Warren C Norwood - [Double Spiral War 03] by Final Command (epub)

Author:Final Command (epub)
Format: epub
Published: 2022-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

20

“WHY DID RANAS NOT ACCOMPANY YOU?” Leri asked. She knew the answer, but she still had hope that he would change his mind.

“He declined, Proctor.” The translator on the back of his carapace squawked seconds behind his clacking whistles, and Glights twisted a claw around to adjust it as he spoke again.

“Ranas did not give a reason, and I did not press him for one. However, he did say he would contact you as soon as he had anything further to report on the messages from the Verfen.”

“Do you have any opinion about this, Glights?”

“No, Proctor. I only wish we could communicate with home to see if the Verfen have tried to contact Castor, also.”

“How soon before you will know?”

“Ten of our seasons. Maybe twelve. There is a fairly strong radiation storm somewhere between Cloise and Castor, but my technicians assure me that it should dissipate fairly soon.”

“And in the meantime you fight the pirates.”

“We try, Proctor. The human ships are heavily armed, and they are using collecting techniques we have never encountered before. Their main ship seems quite capable of collecting methane while moving, so they collect, and we chase them, and periodically they pause for reasons we do not understand, and then we fight. It has not been an easy thing.”

“I do not want your excuses, Glights. I want you and your human mercenaries to fulfill your agreement and rid Cloise of the pirates. Can you do that or not?”

“We are trying, Proctor, but the humans are dangerous and cunning, and now they have two of the new collecting ships, each with ten ships guarding it. It is no easy thing.”

Leri spat a fireball over his head in frustration. “Leave me, then, and go do this difficult job of yours. And tell Ranas I want a full report.”

“As you wish, Proctor,” Glights said, backing from the chamber and clacking his claws over his head.

Every time a Castorian did that, Leri felt a small chill curl down her spine. It was a gesture she would always equate with the treacherous Exeter, who had tried to eat her and whom she had executed in the fires of revenge.

As quickly as she could, she dismissed those thoughts and turned on the music of Shetotem, her favorite composer. She called for Isthian who had been waiting to exchange with her since before Glights appearance and then began her meditations. As usual, the Isthian slipped into the chamber unseen and climbed quickly up her back to the nipple on her neck. She felt its reassuring presence and said, “Welcome, tender one.”

“May the Elett bless you,” he replied.

“And may you share the blessing.”

“The mighty Verfen are coming to Cloise, Proctor. Does that interest you?”

“The Verfen? Coming here? How do you know that, tender one?” If he had told her she would bear a Castorian’s guplings, she could not have been more surprised. A message from the Verfen was troubling enough, but to have them come to Cloise?

“My Confidante told me. Shall I tell you more?”

“Of course! Yes, please, tender one.

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