Sk'lar by Elin Wyn

Author:Elin Wyn [Wyn, Elin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Clockwalk Publishing
Published: 2019-10-10T05:00:00+00:00

Sk’lar

Placid, calm on the outside, belly roiling with anxiety on the inside, I wondered if anyone else at this emergency meeting felt as out of their element as I did.

Here on the top floor of the Nyheim official building, we were treated to a magnificent view of the setting sun as it lent dying scarlet light to the city. Everything seemed safe and tranquil, belying the recent chaos which had rocked this metropolis.

I had grown used to General Rouhr, and Vidia, and of course I didn’t feel uncomfortable around Phryne, but there were some heavyweights here.

Vrehx and Karzin sat with almost bored expressions, as if waiting for the bean counters and bureaucrats to hurry up and decide who should get shot.

Dr. Parr was here, as well, lending her expertise to the discussion. A worried frown wrinkled her otherwise attractive face. Given recent events, I couldn’t blame her one bit for feeling upset. Tona and Skit, two of Nyheim’s security personnel, stood a few feet behind her chair.

Thribb and Tyehn sat flanking me, because Thribb was our science guy and I was hoping Tyehn’s own scientific background might offer some unique insight. I guess I also felt that, somehow, the entourage made me seem less unimportant.

Vidia stood up, drained half a glass of what I assumed to be water, and took in the whole room with her gaze.

“Let’s cut to the chase. Things are going to hell in a handbasket—don’t roll your eyes, Rouhr, it’s not the most obscure human phrase—and we need to pull together and fix this mess. First up is the Election. Thoughts?”

Dr. Parr was the first to speak.

“We’ll have to suspend the elections. With all of the chaos, there’s no way that we can possibly ensure they will be both secure and fair.”

Rouhr glared at her, and his mouth opened and closed several times. When he finally spoke up, it was as if he’d barely contained his incredulity.

“You would have us suspend the elections and give even more ammunition to the anti-alien propaganda machine?” he asked. “Are you mad?”

“But Dashiell just straight-up called us traitors,” she said.

Karzin shook his head and eyed Parr as if she’d lost her mind as she continued, “He was ranting and raving like a lunatic. There’s no way such a man is a viable or worthy candidate.”

“You’re not looking at the big picture,” another voice interjected.

We all turned to Phryne as she stood up and put her arms akimbo.

“What General Rouhr is getting at is this; if we kick Dashiell out of the election, then the anti-alienists will have a lightning rod with which to draw others to their cause. As vile as the man is, as much as I do not agree with his views on non-humans, we have to let him run.”

Everyone fell silent at that. Rouhr didn’t gloat that his point had been made, because this wasn’t the type of victory you celebrated. At length, I tapped on the table to get everyone’s attention.

“The election matter is settled, though not to anyone’s liking.

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