“Feed,” he said.

  She struck clumsily, but desperately, and coiled herself around the animal, positioning it so she could consume it headfirst. It took only moments for the venom to do its job, and she took her time consuming the creature after she unlocked her jaws to allow it to pass.

  He waited patiently. She was on the smaller side for a Viperidae, and he imagined she would have been bullied in her youth. Only when she had fully consumed the meal did he proceed to the point of his visit.

  “I am Commander Vi’Uku, Executive Officer of the SRN Exzisa.”

  The name obviously meant something to her, as she snapped immediately to attention. “I’m sorry, Commander,” she said and expressed pheromones of fear.

  “Rest, Cadet. I’m here on behalf of Fleet Admiral El’Kashtri to investigate the crime of which you are accused.”

  She relaxed only slightly. “Permission to speak freely, Commander?”

  “Please do, Cadet.”

  “I had nothing to do with it,” she protested immediately. “I am a loyal servant of the queen and would never do anything against any citizen of Strorix.”

  He paid careful attention and sensed no deceit as he tasted the air.

  “Can you explain how your venom came to be where it had no business being?”

  “I don’t remember ever going down that branch of corridors. No path I need takes me that way.”

  “Uncoil please, Cadet,” he ordered as he spied some missing scales along her length.

  They were more evident once he could see her fully. Whatever had removed the scales had not breached the skin, but she would have a scar for life. He could also tell the attack had been recent.

  “What happened?”

  “It’s nothing,” she hissed softly. “An accident while training.”

  All Serpentes trained to fight, it was a part of their culture, and accidents did happen, but he could tell there was more to the story. He moved over to examine the missing scales more carefully. The meal she had just consumed made the wound more obvious, or he might not have spotted the missing scales.

  “Cadet. I cannot help you if you will not be forthcoming. Would you like me to report your lack of cooperation to the Fleet Admiral?”

  “No, Commander.”

  “Who did this and why?”

  He could tell she was becoming uncomfortable. Being fully laid out, uncoiled, was the most vulnerable position a Serpentes could be in, but it was a position used to remind a lower ranking Serpentes of their place.

  She hissed so quietly he couldn’t hear her, and he rattled his tail.

  “Cadet…”

  “It was Cadet Vi’Jyara.”

  “Coil yourself.”

  Relieved, she coiled herself loosely and faced him.

  “Explain.”

  She looked down at the ground in deference or shame. “It was while training. He struck hard when one of his friends distracted me. I managed to avoid his fangs, mostly.”

  “He exposed his fangs?” Vi’Uku asked and rattled his tail. Training was just that, training. Viperidae could control their fangs, and they were supposed to remain folded during training.

  “Yes. I’m sure it was an accident,” she added quickly.

  “If you will not defend yourself, Cadet, I can have a Lampros come and finish this right now.”

  He let that settle in. Lampros fulfilled many roles in the Serpentes culture, and one of them was the consumption of Serpentes, or humans, found guilty of a severe crime.

  “How did you respond when you were struck?”

  “I prepared to defend my life.”

  “And?”

  Her tail rattled fiercely for a moment. “I exposed my fangs. I was scared, and my venom flowed freely. The instructor made us leave the training grounds. He made me leave first. That must be it. Right?”

  “Do you hold any ill feelings toward humans in the navy?”

  The question obviously caught her off guard, as he intended it to.

  “I don’t really think about it. I’m a runt; I never thought I’d have a chance. I’ve never had a problem with humans. They’re just different beings, right?”

  “Very forward thinking, Cadet. Perhaps you have heard others who feel differently?”

  She lifted her head and met his eyes. “They’ll kill me.”

  “No, Cadet. They won’t.”

  Vi’Uku allowed her time to consider her next statement. It was obvious she knew something, and he needed her to tell him.

  “Vi’Jyara. It’s mostly him. He has a few friends who are always near him. Well, not friends maybe. They seem to do whatever he says because of his lineage.”

  “Go on.”

  “He bragged once about how he scared a human so badly they released their bowels, and he swore he would never serve on a ship with a human.”

  “I see. And his friends?”

  She gave him a list of names, which he recorded with his sub-scalar implant.

  “Is there anything else you can think of?”

  “I just want to serve in the navy, Commander. I was destined to be shipped off to Strorix Den for animal control, but…that’s not what I want.”

  “I believe you may yet get your chance, Cadet. I’m afraid you’re going to have to return to your cell for now though.”

  She hissed in resignation and slid slowly into the cell before he hissed the command to seal the door.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 13

  Yafi walked into Colonel Brady’s office after being escorted there by one of the platoon leaders he knew from the range. “You wanted to see me, Colonel?”

  “Rachel is fine, Yafi. Please, sit.”

  He nodded and sat.

  “How are you doing?”

  “Better, I guess. I’m sorry about how I acted. It’s just—”

  “Tony explained the situation, somewhat. He didn’t go into detail, but I understand it was a bit too much for you. No need to apologize.”

  Yafi was relieved, but the thought of trying again caused him to shudder.

  “I think it might be best not to take those weapons…at least not at first. I’m not the only one who will feel this way.”

  She nodded. “I’ve already come to that conclusion. We’ve already ordered them, so we’ll take them along, but we’ll skip the training for a while. You need to understand, though, that your people will eventually have to get past their fear.”

  He flinched slightly.

  “I don’t mean to be harsh, but should it ever come down to a genuine need to defend yourself, if all the enemy has to do is fire a few shots to throw you off…”

  “Yes,” he said after he thought about it. “That does make sense.”

  “The SRN transport to Neithea will be here tomorrow. We won’t be going just yet. I’m afraid we have some other matters to handle, but you’re welcome to go ahead and return home.”

  “I would like that. I have much to tell the council.”

  “I have no doubt. I do hope that, aside from the range, you found your visit enjoyable.”

  “Oh, very much,” he said, with a smile.

  “Good to hear,” she said as she stood and walked around her desk. “I just wanted to make sure you are doing okay. We’ll send someone to get you when the shuttle is ready to take you up in the morning.”

  “Thank you, Rachel,” he said as she walked over and opened the door for him.

  “Take care of yourself, Yafi. We’ll see you again soon. Oh, and Yafi…don’t mention to anyone else that we’re not going with you.”

  He looked at her, confused, but nodded. “As you wish.”

  * * *

  Bobby Merritt opened the front door and laughed as his daughter ran in from the dining room and jumped into his arms as soon as he closed the door behind him. “Ambushed at the door!”

  She giggled uncontrollably as he tickled her. “Daddy! Stop!” she squealed.

  He chuckled and set her down. “Good to see you too.”

  “Dinner’s almost ready. I helped!”

  “Is that so? Well, I guess it’ll be good then, huh?” he asked as he took her hand so she could guide him to the dining room.

  As he expected, the house was clean and tidy. Though it wasn’t part of the nanny’s job, she always made sure the home was in good shape. He walked through the hallway to the dining room and smiled as he passed cheap image displays, most of which showed the entire family, back when his wife had been alive. At first, he’d turned them off, but as time went on, Lily had wanted them on again, so she could remember.

  “Hey, Brenda,” he said to the nanny he’d hired to look after his daughter while he worked.

  “Welcome home, Mr. Merritt. Lily’s already finished her homework and was a great help in the kitchen.”

  “Well, well. Look at you. Are you ready to move out already?” he asked and reached for Lily, who dodged his tickle attempt.

  “Daaad. Stop.”

  He grinned and sat down at the head of the table. “Joining us tonight, Brenda?”

  “I wish I could, but I need to get home if that’s okay.”

  “Of course. Thanks for everything.”

  She smiled and set the last dish of food on the table. “That’s everything. Kitchen’s cleaned up and desert is in the fridge. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Be safe out there, Brenda.”

  He served himself and Lily plates of food, and they ate while he let Lily tell him all about her day. He listened, mostly, but his mind was on other things. She was the reason for everything he did. He wanted her to grow up on a safe planet, free of the risk of snakes.

  “Then a Serpentes came to visit the class.”

  “What?!” he yelled, spewing a mouthful of food across the table.

  “Ewwwwww.”

  “What about one of those snakes?”

  “He didn’t seem that scary, Daddy. He was nice, and he let us touch his scales and everything. They weren’t slimy like I thought they would be.”

  “Don’t ever, ever touch one of those things again, Lily. I’m serious. They can kill you. You’re lucky you didn’t end up as a snack.”

  She cowed back in her chair; the excitement gone from her voice and her face. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”

  “No. I’m sorry, baby,” he said. “I’m sorry I yelled. I just…I want you to be safe. Okay?”

  She nodded, and the tears threatening to fall from her eyes stabbed into his heart.

  He sighed and walked around the table to pick her up. “I’m sorry, baby,” he said and stroked her hair.

  As she laid her head on his shoulder, he could feel the wetness of her tears soak through his shirt. He closed his eyes. He wasn’t sure how long he stood that way, holding her tight. Finally, as children do, she wiggled free, and he set her down.

  “I’m going to watch some vids, okay?”

  “Sure, baby. I’ve got some work to do upstairs. I’ll be down in a little bit, and we can watch together.”

  “Okay!” she said and skipped off to the living room.

  He smiled and walked upstairs to his home office, where the smile faded quickly. He entered a code on the keypad to disable the alarm and pushed his thumb down on the fingerprint reader, then the lock on the door clicked. After he closed the door behind him, he sat down and activated his workstation.

  A single message popped up on his screen. “Tomorrow.”

  So, they were leaving on schedule. That was good. He trusted John, sort of, but he was glad to have secondary confirmation that the training groups were indeed leaving for Neithea. If everything went according to plan, they would arrive and set up on Neithea in about six days. In seven days, it would be time. A coordinated action across two systems would let everyone know the snakes weren’t welcome in Gieliv. Blood would spill, but it would be for the greater good. Before he went downstairs to spend the evening with Lily, he double checked the instructions he had in place in the event of his death. His wife, and any other family he had, had died in the snakes’ venom attack, so he was all Lily had left. If he died in action, Lily would go to Brenda.

  Satisfied, he left his office, activated the alarms, and went downstairs and found his daughter watching some ancient vid about a purple dinosaur.

  “What is this?” he asked as he sat down beside her.

  “It’s funny!” she said.

  “If you say so.”

  She sighed, content, and snuggled against his side. “I love you, Daddy.”

  “I love you too, baby,” he said as he wrapped his arm around her. He meant those words more than any other words he had ever spoken. And I hope one day you understand, he thought to himself.

  * * *

  In a house across the street from the Merritt residence, a man turned to the woman next to him. “What do you see?”

  “There’s definitely some kind of screened room upstairs. He disappeared from thermal for a few minutes.”

  “Just him and the kid again?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, note the time. Next shift will be here soon to relieve us.”

  “Is what I hear right about that guy? He’s some sort of terrorist?”

  “We just know what we’re told. Surveil and report.”

  “I know, I know. But look at him. He’s home every night, spends time with his kid. That could be anyone.”

  “That’s what makes the terrorists dangerous. They look normal. Keep your eyes on the target.”

  * * *

  Vi’Uku coiled at the front of an empty lecture hall after classes ended and used the terminal to record his notes. There was definitely an organized, but loose, effort against humans at the academy, but there was no evidence anyone other than Vi’Jyara was behind it. The others could potentially be trained once his influence was removed, which Vi’Uku was convinced needed to happen.

  The disposition of Admiral El’Arta was another concern. Had El’Arta completed a full investigation, the facts Vi’Uku had uncovered would have been recorded. Curious, Vi’Uku did some digging into El’Arta’s file, and he finally understood. Vi’Jyara’s mother had served with the admiral. Favoritism was not a foreign concept to the Serpentes, and it wasn’t openly discouraged. But covering up for the attempted killing of another being went beyond that to the level of conspiracy. Before he brought that to El’Kashtri, though, he wanted more information. To that end, he summoned Vi’Jyara to the lecture hall.

  Only moments later, Vi’Jyara slid into the hall, approached Vi’Uku, and snapped to perfect attention.

  “Rest, Cadet. You know who I am?”

  “Yes, Commander. It is an honor to meet the executive officer for Fleet Admiral El’Kashtri.”

  “I’m investigating incidents that have occurred here at the academy that target human cadets. Your name has come up several times. Do you have any idea why that would be?”

  “I know Cadet Savage mistook an accident for an attack in a corridor, Commander. He tripped over my tail. Humans can be clumsy, as I’m sure you’re aware.”

  “Can they? Seeing as they are responsible for much of the maintenance on our ships, evidence would seem to lean to the contrary, Cadet.”

  Vi’Jyara did not respond, but he didn’t have to.

  “What is your feeling about humans serving as members of the navy, Cadet? Speak freely.”

  “I believe it is a mistake, Commander. But, as it is the order of the queen, I will accept it.”

  Vi’Uku made a show of looking down at the terminal, but he really had no need to.

  “I also see there was a training incident where you locked your fangs during a rotation and wounded another Cadet.”

  “An unfortunate accident.”

  “Odd that accident was not reported, as it should have been. Can you explain that?”

  “I’m afraid I cannot answer to what the instructor did or did not report, Commander.”

  “Are you aware venom was found on Cadet Savage’s entry pad?”

  “Yes, Commander. I heard about that. It’s unfortunate how far some will go in defiance of the queen’s orders. I understand Vi’Pavema was responsible.”

  “She claims she has never been down that corridor.”

  “The evidence contradicts that, doesn’t it?”

  “Perhaps.”

  He could see the tension in the muscles of Vi’Jyara’s coils and knew his line of questioning had hit home. He also knew the odds of Vi’Jyara confessing were about the same as those of the Gnevusin delivering an apology for their attack on Strorix and giving up slaving.

  “Thank you for your time, Cadet. Dismissed.”

  After Vi’Jyara braced to attention, turned, and slid out of the hall, Vi’Uku hissed in frustration. Some decisions he could make, but the course he was on would require El’Kashtri. He wanted to question El’Arta. He packaged all the information he had, along with his own observations, and sent it to El’Kashtri for review. In the meantime, he decided to remain on campus and observe the next day of classes. The schedule showed it would be the first run in the new simulators, and he wanted to observe.

  * * *

  El’Jyiurma looked between El’Kashtri and Sofia, whom she had summoned once she learned the investigation at the academy was being handled by Commander Vi’Uku. El’Kashtri knew Sofia well from working with her in Neithea, so he would not immediately question her presence, but the subject of the conversation would come as quite a surprise. He coiled loosely, and Sofia sat in the lone chair in the room after the initial pleasantries were out of the way.

  “Thank you both for coming so soon. Fleet Admiral, what we are going to discuss holds the highest level of classification. Is that understood?”

  “Of course, Your Majesty,” he answered and bowed.

  “There is no simple way to delve into this, so I will be blunt. It appears we have been misled about the past.”

  “I’m sorry?”

 

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