The Scorpion Jar

“Do we have any idea why they were staging these riots?”

“As a matter of fact, we do. We made another important arrest on the day of the election—a Senate page who was on KR’s payroll. He was caught trying to get into the Chamber of Paladins during the election.”

“Let me guess—with a bomb?”

“No, with an urgent summons from the Senate. The message reported out-of-control rioting in the streets, and demanded that Paladin David McKi

“Out-of-control rioting?” Jonah asked with a smile.

“They overestimated how effective they’d be.”

“Why McKi

“Draw him into a fight, yes,” Emil replied. “Kill him, maybe not. He’s hardly the number-one enemy to the KR’s cause. No, our theory is that they wanted McKi

“He would? Are we Paladins really that easily manipulated?”

Emil chose his words carefully. “Don’t underestimate the emotional effects of a military victory on a crowd, even a veteran crowd like the Paladins. Remember the applause for Paladin GioAvanti when she returned. Had she chosen, she might have used her speech to build support for herself, and could well be Exarch-elect right now.”

It’s true, Jonah thought. I was ready to vote for her—again.

“She chose to use her speech for your benefit,” Emil said, then corrected himself. “Well, not directly, but that was the effect. She described a person that everyone recognized as you. But the point is, had McKi

“Do you think McKi

“I doubt it. It’s not his style. I think KR thought McKi

“You know, we almost elected him without the KR’s help.”

“I know. He’s a good man. He’s just…” Emil paused. “He’s a man whose beliefs could, at this time, be used for the wrong ends.”

“And mine can’t?”

“I suppose, to some degree, anyone’s can. But I agree with the sentiment expressed by Paladin GioAvanti—at this time, you are the type of man The Republic needs.”

“That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” Jonah said.

Silently, he considered his position. The new unit he had been assigned to lead was much larger than his last one—two hundred and fifty planets strong. Sure, he faced a more powerful enemy this time, but there was no question that he and his troops would hold the line for Devlin Stone’s dream.

About the Author

Jason M. Hardy has been festering under the surface of the gaming and writing world for a few years, like a sneaky alligator, or possibly like gangrene. He has contributed to a number of role-playing sourcebooks and written one of his own, The Labyrinth of Oversoul. He also wrote two novels set in the Crimson Skies ™ universe, but they are available only in European editions. The Scorpion Jar is his first novel to be published in English.

He lives in Chicago with his wife and son.