Catalyst: An Intergalactic Space Opera Saga (The Essence Wars) by Paul Heingarten

Author:Paul Heingarten [Heingarten, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Decatur Media
Published: 2022-02-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

S arika skipped the meetings with Baldric and Alda from then on. Even Instruction periods she shared with them became a regular challenge of ignoring the contact attempts Alda and Baldric made toward her. Sarika's thoughts on them were avoidance at all costs. Her fear was of what Ellene really knew, and especially if she'd had any inkling of Sarika's link to Baldric.

One day, Sarika's luck of staying away from Alda ran short, and she was cornered between Instruction periods.

"Baldric's going to do it," Alda said. "He's going to contact Malone."

"What do you want me to do about it?" Sarika asked. She looked at her friend and was surprised how different Alda looked to her in just a short amount of time. Sarika had chosen the way of the Nara, and she felt guilty that she hadn't been able to report her friends sooner. She hoped it wasn't too late. She shrugged her friend off. Whatever Ellene knew or didn't, Sarika realized her best bet was if she got out ahead of Baldric's schemes before Nara Security got wind and began a trace of all his contacts.

Sarika found a Security contact after one of her classes for the day.

"I need to report a Violator."

The officer quickly escorted Sarika into the Administration Wing and took her into a briefing room. The walls were bare, and she knew she was only in there for one thing. She wondered if the room was used for other things, like Disconnection, and just what happened to those people. She swallowed when she realized those people now included one or maybe two who had been close to her for a long time.

After a few minutes, Bates Rocke appeared. "I understand you've got some information on Violators for us."

"Yes, that's true."

Bates pulled out a series of digital files and laid them on the table. "Your willingness to come forward helps your standing in this matter. We're looking for even the associates of Violators, and the fact you have personal knowledge of some leads me to wonder just how much you're connected."

"We were friends since before the Acquiring. I knew them as children."

"Did they ever express any thoughts to you in early cycles about not believing in the Nara's mission?"

"No."

"Have you ever seen them doing anything regarding the Nara Essence facilities that isn't in a manner directly related to our purpose?"

"No."

"What are the specific violations you're reporting here?"

"Attempts to use the Nara Net to contact parties beyond Nara."

Bates narrowed his eyes. His hue turned a darker red as he leaned toward Sarika. The sour smell of Bates' breath slid past Sarika's nose. She tried moving back, but the seat was rigid. Soon they were only a few inches apart. Bates eyes looked directly into Sarika's.

"You're going to tell me everything, because if you don't, I'm going to pull your mind and get it anyway. The more you tell me now, the easier this will all be for you. So, give me everything you know, Sarika Tholl. I want to know what these Violators were up to.

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