Page 39 of Zalis
“As you noted, the attacks so far have been confined to the fringe of the system. Except for this sighting.”
Using the pen, he tapped Tholla.
“Oh, that’s not good,” Gemma said. “That’s nowhere near the others.”
“Exactly. It is easy for the Sangrin authorities to ignore Suhlik aggression when it happens on the fringes of the system. The Suhlik penetrating so deeply into the system without detection is alarming.” And difficult to ignore.
“How is that possible?”
“An excellent question. A small ship could be disguised as a merchant or a cargo vessel.”
“Or someone smuggled them in,” she said.
“It is possible.” Zalis disliked the idea of the Suhlik having an associate but, clearly, they did not act alone. Purchasing humans meant they had had a ship large enough to transport them all. Perhaps not in comfort but with enough capacity for life support. “The warlord has a team of our best trackers working on it.”
“Not you?”
He dipped his head, feeling modest. “No. My skills are different. My assignment is to go to Val Mori.”
“You said.” Gemma leaned over the table and gently touched a planet with an attack symbol. “This one? Is it dangerous? It had an attack.”
Pride washed over him at Gemma’s correct identification. “Yes, historically. We upgraded the shielding after the attack. It was a mining outpost on a moon and is currently abandoned.”
“Haunted mines. Spooky,” Gemma said, eyes still on the map.
“It is not haunted.”
Gemma looked up, grinning. “Can you tell me why you’re assigned to the haunted mines of Val Mori or is that classified?”
“I should tell you that information is classified, but I suspect you will continue to ask regardless.”
Her grin widened. It was like standing in the warmth of the sun. She said, “We’d be done having this conversation if you just told me.”
“Then this conversation would be over,” he said honestly. He enjoyed speaking with her.
Pink flushed her face. “Stop flirting, Zalis.”
“I was not—” Denial served no purpose. Perhaps he was flirting. “We are establishing a base on Val Mori.”
“You said I had options.”
“Yes. You can remain onboard theJudgment. Your rooms are comfortable, you will have plenty of company, but the chance of conflict is high.”
“I’d be alone.” Her tone indicated that she disliked the notion.
“You may come to Val Mori with me. Conditions may be less hospitable but the chance of conflict is low. I will tell you that Ren has the same orders, not to manipulate you because I know you will want to stay near Emmarae.”
“Yeah, Emry’s not afraid of roughing it.”
“Or…” Zalis scratched at the base of a horn, hesitant to give the third option. “You could stay with my parents.”
“You have parents,” she said. “Sorry. Of course you have parents. I just never thought to ask.”
“Zamos and Lyresh. My mother is thrilled to have a daughter. I was speaking with her when you arrived.”
Gemma chewed her bottom lip, considering the options. It was alarming to witness her mangle her own anatomy, but she had blunt teeth and no fangs. It was a harmless habit, Zalis reassured himself.
“I’m sure they’re lovely people, but I don’t want to live with strangers. What do you want?”
