Page 20 of Infiltration

Kuran was tempted to phase and discover who was guarding Piras in his stark, barely decorated office. He had no doubt, despite Piras’ assertion of confidence in his honor, there was someone else there. Another Nobek warrior, ready to unphase and blast Kuran to pieces if he made a wrong move.

He bent his head to Piras in thanks for being complimented. “I’m grateful you agreed to see me on such short notice.”

“That’s all you ever give me, Security Chief. Sit, if you wish. What can I do for you today?”

Kuran didn’t sit. His preference to stand tended to make Stacy antsy, but Piras was well-used to Nobeks who wished to remain on their feet. “I’ve heard it rumored you’ve employed the use of nanospies to great effect. Your Matara engineers the best of those units, and they’re rarely detected.”

“You’ve dug deep in our records since we brought you in as our agent.”

“I wish to be familiar with tools which could help me in my job.”

Piras regarded him. “Who are you thinking of tracking in an up-close manner? Your personal relationship with the governor makes me doubt it’s her. The lieutenant governor? Bryant has questionable ties to supposed Earthtiques.”

Kuran would have loved to set a nanospy on Ken Bryant, but he was aware of the potential blowup between Kalquor and Earth if it were discovered the empire was keeping close tabs on one of Earth’s top officials. As yet, there wasn’t a valid reason to take such a drastic step.

“I’d like to keep watch on a news reporter named Blythe Nelson. She’s come into private information about Governor Nichols she shouldn’t have had access to. I want to know who’s talking to her.”

“Sensitive information?” Piras leaned forward.

“Nothing to put the government or Earth in danger. It’s the potential of her discovering such material which concerns me. If I can find her source in the governor’s circle, I can watch the leak…and remove it, should it become a threat.”

“You’ll confer with me before drastic action, unless the safety of the governor or Earth is in imminent peril,” Piras warned.

“Of course.” Kuran didn’t consider beating sense into a would-be problem as drastic action, particularly when it came to Stacy. Intimidation had its proper place, after all.

“My Matara…Specialist Nath, that is, has developed new nanospies. Better sensors, capable of moving themselves around to escape detection. She’s applied for field testing. As there’s no immediate risk where this reporter is concerned and she’s a civilian rather than someone in an official governmental capacity, this could serve as the opportunity we need.”

“I’d be glad to assist in the devices’ testing.” Satisfaction curled warm in his belly. He’d been worried Piras would refuse him the use of a nanospy.

“I’ll have Hope…” Piras huffed, obviously irritated at himself for using her given name in an official meeting. “Specialist Nath will contact you and go over the parameters of using the nanospy. Since the subject is a civilian, certain personal spaces like the subject’s bedroom will be blocked from your video and audio feed. The information will still be recorded, but only Nath will have access to it.”

“Understood.” Kuran felt relief. He hadn’t considered he might witness intimate moments of Matara Nelson’s routine. The idea he might have when he was committed to Stacy sat badly on his conscience. He was glad Piras had thought of it.

“No one else is to view the rest of the footage except you and Nath. I’ll inspect it if either of you feels there’s a reason for me to. Otherwise, I’ll rely on your regular reports to keep me apprised of the situation.”

“Thank you, Admiral.” Kuran appreciated Piras thought enough of him to allow him so much autonomy. Yet again, he was struck by how much respect he was finding for the man who’d put his brother in his grave. Why couldn’t the Dramok give him the ability to continue hating him?

* * * *

Kalquor

Tara watched Yuder from across the courtyard. He knelt invajrasana, his preferred meditation pose. He would have appeared to be deep in contemplation but for the severe crease between his steel-colored brows.

She drew a breath.Calm, she counseled herself.Neutrality. Both had become challenges in the days since he’d returned home.

She padded barefoot along the tiled ground. Her silk robes whispered, telling her beloved of her approach long before she arrived. The divots of his disquiet vanished as a slight smile appeared on his lips. His eyes opened as she sank onto the mat in front of his. For a golden moment, she allowed herself to bask in the warmth of his regard.

“You’re having trouble going deep.” She let her concern show.

“My stomach is growling. You’d think I’d learn to have my meals prior to meditation.” He grinned.

Tara had a strict policy of not allowing her students to skirt their integrity. While Yuder wasn’t a student, he was too important for her to let him get away with a half-truth.

“You’re struggling. There isn’t enough meaningful activity for you to direct your attention toward.”

A shadow of guilt appeared on his sharp features. “I’m trying, my Matara. I search for duty of significance, a task of value. I hate to admit it, but I wasn’t made for this era of peace. As grateful as I am for the contentment of the empire, I’ve never known the harmony it’s enjoying. It makes no sense to me.”

“It’s more a matter of the restrictions placed upon you, isn’t it? There’s always some struggle to overcome for a society, even in peacetime. Your inability to be involved on any level is what chafes.”

---