Read Online The Forsaken Empire (The Endervar War Book 2) by Michael Kan - Free Book Online
Authors: Michael Kan
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be fine.
Arendi had looked at her, feeling the distaste in her mouth. Although the ensign was confident, Arendi’s first instinct was to say no; she had seen the scans.
Cieras Novaire, aka Red. Even though he was confined, he was still an unknown. The medical diagnostics were struggling to understand his anatomy. Whatever telepathic abilities he possessed, the scans were failing to detect them.
His race was apparently an old one, and it was physically far more evolved than humans were. The scans showed the presence of a large brain, one that extended down into the neck and chest. Clearly, it was powerful enough to sense something whether it was to read thoughts, or perhaps more. Still, the man himself maintained his innocence.
I can’t hurt anyone like that, he had said. Not like her Farcia is a mutant, you see. A rarity. There is no one else quite like her.
Arendi wasn’t sure what to believe. That’s why the ensign had insisted. They needed to know the truth and whether the man before them could be trusted. Reluctantly, Arendi had agreed. An hour ago her ship had docked with the ensign’s shuttle. Arendi now watched from another room, quietly observing the interaction from the cell’s surveillance cam. The ensign was there, sitting on the side of his bed. Occasionally she spoke, but largely she was silent as she stared into the man’s black and crimson eyes.
Arendi zoomed in, closely paying attention to their reactions. It didn’t help that Red possessed barely any facial features. To Arendi, he was a blank slate, his people, still a mystery. She carefully monitored the vitals of both the ensign and their captive. If necessary, Arendi could easily intervene. She had control over the collar on the man’s neck. With a simple order, she could shock the man or even kill him. But she had no need to. The ensign was preparing to leave the cell. In fact, the entire encounter had occurred without incident. Arendi was relieved. She quickly left her own quarters and met the ensign outside the cell.
How do you feel? Did anything happen? Arendi asked.
The ensign had pulled the sleeves of her uniform back. She blew the air out of her cheeks, also relieved.
I’m fine, she said. We have nothing to worry about. At least not from him.
So he was telling the truth?
Yes, that’s what I felt. I sensed no hostile intention at all. He really is just a man, looking for his long-lost wife. He’s just desperate.
How desperate?
The ensign stood there, thinking. She held her officer’s cap in her left hand, while she scratched the back of her neck with the other.
Although Arendi possessed no such telepathy, she had known the ensign for a long time. In fact, almost all her life. So she could tell when Justice was conflicted.
Red, Justice replied, shaking her head, almost embarrassed. He’s advanced. A far better telepath than I. Better than most, actually. When I spoke with him, I felt like a child again. A child speaking to an adult. His control is so focused. He could read my every thought clearly. It was astonishing, almost.
He didn’t delve too deep, did he?
No. Not at all. He was exact, and within boundaries. I could tell he would never hurt me. He wants to understand us. Our intentions.
What for? Arendi asked. I thought it was clear.
The ensign nodded. Their job was to find the target and capture or kill, if necessary.
Yes, but you see, Red he wants to save her. He’s convinced she’s innocent. That the Endervars control her even now.
It was a repetition of what Red had said before. Only now there was sympathy. Arendi could hear it from the ensign, even as Justice wished to remain objective.
Whatever the case is, we have no confirmed lead, Arendi said. The next time Farcia strikes, she could appear anywhere. We’re still in the dark.
All they had was the general analysis and a detailed map outlining potential targets. It was based on the previous attacks, four of them on science facilities, another targeting
Arendi had looked at her, feeling the distaste in her mouth. Although the ensign was confident, Arendi’s first instinct was to say no; she had seen the scans.
Cieras Novaire, aka Red. Even though he was confined, he was still an unknown. The medical diagnostics were struggling to understand his anatomy. Whatever telepathic abilities he possessed, the scans were failing to detect them.
His race was apparently an old one, and it was physically far more evolved than humans were. The scans showed the presence of a large brain, one that extended down into the neck and chest. Clearly, it was powerful enough to sense something whether it was to read thoughts, or perhaps more. Still, the man himself maintained his innocence.
I can’t hurt anyone like that, he had said. Not like her Farcia is a mutant, you see. A rarity. There is no one else quite like her.
Arendi wasn’t sure what to believe. That’s why the ensign had insisted. They needed to know the truth and whether the man before them could be trusted. Reluctantly, Arendi had agreed. An hour ago her ship had docked with the ensign’s shuttle. Arendi now watched from another room, quietly observing the interaction from the cell’s surveillance cam. The ensign was there, sitting on the side of his bed. Occasionally she spoke, but largely she was silent as she stared into the man’s black and crimson eyes.
Arendi zoomed in, closely paying attention to their reactions. It didn’t help that Red possessed barely any facial features. To Arendi, he was a blank slate, his people, still a mystery. She carefully monitored the vitals of both the ensign and their captive. If necessary, Arendi could easily intervene. She had control over the collar on the man’s neck. With a simple order, she could shock the man or even kill him. But she had no need to. The ensign was preparing to leave the cell. In fact, the entire encounter had occurred without incident. Arendi was relieved. She quickly left her own quarters and met the ensign outside the cell.
How do you feel? Did anything happen? Arendi asked.
The ensign had pulled the sleeves of her uniform back. She blew the air out of her cheeks, also relieved.
I’m fine, she said. We have nothing to worry about. At least not from him.
So he was telling the truth?
Yes, that’s what I felt. I sensed no hostile intention at all. He really is just a man, looking for his long-lost wife. He’s just desperate.
How desperate?
The ensign stood there, thinking. She held her officer’s cap in her left hand, while she scratched the back of her neck with the other.
Although Arendi possessed no such telepathy, she had known the ensign for a long time. In fact, almost all her life. So she could tell when Justice was conflicted.
Red, Justice replied, shaking her head, almost embarrassed. He’s advanced. A far better telepath than I. Better than most, actually. When I spoke with him, I felt like a child again. A child speaking to an adult. His control is so focused. He could read my every thought clearly. It was astonishing, almost.
He didn’t delve too deep, did he?
No. Not at all. He was exact, and within boundaries. I could tell he would never hurt me. He wants to understand us. Our intentions.
What for? Arendi asked. I thought it was clear.
The ensign nodded. Their job was to find the target and capture or kill, if necessary.
Yes, but you see, Red he wants to save her. He’s convinced she’s innocent. That the Endervars control her even now.
It was a repetition of what Red had said before. Only now there was sympathy. Arendi could hear it from the ensign, even as Justice wished to remain objective.
Whatever the case is, we have no confirmed lead, Arendi said. The next time Farcia strikes, she could appear anywhere. We’re still in the dark.
All they had was the general analysis and a detailed map outlining potential targets. It was based on the previous attacks, four of them on science facilities, another targeting
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