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Kuran briefed Piras on the latest situation, including his clan’s relationship to Stacy and her decision to continue seeing them despite the unsubtle warning against it.
“Fanatics. Their leaders decimated their first planet over bigoted beliefs, yet they maintain a destructive path.” Piras shook his head. “They never learn.”
“Unfortunately. I agree the governor can’t subvert her personal happiness to such tyrants, but her welfare is on the line. I’ll do everything in my power to keep her safe, it’ll be my priority, but…”
“But shit happens.” Piras grimaced. “You can only do so much. My own Nobek learned that the hard way. It’s difficult to guard those of us who refuse to back down.”
“The price of leadership.” Kuran was beginning to see Piras in a new light. He’d sacrificed his honor and security to do what he’d thought was right. Stacy was equally ready to stand for her beliefs…and the relationship they were forging.
“Let’s discuss what you can do. Our estimate of the number of Earthtiques willing to cause trouble is small, but they’re a noisy and determined group. They could grow. We saw it happen on Kalquor when Maf started his damned war.” Piras spit out the traitor’s name like it was poison.
“Ships full of incoming residents are arriving daily. I’ve instigated protocols to watch those who might be militantly anti-alien, but how does Earth refuse to take Earthers who aren’t thus far classified as violent criminals?”
“Every society has its dark underbelly. Well, maybe not Joshada and Plasius, but the rest of us aren’t so enlightened as a people. You need an edge to help Governor Nichols encourage the slimy macris to remain under their rocks.” Piras grinned. “Maybe something allowing you to move about Earth unnoticed?”
“I realize the phase devices are exclusive to the spy portion of the fleet, but…”
“We have operatives employing it wherever it’s required. You’re contracted to our cause.” Piras pulled open a desk drawer and removed a metallic chevron. It was identical to the silver one pinned to the chest of his blue uniform. He slid it across the polished surface to Kuran.
The Nobek’s brows rose. Surely Piras didn’t store personal phase devices in his desk.
The admiral chuckled. “I took it out of its safe when you commed for an interview. I was meaning to call you in to discuss the matter of you adding to your Earth duties, and this seemed as good a time as any.”
“You want me to spy on the planet’s leadership.”
“Considering certain members of it wish to erase Kalquorian influence sooner rather than later, it seemed a change of duty was on the horizon.”
Kuran picked up the device and eyed it. “Such an assignment would include the governor, who also happens to be my lover and potential future clanmate.”
Piras was unsurprised by the admission. “You’d be watching her anyway, to maintain her safety. I doubt her policies would give us pause. It’s her lieutenant governor and certain members of the legislature we’re interested in…as well as its future elected leaders.”
“Governor Nichols has every intention of running and winning the election.”
“I hope she does, but there are no guarantees. In the event she and a significant portion of Earth’s General Assembly are replaced, we’ll have to watch those who might wish to take Earth on a separatist path. The last thing we need is another war.”
“She’s offered me the position of personal bodyguard once I’m relieved of my official security role. It’ll look odd if I abruptly decline.” He couldn’t imagine playing a role she wasn’t aware of. He was loyal to Kalquor, but he loved Stacy.
“Let her believe you’re merely her security. Tell her you’ll be phased, but she’s to keep both matters to herself.”
He could do that, but could he play spy behind her back?
Piras’ brow rose. “Let me sweeten the deal. There will be high-level meetings the governor must go to, but a bodyguard won’t be welcome to attend. As our spy, you’ll have opportunities to go wherever you wish, including those meetings. You’ll be at her side if trouble happens.”
“It won’t be my main directive.”
“You can keep her safe, Kuran, and investigate those we feel warrant our attention. You’ll have a team of spies to direct when you feel you must concentrate your efforts on Governor Nichols.”
“I will?”
Piras tapped his computer keyboard, bringing up three Fleet identification portraits of unsmiling Kalquorians. He named them, pointing to the pictures as he did so.
“Nobek Selt, lately weapons subcommander of Captain Kila’s spyship. He’ll be your second. A loyal and devoted member of the fleet.”
Kuran recognized Nobek Selt. He’d been the man who’d intercepted and removed the reporter and her drone in the station’s crew quarters corridor. “He impressed me during a brief encounter.”
“He’s young, but you’ll find him quite capable. These two are Nobeks Idla and Dabro. They have vast experience moving around enemy territory and gathering information.”
“The fleet regards Earth as enemy territory?”
