Read Online Lens of Time by Saxon Andrew - Free Book Online Page B

saw that the, what did he call his species, oh yeah; the human, knew he was in a trap from which there was no escape for him or his species. Jeff didn’t like the deception but led RV into an elevator and it rose at high speed to the floor of the Council.
    • • •
    RV stood in front of the council and knew they were communicating but the room was silent. He had answered all their questions and he knew they didn’t need to ask them. They could simply look in his mind and find whatever they wanted. Finally being in the front row rose and spoke verbally to him. “I can see that you believe what you’re saying to us but we don’t trust you.”
    RV said, “Why is that?”
    “We’ve had more than half a million species stand before us and offer promises similar to what you’ve given. All of them failed to keep them.”
    RV said, “That’s not entirely true.”
    The being smiled, “Oh?”
    “Some of them were destroyed before they could break them.”
    “And just how do you know that?”
    “I’ve looked around your neighborhood.”
    The Leader actually smiled, “Well, you’re right. Several thousand did die. However, even taking them into consideration, none of the others proved to be worthy of trust. Prove to me beyond all doubt that you’re different.”
    “What are you going to do if I can’t?”
    “We now know where your civilization is and we’ll go and destroy your worlds.”
    RV took a deep breath and said, “This meeting was done to gather information to attack us?”
    “That’s not entirely true. We do want to believe you, but you’ve done nothing to convince us you’re any different from the thousands of others that came before you. It is also necessary that we kill you.”
    The Operator said, “May I ask this being a question?”
    The Leader looked at him and everyone saw him frown. “Go ahead.”
    Jeff turned to RV and said, “I noticed you have feelings for another when I first met you. What is your biggest fear at this moment?”
    RV thought about Cyanna and saw her face in his mind. He saw her coming out of the waves on their honeymoon and the feeling of her next to him on the beach chair. He thought about her smile and he was heartbroken that he was not coming back to her. He knew what it was going to do to her and he wished to his soul that he could spare her the misery he knew she was going to have. His misery would end quickly but she was going to have to live with her sorrow.
    The Operator watched the Council listen to the thoughts of the Human and said, “I only have one more question.” The Council Leader looked at him and nodded. “Where have you seen an emotion like this being is now having about losing the one he cherishes more than life?”
    The Operator stepped back and lowered his head.
    The Council was silent. RV waited for his execution and after ten minutes he looked at the council. He said, “There is nothing I can say that others haven’t said to you in the past. I am sorry that I am inadequate to make you know we would never break our promise.” RV lowered his head and waited.
    The Council Leader looked at the other councilors. Nothing was said. He turned and said, “We accept your promise and we will ally our people with yours.”
    RV looked up confused as the Leader looked at the Operator, “You will join us on the Council. Your wisdom throughout this event has been extraordinary and you have allowed us to see what we would have missed. We thank you.” The Operator nodded and turned to RV.
    RV said, “What just happened?”
    “Of the thousands that came here to make their promises, everyone was frightened for their welfare. You are frightened for others ahead of yourself. That emotion cannot be taught or learned. Either a species has it or they don’t. If you have it, you are capable of placing another’s welfare ahead of your own. You’ve demonstrated that you are worthy of trust.”
    RV looked at the leaders and they saw his determination. “We