"You'd have to ask my superiors, sir. I'm only acting under orders."
"Are you sure your superiors aren't working for Roland Grundfest instead of the United Nations?" Hernando asked, point-blank.
North bit the inside of his cheek and shifted his weight back and forth on his heels again. It was obvious to Olivia the question made him uncomfortable. Nobody liked being put on the spot. Perhaps he could be forced into giving up more information if he were kept on his toes?
"Is Roland Grundfest your real superior?" Olivia tossed the question out in the awkward silence. "It makes sense. He has a lot to gain from taking over BloodDark."
"I'm a colonel in the United States Army working for the United Nations Space Agency," North said, flashing the fake smile again. "I'm not working as a private contractor for any individual or corporation. Now, if you'll allow me to—"
"We weren't working with your government or the United Nations Space Agency, Colonel North," Moreau cut in. "We had a business contract with a private individual. The only way you would have known about this site and our technology is through this private individual, Mr. Grundfest. The contract we made with him was quite clear. If he sold or divulged any of our information to another party, then our contract with him would become null and void."
Moreau took a step closer and narrowed his eyes, staring daggers at North. The military man swallowed hard under the intense gaze. "To break a contract is a serious matter to us," Moreau said between gritted teeth. "Both parties—the one who breaks the contract and the one who benefits from the duplicity—are held responsible for their crimes and must accept punishment."
The entire BloodDark contingent gasped and repeated his final word. "Punishment."
"If it's compensation you're looking for, I'm sure your people will be more than reimbursed for the loss of any proprietary secrets by my..."
Colonel North froze in mid-sentence. Caveman and the others in close proximity backed away from the military commander. He stood, expressionless and motionless, like a wind-up toy soldier whose clockwork had run down.
Olivia looked to Hernando for guidance, but his attention was focused on the gathering of the Pure Bloods within their expedition. They came together in a circle about North, pressing their open hands one against another, closing their eyes and concentrating their thoughts. Quadsangs and Overseers formed a protective circle about the inner one, enhancing the psychic bond. The entire command center fell silent as one by one the Earth invaders became still. The remaining airship pilots scattered.
Olivia felt a frisson of electricity dancing along her nerves. She must be connected to the circle as well.
The final punishment will be exacted by the high priestess came the pronouncement from Moreau. Call to her.
Olivia heard a cacophony of voices in her head. The Pure Bloods disagreed among themselves about Drucinda. Wasn't she still official high priestess? What about Valori? The intensity of their arguments gave her a splitting headache.
Valori, are you close by? We need your assistance. I need your help.
I'm almost there.
Olivia sighed with relief. Thank you. I don't know what I should do. All I know is the Earthlings should not take control of BloodDark away from its peoples. It is not theirs for the taking.
Do not fear, my child. You have decided well.
A low rumble and a slight vibration pulled her concentration away from the circle. Olivia looked about the chamber. The humans in their group had pulled back to stand against the walls, fear and awe etched in their very features. She sensed they all knew what was coming, but it had been many years since such a punishment had been exacted on BloodDark.
Olivia jumped when she heard the long squeak of the door unlocking and flinging itself open. The humans and then the mixed-bloods started up the passageway to the surface. She followed Hernando, not certain where they were going, but trusting they would be safe until Valori arrived.
Olivia blinked in the bright sun's light upon exiting the dark tunnel. Strangely, they met their fellow airship travelers waiting for them above. She could sense Annara's growing impatience in the milling crowd, and it made her chuckle. Her friend followed orders—most of the time. Somehow Annara knew today would not end up in a fire fight with the Earth invaders, and she was disappointed but resigned to the fact justice would be served in a less violent manner.
As Moreau and his kinsmen came to the surface, they reformed their circle, allowing other Pure Bloods to add themselves until they encircled the entire command bunker. Once again, Hernando and the others of partial Pure Blood heritage took their place about the inner circle, pressing palms together to form an unbroken ring about the clans. Olivia took her place beside Hernando.
He smiled at her. We will protect our worlds together.
She grinned back at him. We will.
Minutes—or was it hours?—later the sound of the steam-powered ground transports interrupted the silence of the base. More travelers disembarked and somehow knew how to make their way to the growing circle—the Pure Bloods to the inner group and the mixed-bloods to the outer. Humans without the psychic connection stayed along the periphery.
Valori? Are you here yet? Olivia scanned the horizon for signs of her friend.
Drucinda and I will arrive shortly. It's time for the trial to begin.
Trial? Olivia furrowed her brow. Oh, yeah, they broke a contract, so they should have their evidence heard to prove or disprove their innocence. Maybe there was a future for her practicing the law on BloodDark? After all, her parents always told her how much they wanted her to attend law school.
Her attention was diverted by more movement at the entrance. Colonel North, his officers, and enlisted members filed out of the bunker, taking
