The Fires of Aurelius by Robert M. Kerns

Author:Robert M. Kerns [Kerns, Robert M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781636460208
Publisher: Knightsfall Press
Published: 2021-07-05T22:00:00+00:00

Cole saw how Captain Vasquez fought the urge to snap to attention as he entered the man’s office. The station commander managed to stop his reflex, so Cole didn’t feel the need to make an issue of it.

“Captain,” Cole said, extending his hand as they met, “how goes the refugee processing?”

Vasquez gave him a respectable handshake and gestured to some seating. “It’s going well. As is always the case, a certain percentage simply is not compatible with our goals and interests… for a myriad of reasons. We’ve already split them across freighters due to leave soon, and they’ll be off the station within a couple hours or so. Your special refugee has been processed and passed the evaluation for citizenship with flying colors.”

Cole chuckled and shook his head. “She’s not my refugee. I just appreciate her situation. Carrying a legacy isn’t for everyone.”

The hatch opened behind them, and Cole turned. Victoria Rainier led Elizabeth into the room, and both Cole and Vasquez stood to greet them.

“Cole, it is my pleasure to introduce to you Elizabeth Cavanaugh,” Victoria said, giving a small flourish to indicate Elizabeth.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Cavanaugh,” Cole said, a smile tugging at his lips. “I trust you find our humble station to your liking.”

Elizabeth seemed in the midst of a rear-guard action against her own mirth; the corners of her mouth kept trying to quirk upward as if to smile. “Why, thank you, good sir. I have to say that your ‘humble station’ as you put it is far and away the most incredible sight I have ever beheld.”

“Have you given any thought to where you’ll go next?” Cole asked.

“Well, Victoria tells me I have qualified for Beta Magellan citizenship if I want it. I’m not quite sure how, but I’m happy to take her word for it. Did you pull some strings for me?”

Cole was quick to shake his head. “Oh, no. I pull strings for no one when it comes to the refugee assessment. In our earliest days, when we were just Haven, Sasha and Talia had prices on their heads from the Provisional Parliament of the Aurelian Commonwealth, and I had to be sure no one who came aboard Haven did so for nefarious purposes. Now, it’s just become something of an accepted thing. I’ve tried to do away with it a couple times, but the people were quick to beg me not to. It seems they like knowing their next-door neighbor wants to be there as much as they do… and for basically the same reason.”

Elizabeth’s expression turned curious. “How do you do it? Or is that a state secret?”

“No, it’s not a state secret, not really. Did Victoria sit and chat with you for a while after introducing you to some nice non-humans that you may never have encountered before?”

“Oh, yes! I met my first Ghrexel and my first Kiksalik. They were so nice. The Ghrexel had a simply adorable color pattern in her fur.”

Cole nodded along as Elizabeth recounted the experience.

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