He dressed quickly, checked on Robbie one last time, and slipped out of the cell.
Naran had taken over the commander’s quarters on the upper level of the facility, far from the clinical sterility of the labs and holding cells below. The ancient stone walls had been left exposed here, their surface carved with warrior symbols that dated back to the Founding Wars. Tapestries depicting great battles hung between mounted weapons that were more decorative than functional. It was a calculated display of heritage and power, designed to remind visitors exactly who they were dealing with.
It no longer impressed him.
“Captain.” Naran rose from behind an ornate desk as Becsul entered, his smile as polished as the ceremonial blade displayed on the wall behind him. “Thank you for coming so promptly.”
“Councilor.” He inclined his head, neither too deep nor too shallow. The precise angle of respect owed to a superior, but not submission. “You wished to see me?”
“I did. Please, sit.” Naran gestured to a chair across from the desk, then settled back into his own seat. “I’ve been reviewing Dr. Veyalor’s reports. Your progress with the human female has been… impressive.”
“Thank you, Councilor.”
“Veyalor believes you may be ready to proceed with the insemination within the week.”
Naran studied him with unsettling intensity, but he kept his expression neutral. “I was not aware that a timeline had been established.”
“We’ve moved things forward. The Council grows impatient for results.”
The Council.He noted the word choice but didn’t comment. In all his discreet inquiries, he’d found no evidence that the full Council was aware of this facility’s true purpose. Naran had powerful allies, certainly, but the breeding program appeared to be his personal initiative.
“The female will need to be prepared,” he said carefully. “Both physically and mentally. If she is distressed during the procedure?—”
“Veyalor has sedatives for that.”
Something cold slithered down his spine. “Sedatives.”
“A mild relaxant. Nothing that would harm the fetus.” Naran waved a dismissive hand. “The female’s comfort is secondary to the objective.”
“With respect, Councilor, my research suggests that maternal stress hormones can affect embryonic development. If we want the best possible outcome?—”
“A positive outcome is all that is necessary at this point. We’ll have more subjects to work with.” Naran’s smile didn’t waver, but something sharp glittered in his eyes. “Which brings me to why I summoned you.”
He waited, trying to ignore the dread shivering down his spine.
“Assuming this trial is successful—and I have every confidence it will be—we’ll need to expand the program significantly.” Naran rose and crossed to a small cabinet, retrieving a bottle of amber liquid and two glasses. “The survival of our species cannot rest on a single breeding pair, no matter how promising the results.”
“Expand how?”
“More subjects. More facilities. More…” He paused, pouring the drinks. “Inventory.”
Inventory.As if they were discussing cargo ships and supply chains, not living beings.
“Where would we acquire additional subjects?” He kept his voice level, accepting the glass Naran pressed into his hand. “You obtained these females from Vedeckian traders…”
“Correct. And the Vedeckians have access to many more.” Naran returned to his seat, swirling the liquid in his glass with a satisfied expression. “I’ve already opened negotiations for a larger shipment. Assuming proof of concept is established, they’ve agreed to provide as many as fifty females within the first cycle.”
Fifty.
Fifty human females, torn from their lives and families to be bred like livestock in underground facilities. Fifty mothers-to-be, subjected to Naran’s calculated indifference. His hand tightened around his glass, and the crystal creaked dangerously.
Veyalor hasn’t told him about the bond,he realized.But will it make any difference?
“That seems… ambitious,” he managed.
“Ambition is what separates leaders from followers, Captain.” Naran’s gaze sharpened. “You seem troubled. Surely you understand the necessity.”
“I understand the goal of preserving our species.” He chose his words with exacting care. “I question whether such rapid expansion is wise. We don’t yet know the long-term viability of hybrid offspring. We don’t know what resources they’ll require, what complications might arise?—”
