Force by John Vornholt

Author:John Vornholt [Vornholt, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, Interplanetary Voyages, Star Trek Fiction, Space Ships
ISBN: 9780743465014
Publisher: Star Trek
Published: 2003-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

Farlo Fuzwik squirmed uncomfortably in his seat as he sat in the presence of Overseer Tejharet, Seeress Jenoset, and his fellow seeress consort, Padrin. He had wanted to bring Candra with him to this private dinner in the royal stateroom, but Jenoset had insisted—with steely resolve—that this was a dinner for members of the royal family only. Even the regent had not been invited, although it was clear that Marla Karuw was very busy, running to and from the planet, meeting with scientists, and overseeing the satellites. It was the first opportunity for him to spend any time with the overseer, who at first was shocked by his youth. Then it became clear that very little the seeress did could shock him for very long, and he had grown sullen and distracted.

They made small talk as they ate, with Jenoset and Padrin complaining about the food and their accommodations on the ship, although it all seemed grand to Farlo. They also bemoaned the loss of so many cultural institutions and people they knew, especially a curate named Molafzon. For a moment, the overseer became animated as he wondered how Curate Molafzon had disappeared or gotten lost in the chaos of the evacuation, and what a loss it was. After that, he lapsed back into sullen retrospection. Although this wasn’t a cheerful dinner party, it was [161] clear that these three people were comfortable in each other’s presence, and Farlo wondered if he would ever fit in so easily.

After dessert, Seeress Jenoset sat stiffly in her chair and said, “I suggested we have dinner together for a reason. I want to discuss when and how we should go about returning the traditional power of government to the royal family, where it has rested for eons of peace and prosperity.”

The glaze left the overseer’s eyes, and he sat up to listen as the seeress went on to say, “I realize we turned over the reins of government to a regent for very good reason, although no regent has ever held power in any of our lifetimes. In the past, a regent has served only when the overseer was too young or incapacitated, and that is not the case. I salute Marla Karuw for her daring and successful evacuation of Aluwna, but the threat is over. There is no immediate emergency, just a great deal of work to do. We must face the prospect of rebuilding our homes and society, and the people will be helped in this great task by a sense of tradition and continuity with our past.”

“Absolutely,” agreed Padrin. “It will encourage them to step off our transporters and see the power structure they have come to trust. Plus any ill feelings over the lottery and those passed over can be attributed to the regent. Don’t get me wrong, she did a great job—but the overseer has an opportunity to rise above those difficult decisions.”

Overseer Tejharet sniffed disdainfully. “What do you want to do with Marla Karuw? Simply toss her

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