Quantum of Destiny: An Interstellar War Story (The Essence Wars Book 4) by Paul Heingarten

Author:Paul Heingarten [Heingarten, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Decatur Media
Published: 2021-08-09T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Ellene remembered how Sarika looked. Her hair alone was memorable enough. She heard from Bates on Sarika's involvement with Baldric, but that hadn't settled Ellene's lingering curiosity. She waited in the concourse outside Sarika's training session for when her class was released.

Ellene knew that others worked on the issue. Bates did things about the rising threats to the Nara, as was his job. She knew Perdie was on it as well. Still, Ellene felt better knowing directly that things were being done, and that Violators were monitored and tracked. It wasn't necessarily the place for a Hierarch, but Ellene dared anyone to tell her different.

The electronic tones indicating the end of the session echoed through the hallway. After a few moments, entry portals slid open, and a steady procession of students oozed from the various room entrances, as if the classrooms were severed arteries hemorrhaging Nara into Ellene's vicinity.

Ellene worked her way through the oncoming students. Most who saw Ellene did a hurried version of the salute to acknowledge her, but Ellene wasn't really concerned with decorum then. A group of students nodded and quickly slid out of Ellene's path, bringing her facing Sarika. Sarika's hair was not as neat as the last time they'd met, and her eyes had a sparkle of something behind them. Ellene thought Sarika’s interrogation by Bates could be to blame; they weren't exactly kind and gentle in extracting information for the most part.

"Hello, Sarika. I wonder if you'd grant me the pleasure of your company for a few moments."

Sarika eyed Ellene’s extended hand nervously. The greeting was equal parts kind and fake. Ellene's mind lasered in on a task when the situation called for it, and her request could've been better worded as 'If you'd like to remain among the living, get your ass over here before I shoot you down.'

Ellene took Sarika to a quieter area of the Instruction Facility. As determined as Ellene was to drain Sarika's mind of any details on her and Baldric's association, she figured it would be better for the time being to stay in a place comfortable to Sarika. Failing that, Ellene would've happily proceeded on a similar course the likes of Baldric had gotten, but she was OK to play it calm for the moment.

Ellene ushered Sarika to a table in an empty workshop for their discussion, and the two took seats opposite from each other. "Your friend Baldric was subjected to Disconnection," Ellene began. The news wasn't a surprise to Sarika, but she still flinched at the idea of her longtime friend's fate.

"This isn't the way we wanted this to go; I hope you can understand that."

Sarika swallowed with difficulty before she was able to respond. "I know. I wish he'd have been smarter and not listened to Malone like he did."

Ellene traced her finger over her lips. "Indeed. I know you've spoken with Bates about your involvement with your friend, but I was hoping we'd talk a little more."

"I've already told Bates everything I know.

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