Continuum (Riven Worlds Book One) by G. S. Jennsen

Author:G. S. Jennsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci-fi space opera, Sci Fi, Sci-fi, Sci-Fi Romance, Science Fiction - Adventure, Science Fiction, Science Fiction - General, Science Fiction - High Tech, Science Fiction - Space Opera, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction And Fantasy, science fiction romance, science fiction series, Science Fiction/Fantasy, science-fiction, Scif-fi, scifi, scifi romance, SciFi-Futuristic Romance, space adventure, Space Colonization, Space Exploration, space fleet, space fleets, Space Opera, Space Ships, space travel, Space Warfare, Spaceships
ISBN: 9781732397774
Publisher: Hypernova Publishing
Published: 2020-01-08T07:00:00+00:00

33

* * *

MIRAI

Mirai One

Grant hurried down the hall toward Maris’ loft. He was running late, hence the running. Late because he’d gotten held up at DAF Command on Namino. Late because he was working.

He’d never lacked for a work ethic; he just hadn’t used it for the benefit of others instead of himself in a long time. And it was exhausting.

Grant slipped in the door and collapsed on the couch next to Charles Basquan. The man’s regened body featured a shock of hair even more gloriously ginger than before. It was his pride and joy, far beyond his considerable wealth.

Charles jerked a nod in greeting. “I haven’t seen you at the Pavilion lately.”

“They’d have to unchain me from the DAF Design Department first for me to get by there.”

“I’m not surprised to learn that Lance is a slave-driver of a boss.”

“I heard that, Charles.” Lance emerged from the kitchen carrying a half-eaten brioche. “Mesahle’s working no harder than the rest of us.”

“Actually….” Grant leaned forward, eager to take umbrage at Palmer’s dismissal of his contributions, but Maris made her usual grand entrance then, and he let it go.

She surveyed the room as she pulled a chair out from the dining table, slid it over to the couches, and took a seat. “Thank you all for coming tonight.”

Grant didn’t bother to glance around before directing a frown Maris’ way; he didn’t need to. “Where’s Nika? Are we not going to wait for her?”

Lance sat on the couch opposite Grant. “Nika wasn’t invited to this particular gathering.”

“Why the hells not?”

Maris extended a hand. “I’m not entirely comfortable with it either, Grant, but there is a reason, and we’ll get to it shortly. As I was saying, thank you for coming. Part of me wishes there were more of us here, more members of the First Generation who had chosen to step up and lead in this time of transformation for our people. But I’m also heartened, for I believe you all represent the best of us.”

The void created by Nika’s absence grew with Maris’ first words. He didn’t care for this, because Maris wasn’t wrong in her declaration. Too many members of the First Generation had refused to heed the call of service to a greater cause. And while he wasn’t necessarily proud of it, if not for Nika, he’d probably be one of them. She’d fought for the freedom of other Asterions even when she couldn’t remember why she was driven to do so, and to hold this meeting without her already felt like a betrayal.

But he couldn’t conceive of Maris betraying Nika, so he decided to give the woman the benefit of the doubt—for five minutes.

“I realize it is not our habit to congregate, but nothing is usual or ordinary about our circumstances. The Dominion is changing, because it must, and I’m so grateful to each of you for the role you’re playing in guiding those changes. As members of the First Generation, we have a unique obligation to ensure our society never loses its soul.

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