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Authors: Tyler Chase
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cannot be stolen by common thieves,” she retorted.
“Splendid. Let them hold onto what they value and we’ll take the rest.”
“And in the process, potentially rouse the wrath of an ancient alien race that has petitioned to be left alone. Did it ever occur to you that they are doing it for our good, not their own? Given their technological superiority, I suspect that if the Murkudahl ever had a mind to, they could rise up and squash our sad little civilization like a bug.”
The look in his eyes told Vaush he had considered this very thing. The Murkudahl were far more advanced than any civilization they’d ever encountered. Yet they stood aside and allowed themselves to be exploited by lesser beings.
The question of why had to be on the mind of any person of intelligence and good sense.
But if common decency wouldn’t dissuade him from the course, perhaps fear and shame would. “You will be consumed, to the point of annihilation, by your own pride and avarice. There is a primal rage rising amongst the masses and when it is unleashed in its full fury there will be nothing and no one left standing in its wake.” She would not be quieted by his mesmerizing gaze. “And instead of dealing with this like the grand statesmen you all purport to be, you cower like frightened children in search of bigger sticks, amongst the Murkudahl no less, to fight off your worst fears.” And now it was apparent that she had found his weakness.
“We are the ruling class,” his tone was arrogant, his manner full of divine right. “The way we govern will not be dictated by a bunch of rabble. My father has done a tremendous amount of good for Nethic, has turned it around and established it as a major contender in the financial sector. All Nethicaens should fall on their faces before him and laud him for the prosperity he has brought to them instead of fomenting rebellion and dissent.”
“Obviously, a significant portion of your citizens do not share in this prosperity. Why don’t you try listening to your people? You might find that all they really want is their right to—”
“They have no rights but what we grant them!” He said in a harsh, biting tone.
They both turned at Wensel’s stirring. Once Vaush was certain he was sound asleep, she spoke softly, “And yet you wonder why your own people sent an assassin after you.”
Her words struck him like a smart slap in the face. He looked away, fuming and sullen. Vaush’s heart raced with the exchange as she awaited his retort, but none came.
The prolonged silence that followed saddened her, so much had she enjoyed the verbal sparring.
And you thought I bruised too easily .
CHAPTER 12
Profound hatred blazed within Crausin upon learning that Ti-Laros was also in orbit around Patheis as Larrs Bastionli’s daughter had also been aboard the fated Mobias vessel.
Fearing a bloody confrontation that would surely ensue between the warring factions, the Patheisan government insisted that the two parties remain in orbit while the authorities conducted the search on the ground. Each of them could send down a small unarmed party to assist with the search.
After several hours of meticulously searching every bit of the intended landing site, the first signs of the wreckage appeared. Floodlights illuminated the area surrounding one of the transport seats that still had a body strapped to it. A few minutes later, a series of flares were set off to notify the team that the transport had been found.
Word was immediately sent to both parties and the com-link established. On the large viso-screen, Crausin caught sight of the horrific wreckage spread out across the forest and he nearly collapsed from his anguish.
“Frithe have mercy.”
The search team unleashed silver mechanical dogs and sent them into what remained of the transport. No humans were allowed for fear they might contaminate the site, jeopardizing the work of the forensic
“Splendid. Let them hold onto what they value and we’ll take the rest.”
“And in the process, potentially rouse the wrath of an ancient alien race that has petitioned to be left alone. Did it ever occur to you that they are doing it for our good, not their own? Given their technological superiority, I suspect that if the Murkudahl ever had a mind to, they could rise up and squash our sad little civilization like a bug.”
The look in his eyes told Vaush he had considered this very thing. The Murkudahl were far more advanced than any civilization they’d ever encountered. Yet they stood aside and allowed themselves to be exploited by lesser beings.
The question of why had to be on the mind of any person of intelligence and good sense.
But if common decency wouldn’t dissuade him from the course, perhaps fear and shame would. “You will be consumed, to the point of annihilation, by your own pride and avarice. There is a primal rage rising amongst the masses and when it is unleashed in its full fury there will be nothing and no one left standing in its wake.” She would not be quieted by his mesmerizing gaze. “And instead of dealing with this like the grand statesmen you all purport to be, you cower like frightened children in search of bigger sticks, amongst the Murkudahl no less, to fight off your worst fears.” And now it was apparent that she had found his weakness.
“We are the ruling class,” his tone was arrogant, his manner full of divine right. “The way we govern will not be dictated by a bunch of rabble. My father has done a tremendous amount of good for Nethic, has turned it around and established it as a major contender in the financial sector. All Nethicaens should fall on their faces before him and laud him for the prosperity he has brought to them instead of fomenting rebellion and dissent.”
“Obviously, a significant portion of your citizens do not share in this prosperity. Why don’t you try listening to your people? You might find that all they really want is their right to—”
“They have no rights but what we grant them!” He said in a harsh, biting tone.
They both turned at Wensel’s stirring. Once Vaush was certain he was sound asleep, she spoke softly, “And yet you wonder why your own people sent an assassin after you.”
Her words struck him like a smart slap in the face. He looked away, fuming and sullen. Vaush’s heart raced with the exchange as she awaited his retort, but none came.
The prolonged silence that followed saddened her, so much had she enjoyed the verbal sparring.
And you thought I bruised too easily .
CHAPTER 12
Profound hatred blazed within Crausin upon learning that Ti-Laros was also in orbit around Patheis as Larrs Bastionli’s daughter had also been aboard the fated Mobias vessel.
Fearing a bloody confrontation that would surely ensue between the warring factions, the Patheisan government insisted that the two parties remain in orbit while the authorities conducted the search on the ground. Each of them could send down a small unarmed party to assist with the search.
After several hours of meticulously searching every bit of the intended landing site, the first signs of the wreckage appeared. Floodlights illuminated the area surrounding one of the transport seats that still had a body strapped to it. A few minutes later, a series of flares were set off to notify the team that the transport had been found.
Word was immediately sent to both parties and the com-link established. On the large viso-screen, Crausin caught sight of the horrific wreckage spread out across the forest and he nearly collapsed from his anguish.
“Frithe have mercy.”
The search team unleashed silver mechanical dogs and sent them into what remained of the transport. No humans were allowed for fear they might contaminate the site, jeopardizing the work of the forensic
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