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Nonetheless, Kila barely saw the astonishing beauty surrounding him as he stood close to the edge of the sphere. He stared blankly in the direction opposite of Earth, to where the galaxy twinkled mockingly at him. What he saw was Piras years ago, watching Lidon from a distance and wearing a devastated expression. Kila, likewise unobserved, had wondered how he could convince the Dramok to give up on a man who’d turned his back on him. He’d struggled to find a means to get Piras to consider instead a protector who held him in too much esteem to choose a lesser clan leader. Kila had sworn if Piras would give him a chance, he’d be the guardian who’d keep him unfailingly safe.
Kila’s duty to the fleet and the Kalquorian Empire had drawn him away, however. And who’d stepped in immediately to take his place as Piras’ defender? Lidon. Fucking Lidon, who’d had fifteen years to accept Piras as his responsibility, chosen to toss him aside, then swooped in the instant Kila had left the star system.
Piras is no longer hung up on him. I’m sure of it. Why am I so threatened?
Because years after Lidon left him, Piras had still been crushed by the rejection every time they’d crossed paths.
Now they had to go to Kalquor because the fucking Darks might have gotten their tentacles on Hobato. Was there merely the one, or were there more? Piras was in charge of Earth II’s safety from domestic and outside attacks. Was his position important enough for the Darks to want him too?
There was also the matter of him being noticed on a planet full of Kalquorians who’d love to see him dead. Perhaps the majority of their people had come to grudging forgiveness of Piras’ sacrifice of Laro Station in order to get close to the traitors who’d started the civil war, but relatives of those who’d died on Laro continued to swear vengeance. One slip up, and Piras would be dead.
Lidon was also on Kalquor. He’d be working closely at Piras’ side again, as would Lokmi and Hope.
Kila’s blood boiled at the thought. “Like hell I’m staying here,” he growled. He ignored the startled glances of the stargazers standing near him.
* * * *
Earth II
Nobek Kuran stood apart from the men sitting on opposite sides of Ken Bryant’s desk, but distance did little to keep him from feeling tainted by their presences. Slimy bastards. What he wouldn’t do to unphase and challenge them to a fight.
It wouldn’t be a fair fight, the two of them against him. He’d barely break a sweat beating them until they were ready to apologize to their mothers for having been born.
Particularly Speaker Cal Mitchell. He wasn’t precisely fat, but he was definitely out of shape. His face often turned red, as if merely walking from one end of the General Assembly’s building to the other threatened a stroke or heart attack. Bryant was toned, but he hadn’t trained in any hand-to-hand combat as far as Kuran knew. He could probably shoot a blaster decently…Kuran would have allowed both weapons of their choosing in his fight fantasy…but it was becoming apparent the lieutenant governor preferred to hire minions for his dirty work. Particularly where explosives were concerned.
You’ll pay for having your goons send Stacy that package.It was a vow Kuran was determined to keep.
He set aside visions of vengeance to pay attention to the meeting. If Mitchell and Bryant were plotting together, if Bryant was part of a group rather than acting on his own, Kuran needed to find out.
So far, their conversation had centered on the upcoming elections. Mitchell had just announced his candidacy as a representative, hoping to hang onto his position as the legislature’s speaker. Progressives held the General Assembly, but the minority party, which included Earthtiques, had been given the opportunity to oversee its sessions. The next group of legislators and the voters would decide on the speaker position.
His hope of maintaining status wasn’t foremost on Mitchell’s agenda at the moment, however. His goal was to put the Earthtiques in Earth II’s most powerful seat.
“I can’t imagine what you’re waiting for. Stacy Nichols declared and has already begun her campaign. You’re a shoe-in to beat her, but only if you run. If you have no intention to do so, you need to inform me. We have a backup ready to go.” His cheeks reddened as he spoke impatiently to Bryant. Kuran wondered what his blood pressure was.
Bryant slowly twirled a stylus between his fingers, his attitude nonchalant. “It was a given the governor’s first rally would steal the thunder from anyone running against her. Greene and Rubin announced the day before and after, respectively. Barely anyone noticed, and their numbers are almost nonexistent. All eyes were on Governor Nichols.”
Mitchell snorted derision. “Greene and Rubin couldn’t win a dog’s vote if they ran a kibble plant. People are excited about our first election. It’s a mistake to fail to capitalize on it.”
“I am. The news has been hyping the lack of a serious contender to our appointed governor, as well as whether or not I’ll run. I can’t appear in public without a vid drone hovering over me and reporters begging to know the answer.”
“Nichols got a sizeable spike in the polls after the campaign kickoff. Those pitting you against her were too close to call.”
Kuran chuckled. “Weren’t you just saying Bryant would easily beat her? Politicians.” He shook his head at the unaware speaker.
“Given an additional few days, maybe even a week or two, I’ll also receive increased interest when I announce my candidacy during the press conference I’ll schedule. I believe the polls will swing my way, having ridden the crest of initial excitement for Stacy.”
Grudging satisfaction couldn’t keep Mitchell from warning him. “I’m glad you’re taking this seriously, but this year will be a long one until election day.”
“Which is why I’ve planned every step meticulously as when to announce.” Bryant smirked. “I can’t tell you how much I look forward to winning a fair contest.”
“After trying to have Stacy killed? Where was the fairness in that?” Kuran could have cheerfully throttled him. It was another reason he was halfway across the room from the man, to hold temptation at bay. “It’ll be hard to win an election when you’re awaiting trial for conspiracy to murder.”
Meanwhile, Mitchell considered Bryant, as if weighing his next words carefully. He glanced at the closed door, then spoke quietly. “We can’t have Nichols and her ilk in charge beyond the election. Fairness isn’t a major concern.”
Kuran couldn’t believe Bryant had the audacity to appear surprised at the suggestion he should cheat. Apprehensive, even. “What do you mean?”
“Come now, Ken. Sometimes working toward the good of all means setting aside goodness itself for a little while. You of all people understand what it is to perform unpleasant acts to reach a beneficial outcome for the side of right.”
