Maxtin has thought little of his family since they repudiated him. “I should have been informed, in secret. My access to resources could help.”
“Our people don’t trust outsiders. You’ve fallen away from our practices of isolationism,” Thierry points out.
“Leaving a world of chemical soup. How many of our people were murdered? With UCP biohazard teams on planet within twenty-four hours scrubbing the atmosphere—”
“It’s too late, Maxtin. Whatever biochemical substance they used, the levels have failed to dissipate in thirty years.”
“At least let me send a sample of the chemical to my team of scientists. An outside point of view may yield something that was missed.”
“We want no help from inferior species, or traitors. If Zayar scientists fail to solve the problem—there’s no solution.”
“Why I left in the first place.” Maxtin scans the readout on the control panel. “These sensor reports would mean a dead world of chemical soup.”
“They blasted the surface in organophosphates,” Thierry explains.
“Phosphate esters irreversibly inactivate acetyl-cholinesterase.”
“Nothing on the surface with any kind of nervous system survived.”
“Population controls or not, Zayar had nearly a billion residents and countless life forms.” Appalled, Maxtin’s mouth remains agape.
“The first barrage of Mokarran missiles failed to reach the planet’s surface. The contents of the warheads were scanned a massive evacuation was signaled as well as sealing all underground complexes.”
“The entire planet’s surface is covered in this nerve agent. How has this been kept hidden for thirty years?”
“I’m not authorized to explain,” Thierry says.
“Our home world has been devastated. I’ve the resources of the entire UCP at my disposal to help.”
“No. No. Even the Mokarran still fear the Zayar, and countless peace treaties remain in place because of fear. Our intact war fleet is one reason there are still close to a billion of us.”
“You converted the warships into generation ships. Why haven’t they colonized a new planet?”
“And reveal the extent of the damage and our vulnerability? We will reclaim our planet.”
“You aren’t out searching for an antidote. You buy Bannis Root for a reason.”
“The Bannis Root absorbs the properties of whatever soil it grows in. It camouflages the needed counteragents for the organophosphates.”
“What you bring back would not be enough to be effective.”
“I’ve seen enough of the galaxy to know our people are not on the correct path.” Thierry touches a monitor. “After analyzing the compound, a counteragent was discovered—Qarban R16.”
Maxtin searches his brain before admitting, “I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s a rare mineral used in the manufacture of dopamine inhibitors. The ‘O’ uses it in a certain designer drug.”
“Ialtran B. They haven’t created it in three hundred years. The chemicals are too rare. No profit in it,” Maxtin says.
“It’s rare. With great cost, the Zayar Council obtained some, and we’re able to reverse some of the damage. A lot faster than with the Bannis Root.”
“Would never work. You’d need a planetwide supply to even put a dent in these readings. I doubt that much Qarban R16 exists in the entire galaxy.”
“I alone abducted you. I know you’ve agents reaching into The ‘O’ where I can’t. What we’ve acquired so far has been squandered in a vain attempt to restore the planet to only be reconstituted by the chemicals.”
Maxtin contemplates this. “It does thin the mix I bet.”
“It takes mass quintiles. So to prevent waste, a force shield was resurrected over an area, creating a kind of greenhouse. Everything inside has been purified. Think of it as a growing game preserve.”
“What size?”
“Ten miles at its circumference.”
Maxtin’s brain makes a quick calculation and guesses, “You’re talking a million years to restore the planet.”
“Unless we find a cache of Ialtran B.”
“Gathering it without attracting attention. You can’t infiltrate The ‘O’ for something so rare without arousing suspicion.” Maxtin has his doubts in Thierry, “It’s impossible to infiltrate an agent within The ‘O’ criminal structure. I’ve a few on the ground floor, but they have no way to climb higher within the command structure. Even to save my planet, it would be at a great risk of their lives. Why have you contacted me now?”
“Civilian life on the battle cruisers takes more of a toll on our people. Some have not adapted well to the artificial environment. It will shorten the life expectancy of most.”
“Not quite compelling enough. I’ll learn of the reason if you want me to use my network of informants.”
“You’ll see soon enough. I knew you’d need proof.”
The cloak-and-dagger method of getting Maxtin’s attention serves a purpose: to protect Zayar peace treaties and keep many planets from war. Many people believe the Mokarran are kept from invading the UCP because Maxtin has the support of his home world. And if the Mokarran have no idea they were successful in destroying Zayous, they must still fear his people’s military. The desperation must be great.
Maxtin must regain control of his situation. His mission on Summersun was much more pressing to the security of the UCP.
Maxtin, still secured by the seatbelt harness, kicks Thierry and punches in a command into the controls.
The Zayar loses control of his temper and backhands the Admiral. “What are you trying to do? After you see Zayous, I’ll take you back to Summersun.”
Maxtin flicks the drop of blood from the corner of his mouth with his tongue as a response.
Thierry checks the controls. “You took a risk to broadcast…a criminal bounty alert.”
“YOU’LL BE OKAY,” Kymberlynn puts as much comfort into her voice as she thinks Amye will believe.
The churning in her bowels boils the pit of her stomach as bile fills Amye’s mouth. “I’ve never murdered before.”
“You’re a soldier now. It comes with the job.”
“Soldiers are prepared to take lives in combat. I’ve had no such training.” The contents of her stomach claw at her, sending her doubled over onto the floor.
“If you’re going to be sick, get in the bathroom.” Kymberlynn towers over a scrunched-into-a-fetal-ball Amye.
“You could help me, Sister.”
“I can’t touch you.”
Amye squeezes her eyes tight, forcing the
