Page 30 of Emperor of Draconis

“It’s hard to say. We were slightly delayed on Earth, then again by the troop deployment. I’d guess a week, but I’m not good at this sort of thing.” Kitty replied.

“I don’t mind. The ship is fun for kids. It’s just the older people that are in a hurry to get to Draconis.” She admitted.

“They shouldn’t be in too much of a hurry. This is a great place to study the information they’ve been given and work through their units that cover employment, housing, and general knowledge needed to join the communities there. Here there is childcare, medical care, and many other benefits without having to go farther than down the hall.” Kitty pointed out.

“Parents don’t always make good students.” The little girl observed.

He was sure that was true. “Maybe they’ll do better now. Besides, we have a meeting scheduled to go over the first unit after lunch. Perhaps they weren’t aware that was what the meeting was for?” He explained.

Torr almost laughed. The parents all looked concerned now. The meeting wasn’t actually tied to the first unit but having read some information would tell them if they had questions about what they would be dealing with. Now everyone began to eat with appetite and entirely too much concentration.

His captain called him. “We have information on the reason the pirates attacked this far out and were willing to attack our ship.”

“I’ll be there right away.”

“Maybe you should leave your mate behind. They were targeting her.” Horon said.

“She’ll expect to come.”

“I have to go to the bridge.” He explained.

“I’ll go with you.” Kitty insisted. No surprise there.

Breakfast was essentially done so he escorted her to the bridge. As they entered, it was clear everyone was serious. “Tell me what you found out.” Torr demanded.

“Some of the pirates are coming awake so our males questioned them. It seems they were out here for our ship but took advantage of those other ships happening by as they waited. You and your mate were their targets. Their plan was to take the ship and sell the crew and the guests as slaves at a faraway market. You would be executed, and Kitty brought to the male who hired them.” Horos explained.

“This group of rogues needs to be taken out. Was there any information that might lead us to them?”

“Only one name was mentioned, King Frick. The informer didn’t catch the context, so we don’t know if it was an anonymous trade, he was their enemy, or if he’s in it with them.” Horos admitted.

Frick. He wasn’t a friend of his nor did he hate him. He was at the lower end of his kings but not at the bottom. Could he be one of several that needed to be routed? Was it possible the reason this was so hard to deal with was because some of his own were involved? There were two or three more he would have suspected first but for now he’d investigate Frick. If he was guilty maybe that would lead to more.

“Anything else?”

“Not yet, but many more still need to be woke and questioned.” Horos admitted.

“Let me know if anything of importance comes to light.” Horos nodded and he turned and escorted Kitty away from the bridge.

“What will you do now?” She asked.

“I will call your step dad and he will send some people in to investigate Frick.”

“What do you think of this Frick?”

“He is not close to me. Many of my kings barely manage to do what they are expected to; he is one of those, but he is better than the bottom three. That means he is rarely brought to my attention.”

“That might be by design.”

“It’s possible. My only option is to investigate and hope to uncover the truth.” Kitty nodded, there was little to say. “We have a little time before lunch.”

“What do you wish to do?”

“Maybe we could just relax and talk a little?”

“Okay.” He grinned. “I like to spend time with you.”

They walked back to her room and they settled in. She was at the desk and he sat in a chair. “What do you want to talk about?” She asked

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