Read Online A Stellar Affair by Laurel Richards - Free Book Online Page A

half-a-dozen reports spread out in front of him on the table. Jack had to give the man credit. He did work hard.
    “Can I fix you something to drink?” Walter rattled his glass, which still held a few sips of imported whiskey.
    Jack shook his head. He was pretty exhausted as it was, and a drink would put him to sleep.
    Walter’s living room was a dark but comfortable space. A red patterned carpet covered the floor, and two large brown sofas were stationed across from each other with a coffee table in the middle.
    “So what do you have for me?” Walter asked. “How’s it going?”
    Feeling a headache coming on, Jack rubbed his right eye with the heel of his hand. “Not very well. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I’m making the most progress with Tarrin, the young soldier, but he’s putting up a fight. The old man isn’t difficult, except I have to be careful not to overtax him. I’m still not sure which one is the carrier. They all fit the profile, and they all seem to have some pretty awful memories they’re trying to hide.”
    If Terrah hadn’t been so opposed to using her skills for the military, he would have asked her for help. Damek was still in training, and this sort of work was too much for an apprentice, even if the young man had been inclined to assist. There were other precepts on the planet, of course, but the war kept all of them busy. They’d been especially inundated since the last campaign. Even if someone did become available, Jack wasn’t sure he would turn over any of the prisoners at this point. Some precepts used more mental force than others. At least he could ensure the three under his care were well treated.
    Walter leaned forward and skimmed through one of the tablets on the table. “What about Ardra Kelly? Nash says we can’t find any further trace of her in the main databases.”
    “Ardra? Ardra’s my toughest case of all,” Jack admitted. “I don’t even think she’s originally Tetch.”
    “What makes you think that?”
    “There are too many missing pieces. Even if she did get snatched by some black market intel dealer, the Tetch should have better records on her. If the government seized her, then what made them choose her in the first place? I mean, why her? It doesn’t make sense.” He hesitated a moment. “And there’s something else. She’s a precept. Low or mid-level by my estimation.”
    “What?” Walter practically jumped to his feet. “She’s a precept? The Tetch are using precepts for carriers now?”
    “No,” Jack said. “The Tetch couldn’t have known. What I’m trying to say is that I don’t think she’s Tetch. If she is a carrier, then the Tetch kidnapped and programmed a precept just by chance. Unfortunately, it happens to work in their favor.”
    Walter scowled. “How so? If she’s a precept, doesn’t that help you in the exchange?”
    Jack shook his head and kept his patience. “The connection between us is stronger, but it gives me more of a struggle to keep her under. She blocks me from what I need to know, and she’s already becoming conscious of my probes more quickly. This makes my intrusions all the more damaging.” He felt a small pang of guilt. “You should see her. The stress is wearing on her, and I don’t want her to suffer a mental break.”
    “That would keep you from getting the intel?” Walter asked.
    The single-mindedness of the man never ceased to amaze him. He found himself giving his boss a dirty look.
    “What will you do?” Walter asked more gently.
    He sighed. “The next step is to get her to examine her own memories to see what doesn’t add up. We’re fortunate she hasn’t received any training. I’ll have to employ a little more subtlety and keep her off-balance. She doesn’t always perceive my influence when I’m careful. If it comes to a direct confrontation, I can force her, but I won’t take that path unless I’m left with no other choice. It could really hurt her.”
    “You