Ethos by Aaron Dworkin

Author:Aaron Dworkin [Aaron Dworkin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
Published: 2018-11-05T16:00:00+00:00

The glider slid noiselessly into the private parking deck below Flint City Hall. A few stray branches and leaves still clung to its outer dome; the Bereft unit had had to tear away the camouflaging vines with their bare hands without Brendle’s knowledge of how to manipulate organic material. They were in such a hurry that they had ripped away only enough of the foliage to permit Nev to navigate the glider.

As they pulled up, Malcolm was already waiting for them, flanked by two other Immortals, Councilor Floyd and a woman David didn’t recognize. Malcolm raised one bemused eyebrow at the sight of the glider, but made no other comment. He and David had been in communication via the glider’s wireless system, and he already knew the details of the ordeal the Bereft unit had been through. He wasn’t about to give them a hard time for failing to return their borrowed glider in mint condition.

“This is Councilor Kashay,” Malcolm said, indicating the Immortal woman beside him. David was surprised to see that, although her face was otherwise smooth, she had a small constellation of crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes. Since she was a councilor, there was no chance that she was Bereft; she had to be, then, one of the rare Immortals who found their ethos later in life. Again, David was acutely aware of the pulsing sensation in his chest. Could this be what was happening to him? Had he found his ethos?

There was no time to pause and consider. Malcolm was already leading the group down a long corridor toward the State Room, an internal, windowless room in the basement of City Hall where he held strategic meetings.

As they walked, Malcolm spoke.

“I want to launch the offensive immediately. There’s no telling when the Warped Immortals will discover that their bioshield has been compromised, so we have to strike fast. We’ll coordinate two fronts: one by air, which I’ll lead with the assistance of Councilor Floyd, and a second by land, led by Councilor Kashay.”

“Chancellor,” Nev’s voice cut in. Both Councilor Floyd and Councilor Kashay looked at her, startled. She had by this time earned both Malcolm’s respect and trust, but nevertheless, it was bold of her to interrupt him mid-thought.

“Chancellor,” she said again, “David and I have some concerns. We mentioned them briefly over the wireless, but we think they should be thought through more carefully before the offensive goes forward.”

Malcolm held up a warning hand. “I’ve heard your concerns, and I don’t share them,” he said tersely.

The humming in David’s chest intensified as he saw his son and his love in conflict. On impulse, before he had time to weigh the decision, he jumped to Nev’s defense.

“Nev is right,” he said. “I think it’s important that you hear more about the intelligence we’ve gathered before you act, Malcolm.”

Malcolm whirled suddenly on his heel and came face to face with David. At five feet eleven, David wasn’t exactly short—but Malcolm towered over him at six feet three.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.