Rorix had made it a point to mention part of the reason for the expedition was to guarantee the continuance of humans and Kalquorians, mostly through the two species’ hybrid children.It had been early during the interview, when Laughter had still expected to be taken seriously for her intelligence and not her assumed ability to shove out kids.
If breeding was all they were interested in when it came to women, Negal would keep the notorious Kalquorian double cocks longer by thinking twice where she was concerned.
As her thoughts spun on in a whirlwind of fury and bruised dignity, Laughter caught herself eyeing a nearby open-air club.Black-haired Kalquorians and humans drank and mingled together in various levels of soberness.All appeared quite happy, and no one lacked a glass.
I wouldn’t mind knocking back a few...dozen.The temptation to drown her troubles in liquid forgetfulness slowed her feet and turned them toward the club.
To make your dreams happen, you must remain responsible at all times.You never know when opportunity might knock...or when letting go into recklessness could knock opportunity away.
Her father’s voice in her head stopped her in her tracks.He’d missed out on his dreams, dreams Laughter had come to share.Dreams they’d almost made come true together.
She turned from the club.Her steps headed her to the room she’d rented instead, resolutely taking her away from the siren call of trouble.
* * * *
Jedver
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The Mereta will diethis evening.
Mereta hoped the sudden quickening of his heartbeat was due to his Dark rider as the All gave its command.Hadn’t he come to terms with death years ago?It was merely a transition from this life to the next.
If the Dark noted the momentary rising of his pulse as odd, it didn’t seem to attribute it to anything in particular.Perhaps it hadn’t noticed.How is it to happen?
Two Kalquorian prisoners will be used to assassinate the Mereta, then be killed themselves by Galactic Council security officers.It will happen during a scheduled vid speech the Mereta is to give to those planets remaining allied to the governing body.It will help convince more of the Separates they should remain allied to the council, and therefore quiet the protests against the leaders controlled by the All.
Some will see the All’s presence on those involved in this plot.
No matter.It will confuse those who don’t see.Their questions will cause chaos, which is to the advantage.It is good.
It is good.
Mereta detected a slight hesitation before his rider’s response.Did it have questions of its own?
It did.After his death this portion shall rejoin the All?
No.Another Separate will be occupied.
A definite hesitation.It is good.
His rider’s reluctance was of no matter.The Dark would obey the All’s decision and offer Mereta up for sacrifice.
He considered his position.Death would be preferable to the half-life he’d been relegated to.He could at last join the all-pervading Spirit from which the universe had been birthed and exist in perfect tranquility for eternity.It was a tempting notion.
However, his was not the only fate being decided.Perhaps his end prescribed by the All was as ordained by destiny.On the other hand, the harm to his dimension’s civilization couldn’t be ignored.Causing no harm nor allowing harm to be caused if he had the power to prevent it was a valued tenet in his faith.
Mereta had valuable information on the All, which Kalquor and its allies could use to defend themselves.Perhaps they could even vanquish their enemy if they knew what he’d learned.To be true to his beliefs, he must attempt to flee to the empire and share his intelligence.
The moment his Dark’s telepathic connection to the All ended, Mereta sent it sensations of safety and belonging, those elements it missed most by its separation from its home in the All.It sank into the peace it craved above all else.It was easy to goad it deep into the recesses of Mereta’s mind, where his own serenity resided untroubled by outer circumstances.
He wasn’t sure how conscious it was of what was happening when he submerged it in such a fashion.It hadn’t yet questioned Mereta’s activities when he assumed control, as he did now.It went willingly enough, as if escape were all it wanted.He had sometimes sensed it reaching for the serenity he gave it when it commanded his body.Few beings who’d been given a glimpse of the utter peace of Universal Spirit didn’t desire to remain in its tranquility.
His Dark quiet and still, Mereta rose from his desk.He left his office, strolling the corridor purposefully but not in panic.
His time was short, and he had much to do.Fortunately, he had a head start.He’d already packed a few belongings during a previous period of resuming command of himself.He’d claim them.From there, he’d attempt to reach a shuttle bay, commandeer a craft, and leave Jedver.
Logic dictated he had no chance of a successful getaway.His vow of harmlessness and service to others insisted he try for the good of those who didn’t deserve extinction.If he could, he must put off the ultimate liberation of his soul for their sakes.
