Rebellion by Sabine Priestley

here.” He pointed to a slight phase shift in the waveform. The signature was what the Torogs used to track down the devices from Vertan. Devices that allowed Vertans to create interstellar portals of their own. They’d discovered the planet almost thirty years ago. The Vertans had been exploring the stars for only a few decades and had gone out of their way to remain undetected by the empire. They were mere children among the stars. Abilities such as theirs were not easily hidden, and once the guild found out, they moved quickly. With the help of Torogs, the planet was quarantined, their space-faring capabilities removed, and a prolonged mission to apprehend all portal-making devices was launched. Very few knew of the existence of the planet, and even fewer their ability to create portals.
    Merrin studied Loc’s face, allowing time for the information to sink in. “Within the next minute, Rucon himself was ported directly to Earth.”
    “We already know this,” Loc said.
    “Yes, but what we failed to notice was this.” The data on the holo blinked out and was replaced by a new set. Loc took a closer look. “Those are the portals on Earth. So?”
    Merrin used his psi and created two vertical lines in the graph display. “This is the time frame Rucon ported out.”
    “That’s the normal signature for one of our portal moves.”
    “Correct.”
    Loc was starting to see where this was going, and he didn’t like it. “You’re saying that wasn’t one of us?”
    “Now you see.”
    “He used a Vertan device on one end and our own portal to anchor?” Loc shook his head. “Surely, we would have discovered it by now if that were possible.”
    The old man shrugged. “The Vertans could easily hide such a thing from us. Or perhaps they don’t know they can do it themselves.”
    “We can’t let word of this get out. They could create portals across the galaxy anywhere ours exist. That would be our undoing.”
    “Agreed. The fact that they have yet to do so makes me think they are unaware of the possibility, or perhaps there is something else going on. Regardless, given our lack of full Masters, we must find a solution.”
    “I suppose you have one?” Loc resented having to ask, and Merrin knew it. The old man had nearly won Loc’s position as head of the guild and made no effort to hide his animosity.
    “I do. Until now, we have used our abilities to alter their devices in the only way possible. To send them back to their own planet. But what if we were able to bring them someplace else? Someplace like here, perhaps.”
    Loc tilted his head. “We don’t have that ability.”
    “We don’t. No.” Merrin leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms. “But they do.”
    Loc thought a moment and came to the only conclusion. “You want to bring Vertans here and use them to create portals for us.” Slavery. He almost said it aloud, but he didn’t. It was instantly clear that the plan would work. They could go on making portals and the GTO would know nothing. It was a good idea. “They could never leave Sandaria.”
    “Correct.” Merrin’s thin lips pressed into what passed for a smile.
    “I believe your pet Torogs could assist in rounding them up.”
    “They could.”
    Loc was certain the old man had already implemented the plan, but he didn’t need to advertise his disregard for Loc’s command.
    “I regret that this is necessary,” Loc said, “but in order to save our guild, I believe it is our only choice. Have the Torogs track down twelve Vertans. Bring them here immediately upon capture. I suspect it will take some convincing to get them to cooperate.”
    “If I were you, Loc, I’d be more concerned with what we’re going to do if the GTO discovers we’ve had an entire planet under quarantine for nearly thirty years.”
    “Do you think one second ever goes by without that weighing on me?”
    “I should hope not.”
    Loc spun around and left the chamber. Merrin was right, of course. It was