Crimson Sun (Starcaster Book 3) by J.N. Chaney & Terry Maggert

Author:J.N. Chaney & Terry Maggert [Chaney, J.N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2020-11-19T16:00:00+00:00

“Air’s a little on the thick side,” Brid said, as she, Thorn, and Dart stepped out of the Gyrfalcon’s airlock and into the orbiting platform to which they’d been directed. Apparently, actually landing on the planet’s surface required another set of disclaimers, liability waivers, and similar legal bullshit. Thorn did not have the patience to pander to the bureaucratic fetish the Danzur seemed to actually enjoy.

“About five percent higher atmospheric pressure,” Dart said, glancing down at the data pad clipped to his belt. “Oxygen content is higher, too—about twenty-six percent, compared to twenty-one standard. Higher partial pressure of water vapor, higher CO2 content compared to nitrogen, higher—”

“Thicker,” Thorn said. “We get it.” He turned and looked along the corridor leading forward. It was brightly lit and rendered in soft, pastel colors, mainly pinks and pale greens, arranged in an abstract pattern that reminded him of—

He grimaced at each new and ghastly color array. In the distant past, he recalled a horrible piece of clothing—or was it socks—in this unsettling color pattern.

Paisley. Right.

“Interesting choice of décor,” Brid said as they started forward, her thoughts apparently echoing Thorn’s.

They reached the end of the corridor and stepped into a compartment occupied by four—

Danzur, Thorn assumed, though they were nothing at all like what he’d expected.

If you took an ape, squashed it to about two-thirds of the height of a man, added the bulk to its width, gave it an extra set of arms, then clothed it in something resembling formal wear, you’d have a Danzur.

One of them stepped forward with a loping gait. “On behalf of the Hegemony, I am pleased to extend our welcome to you. I am Sophat Girn, Deputy Assistant to the Preeminent Undersecretary to the First Secretary to the Hegemonic Council.”

Two things struck Thorn as the Danzur spoke—first, that, absent the translator and its formal, cultured tone, their actual speech sounded like nothing but a series of wet, syrupy grunts. And second, despite giving a title that was vaguely masculine, Thorn had no idea whether Sophat Girn was female, male, or something different. As the diplomat droned on, despite being an underling to an underling to an underling of whoever was in charge, Sophat Girn gave his title like it wasn’t only something to be proud of, but that it was important, too.

Thorn kept his face neutral, since smiling might be considered inappropriate, and responded in a grave tone.

“I am Lieutenant Thorn Stellers, Starcaster with the Orbital Navy of Earth. We represent the Allied Stars, and I am very pleased to meet you.”

Sophat introduced the other three Danzur present, all of whom seemed to be underlings not only to him, but also, in some fashion, to one another. Thorn acknowledged them as they were named, but quickly forgot who was who because, apparently, every Danzur had some sort of convoluted title to follow their name. Or at least these ones did, although at each introduction, the Danzur compulsively adjusted a stack of papers near them, twitching every page into order with meticulous care.

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