understand that while my recent arrest was broadcast across the Federation pipeline, my appointment to the council will be just as publicized. My friends vary from moderates who simply wish to make their opinions heard on the deteriorating economic situations on some of the colonies to more rabid reformists, but I can’t think of a single one who would push others to commit murder.”
“Any help you can give us would be appreciated.”
“I would die at this moment for Jayla and let’s not forget my father was targeted also. You must know I will help.”
Marc was almost amused at the heated response, for he had expected Damon to lose his patience with the conversation long before it happened. He quickly interjected, “We’ll let you know if anything of significance comes up.”
“Be careful. Your mother is worried about you. We both are.”
“I will.” Marc knew his mother well enough to imagine his father was telling the truth and his recent alliance to Jayla, while negotiated in part by their respective governments and not a surprise, still was no doubt an adjustment as his mother became not the only female in his life.
The screen flashed dark and next to him in a chair, his long legs crossed at the ankle, Damon sat quietly, just looking at the blank screen. Marc waited, cognizant they didn’t process information the same way, which was one of reasons he’d always thought Damon Le Clerc would be a valuable partner.
“I think we are dealing with more than we see,” Damon said eventually, his brow furrowed.
Marc had actually come to the same conclusion. “Tell me why.”
“The purpose of this is unclear to me.” Damon shifted in his seat, his face drawn into a dark frown.
“I agree.” Marc turned away from the monitors, his gaze narrowed on the male across from him. “While they’ve set up the detonations, we’ve much too easily circumvented their purpose.”
“If it was their purpose.”
“Exactly.”
They looked at each other across the small space of the personal conference room, both moody and introspective. “There were casualties on Mega 3,” Marc pointed out.
“But only because they didn’t take the threat seriously and check their security systems.”
It was true. The governor of the colony hadn’t acted on the advice coming from the Federation. “What we need to ask ourselves,” Marc said slowly, thinking out loud, “is what purpose could there be in distracting us with these explosive devices and causing a general elevated level of security?”
“Maybe we need to find out how the alert was generated in the first place.”
“My father told me it came from an undisclosed source to one of the members of the Universal Council.”
“Do they normally allow unsubstantiated information to cause a galaxy-wide alarm?”
Le Clerc had a point, but then again, they were talking about a member of the Universal Council. “He wouldn’t say who informed him, but let’s keep in mind, it proved to be true.”
“I have to admit I find it interesting.”
“I have to admit I find it disturbing.”
They exchanged glances again. Marc said slowly, “Maybe you should test out your underground contacts.”
“Maybe I should,” Damon agreed grimly.
Chapter Eleven
“Let me help you.”
Ellesandra turned around and swept up her long hair, letting out a long sigh as gentle fingers brushed her nape when the male behind her unfastened her tunic. “Thank you.”
“I’ve mentioned you work too hard, haven’t I?” His voice was amused.
“Considering you work the exact same amount of hours as I do, I don’t believe you have room to talk, Raphael.” As queen, her days were long. As her advisor, his were just as grueling. Her tunic slipped off her shoulders and she turned around to face him, her breasts already heavy as languid desire seeped into her body, despite her fatigue. “Let’s admit we both work too hard and leave it there, shall we?”
“As always, we are in
“Any help you can give us would be appreciated.”
“I would die at this moment for Jayla and let’s not forget my father was targeted also. You must know I will help.”
Marc was almost amused at the heated response, for he had expected Damon to lose his patience with the conversation long before it happened. He quickly interjected, “We’ll let you know if anything of significance comes up.”
“Be careful. Your mother is worried about you. We both are.”
“I will.” Marc knew his mother well enough to imagine his father was telling the truth and his recent alliance to Jayla, while negotiated in part by their respective governments and not a surprise, still was no doubt an adjustment as his mother became not the only female in his life.
The screen flashed dark and next to him in a chair, his long legs crossed at the ankle, Damon sat quietly, just looking at the blank screen. Marc waited, cognizant they didn’t process information the same way, which was one of reasons he’d always thought Damon Le Clerc would be a valuable partner.
“I think we are dealing with more than we see,” Damon said eventually, his brow furrowed.
Marc had actually come to the same conclusion. “Tell me why.”
“The purpose of this is unclear to me.” Damon shifted in his seat, his face drawn into a dark frown.
“I agree.” Marc turned away from the monitors, his gaze narrowed on the male across from him. “While they’ve set up the detonations, we’ve much too easily circumvented their purpose.”
“If it was their purpose.”
“Exactly.”
They looked at each other across the small space of the personal conference room, both moody and introspective. “There were casualties on Mega 3,” Marc pointed out.
“But only because they didn’t take the threat seriously and check their security systems.”
It was true. The governor of the colony hadn’t acted on the advice coming from the Federation. “What we need to ask ourselves,” Marc said slowly, thinking out loud, “is what purpose could there be in distracting us with these explosive devices and causing a general elevated level of security?”
“Maybe we need to find out how the alert was generated in the first place.”
“My father told me it came from an undisclosed source to one of the members of the Universal Council.”
“Do they normally allow unsubstantiated information to cause a galaxy-wide alarm?”
Le Clerc had a point, but then again, they were talking about a member of the Universal Council. “He wouldn’t say who informed him, but let’s keep in mind, it proved to be true.”
“I have to admit I find it interesting.”
“I have to admit I find it disturbing.”
They exchanged glances again. Marc said slowly, “Maybe you should test out your underground contacts.”
“Maybe I should,” Damon agreed grimly.
Chapter Eleven
“Let me help you.”
Ellesandra turned around and swept up her long hair, letting out a long sigh as gentle fingers brushed her nape when the male behind her unfastened her tunic. “Thank you.”
“I’ve mentioned you work too hard, haven’t I?” His voice was amused.
“Considering you work the exact same amount of hours as I do, I don’t believe you have room to talk, Raphael.” As queen, her days were long. As her advisor, his were just as grueling. Her tunic slipped off her shoulders and she turned around to face him, her breasts already heavy as languid desire seeped into her body, despite her fatigue. “Let’s admit we both work too hard and leave it there, shall we?”
“As always, we are in
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