Page 97 of A World Enough

“I apologize.”

Davor waved his hand. “It’s no matter. Back to your question. They didn’t bless us with any power, probably because they saw our potential, and that we could outsmart them with any new power. But, Madam Ninti, it showed me how gifted we are. Because we didn’t get an ability handed to us like so many children. We had to use our brains, our ingenuity to make the technology to do what we wanted. Now we are gods amongst them.”

Ninti was disgusted at his hubris. It made her want to fight all the more for the rebellion and take down this empire.

“How is the witch?” Davor asked.

“Very near death. She used all she had for you.”

“Good, let her die slowly.”

“Davor, I was thinking, would you allow me to keep the body, near death of course. I’d love to run tests on her and find out about this magic she used, and there are a few other experiments I’d like to try on her.”

“Yes. Dissect her like the hogo rat that she is.”

He stood up and brushed his uniform down. Ninti could feel his ego had been bruised by Vorka. Davor thought he could go into Vorka’s mind and do what he wanted with it.

But he didn’t, and it gave him fear like he hadn’t felt in a long, long time, Ninti expected.

He finally composed himself. “Let’s just hope Cardo’s tip was good. Oh, and Ninti?”

“Yes, Davor?”

He pointed towards where the cameras were hidden. “Get rid of the footage of what happened here.”

My, this really did get to you, Ninti thought.

“Of course, Davor.”

And with that, he rushed out of the room.

This was perfect for Ninti. It meant no one would see any slight sadness in her face while watching Vorka, and no record of Vorka’s body being moved.

“Computer? Ask Miaz to come to the interrogation room, to move a body.”

“Yes, madam,” it replied.

She looked down at Vorka and thought, I’m not giving up on you, Vorka. No matter what you said to me.

Chapter Eighteen

How many more times do we have to circle before we can come in to dock? I thought Ziggy was a friend to the Abnobian Empire,” Cardo shouted.

They had made it to Ziggy’s Place in good time, even earlier than they expected. He was currently arguing with the docking control.

“I am sorry. Four of our ports went down this morning, but you are our top priority.”

“We better be,” Cardo said, “or there’s a squad of Drazani who can’t wait to get down there.”

“We will get you docked, if we could ask for your patience.”

“Just hurry.”

He turned to the captain of the guard. “Is everyone ready to move at a moment’s notice?”

The captain clearly didn’t like him. “We are always ready.”

Brogan was just coming to the surface after a deep sleep. She felt Camber wrapped around her, and a smile erupted on her face. This was the best morning of her life. She hugged Camber and placed kisses on her brow.