3013: SALVATION (3013: The Series Book 5) by Laurie Roma

Ministry.
    “And as of this morning, the
D’Aire ambassadors have voted and appointed Adric M’Dor as our chancellor,”
Arik added. “When I spoke to him, he informed me that the D’Aire are working
with the Alliance to check all high ranking officers to see if any of them has
been tainted by xili . It’s going to be a slow process, but one we feel
is necessary.”
    “That makes sense. Do you think
you can get in touch with the D’Aire who are handling the investigation on
Earth tonight to see if there are any updates?” Jax asked.
    “Consider it done.”
    “What about the Krytos? Are they
willing to join the Ministry this time?” Skylar asked.
    Dom sighed. “They’re going to
take some work. We told the Adaro brothers what was going on with this
investigation while we were on New Vega, so they know the gravity of the
situation. They’re also worried the xili may affect the Krytos the same
way it does the Helios. I think they’ll be able to convince their people to
join the Ministry, but getting someone to become Chancellor is a different
story.”
    “We need you to work on that,”
Jax broke in. “Since you’re friends with the Adaro brothers, the Council hopes
you might be able to convince one of them to take the position as Chancellor.”
    “Hell.”
    Jax looked sympathetic. “I know.
You can tell them it won’t take much of their time. Whoever takes the position
will just have to attend a meeting every once in a while and pass on news to
the rest of the Krytos when something comes up. Since the Adaro brothers
already do that, it shouldn’t be an issue.”
    “Maddox and Daimon will say no,
but I can try to work on Tavius.”
    Skylar knew the Krytos clans took
pride in remaining autonomous since their home world was destroyed. They did
come to each other’s aid when needed, but they were against being part of the
Ministry of Nations the last time the idea was presented. The Krytos as a whole
didn’t believe in politics or positions of power that didn’t directly benefit
them.
    It was said that if they couldn’t
fuck it, fight with it or eat it, they just weren’t interested.
    But Tavius was different. He
liked to stick his nose in other people’s business, and took joy in managing
people, just as he’d tried to do with her when she’d been on New Vega. Because
of that, she had no doubt he’d make a perfect Chancellor for his race.
    As the meeting came to an end,
Skylar, Troy and Archer helped Officer Ryans gather up all the dishes to stack
them back on the cart. It was nice to see Cal Ryans back on his feet, but
Skylar couldn’t blame Serra for worrying about him, since she felt the need to
tell him to take it easy herself. She wanted to have a word with Serra, but
didn’t want to bother her since she was working on her wrist unit. Since Reva
was speaking to Jax and Arik about getting an update from the Helios, Skylar thought
she could slip out of the room before anyone noticed, but Dom stopped her
before she could.
    “Are you heading back to your
quarters?”
    “I was planning to. Why, did you
need me to stay?”
    It wasn’t like Dom to hesitate,
but Skylar noticed he looked extremely uncomfortable as he said, “It can wait.
I want to meet with you later tonight.”
    “Is this about the mission?”
Skylar's expression darkened as another thought occurred to her. “This better
not be about what happened between me and Arik, because if you’re planning on
bitching at me because—”
    “No...I’m not. It’s not about
that...not really. Hell, just come to my quarters at seven tonight.”
    Suspicious, Skylar asked, “Why?”
    “Damn it, woman. Can’t you do
anything without arguing? We're having dinner tonight. My quarters. Seven. Be
there,” Dom barked out before stalking from the room.
    Skylar was speechless as she
watched him leave. She stood staring at the empty doorway, then practically
jumped as Serra surprised her by linking her arms with her to pull her out of
the