Kriahm stands in the middle of the small command deck, Ayka at his side, the rest of the crew lingering in the background.
"Ascendancy containment vessel Undawan," he thunders. "This is Kriahm, partner to your Dominant, Amharr. I request that you respond immediately."
A low vibration penetrates the Immtrelia's structure, as its relays adapt to the roar of the Undawan's broadcast. Kriahm's heart stops as he recognizes the voice responding to him.
"This is Gra'Ylgam, elder of the Kolsamal flotilla in command of this vessel. There are no Emranti left aboard. We no longer take orders from you or any other Ascendancy slaves."
As the words settle, the nanites in Kriahm's spine ignite their energetic frenzy, setting his skin aglow. Kriahm burns in brilliant fury.
Ayka shuffles uncomfortably in her flimsy plumage. Behind them, the Immtrelia's resident Kolsamal steps closer.
"What is this farce?" Kriahm bellows. "Where is your Dominant?"
"Nowhere you can reach," the treacherous Siaaw answers. "You have no more authority here."
"You will obey—"
"Leave," the Kolsamal growls. "Or I will come over and shred you with my bare teeth."
Kriahm trembles violently, shock and outrage fusing into an incontrollable outbreak.
Then the connection is cut. And he is left to stand in silence.
Not having any klaar to discharge into Kriahm's expelled energy refuels his nanites, locking him in a painful feedback. It takes him several long moments to break out of the cycle, and regain the ability to think clearly. Exhausted but still every bit enraged, Kriahm tries to understand what has happened.
Ayka approaches him cautiously. "My Lord? Forgive me, but do we have new orders? What shall we do?"
"I must find Amharr." Kriahm shudders from head to toe. "Alone."
"Of course. I will equip our fastest insurgence craft. Is there anything specific you need?"
Kriahm stares at her, considering, then storms out past the smug Kolsamal. "Your best weapons."
53
Our xenomorphed ship enters Erano's dome without opposition, and lands quietly on top of the Hub. As we exit, I see that our roughly tear-shaped vessel is black and shiny, like a shard of obsidian glass. That'd make a fitting name for it: the Shard. I smile to myself.
We descend the granite stairs into the Hub's reception hall. Five Senators are awaiting us, two men and three women, a dozen heavily armed guards standing behind them at parade rest. In their midst, dressed in plain black suits and white shirts, a bald man and a middle-aged, short-cropped brunette nod at us solemnly.
As we approach—Jade at my right, and Amharr slightly behind me at my left—they all stare at us tight-lipped, some in horror, some in awe. Except the bald-headed man; he smiles serenely, and winks at me.
"Cris," I greet him.
"Taryn." He reaches out to shake my hand. "Welcome."
I squeeze his dry, cool hand, and frown.
"This body is borrowed," he explains. "It's easier this way." He tilts his head, hinting at the people behind him. Then steps aside and introduces the stern looking woman beside him. "This is Governor Juliana De Luca. I believe you two have chatted previously?"
The Governor's handshake is swift and strong, and her gaze direct. Decades of diplomatic training, I'm sure, but also an avid interest that she can't conceal. "It's good to meet you in person," she says. "I'm sorry about dismissing your—"
"Totally understandable. I wouldn't have listened to some anonymous freak ramble about aliens either."
"Indeed."
I take a deep breath. "These are my friends, Jade Brunwin, and Dominant Amharr of the Ascendancy's Onfeiad Sector Containment Order."
Everyone before us finally dares to stare at Amharr: He stands over two meters tall, silent and imposing, his starkly inhuman constitution drawing anxious gazes. Not a single man or woman before us succeeds in keeping a neutral face.
Amharr tastes the air around us, and lets out a strong breath through the slits on his face. A familiar smell of ethanol and burnt plastic spreads around us. Two senators cover their mouths, another steps back, glaring fearfully at Amharr.
The Governor remains composed. Cris smiles.
Amharr's hypersensitive feelers arch forward around the sides of his head. He clasps his hands before him in an appeasing gesture, which, unfortunately, only I recognize. I won't waste any time explaining him, though. Not now.
"We have a lot to talk about." I look to both Cris and the Governor. "Where do we start?"
"With the most urgent matters," Cris replies. "Protecting what we fought so hard to achieve. But first, if the Madam Governor doesn't mind, I'd appreciate a minute with the two of you alone."
The Governor nods and leaves us, the Senators and guards following close behind. Jade looks to me, then rolls his eyes and follows them out. Cris, Amharr and I are now alone in the large, marble-tiled hall.
"I thought you took over Erano," I say. "Why is De Luca still here?"
"She's the rightful Governor of the colony," Cris says with his typical, unmistakable smugness. "I'm just... a counselor of sorts."
"The power behind the throne."
He smiles, but doesn't say anything. Instead, he looks at Amharr, absorbing him with curiosity and no trace of discomfort. "You are truly phenomenal." He steps forward to offer Amharr his hand.
Amharr leans forward, inspecting Cris curiously, and reaches for his hand. Even before their fingers meet, a bright electric arc whips between them, snapping loudly in the large hall. They keep it alive for a couple of seconds, then part again.
Cris grins keenly. "Magnificent! The technology embedded in your nervous system is beyond my wildest dreams. And the way you use it—"
"That's great and all," I interrupt them—maybe a little jealous of their mutual fascination, "but shouldn't we be discussing Erano's defensive capabilities? General Hurst will be here in just five days."
"Of course. In a moment. The reason I wanted to see you alone is to... well... Could you ask Amharr if he'd allow me to sample his nanotechnology?"
"He can understand you," I deadpan. Then I realize it doesn't work the other way around.
I look at Amharr. He glances at me briefly, then refocuses on Cris. His voice sends low vibrations through the marbled hall, crawling up my marrow.
"This entity possesses a vast knowledge and intelligence, but it is not alive. I do not trust it."
"We should indulge it," I say, eliciting a curious gaze from Cris. "For now."
"For now," Amharr repeats.
He lifts his right hand, and a small drop of smoke, then liquid, forms at the tip of a finger. He makes it levitate and soar into Cris's outstretched palm.
Cris nods deferentially. "Thank you."
"Can we move on, please?" I press.
"Of course. Is there anything I can do for you, before we dig into more tedious matters?" Cris looks at us both.
I'd like a room with a heavy lock on the door, please, thanks.
I shake my head. "Amharr's nanotechnology helps him adapt to our conditions for now, and I don't need any— Hm. Can you track someone down for me?"
"Just give me a name."
"Waylen Preston."
Cris doesn't even blink before answering. "His was among the first synets I checked. He seems to have left Epsilon Eridani in an unregistered ship, eighty-six minutes ago."
Son of a bitch. "Where to?"
"Alpha Centauri, but it could be a detour. No way to be sure."
I let out a long, exasperated sigh.
"I'll find him for you the moment he taps into a datasphere," Cris says. "It's only a matter of time." He studies me a moment longer, then resumes staring at Amharr with unveiled fascination.
"Alright." I make for the door, Cris and Amharr falling into step with me. "Let's make this victory of ours count."
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And if you're eager to see what Taryn and Amharr face next, the sequel is already available for pre-order!
The Prime Rift
The Ascendancy Trilogy Book Two
Taryn has risked everything to free the first human colony from the tyranny of the TMC. With the help of her mind-linked ally, the alien warlord Amharr, she has finally succeeded.
Now Taryn must free the other colonies too, before the Ascendancy's world-crushing ships reach human space.
But when she needs him most, Taryn must let Amharr go, or their Link will kill him. The others who stood by her side have seemingly turned against her. And the sadistic TMC General Hurst, who craves the power of Taryn's Link, is now hunting her down.
With time running out, Taryn is about to face her greatest challenge yet, and she must do so alone.
Pre-order The Prime Rift now on Amazon!
Release date is December, 20th 2015.
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Veronica Sicoe
About Veronica Sicoe
Veronica Sicoe writes far-future adventures with deadly aliens, deadlier tech, and twisted relationships. When she’s not making her keyboard sparkle, she usually torments other devices like her Kindle or gaming console. She currently lives in Switzerland with her husband and adorable little imp.
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Acknowledgments
A big heartfelt THANK YOU to my husband Andi; my long-time writer friends Renée Miller and Michael Keyton; my diligent beta-readers Jeno Marz, Sheron McCartha, Evelyn Puerto, and Fatma Alici; my editor Michael Matheson, cover artist Adriana Hanganu, and illustrator Tony Camehl.
The Deep Link (The Ascendancy Trilogy Book 1) Page 33
