and stroked his cheek. Much stronger.
Then why can’t I shield better? Bassan thought, still bothered his mother had heard him.
You’re good at shielding, his mother thought, a laugh escaping her lips . I’m just very good at listening for my son!
Bassan moaned. His mother still heard his mind despite his efforts. He’d never enjoy total privacy. His mother laughed again and held him close.
You are your father’s son, she thought, kissing the top of his head.
I wonder if father feels the same? Bassan thought, careful to shield that stray thought from his mother.
Chapter Six
Athee slid into her seat and adjusted the chair’s position. She glanced around the table as the others sat down. The mood was heavy and serious, and rightfully so. Turning her attention to Byron, his neutral expression signified to Athee that he was all business tonight. Adjusting the position of her personal tablet on the table, she waited for the meeting to commence.
“Before we begin,” said Byron, leaning forward on the table, “I want to assure all of you there has been no change in the alien ship since yesterday. All systems are online, but the ship isn’t powered for flight. We have permitted a skeleton crew of scientists to return to their stations to gather more information. Should anything change, we will notify you at once.”
“Commander, what triggered the ship’s functions?” asked a visiting prefect, his thick fingers tapping the table’s surface.
Byron’s brows came together. “We are still working on that, prefect.”
“What about the transmissions?” someone else asked.
Patience, Athee thought, hoping her mate could control his temper during this meeting. She was grateful only half of the prefects were able to attend. The number was small enough for Byron to control.
“We have confirmed ten sources,” said Byron, his voice calmer than Athee had expected. “One is located on Cassa, in a ship similar to the one here on Tgren and buried beneath a body of water. Crews are working to reach the vessel now.”
“Another vessel? Does this mean your race was an experiment similar to ours?”
Athee noted the increased tension in Byron’s mind, which matched the wrinkles across his forehead. He was having a difficult time with this new development.
“It would appear so.”
Several men murmured and the mood of the room shifted. Athee focused on the reactions, hoping to gain an advantage. She might be Tgren, but her allegiance lay with Cassa as well. And with her mate.
“We’ve pinpointed several other locations,” said Byron, his commanding voice breaking through the chatter. The men grew quiet and turned their attention to Byron. “We’ve confirmed that transmissions were sent and received from the home worlds of the Fesell, Arellens, and Narcons. The Fesell have sent word of the discovery of an alien ship on their planet as well. My senior science officer is working to confirm the other transmissions, but he believes all ten races are involved.”
Gasps of disbelief emitted from those present, and the men began urgent conversations with their neighbors. Informed of the development before the meeting, Athee understood the impact it would have on the races involved. Until today, only the Tgrens were an experiment of the alien race. Now it appeared all were seeded by the unknown entity. That would not sit well with several of the races.
“So does that mean we are all related?” one man asked, his voice rising above the others.
“It is a possibility,” said Byron, his fingers tapping on the table.
A burst of indignation from the man beside her caused Athee to jump.
“Are you saying we are related to the races that attacked our cities?” Enteller demanded.
“We’ve not confirmed that, but it is a possibility.”
Enteller uttered an expletive and sank back into his chair. His brief moment of interest was replaced with apathy once again and his gaze drifted to the table’s
Then why can’t I shield better? Bassan thought, still bothered his mother had heard him.
You’re good at shielding, his mother thought, a laugh escaping her lips . I’m just very good at listening for my son!
Bassan moaned. His mother still heard his mind despite his efforts. He’d never enjoy total privacy. His mother laughed again and held him close.
You are your father’s son, she thought, kissing the top of his head.
I wonder if father feels the same? Bassan thought, careful to shield that stray thought from his mother.
Chapter Six
Athee slid into her seat and adjusted the chair’s position. She glanced around the table as the others sat down. The mood was heavy and serious, and rightfully so. Turning her attention to Byron, his neutral expression signified to Athee that he was all business tonight. Adjusting the position of her personal tablet on the table, she waited for the meeting to commence.
“Before we begin,” said Byron, leaning forward on the table, “I want to assure all of you there has been no change in the alien ship since yesterday. All systems are online, but the ship isn’t powered for flight. We have permitted a skeleton crew of scientists to return to their stations to gather more information. Should anything change, we will notify you at once.”
“Commander, what triggered the ship’s functions?” asked a visiting prefect, his thick fingers tapping the table’s surface.
Byron’s brows came together. “We are still working on that, prefect.”
“What about the transmissions?” someone else asked.
Patience, Athee thought, hoping her mate could control his temper during this meeting. She was grateful only half of the prefects were able to attend. The number was small enough for Byron to control.
“We have confirmed ten sources,” said Byron, his voice calmer than Athee had expected. “One is located on Cassa, in a ship similar to the one here on Tgren and buried beneath a body of water. Crews are working to reach the vessel now.”
“Another vessel? Does this mean your race was an experiment similar to ours?”
Athee noted the increased tension in Byron’s mind, which matched the wrinkles across his forehead. He was having a difficult time with this new development.
“It would appear so.”
Several men murmured and the mood of the room shifted. Athee focused on the reactions, hoping to gain an advantage. She might be Tgren, but her allegiance lay with Cassa as well. And with her mate.
“We’ve pinpointed several other locations,” said Byron, his commanding voice breaking through the chatter. The men grew quiet and turned their attention to Byron. “We’ve confirmed that transmissions were sent and received from the home worlds of the Fesell, Arellens, and Narcons. The Fesell have sent word of the discovery of an alien ship on their planet as well. My senior science officer is working to confirm the other transmissions, but he believes all ten races are involved.”
Gasps of disbelief emitted from those present, and the men began urgent conversations with their neighbors. Informed of the development before the meeting, Athee understood the impact it would have on the races involved. Until today, only the Tgrens were an experiment of the alien race. Now it appeared all were seeded by the unknown entity. That would not sit well with several of the races.
“So does that mean we are all related?” one man asked, his voice rising above the others.
“It is a possibility,” said Byron, his fingers tapping on the table.
A burst of indignation from the man beside her caused Athee to jump.
“Are you saying we are related to the races that attacked our cities?” Enteller demanded.
“We’ve not confirmed that, but it is a possibility.”
Enteller uttered an expletive and sank back into his chair. His brief moment of interest was replaced with apathy once again and his gaze drifted to the table’s
Similar Books
