McClafferty, Patrick - Eldenworld Book 03 - The Decade Worlds by McClafferty Patrick

Author:McClafferty, Patrick [McClafferty, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PD McClafferty
Published: 2020-03-23T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

LOTHAR

In the morning Mairi found him asleep on the couch before the fireplace. Someone had thoughtfully provided him with a pillow and a blanket, although his glass of wine was still half full. Gareth opened his eyes and smiled up at his daughter, who was looking down on him, a quizzical expression on her face.

“When I finally got to sleep, I had the nicest dreams.” He murmured, licking his lips reflexively. They tasted of orange, and he frowned. It had all been a dream, hadn’t it? He asked himself, to which he received no reply.

“What are we going to do today?”

Gareth opened his mouth to tell his daughter that they were flying to the Realm of the Shattered Plains, but he stopped as another thought intruded. “How is the transport for the Qual coming, Ell?” He said to the air.

“You were busy yesterday, so I didn’t bother to tell you that the transport was finished. The Achéron is currently in a high Earth orbit. Onboard sensors indicate the Qual have cleared a large field and are ready to begin boarding.”

“You would think that they were eager to leave.” Gareth muttered ironically. “Can we get from here to there by noon, using the transport pod?”

“No problem,” Ell replied in a calm voice. “if you leave by eleven hundred.”

Gareth bit his lip. “Please set it up so that the transport ship arrives fifteen minutes after I do. I’ll make sure the loading is going well before Mairi and I continue on to the Shattered Plain.”

“Does Chiu know you’re coming?”

He smiled. “I thought we’d surprise her.”

“It’s about time.” There was a surprising tone of exasperation in the AI’s voice.

Gareth sighed. “I have the two steamships on shuttle runs from Pellanon and Luxoroth to pick up refugees for delivery to Brivrelsea. By the time the ships arrive with refugees a dining hall and quarters will already be available at their relocation site on Vurean. Have some of the marines begin making sweeps with the pods we have available to check on our evacuees.”

“Two things.” Ell began calmly. “The steamships will need to resupply with coal in a few days. There was a limited supply when you sent them on their way to Pellanon. Second, if you add just a few more minutes, Iona could have the pods deliver the people directly to the relocation area on Vurean.” The AI suggested.

“That’s a very good idea, except that four of her pods are already in use shuttling elves for the next month. Here is another idea to work on. Why don’t you contact the Sergeant Major, and have him select a dozen of his best marine shapeshifters and start training them for covert duty. I want a six-man roving patrol to visit all the encampments at least once a month, with four in uniform for high visibility, and two in mufti, able to blend in with the local population. There is too great a chance of somebody hoarding all the resources to make themselves rich. The marines will be my Police Force.

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