Fleet. Few ships have ever made the journey, but this is no mere fleet of traders. The battle hardened mercenaries of the Legion are interested in just one thing, loot, and they intend on finding it no matter where they have to go or who they have to kill.

    Xenophon and his comrades face greater danger when divisions in the fleet threaten the entire operation. Xenophon and Glaucon are forced to choose, but where do their loyalties now lie? To the Titan they live aboard or the Legion and its desire for blood and spoils that knows no bounds. On the eve of greatest battle of their lives, the Legion may tear itself apart before firing even a single shot.

    Assault on Khorram is the second book in the Star Legions series from Michael G. Thomas, the bestselling author of the Star Crusades series. Previously published as the Black Legion series.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSwordworks Books
    Release dateMar 7, 2012
    ISBN9781906512989
    Assault on Khorram (Star Legions: The Ten Thousand Book 2)
    Author

    Michael G. Thomas

    Michael G. Thomas, is a writer, martial artist and military historian. He has written books on European martial arts and military history as well as Zombie Survival books and fiction. He is the co-founder of the prestigious Academy of Historical Fencing that teaches traditional armed and unarmed European martial arts. His specialist subject areas are teaching the use of the medieval two handed longsword and the German long knife in both the UK and other parts of Europe.He academic background is as varied as his writing with degrees in Computing, Classical Studies and Machine Learning. In recent years he has undertaken substantial research in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as Ancient Greek and Byzantine military history.Michael is currently completing his Champions of the Apocalypse Series and Star Crusades science fiction series.

    Read more from Michael G. Thomas

    Related to Assault on Khorram (Star Legions

    Titles in the series (7)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    Science Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      A Dragon’s Perspective

      Jun 10, 2022

      There once lived a dragon named Deathwing. Well, at least that’s what they called him. Deathwing was growing old, far too old for his liking. The joints of his claws ached and groaned under his ever-growing weight and his scales were beginning to los

      18 min read

    • Article

      Shaka, When the Walls Fell

      Jun 18, 2014

      In one fascinating episode, Star Trek: The Next Generation traced the limits of human communication as we know it—and suggested a new, truer way of talking about the universe.

      17 min read

    • Article

      Holding Power

      Sep 11, 2020

      Holding Power
      5 min read

    • Article

      Rock Hard

      Sep 10, 2020

      Rock Hard
      7 min read

    • Article

      Reckoning Ball

      Feb 20, 2024

      Reckoning Ball
      7 min read

    • Article

      Holy Belt And Braces

      Apr 13, 2023

      Flotsam and jetsam Sam Llewellyn writes nautical thrillers, edits The Marine Quarterly, and is perpetually patching up a 30ft ketch: samllewellyn.com Well, here we are, time to launch again. Antifouling on, everything varnishable varnished, survey su

      3 min read

    • Article

      Reckoning Ball

      Feb 1, 2024

      Reckoning Ball
      7 min read

    • Article

      Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

      May 20, 2020

      Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
      5 min read

    • Article

      Hook, Line And Sinker

      Oct 18, 2018

      Hook, Line And Sinker
      4 min read

    • Article

      In Search Of . . .

      Feb 1, 2019

      In Search Of . . .
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Falconeer

      Feb 27, 2020

      The Falconeer
      5 min read

    • Article

      Reckoning ball

      Feb 12, 2024

      Reckoning ball
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Outer Worlds

      Aug 27, 2019

      The Outer Worlds
      3 min read

    • Article

      Showdown On Lake Erie

      Jan 4, 2022

      Showdown On Lake Erie
      8 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Assault on Khorram (Star Legions

    4/5

    16 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Assault on Khorram (Star Legions - Michael G. Thomas

      STAR LEGIONS: ASSAULT ON KHORRAM

      By Michael G. Thomas

      SMASHWORDS EDITION

      PART of the STAR LEGIONS SERIES

      Copyright © 2012-2014 Michael G. Thomas

      3rd Edition Published July 2014

      Published by Swordworks Books

      All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

      Smashwords Edition License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

      CONTENTS

      PROLOGUE

      CHAPTER ONE

      CHAPTER TWO

      CHAPTER THREE

      CHAPTER FOUR

      CHAPTER FIVE

      CHAPTER SIX

      CHAPTER SEVEN

      CHAPTER EIGHT

      CHAPTER NINE

      CHAPTER TEN

      CHAPTER ELEVEN

      CHAPTER TWELVE

      EPILOGUE

      GLOSSARY OF TERMS

      PROLOGUE

      Arcadian Titan ‘Olympia’, Thapsacus Sector

      The Black Legion was finally assembled, an elite fighting force spread across scores of ships into a mighty Armada. Their name was a simple one, taken from the appearance their dark grey, almost black uniforms gave. It was a mixed force with a great variety of vessels of every shape and size and from a hundred Terran worlds. The heart of the great fleet was the Titans, massive behemoths that carried thousands of crew and warriors. Every single ship and unit trained and equipped for battle. It was Ten Thousand of humanity’s finest warriors, bandits, swashbucklers and looters; each of them ready to take on or attack any enemy they came across. They were different to any army that had gone before them. Unlike the forces of the Terran colonies this was a mixture of warring factions, drawn together by the money of the alien lord, Cyrus. This man, for want of a better word, had much in common with mankind. He looked almost identical, though with a much slender figure that moved with speed and grace. His race, known as the Medes, controlled the largest empire known to the Terrans. A thousand worlds, each ruled by the iron fist of their Emperor and protected by the Imperial Fleet and his legions of warriors. In years past, the Medes had made war against the scattered Terrans, but each time they had stopped their petty squabbling to fight them off. Times had changed though, and now the Terrans were in the pay of their old enemy, the Median Empire and looking to make a great deal of money in the process.

      From the window in the observation lounge, Dekarchos Xenophon looked out at the vast Armada. It was an impressive sight; there was no doubt about that. He was surprised to see so many of the Medes own warships nearby. In fact, the more he looked the more he noticed how few Terran vessels there were. No other Titans filled his view, and he could count the Terran capital ships on one hand.

      They must be escorting us back to the border worlds, he thought. The memories of the last few hours were confused, and he was still not entirely sure where they actually were, other than on board their home Titan, the Olympia. The upturned cabinets lay out in a low wall suggested something untoward. A gentle but growing sound of footsteps and shouting came from several directions but all outside of the room. In his right hand, he adjusted his Asgeirr-Carbine; a Laconian close quarter weapon fitted onto the fist and lower arm of a warrior and combined a razor sharp blade and a cut down pulse carbine. Glaucon nodded as he slid out the cartridge from his Doru Mk II Rifle, the standard weapon used by most of the soldiers on the ship. He spoke quietly, doing his best to avoid drawing any attention to them.

      They’ll be here soon. I can hear them in the corridor.

      Dekarchos Devereux snapped back the cocking handle of her own rifle, and it clicked with a satisfying sound. With her weapon ready, she then took up position alongside the blue-haired Tamara. She moved with the confidence of a woman with significant experience in the military. She was tall, even when compared to the burly Glaucon. Xenophon glanced to the main doorway on their left that led inside the observation lounge. It was a large room, and easily capable of holding a hundred people, perhaps more. The space from their improvised barricade to the doorway was nearly fifteen metres away.

      Are you sure it’s Xenias’ warriors? asked Glaucon.

      I don’t know. All we know is that since the decision to leave, there has been a lot of unrest on the ship. Just remember, we aren’t looking for trouble, we just aren’t going back with Dukas Xenias. We are going to leave this ship at the earliest opportunity, said Xenophon in as reassuring a voice as he could muster.

      Yes, Dekarchos, replied Glaucon in a low and slightly muted tone. Xenophon could easily hear the sarcasm in his voice, not least because Glaucon rarely used his friend’s rank except when around other warriors on the ship.

      Don’t be so sure. Maybe it’s Xenias, but maybe it’s Clearchus looking for trouble. It could even be a coup. My advice is to keep your head down and wait for it to pass. You’ve all seen the bodies out there. Added the old warrior they had met during their short spell in the brig. Marcus was a seasoned warrior, and for the last twenty minutes he had been helping erect the barricades to defend the place.

      Why do they want us? asked Tamara, her voice shaking with nerves.

      Dekarchos Devereux turned her head but stayed in her defensive position.

      Maybe they don’t, there are lots of factions on this ship. We were pretty vocal about rejoining the Armada though, and that isn’t going to make us many friends.

      They all waited in silence, each listening to the sounds outside.

      Xenophon might be in charge, but his rank was recent in this company and few took him too seriously. It wasn’t helped by the fact that half of his unit had deserted to Xenias already. His promotion was more honorific than anything else, even though it matched that of sergeant in other militaries. His command of ten warriors, an honour awarded to him by the Strategos himself, was proving more a hindrance than a benefit right now. It had been granted following their first bloody action at the Cilician Gates. The battle was a messy affair and had resulted in nearly all the deployed Legion’s forces being captured or killed. Fortune, and a spur of the moment decision, had saved Xenophon and ultimately the operation.

      Why don’t we just go back with the Arcadians? asked Tamara with a desperate, almost pleading tone to her voice.

      Because, my dear, if we go back, we don’t get paid. Xenophon and I are both wanted men back on Attica. Until we have money and help, we’ll simply be clapped in irons as soon as we set foot on the ground, explained Glaucon.

      Not us, though? she continued, this time looking at the stern figure of Roxana Devereux. She said nothing for a moment before almost being forced to turn to the girl and say something.

      Well...I don’t know about you, sweetie, but I need the work. No more Alliance and no more military contracts. Girl’s gotta eat.

      Tamara shook her head in an irritated fashion, but it was simple. None of them was in a position to leave, not yet anyway. The expedition organised by Cyrus had taken a lot of time and effort to get on board with, and so far they had suffered but earned little. The payoff would be great, but it wouldn’t be for a few more weeks.

      They waited, as they had for the last fifteen minutes. Each wore their dark grey, almost black uniforms, and every one of them was heavily armed and expecting trouble. They each had their own special skills and attributes. Xenophon was widely regarded as the smartest but lacked some of the more subtle skills in communication. He was also the tallest of the four; with Devereux close behind him. His build was slender and almost feminine, especially when compared to most of the gruff Arcadians on board the Titan. His cropped blonde hair and dark blue eyes made him stand out from a crowd, and a trait that did not match his introverted personality. Stood next to him were his three companions; the stalwart, if cocky, Glaucon; Roxana Devereux, the ex-Lieutenant from the Alliance Navy; and lastly, Tamara. Unlike the other three, Tamara had no political or military expertise. She was a young runaway, and her only experience, as far as the others could tell, was in crime and minor merc work. Her electric blue hair and frequently worn leather jacket seemed specially to draw attention to her wherever she went.

      Xenophon looked back out of the window and remembered what the great Armada had looked like just hours before. Each of the ships had sat waiting for their orders. He could see them all now, especially the four great Titans; the largest Terran ships ever built. Each was the size of a small city and fitted out with the troops and firepower to match an entire planet. Scores of capital ships waited in loose formations around the Titans while squadrons of fighters screamed past on the lookout for potential problems. It wasn’t just the Terrans though, no, only a short distance away sat the Median fleet under the command of Ariaeus. This suspicious looking Median noble was a close friend of Cyrus and his right hand man when it came to managing the Median contingent. This force was easily double the size and included even more heavy warships.

      So many different nationalities and cultures, is it a surprise that there would be so much trouble at this betrayal? He considered the events of the last few hours.

      It was a massive force made up of Attican sailors, Laconian warriors and Arcadian scouts, each the sworn enemy of a hundred worlds but now brothers in the great enterprise. The trouble was that since the decision by their commander, Dukas Xenias, to leave, they were now on their own. The Armada of hundreds of ships was now at least one jump away and moving further away with every minute. Like many of the experienced warriors, he had found work after being exiled from his own lands. Even his experience and training wasn’t enough when trouble started. The trouble, or more specifically the schism in the fleet, could not have happened at a worse time. It had been only two weeks since the violence at the Citadel, deep in the heart of the Cilician Gates; a time when nearly three hundred Terrans had been killed and the same number injured. Compensation from Satrap Tissaphernes had proven substantial, but the losses were still keenly felt. It wasn’t the fighting, the money or even the casualties that had caused the dissent. It was the news from their paymaster and overall leader, Lord Cyrus of the Median Empire that had arrived earlier that day. The entire Armada was tearing itself apart, and there was nothing Xenophon or his comrades could do about it.

      For the fiftieth time, he looked down to his Asgeirr-Carbine and checked the ammunition.

      We will be ready!

      CHAPTER ONE

      Twelve Hours Earlier, Laconian Titan ‘Valediction’

      Strategos Clearchus, Lord Cyrus and Ariaeus, his Median deputy, stood in silence. They waited in the antechamber briefing room that was positioned at the far end of great hall, deep inside the Laconian Titan, Valediction. Although part of the mighty ship, the cavernous interior could easily have been inside a fortress, monastery or even an underground cave complex. The walls were rough, almost like bare rock, and there was a deathly silence that cooled the expanse of emptiness as easily as if they were all stood in the vacuum of space. Stone columns rose to the ceiling and led the eye along to the great arched entrance to the anteroom. In this smaller part of the hall stood an ancient altar upon which sat a number of worn and damaged relics. Most were weapons taken from numerous battle sites; some even taken from the recent action at the Gates of Cilicia. The walls were adorned with stylised artworks and tapestries of glorious actions. The majority of these concerned land battles, but at least one showed a massive space battle, specifically the defeat of the Terran Alliance. The Median noblemen looked a world apart from Clearchus, the seasoned human commander or Strategos as he was known to the Black Legion. Their thinner bodies, pale skin and narrow faces gave them a mythical quality, like a character from an ancient tale of monsters and heroes.

      Lord Cyrus took a deep breath before finally speaking. So, gentlemen, we are agreed then, on my course of action?

      Ariaeus nodded in agreement, but that was hardly surprising. The man was a close ally of Cyrus, and it was rumoured they were blood related.

      Of course, my Lord, my forces are ready for your command. With the extra support of Clearchus and his Legion, we will be able to overcome any opposition.

      Clearchus however looked less than impressed. He glanced at Ariaeus but quickly dismissed him and moved back to Cyrus.

      Support? The Black Legion is the force with which we will win. If your Median forces were so powerful, then you wouldn’t need us, would you? Even so, this isn’t what any of them signed up for, is it? You must appreciate the dissent this will cause in the Armada? he asked sternly.

      Cyrus looked taken aback, but it was hard to tell what the truth was and what was put on for show. He lifted his left hand and rubbed it across his lightly defined chin.

      Strategos Clearchus, I disagree. Why should it be an issue? The Legion is paid from my coffers to do my bidding, are they not? They are mercenaries, not conscripts or family bodyguards. No, they will fight where and when I tell them to do so.

      Clearchus shook his head.

      No, they are not. The Legion was formed specifically to operate in the borderlands, to clear pirates, bandits and other hostile forces. This is a policing operation, no more. What you now suggest is much more serious. It could start a series of devastating conflicts in our own territories. Even worse, it could bring us into direct conflict with your own Empire.

      Ariaeus lifted his hand but ignored Clearchus; even cutting in and interrupting the human commander’s speech. It was a gesture that could expect a serious punishment in the Legion. As it was, the fact that the Terran commander stayed his hand was an impressive feat of self-control.

      They will go where they are… he started, before the firm hand of Clearchus grabbed him across the forearm. His fist clamped down like a vice and the Median nobleman winced with pain at the pressure.

      Learn some respect, Medes!

      He stepped closer so that he faced the taller figure. He looked up at his face, the expression showing a fascinating mixture of anger and disgust.

      Did they not teach you the simple basics of manners and diplomacy as a child? I seem to recall my father taught your ancestors the meaning of civility nearly a century ago. Perhaps you need to be reminded.

      Cyrus laughed and placed a hand on the shoulders of each of the men. His voice betrayed a nervous tone, and one that even Clearchus picked up on.

      Perhaps it isn’t all going quite as he had hoped, he thought.

      The Median Lord waited until Clearchus released his second in command. It was a tense stand-off. But ultimately, Cyrus was in charge, and while he controlled the purse strings, he also controlled the Legion.

      I know you both have reservations about my plan.

      He looked to Ariaeus whose face betrayed almost no emotion of any kind.

      Ariaeus, my old friend, we have studied and trained alongside each other for many years. There is nobody I trust more with weapons than you. Even so, your mighty forces will not be enough on their own. I do not wish to just win a battle. I must dominate the battlefield. When the dust settles and the reckoning begins, all must know that it is I, Cyrus, brother of the Emperor of the Medes, who is the victor.

      He then turned to the Terran commander.

      Strategos Clearchus. Your skill and experience as an infantry commander are second to none. We all have known the power of the Terran heavy infantry. I even faced your ancestors a generation ago on the battlefield.

      He immediately noticed a look of confusion on the face of the Terran.

      A generation ago, Lord Cyrus fought my countrymen?

      You are concerned at what the Legion will have to say at my proposal, and you perhaps feel that some, maybe all, will refuse to come with me?

      A clattering of bolts and metal indicated the opening of a dozen doors into the great hall. A large number of Terran officers proceeded inside and made their way to the three commanders. Clearchus scowled in irritation when he spotted his senior officers making their way to him. Cyrus stood up tall and faced the approaching group. He glanced briefly towards Clearchus who was still fuming.

      It is perhaps just as well that I have already invited the commanders here.

      Ariaeus smiled at the fait accompli, and it took great self control on behalf of the Terran commander not to lurch across and strike him. He looked back and recognised the senior officers from each of the four Titans. The Dukas were the most significant, each in control of between six hundred and four thousand warriors. There were ten of them, and he was sure he could see at least six in the crowd. Larger numbers of the junior commanders, known as the Komes, took up most of the space. From another door entered the contingent from the Arcadian Titan. The first to move inside was Komes Pasion, a man that Clearchus recognised from his dealing at the Gates. Stood near to him was his commander, Dukas Xenias; an arrogant but brave officer and a worthy member of the Legion.

      How many did you bring here? hissed Clearchus through clenched teeth.

      My dear, Strategos, I invited all the Dukas and their Komes to this meeting. It seemed only fair. These officers represent the entire Legion, from Pasion, the Megaran, over there to Menon and his two thousand warriors. We will find out very soon what they have to say.

      Clearchus looked into the eyes of Cyrus and tried to imagine what further schemes or plans he had hatched. Cyrus was rich, undoubtedly, but how far could he be trusted?

      This isn’t good, not good at all. If he addresses the Legion, they will tear him apart for his betrayal. This needs a Terran. I need to take control of this announcement, and I need my topoteretes in here now!

      Clearchus looked out at the large number of Terran officers who were stood in a large horde in the open. As he glanced at them, he discreetly pressed a hidden button on his sleeve. It went unnoticed, at least he hoped so. Cyrus took a step forward, and it was clear he was about to speak to the assembled troops. The Dukas were all at the front with their contingents stood around them. It gave the effect of an ancient warband from the history of Old Earth. The Terrans wore their dark grey uniforms, and in the low light of the great hall it looked more like black. Some bore the symbols of their old states such as Arcadia or Attica on their chests, and others carried personal markings or even the symbols of their companies or families. It was a disparate group of men and women, but all of them shared a common experience in the violent work of the mercenary.

      The Median commander inhaled, about to speak when in walked Kleandridas and Pleistoanax. These were Clearchus’ two deputies, and his most experienced and loyal officers. These mighty warriors were the equal of Clearchus in close quarter fighting and looked both massive and powerful. As they moved down the hall, the assembled officers moved aside to create a corridor that led directly to the end and the antechamber. It was almost ceremonial and took nearly a minute for them to make the journey. By the time they reached the three commanders, the Great Hall was completely silent with every single warrior watching them. The two men wore their official uniforms as well as their traditional Laconian armour and crimson cloaks. They stopped in front of Clearchus and knelt down before him. He nodded to them, the signal for them to stand and move to his flanks. He took this as is his cue and stepped out ahead of Cyrus.

      He thought to himself: I need to make this good or this Legion is finished. No Legion, and I’ll have to return to Laconia, and they will want to know how I was able to commandeer a decommissioned Titan!

      It was time to speak, but there was little time to think of the treason back home and his violent struggle from his homeworld. It gave him little pleasure knowing he could not return, at least not until he had achieved great victories and trophies to bring back with him.

      Men and women of the Legion, you have been brought here for a great announcement.

      He held out his arms as if welcoming them all to the hall.

      This mighty ship might be from old Laconia, but in this fleet we are all Black Legion. We have joined this endeavour for many reasons, some of us for money, others for fame, and perhaps even a little glory.

      A low chortle rippled through the crowd. Clearchus grinned to himself, satisfied that he seemed to have their attention and support, so far at least. He took another deep breath and continued.

      "There are others, like

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1