Read Online Requiem for Anthi: Anthi - Book Two by Deborah Chester - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Deborah Chester
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. She probed deeper into his mind, cutting across resistance barriers and drawing his chaotic thoughts into a small ring.
Must identify alien life form. Projection. Hologram? No, unlikely. Mental. Demos, my head aches. No telepathic hijinks with me. No! What the devil was Saunders doing all the way out here? I’ll have her busted down to the bottom. Knew her brother. Just as stubborn. Does this alien know her? Why haven’t they put out a communication buoy? Or at least fired warnings? Not even a fleet. Must be wide open. But who is she? Beautiful. A giantess. More than beautiful. Get out of my head, damn you!
I am Aural , she said, steadying him. She forced his thoughts into order, seeking the ability within him to answer her. Communicate your name .
McKey. Angus. Captain Angus McKey of the SIS Dorian Grey. Number 444 —
Enough. Why have you come here? To conquer us? We are an independent people. This world is our own .
We come in peace , said McKey. We —
Don’t lie! I look upon you with truth. You have orders to investigate this world and if it is promising you will claim it for your masters .
Our sensors have told us —
I am not interested in your machines. Let us bargain together. I shall give you the mineral wealth of this world in exchange for your ships and crews to man them .
I am not authorized to make deals. That is for my superior officers —
Relay to them .
McKey hesitated, then he said, We are here in search of a downed ship. The Forerunner. Have you encountered either her or her crew? Captain Asos Lute? Navigator Rhyi Saunders? A criminal drone masquerading as Helmsman Blaise Omari? Hassid? Any of these?
Your questions are unimportant at this time .
Have you knowledge of these people?
Aural frowned. She disliked his insistence. For a moment she withdrew from his mind. He swayed, his face paling to a queer gray color.
Yes , she replied at last. I have knowledge .
Where?
First our bargain, Captain McKey. There is war and unrest among my people. Assist me, and I shall assist you .
Her strength was exhausted. She withdrew her image from the ship and snapped back within the shaky circle of her own rings. Her eyes fluttered open, but it was a moment before she could see. Her breath rattled in her throat. She reached out and touched the comforting solidity of stone, cold and gritty beneath her fingertips. Her knees gave way beneath her, and she sank down in a heap, fumbling in her sleeve for the vial of yde .
She licked up the last of the bitter-tasting powder in desperation, then closed her eyes as it took hold of her and renewed her strength. She should not use yde so often. Her addiction might get out of hand. But this time her recklessness was justified. As soon as she had rested she would contact the humans again for their answer.
She rose to her feet and smoothed her pleated skirts. It was time to put the second part of her plan into motion.
The soft patter of slippered feet warned her a split second before a voice as tart as aged honey said,
“Plotting alone in the coldest corner of this old pile. Is there an aesthetic pleasure in it? Does shivering inspire you? But I am being disrespectful once again. How tiresome of me.”
Aural paused a moment, seeking to control her anger, and did not turn to face Dame Pasau until her expression was smoothed into nothing that would betray her. She had not missed the deliberate usage of the familiar “you.” Dame Pasau, like far too many others, refused to completely believe that Aural had returned from the mists of legend to supremacy as Tsla leiis of this miserable world.
“I have been to visit Dame Zaula,” Aural said as though her rings were serene and her fists were not clenched inside her wide sleeves.
The impudent expression vanished from Dame Pasau’s face. Suddenly she looked exasperated and old, her fawn-tinted skin withered at the mouth and eyes, the elaborate tattoo covering her forehead faded of its once-brilliant color. She
Must identify alien life form. Projection. Hologram? No, unlikely. Mental. Demos, my head aches. No telepathic hijinks with me. No! What the devil was Saunders doing all the way out here? I’ll have her busted down to the bottom. Knew her brother. Just as stubborn. Does this alien know her? Why haven’t they put out a communication buoy? Or at least fired warnings? Not even a fleet. Must be wide open. But who is she? Beautiful. A giantess. More than beautiful. Get out of my head, damn you!
I am Aural , she said, steadying him. She forced his thoughts into order, seeking the ability within him to answer her. Communicate your name .
McKey. Angus. Captain Angus McKey of the SIS Dorian Grey. Number 444 —
Enough. Why have you come here? To conquer us? We are an independent people. This world is our own .
We come in peace , said McKey. We —
Don’t lie! I look upon you with truth. You have orders to investigate this world and if it is promising you will claim it for your masters .
Our sensors have told us —
I am not interested in your machines. Let us bargain together. I shall give you the mineral wealth of this world in exchange for your ships and crews to man them .
I am not authorized to make deals. That is for my superior officers —
Relay to them .
McKey hesitated, then he said, We are here in search of a downed ship. The Forerunner. Have you encountered either her or her crew? Captain Asos Lute? Navigator Rhyi Saunders? A criminal drone masquerading as Helmsman Blaise Omari? Hassid? Any of these?
Your questions are unimportant at this time .
Have you knowledge of these people?
Aural frowned. She disliked his insistence. For a moment she withdrew from his mind. He swayed, his face paling to a queer gray color.
Yes , she replied at last. I have knowledge .
Where?
First our bargain, Captain McKey. There is war and unrest among my people. Assist me, and I shall assist you .
Her strength was exhausted. She withdrew her image from the ship and snapped back within the shaky circle of her own rings. Her eyes fluttered open, but it was a moment before she could see. Her breath rattled in her throat. She reached out and touched the comforting solidity of stone, cold and gritty beneath her fingertips. Her knees gave way beneath her, and she sank down in a heap, fumbling in her sleeve for the vial of yde .
She licked up the last of the bitter-tasting powder in desperation, then closed her eyes as it took hold of her and renewed her strength. She should not use yde so often. Her addiction might get out of hand. But this time her recklessness was justified. As soon as she had rested she would contact the humans again for their answer.
She rose to her feet and smoothed her pleated skirts. It was time to put the second part of her plan into motion.
The soft patter of slippered feet warned her a split second before a voice as tart as aged honey said,
“Plotting alone in the coldest corner of this old pile. Is there an aesthetic pleasure in it? Does shivering inspire you? But I am being disrespectful once again. How tiresome of me.”
Aural paused a moment, seeking to control her anger, and did not turn to face Dame Pasau until her expression was smoothed into nothing that would betray her. She had not missed the deliberate usage of the familiar “you.” Dame Pasau, like far too many others, refused to completely believe that Aural had returned from the mists of legend to supremacy as Tsla leiis of this miserable world.
“I have been to visit Dame Zaula,” Aural said as though her rings were serene and her fists were not clenched inside her wide sleeves.
The impudent expression vanished from Dame Pasau’s face. Suddenly she looked exasperated and old, her fawn-tinted skin withered at the mouth and eyes, the elaborate tattoo covering her forehead faded of its once-brilliant color. She
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