Page 48 of Neverwylde 6
“Computer, what would the booster, if it existed, be able to do?”
“Such a booster could make all living tissue explode.”
Kelen stood there, as did everyone else, unable to comprehend such a weapon. It was Kyber who asked, “Colonel, ask the computer if the booster would have to be directed at a person for them to explode.”
“Computer, answer the previous question.”
“No. The person would only have to be within range of its signal to make it explode.”
“And what would be the range of this weapon?”
“Presumably, four hundred thousand kilometers.”
An icy chill went through her. Four hundred thousand kilometers? “That means a ship would only have to be in orbit around a planet in order to aim the booster at every living creature and wipe them out,” she whispered.
“Imagine a species with the capability of being able to transport themselves to a planet, and then wipe out the entire population with a minimum of energy,” Cooter muttered.
“And remember,” Mellori noted, “we’re only speaking of two pieces of technology. Two, where there could be hundreds more like it on Neverwylde.”
Her legs could no longer hold her up. Kelen dropped to the floor as her mind tried to imagine the implications of what they had just discovered. A few meters away, Mellori prodded Dox.
“Dox, could you tell if the booster had been used? Or had been damaged?”
“Used, no. Damaged, yes.”
“How was it damaged? Could you tell?”
Again, the one-shoulder shrug. “No longer worked, but still had boosting components, so took it. Adapted it.” It was probably the longest sentence Kelen had ever heard the little man say.
Another, stronger chill went through her, to where her body shuddered. If not for Dox’s incredible intelligence, they could have been using a previously fictitious weapon with disastrous results.
Colonel Pfeiffer sat in his chair. Kelen suspected he did so before his own legs went out from under him. After musing over these recent revelations, the man checked his monitor, then leaned back to address them.
“We have a couple of hours before the Kergocian ship arrives. I suggest we take a break.” He gave them all a stern eye. “I hope I don’t have to remind you that everything we’ve discussed and discovered today will not be taken outside of this office. You’re dismissed.”
They slowly filed out of the room, all except for Williamsburg and Baffrey, who remained inside with the colonel. As they headed for the elevators, Kyber took her hand.
“I am without words,” he admitted.
“I can relate.”
The elevator doors opened, and everyone got in except for Fullgrath, Sandow, and the two of them. Kyber leaned over. “We never got to finish our meal. Would you like to go back to the mess hall and have that dessert you wanted?”
Kelen nodded. “Sounds good.”
“I would also like some dessert,” he confessed.
They took the next car down to their level and exited. Fullgrath and Sandow promised to see them later and entered their rooms. Kyber continued down the hallway, but as soon as the others had gone into their apartments, and their doors had closed behind them, he turned around, guiding Kelen along with his hand to her back. She started to ask him if he’d changed his mind, when she realized where they were actually going and why.
She smiled, and was still smiling when he swept her into their room and into his arms for a passionate kiss.
