Dragon: The Tower Of Tamerlane

By James McCormick

After the death of the Tuolon Ambassador Lagua and the failure to bring the non-humanoid worlds into the Alliance, Sillow and Brok’s long partnership is finally at an end. Now a reluctant solo agent, Sillow is called upon to undertake his first mission, investigate the Tower, a high-tech prison complex along with the oligarch who runs it, a mysterious nobleman who calls himself Tamerlane.
Seeking evidence to prove Tamerlane is responsible for a series of terrorist attacks, Sillow quickly uncovers the sheer scale of his plans, a lethal military strike on all four humanoid home worlds.

Caught and imprisoned however, the Sylvan finds himself helpless to warn the Alliance of the coming danger
.
All the while, something has been evolving, growing stronger inside the Tower, something intangible yet far more dangerous than Tamerlane ever could be, a being implacably opposed to all life in the galaxy.
And only Sillow has any chance of stopping it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Class Act Books
• Release date: Jul 14, 2015

Book preview

Dragon:

The Tower Of Tamerlane

by

James Austin McCormick

Published by

CLASS ACT BOOKS

121 Berry Hill Lane

Port Townsend, Washington 98368

www.classactbooks.com

Copyright  2015 by James Austin McCormick

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-938703-63-8

Credits

Cover Artist: James Robinson

Editor: Sherry Derr-Wille

Copy Editor: Anita York

Printed in the United States of America

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. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

In memory of my wonderful mother, Elizabeth, who left this world far too young and far too early on 6th February 2015. You are so dearly missed.

Dragon Books by James Austin McCormick

Published by Class Act Books

Dragon

Dragon: Smuggler Tales

Prologue

Take a good look Drake, the guard said as the craft closed on the gigantic, ornate structure resting between frozen mountains. This is the end of the line for you. I hear Tamerlane wanted you personally. The man grinned, splitting his ugly face in half. Which ain’t good for your scrawny ass, believe me.

The prisoner remained indifferent to the mocking tones or indeed the attempt to scare him, but then Darius Drake was a most unusual figure. Small and malformed, his owlish eyes nevertheless exuded an absolute, unshakable confidence, a haughty detachment that often unnerved those around him. The guard was one of them. It was partly for this reason he felt compelled to say something to the perfectly silent prisoner who’d got so deep under his skin.

Drake regarded the structure below. The closer they came, the more like some bizarre, oriental tower it appeared. After some moments he turned his watery gaze back to the guard. There was no aggression, no challenge, just a cool contempt.

The smirk crumbled from the other man’s lips. You be taking those psycho eyes off me freak, he warned, lifting his rifle.

Drake blinked impassively back, his wrinkled, wizened features unreadable.

Those damned eyes, the man thought. He couldn’t stand them anymore. He moved forward, stopping the rifle butt an inch or so in front of Drake’s face.

The little man didn’t flinch.

The guard’s knuckles whitened around the weapon and for a moment he looked as if he might use it. Then he sneered. You ain’t worth it. Little cripple like you. He shook his head, sitting back down. He made a point of avoiding the prisoner’s eyes.

A derisive snort made him whirl round, a large blue vein bulging in his neck. The guard stared at a powerfully built, buxom woman with long auburn curls that fell to her shoulders. She was a striking sight, and as he was aware, she’d caught him more than once ogling her during their half day’s journey to Tamerlane’s prison complex. One of her shoulders and arm was completely cybernetic yet the metal was so smooth, so perfectly formed it seemed almost like a bodily adornment rather than an artificial appendage. A thin silver line ran across one of her cheeks whilst above it the eye glowed with an artificial soft ruby light. That eye was mocking him.

You got a problem? he snarled.

The woman sneered. Real tough guy, aren’t you Kerry? Bet all the ladies are real impressed by you.

The guard’s nostrils flared. Shut your bitch mouth. Narrowed eyes swept over her. Look at you, Titanya, the Pirate Queen. Least that’s what they call you, ain’t it? He slid along his bench, moving towards her. Well, you don’t look so noble to me. More like a slattern. He placed a gloved hand to her throat. Don’t look so damn tough, neither.

The woman licked her full lips. Tell you what, lover boy. Take these restraints off and let’s see.

The guard pressed his face closer to hers. Let’s not, I like you just the way you are. He leaned in as if to kiss her. Nice and easy, which I guess you are, anyway.

Before he could achieve his amorous objective, however, Titanya swung out a boot.

It connected squarely between his legs. The man let out a soft moan and collapsed to the floor, instinctively curling up in embryonic fashion.

The lights inside the craft suddenly flashed red. A bull-necked pilot poked his head around the doorway.

What the hell you playing at Kerry? he barked. Get off the floor and strap yourself in. I’m taking us in for landing.

The guard gave a groan by way of acknowledgment then after a couple of deep breaths succeeded in rolling himself into a kneeling position. He glared at the woman.

What’s the matter, baby? she asked. Foreplay a little rough for you?

You’re going to get yours, he spat. He slowly unfolded himself, getting shakily to his feet.

Titanya smiled sweetly. Not from you, lover boy.

~ * ~

This is as far as I go, Kerry told the two prisoners as they entered the honeycombed chamber. Crims only past this point.

The whole area was built from translucent plasi-steel and the walls danced with the beautiful yet deadly ice storm raging outside. Swarms of bug-like droids flew back and forth, attending to myriad functions.

In the distance two figures melted out of the shadows. Kerry thrust a hand into the small of