Page 52 of Neverwylde 6
Chapter 24
Surrender
Colonel Pfeiffer was in his antechamber office just off the Bridge when Kyber and Kelen exited the elevator. The officer glanced up in surprise as they stood in the doorway.
“We felt the others would have a better chance of getting away if we were on deck the next time Duruk opens communications,” Kelen explained.
Kyber continued. “If he sees me, he may assume the rest are here as well, and that would give the rest more time to get out of range.”
Pfeiffer gave a nod. “Sound strategy. But what’ll happen when he discovers the rest of your men are no longer here?”
“He will take it out on me. All you have to say is that you are unable to find them, and you are currently searching the space station. Once we go aboard Duruk’s ship, I will tell him I had them smuggled away without your knowledge.”
The colonel narrowed his eyes. “And you think they’ll believe that story?”
“Any story that demeans or impugns the mental capacities of a skint is accepted as fact,” Kyber replied straight-faced. “Duruk will be more willing to accept the idea that my men were able to escape from here without your knowing than to believe you helped by summoning the Kergocian ship in the first place.”
Pfeiffer grunted. “Let’s hope you’re right on that assumption.” He paused to give Kyber and Kelen a worried look. “Are you two going to be okay?”
“No,” Kyber bluntly replied. “Duruk, and indirectly, Plat, will seek their revenge on me, but I am prepared.”
“What about her?” The colonel motioned toward Kelen.
“They will be more lenient with her because she is my Confirmed…and because they know that if they cause harm to her, their actions will have serious intergalactic repercussions. We may be sworn enemies, Colonel, and we enjoy our brief battles, but we have no taste for an all-out war.”
“I’ve already received a reply from Central Command. They are fully aware of our situation, and they’re prepared to call a Joint Council meeting if necessary. Is there anything further that I can do?”
“You’ve done so much for us already, and at great risk,” Kelen told him. “We can’t thank you enough.”
“I do have one request,” Kyber spoke up. “Do you have a spare translator Kelen can wear?”
“I have an extra ear plug version. It’ll translate but it doesn’t interpret. Will that suffice?”
“Can it translate Seneecian?”
“I’m pretty sure it can.”
“Then it will do. Thank you.”
Pfeiffer reached behind him and pressed a panel in the wall. A small drawer slid outward. After a moment of rummaging inside, he withdrew the small object and handed it to the Seneecian, who gave it to Kelen.
“Put this in your ear. Duruk and the others will not be gracious and speak in Terranese. This will allow you to understand what is being said, but at no time let anyone know you are comprehending their conversation. You may need to take advantage of it in a future time.”
She placed the plug inside her ear canal. He gently tugged on her hair until several strands of it fell over her lobe, concealing the apparatus. “Say something in Seneecian,” she asked.
He smiled. “Eelo nok torus nor.”
You are my only one,the button in her ear stated.
Kelen returned the smile. “It works.”
“Colonel Pfeiffer.”
Pfeiffer hit the comm link on his desk. “Yes.”
“The Seneecian ship is opening communications again with us.”
“On my way.” The colonel got to his feet and silently waved for Kyber and Kelen to join him. They walked onto the Bridge and took a stance in front of the main viewscreen. Gradually, the face of D’har Duruk materialized. Kelen silently laughed at the shocked expression that came over the Seneecian’s face. Duruk quickly recovered and replaced it with a scowl.
