A Galaxy Unknown 10: Azula Carver by Thomas DePrima

Author:Thomas DePrima
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Vinnia Publishing
Published: 2015-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Fifteen

~ May 22nd, 2289 ~

As with felines on Earth, the Jumaka cubs grew astonishingly fast during their first twelve weeks of life. All were now larger than a fully grown Terran housecat, with Cayla's brood being slightly larger because they were born a little earlier. All had been weaned off their mother's milk, which was a relief for Cayla and Tayna. The babies now consumed the same food as the adult Jumakas.

They had become a real handful when they were in the palace and seemed to be everywhere all the time. The family and staff were extra careful not to step on them or trip over them, but occasionally a tiny scream of pain would be heard when the tip of a tail or a paw was underfoot. For that reason, Cayla and Tayna kept them outside as much as possible. Arturo and Berl would spend all morning, every morning, after breakfast playing made-up games with the cubs as their Terran and Jumaka mothers looked on. Then they'd eat lunch, take a nap, and be ready to play all afternoon if Cayla and Tayna hadn't taken the cubs into the denser part of the garden to learn survival and hunting techniques in the wild, although it was doubtful they'd ever need them. The training was useful though because it reinforced their natural instincts while sharpening their reflexes, which better prepared them to defend themselves and their Terrans if trouble arose.

~ ~ ~

"The meeting will come to order," Chairwoman Gladsworth said to the members of the Raider Upper Council assembled around the meeting table as she pounded her gavel once, then put it down. When everyone had quieted down, she said, "Councilwoman Overgaard has informed me that Mikel Arneu aka Nicole Ravenau, plus a number of other aliases— including Arthur Strauss for a time and now Aliana Shanara— is here and waiting with her guards outside this chamber. Shall we bring her in?"

Everyone nodded affirmatively and Gladsworth touched a contact point on a console by her right hand. A couple of seconds later, the chamber doors opened and three burly guards and the Chief of Security followed the comparatively petite Aliana Shanara into the room. Her hands were cuffed behind her back, and she was wearing the outfit she had worn the day they found her on Pelomious. Since then she had only worn pajamas in her cell.

"Has she been checked for weapons?" Gladsworth asked the Chief of Security.

He nodded.

"You're damn straight I've been checked for weapons," Shanara said. "I was checked on Pelomious and then several times every day since while in my cell where there was no possibility I could have acquired any new weapons. Usually it took three of them to check me."

"Are you that dangerous?" Gladsworth asked.

"No, they just enjoyed searching my body for weapons."

Gladsworth chuckled. "I can understand why. That's a very attractive body your people fashioned for you. Guards, release her and leave the room."

"I ask that you reconsider, Madam Chairwoman," the Chief of Security said.

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