Page 56 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
Have the Stars forgotten me?
Then came the rumor. An Asgarnian, a species completely unknown to us, had joined the ranks of the Coalition just over two cycles ago. No known origin. No record in the database. Just whispers of a small-time smuggler peddling junk without any real ambition. But where others saw a nobody, I saw a door.
Where there’s an unknown species, there’s an undiscovered planet.
I felt a sharp thrill after our holo-conference. Pherebos. That’s the name he gave me.
No one enters Vagantu without an invitation or an escort I trust absolutely. The two fools who tacked Pherebos onto the guest list for tomorrow’s elite auction aren’t exactly known for their intelligence. So I demanded a face-to-face hologram session to evaluate him myself.
He convinced me. Not only of his sincerity—but of his potential value.
I’ve invited him to Vagantu. And during our in-person meeting, I fully intend to extract the location of his homeworld. A virgin planet to conquer? That’s the kind of opportunity that makes my blood sing.
“Lord Noviosk, we have a situation,” Banny cuts into my thoughts, his voice brisk. “A cargo just landed. Your particular talents are needed.”
Whenever there's a doubt about anyone setting foot on Vagantu, it’s protocol for me to assess the situation myself. No exceptions.
“I’m coming,” I say, rising from my desk and heading straight toward the landing zone.
There, I find two Penubians—regulars here. They fly a small craft and usually bring in modest hauls.
“Lord Noviosk!” the first one greets, bowing low. “We’re here for tomorrow’s grand auction. We’ve brought three Humans captured on the independent planet of Gekkaria, near the edge of the Eastern Quadrant. As always, we’ve been extremely cautious—”
“What’s the problem?” I cut him off.
“Well… technically, only one of the Humans was taken from the surface. The other two were intercepted just as they were leaving the atmosphere. We have their small ship too.”
“Then it sounds like you did your job well. That craft alone will fetch more than the three of them combined.” I frown. “So why was I summoned?”
The second Penubian steps forward.
“We believe one of the males we captured is a member of the Confederation.”
I stiffen.
The Confederation. The only force in the galaxy that poses any real threat to us. A few smugglers have been stupid enough to target them—kidnapping a high-ranking agent and demanding ransom. I’m not that reckless. I know the strength of my organization, but I also know exactly how dangerous they are. Their tech is generations ahead of ours. I’ve even managedto bribe a few of their agents—those who found my generosity... persuasive.
Still, this could be serious.
“Bring me the prisoner. I’ll judge for myself.”
“And his sister?”
“His sister?”
“Yes. He was traveling with a female Human, related by blood. We captured them both.”
“I only care about him,” I snap.
Moments later, they return with a tall Human flanked by the two Penubians. He’s resisting, but not violently. He freezes the second he sees me.
Understandable. I’m taller than most Humans—even the largest of them—and there’s a certain aura I know I project.
“Who are you?” I ask bluntly, skipping any pretense of politeness.
“You speak English,” he notes, coolly.
“It’s the only Human language we bother with here. Now, answer the question.”
