Chapter Nine

Terraling Master Du-Voz sat in his black, throne-like command chair, his long white fingers draped over the dark fabric of the chair’s arms. Pausha was at his side, dressed in the battle armor of his people and strapped with pulse blasters on each hip.

“Sir, Master Mul-Rok’s cruiser will be in range in four minutes.” The navigator was also a Graumaling, and just as fierce looking as Pausha only female.

Du-Voz rose from his chair as he spoke, “Close the gap to two minutes, Leenak, then hold your position.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Pausha, you have the Bridge. I will be in my chamber. Do not disturb me with anything less than a catastrophe.”

“Of course, Master Du-Voz.”

Du-Voz left the Bridge of his battle cruiser and entered his private chambers without any further instructions to his crew. The Com Screen in front of his desk was already buzzing with life, the whole of the Brethren sitting before Du-Voz in the Counsel Chambers back on Terra. Du-Voz took his seat, leaning heavily on the smooth black top of his desk.

“My apologies, Brethren, for having to bring you together in such haste and at such a late hour, but the incident at hand required your immediate attention for I believe one of our own means to defect to the human world of Earth.”

“Defect? Master Du-Voz, surely you cannot believe Master Mul-Rok, one of the founding fathers of the Millennium Program, capable of such a betrayal.”

Du-Voz turned his attention to the counsel member who had spoken. He was an ancient looking Terraling, with a thin, wispy beard that hung long from the sides of his face and his chin. Du-Voz recognized him at once and inclined his head ever so slightly toward the man.

“Grand Talent Lu-Ang, of course I would not trouble the Brethren with any thing I was not prepared to support, including but not limited to the defection of a man you have treated as your own son.” The insinuation was delivered with respect, but the point was made. The Grand Talent was a biased judge on the issue, despite his seniority within the Brethren. Du-Voz smoothed his right hand across the desktop and brought the touch screen to life. While his fingers tapped the necessary links, Du-Voz continued, “The link and file now available to you is the security investigation and the footage from Hangar 42D4 earlier this evening. I know that after viewing the files, you will see an intervention is in order. I ask for nothing more than your authority to perform the intervention before Master Mul-Rok can do any real damage to our people, our mission, our way of life itself.”

Grand Talent Lu-Ang was the only member of the counsel not engrossed in the investigation file. His eyes were on Du-Voz.

“The files and your suggested course of action will be taken under review.”

A younger, senior member of the counsel now addressed Du-Voz. He knew this man as well. “That is all I ask, Master Tu-Lok. I would only add that I have Master Mul-Rok’s cruiser under surveillance and could move to intercept within two minutes, if the Brethren decide on such action.”

“Thank you, Master Du-Voz.” Tu-Lok inclined his head respectively, but Du-Voz’s eyes were locked on the Grand Talent. Lu-Ang might be a bigger problem than he anticipated.

“I await your decision, Brethren.” The Com Screen went black. Du-Voz rocked slowly back in his chair, fingers pressed together in front of his face. “Adrena.”

A female hologram rose from the black surface of the desk. “Master.”

“I need to see my son, immediately.”

“He’s already on his way, Master.”

Du-Voz smiled. “It’s unfortunate not all those who serve me, serve as faithfully and as efficient as you, Adrena.”

“You’re too kind, Master Du-Voz.” The hologram disappeared back into the desk’s dark surface.