“Deryg, before you leave, I want to ask you something,” Yakirian said.
Deryg frowned. They’d gone over the new security plan twice already.
But he followed Yakirian as he walked toward the large windows, gazing out into the distance in the same direction his house was.
A few moments passed before Yakirian spoke again, seeming lost in thought. “I need your help.”
“Name it.” Deryg didn’t always agree with Yakirian, but he knew the Deruzian took his duty seriously, even when it interfered with his own existence. He respected that, so he respected Yakirian.
“What I’m about to reveal cannot leave this room. Nobody can know,” Yakirian said.
“A promise made is a promise kept,” Deryg said instantly. But his thoughts were already racing. What could be so secret, so important, that Yakirian didn’t want the other Deruzians to know?
“Good.” Yakirian took a deep breath, as if he knew the next words would pain him. Finally, he said, “My daughter has just arrived on Earth. I need your help to protect her. At all costs.”
THE END