His to Claim by Taylor Vaughn

Author:Taylor Vaughn [Vaughn, Taylor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942167273
Publisher: Taylor Vaughn
Published: 2019-03-30T16:00:00+00:00

The return journey to our ship is both silent and tense. I expect for N’Ure to argue on behalf of the Kaidorians as soon as we board. But most likely reading my mood, he wisely chooses to remain quiet as T’Kan issues orders to prepare for take-off, a full day before previously scheduled.

It is not until hours into our flight that N’Ure finds me on the observation deck staring sightlessly at the colorful streaks left behind by our faster than light travel.

“My Kel, I am aware of your great anger over the Kaidorian Emperor’s threat to the hu’man you have chosen to breed. I would not blame you if you refused to have any further dealings with him or his uncivilized race. His words were not respectful, as is common with those savages.”

I agree, but remain quiet, sensing a “however” at the end of my prime minister’s statement.

“However,” N’Ure continues soon after, just as expected, “before you make your final decision, I would humbly request that you look over the findings in the report you asked me to curate on the New Terrhan colony.”

I furrow my ridges. “The report is not due until three weeks from now.”

“Indeed it was, my Kel,” N’Ure answers with a deferential bow. “However, seeing how vexed you had become over our lack of information on the New Terrhan colony, I moved it up to the top of my priority list, in the hopes of assuaging any worries you might have about our supply process.”

He swipes a hand across the air between us, producing a holo screen glowing with the words, NEW TERRHAN SURVEY. My brow once again furrows when I see the star date written underneath the title.

“You compiled this report nearly half a moon cycle ago. You will tell me why you have waited until now to present it.”

N’Ure lowers his eyes even further. “Knowing how important the Kaidorian negotiations were, I did not wish to distract you, especially since the report, as you said yourself, was not yet due. Please forgive me if you feel I made the wrong decision.”

As preoccupied as I had become with learning more about the civilization from which my hu’man originally hailed, even I could not find fault with N’Ure’s reasoning. Of course, the peace talks with the Kaidorians had required my full attention.

“Would you like to review the survey alone, my Kel, or have me stay to answer any inquiries you might have as you go over it?”

“You are dismissed,” I answer, suspecting I will want to be alone when I read the report—especially if N’Ure believes it will affect my final decision about the Kaidorians.

Several hours later, I find myself regretting my command to compile the survey. N’Ure’s report is both thorough and damning.

This time he had provided a much more detailed account of what had happened upon home planet of the New Terrhan colony. Apparently, the planet had not merely been the victim of overpopulation.

For the vast majority of their history, this home planet had not been much more advanced than the New Terrhans were now.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.