Page 70 of Zinnia and the Zombie
“And you?” he asked. “How do you feel about this place?”
She considered the question. “It’s overwhelming. Beautiful, but overwhelming. Ella has been incredibly kind, but…” She squeezed his hand. “This isn’t where we belong. Not for long, anyway.”
“I almost wish we were back on the Grorn ship,” he admitted. “I had a mission—an important one.”
“I know you still want to find your people.”
“I do. And I don’t want to sit around waiting for Tanaca’s sources to find them. I’ve given him all the information I have, but I’d still rather be out there looking.”
“Why don’t you tell him that? He’d probably like having someone else gather information for him.”
“I suppose it’s worth trying.”
“Now why don’t you come back to bed and let me help you relax,” she said, leading him back to the bedroom. “Or at least let me try.”
“The bed is too far away,” he growled, and pulled her towards him.
He was just about to lower his lips to hers when the communication panel chimed. Another annoyance of palace life. He reluctantly released her and prowled over to the panel.
“What?” he snapped.
“Good morning, Commander Jaxxlariat.” Laris said coolly, a hint of disapproval beneath the formal address. The female assigned as their court liaison did not like him, and her studious politeness only emphasized her dislike. “Lord Tanaca requests your presence in the South Hangar in half an hour.”
“Very well. My mate will join me,” he said firmly.
“Of course.” Laris gave a barely audible sigh as she closed the channel.
“I guess we’re not going back to bed after all,” Zinnia said, giving him an amused look. “But you could join me in the shower.”
“If I did, we would undoubtedly be late.”
She laughed and stroked her fingers teasingly across his lamellae before disappearing. He fought back the urge to chase her and tried to decide if this would be a good opportunity to broach Zinnia’s suggestion with the Senior Advisor. He decided to wait and see.
Lord Tanaca waited for them in the center of the hangar, his face in its usual composed mask. Beside him stood AdmiralGernagan, the stern-faced head of the Imperial Fleet whom he’d met during the previous security briefings.
But it wasn’t Tanaca or the admiral that captured his attention. It was the ship.
Instead of the battered Grorn vessel, a completely different craft rested in the docking cradle. Sleek, elegant, with the unmistakable curved lines of Kaisarian engineering, it gleamed under the hangar lights. It was smaller than a military vessel but clearly built for speed and extended travel. The hull was primarily silver with subtle blue accents that seemed to shift and flow as they approached.
“I trust you slept well,” Tanaca said politely as they approached, and Zinnia smiled at him.
“Very well, Lord Tanaca.”
Courtesies over, Tanaca came straight to the point. “As you know, the Grorn vessel was impounded for intelligence purposes. My engineers are currently dismantling it to learn what they can about Grorn technology.” He smiled slightly. “Since we have taken possession of your ship, the Emperor thought you might require a replacement.”
He stared at the ship, understanding slowly dawning. “This is… for us?”
“It’s a KX-7 scout vessel,” Admiral Gernagan said. “It’s fast and maneuverable, with enough firepower to defend itself while remaining inconspicuous in most sectors. Originally commissioned for deep reconnaissance, but modified for extended independent operation.”
“It’s a gift from the Emperor,” Tanaca said calmly. “And perhaps a strategic investment. The coordinates of the Zathixian beacon are already programmed into its navigation system.”
Words failed him. A ship of this caliber was worth more than most beings would see in a lifetime.
“This is far too generous,” he finally managed.
“It is impolite to refuse a gift from the Emperor.” Tanaca gave him a cool smile. “The Empire rewards those who serve its interests, and your intelligence on the Grorn has already proven useful. I am sure that if you discover any other useful information, you will share it with us.”
Tanaca’s voice was as polite as ever, but Jaxx was well aware that it was an order rather than a request. It didn’t bother him. He was more than happy to do anything in his power to help the Empire prevent the Grorn from fulfilling their prophecy.
