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Richard Paul Russo
The Rosetta Codex
Ace Books by Richard Paul Russo

CARLUCCI
DESTROYING ANGEL
CARLUCCI’S EDGE
CARLUCCI’S HEART

SHIP OF FOOLS
ROSETTA CODEX

for Candace




A DF Books NERDs Release


PROLOGUE
Disguised as a freelance star freighter, the Exile Prince entered the Costamara System and made for
Conrad’s World, the system’s only habitable planet. Like any other freighter, it approached
Conrad’s World with loaded holds and formal trade contracts, but was also outfitted with weaponry
and defenses no freighter was ever authorized to carry, and passengers who would normally never travel
on such a ship.

Two days out from Conrad’s World, the Exile Prince transmitted its manifest—legitimate and
accurate, if incomplete—along with encrypted registrations and certifications from the Independent
Traders Collective. The orbital docking station returned a preliminary authorization.

One day out, Captain Jan Olveg had two long conversations with the station master. After the second
conversation, the station master transmitted final authorization codes to dock and unload the Exile
Prince’s cargo.

Four hours out from the station, three combat fighters emerged in battle vectors from the shadow of
Ambrose, Conrad’s larger moon, and attacked the Exile Prince.



Although they were still in zero gravity, Sidonie and Cale sat strapped into their acceleration couches, the
woman’s outstretched hand resting on Cale’s arm. Just five years old, Cale did not understand
what was happening, did not understand why they were strapped in, but he felt safe with Sidonie.
She’d been taking care of him since he could remember; sometimes he accidentally called her
“Mother,― and though she would gently correct him, she always smiled and didn’t seem to
mind. Now she softly squeezed his arm and smiled at him, but it wasn’t her normal smile and he
wondered what was wrong.

The couches jolted from an explosion, and Cale stared at her, eyes wide, but remained silent.