Page 21 of Shadows Approach
The subcommander’s features showed no emotion. Typical for reporting in, but even Ved’s natural Nobek ferocity, a quality which excited Ilid more than he’d admit out loud, had a tamped-down trait uncharacteristic of him.
Keeping his fingers moving over the keypad of his computer, Ilid swept his gaze over the team grouped behind Ved, wondering if they’d noticed anything off. If they did, their bland faces showed no hint.
Funny. The scouts, mostly Nobeks and a smattering of Dramoks, somehow looked alike with their flat expressions. Those at the corners of his eyes seemed to have strange smudges, like shadows, hovering over them. When he gazed directly at them, there was no darkness, however. Disquiet wormed its way in Ilid’s gut.
It’s too soon to be antsy from an extended assignment. Get a grip.
It was true Ilid wasn’t looking forward to a year’s detail surveilling Bi’is. Despite ten-day leaves every six weeks, the deployment was shaping up to be a grind. It was rumored the previous spyship had orbited Kalquor’s enemy for five years, since the end of the war. He couldn’t imagine how the previous crew had kept from killing each other from the boredom.
Suta’s gruff voice was disappointed. “What of signs of those shadow entities that were reported? Was anything off regarding your assignment?”
“No, Weapons Commander. We saw nothing suggesting an alien presence beyond the Tragoom slaves the Bi’isils keep. No entity we saw matched what was recorded by the previous spyship.”
Ancestors, what was it in Ved’s tone that sounded wrong? It was driving Ilid crazy.
He returned his attention to his readouts, setting aside the anxious feeling that was beneath a Dramok. He was only twenty-two, but his breed admitted no nonsense. He was born to eventually lead, and he was determined to live up to what was expected of him.
An alert beeped politely on his podium. He tapped his earpiece and listened before reporting.
“Excuse me, Captain. The first officer reports the Galactic Council vessel is leaving orbit and heading back to their space.”
Abgi snapped a nod to Ilid. “All right, team, good job. Be ready to assemble and resume on-planet surveillance in two days, unless advised to the contrary. Dismissed.”
He and Suta left ahead of the team. Ilid used the opportunity to get Ved’s attention. “Hey. Was it really so quiet on the planet?”
Ved regarded him for several seconds. Long seconds. For a moment, Ilid wondered if the Nobek recognized him. There was no spark of familiarity in his gaze.
Then the corner of his lips twitched, a hint of a smile. “We considered cutting each other’s throats for something to do. You can’t get more boring than Bi’is.”
Ilid laughed, partly out of relief. It was a typical Ved response, and if he maintained a wooden quality of speech, it was doubtless because the assignment had been wearying. “Hopefully, it was just an off week for the little gray bastards. You’ll find something devious worth cracking their huge skulls over next time.”
“A man can hope.” Ved looked him over. “Shall we get together later tonight, Ilid? Maybe you can offer the excitement Bi’is was missing.”
Usually, such an invitation would have thrilled Ilid. Ved was his favorite bedmate on the spyship, the sexiest crewman on board, in his opinion.
This time, a chill ran down his spine. Ved’s gaze remained as flat as his voice, and Ilid thought about conjuring an excuse of why he wasn’t available.
He was being ridiculous. What kind of Dramok was weirded out by a bored and tired Nobek? He grinned widely at Ved. “Tonight would be great.”
“My quarters at the end of your shift then?”
“Sure. I’ll be there.”
Ved left him still wearing a half-smile. Had he ever seen him smile that way?
Enough. It’s too soon to go space crazy.
* * * *
Galactic Council of Planets transport
The inspection team from the Galactic Council of Planets sat in a conference room aboard a Kalquorian-designed cruiser, speeding to its home berth on Jedver, the hub planet of the council.
They were of a smattering of multiple races, seven of the two hundred belonging to the GC. They ringed the table, gazing across its smooth light green surface at each other.
Only Nezlo, the Alneusian commander of the inspection team, stood…or rather, floated. Their environmental exosuit was filled with the water of their home sea on Alneusia. The suit possessed a humanoid shape and could move as a bipedal entity, thanks to its robotic chassis. Their bulbous eyes filled most of the bubble headpiece.
It was an excellent suit, impervious to most shocks and attacks. Had the Alneusian been exposed to the air their fellows thrived in, they would have died in seconds, but the suit was made to withstand a large number of threats to its inhabitant.