Page 41 of Grumpy Alien Bodyguard

"The Centuries War," I growl, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. "Starts up all over again."

Quinn sinks back into her chair, her small frame seeming to collapse in on itself. I know what she's thinking without her having to say it. Not only did she fail to help the Solari, but now it looks like she failed so badly that she's going to start an intergalactic war.

I reach over and take her hand in mine, my red scales a stark contrast against her pale skin.

"This isn't your fault," I say firmly.

"I was supposed to find a peaceful solution," she whispers. "And now look what's happening."

"We don't know what's happening yet," I counter, straightening in my seat. My warrior instincts are kicking in, pushing aside shock and replacing it with tactical assessment. "Gas, any communications from either side?"

"Nothing on open channels, boss," Gas replies, his paws still working the console. "But there's a lot of encrypted chatter between the Ataxian ships."

I make a decision. "Hail Zantress."

Quinn looks at me with surprise. "What are you planning?"

I bare my teeth in what humans might mistake for a smile. "To remind her what it means to face a Vakutan warrior in battle—even if it's just with words."

CHAPTER 17

QUINN

Iwatch Varnok's massive red finger stab the comms button with more restraint than I'd expect. My heart hammers against my ribs. This can't be happening.

"Hailing Speaker Zantress," Gas announces, his voice tight with tension.

The holoscreen flickers, and Zantress's weathered grolgath face materializes before us. Her leathery skin looks more drawn than usual, her expression solemn.

"Ambassador Gellar," she says, inclining her head slightly. "I had not expected to see you again so soon."

"What's going on, Zantress?" I demand, stepping forward. "An Ataxian fleet? This wasn't part of our negotiations."

Zantress folds her hands in front of her, the picture of calm despite the armada surrounding her. "The negotiations failed, Ambassador. I have formally petitioned for the Solari of Jwoon X to be incorporated into the Ataxian Coalition. They have agreed to grant us provisional membership and are here to protect their territory."

My mouth goes dry. "Their territory? Zantress, this is insanity. The Alliance will be here any moment with their own fleet to enforce Kallus's Writ. This is only going to lead to war."I step closer to the screen, desperate to make her understand. "Is that what you want? Aren't the Solari supposed to be about peace?"

Something flickers across Zantress's face—doubt, perhaps, or regret. For a moment, the mask of the hardened negotiator slips, and I glimpse the true believer underneath.

"The Solari way is peace," she says quietly. "But what peace is there in being driven from our homes? In watching our sacred groves torn apart for profit? Sometimes standing for peace means standing against those who would destroy it."

"There has to be another way," I plead. "We can still resolve this matter without bloodshed."

Zantress's eyes soften. "I wish that were true, Ambassador. You have tried harder than most would have in your position. But I fear the time for talk has passed."

She raises her hand in the traditional Solari farewell gesture. "May you find peace, Quinn Gellar."

"Wait," Varnok's deep voice rumbles beside me.

Zantress pauses, her hand still raised.

Varnok steps forward, his massive frame filling the pickup area of our comm system. "I've listened to all of you talk for days," he says, his voice surprisingly measured. "Quinn, Kallus, you, the Prime Minister—everyone's had their say."

He crosses his arms over his chest, his purple eyes gleaming with determination. "Now it's my turn to speak, and for all of you to listen."

Zantress lowers her hand slowly, studying Varnok with newfound interest. The tension in the cockpit is thick enough to cut with a knife as Varnok draws himself up to his full, imposing height.

I hold my breath, not knowing what to expect. Varnok the Annihilator is about to address a diplomatic crisis that could restart the bloodiest war in galactic history. Part of me wantsto jump in front of him and cut the transmission before he can make things worse.

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