User Guide

And now, an excerpt from the first Wing Commander novel, Freedom Flight
(published by Baen Books in December, ’92, and available at your nearest bookstore
or by mail through ORIGIN). Join Hunter, K’Kai, Ralgha nar Hhallas and his sworn aide
Kirha, as they challenge the Emperor’s might, to free a world!
The interrogator’s lip curled in a contemptuous snarl. “The traitor is silent. He cannot even speak in
his own defense! This is not a highborn lord of Kilrah, but a carrion-eater!”
Standing before the interrogator, Lord Ralgha nar Hhallas stared relentlessly at his enemy. A green
haze fogged Ralgha’s eyes, the mist of rage, and he fought to contain it, forcing his fur to lie flat, his ears
to remain erect, his eyes to remain wide open and without guile. He won the battle with his instincts
and emotions, as he had won the eight eights of similar battles during the past few hours. His vision
came clear again, and the urge to tear out the throats of his enemies — any enemies — subsided. He
knew by the relaxed posture of the burly guards watching him that he had not betrayed himself by so
much as a tail-twitch.
So does age and experience deceive youth and vigor.
Had he been in charge of this interrogation, he would have had his captive wired and monitored.
Perhaps he should be glad that someone like him was not in charge. But blood would tell, and breeding;
that was a truism. Breeding would carry him through this. He had to believe that.
24
FREEDOM FLIGHT
WING COMMANDER, BOOK ONE:
BY MERCEDES LACKEY AND ELLEN GUON