The Departure (The Survivors Book Twenty-Three) by Nathan Hystad

Author:Nathan Hystad [Hystad, Nathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Woodbridge Press
Published: 2024-12-09T00:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

Magnus and I stared at the enormous fleet, comprised of a hundred cylindrical vessels brought by the Azin. “They’ve been waiting for us on Buon for years,” I said.

“Why?”

“They wouldn’t say until their leader came.” The vessels parted a pathway to Atlas, and a lone Azin ship flew to our hangar. It slowed, spun, then shot a metallic tunnel from its own hull, connecting to our craft.

Herm lay in pieces on the deck where G-9 worked on reassembling him, since the bot had been greatly damaged while distracting the programmed defense drones on Buon’s surface.

“Should we trust these guys?” Slate asked.

“They mentioned the Recaster,” I said.

“That’s not really a great answer, Boss.”

Sarlun had remained quiet for most of the afternoon, and he strode toward the incoming regiment of Azin soldiers. Ten of them marched through the space tunnel and pushed past our hangar’s shield. They glanced warily at the blue light that surrounded them while they breached the barrier.

Without their EVAs, they looked less imposing, though still a good couple of inches taller than me—six if I counted the pair of white tubular horns rising from each of their brows. They wore black uniforms with a triangle emblem, and only the leader had a cape. I wore the dark Institute uniform and had taken the time to shave and shower before their visit, feeling it would be an important interaction.

The woman’s skin was chalky, her eyes white and pupilless. The pink around them was more subdued than those of the men with her, who had red circles on their faces instead.

“Dean Parker,” she said. “We have been anticipating this encounter. I’m Hesper Nova, and I came to save your people.”

“In that case, maybe we should reconvene somewhere other than our hangar.” I bowed my head, and Hesper left her guards, joining me as we walked. She smelled good, like she’d bathed in lemon and basil water.

“Weapon is a scourge on our universe,” she said.

“Wait, I thought the Enuix were the enemy?” I guided them to the captain’s office behind the bridge as she studied the warship with curiosity.

She gave a command in her own language, and all but one guard stayed in the hallway. When my friends began to join, she lifted a finger. “Let us speak in private.”

“They won’t—” I shot them an apologetic look, and they seemed to understand. “Magnus, would you come?” She’d brought an escort, so I would too.

The Alliance Institute leader entered my office and took a beat from Hesper’s sidekick, who remained standing when she sat.

“Would you like something to drink?” I asked.

“That would be acceptable,” she said.

“Allow me.” Magnus went to the bar and poured two servings of Padlog nectar, leaving the alcohol out. Hesper stared at the clear glass and poked it.

“I’m afraid I am not used to this. We have an attachment on the bottom of our beverage dispensers so we can drink,” she said.

I didn’t quite understand until she lifted it higher and tilted her left antenna. It bent and began slurping the liquid from the top of her head.

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