A sneak peek

Bit of a sneak peek at the first book.

One

 

FIONA

Fiona Glenn jerked her head up from the report she was reading.  Her eyes immediately went to the three foot metal oval floating just above her. The dreg was its normal self so she glanced around the office before settling on the blinking light on the desk.  That meant there was an incoming message for her, and it had to be important if Regent pulled her from her work.  

“Okay, what’s the message?”

           With those words the light went solid and a form appeared in front of the desk. The being was humanoid in appearance: a head, two arms and two legs. However the features were blurred as if the being’s skin was made of wax and unsculptured. There was also a metallic sheen to the skin that glittered at different angles, a typical Nein in other words.

“Two ships penetrated the Net, one chasing the other. The first ship was destroyed by the second and the second ship then continued further into Alliance Space even though it received warning. We stopped it and it tried to become aggressive. We have since brought it to Carne per Regent’s order. Regent says it is your disposition. We await your arrival.”

Fiona sighed and leaned back in her chair. She knew it had been only a matter of time before her fellow humans had discovered the Alliance.  “Do you know if the ship is Con-fed or Federation?”

“They announced themselves as a ship of The United Federation of Systems.”

“Well, this is the rim of both the Con-fed and Fed space so it could have been either one. However, I’m glad it’s the Federation. They at least protest the whole sell slaughter of aliens though they still think aliens are beneath them in intelligence.  Tell the humans that a representative of the Alliance is on her way and will meet with them when she arrives.”

“As you wish, Keeper.”

Fiona watched as the hologram disappeared, then looked at the dreg hovering over her. “And what did you want me to do with all this?”

IT IS TIME YOUR HUMANS MET MY PEOPLE, came the Regent’s words in her head.  THEY ARE GETTING ARROGANT.

“They are past arrogant, Regent. You know they will try to use computer viruses against you and try to take over. Humans think they are the only intelligent species, everything, everyone else is inferior to them.”

THE ALLIANCE IS STRONG. THERE IS NO GREAT WEAKNESS FOR YOUR HUMANS TO EXPLOIT. MY NEIN CAN HANDLE EVERYTHING ELSE.

“Greed is universal.”

MY NEIN CAN HANDLE IT. BESIDES THERE MAY BE OTHERS LIKE YOU.

“Very few if there is. But if you want me to be your ambassador then I will be  open-minded enough to give them a chance.”

THAT’S ALL I ASK. I HAVE HAD A COURIOR PREPARED FOR YOU.

“Are the usual accomplement of Dregs coming with me?”

OF COURSE. There was a touch of amusement to the words.

Fiona sighed. That meant twelve dregs would be coming with her plus the ones on the Carne outpost and the ship. She would have to have them shield themselves so that her fellow humans wouldn’t see all of them. “Do I have to wear my robes?”

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE FORMAL. YOU ARE NEIN.

Of the five species that made of the Alliance, the Nein were literally a part of the Regent while the other four races were just ruled by the Regent.  The Nein were also the “jack of all trades”, doing different “jobs” that the Regent—and the other races—required of them. They would be considered the military and government workers of the Alliance.

“I suppose I should go pack a bag.” There was no way to tell how long she would be on Carne and so would pack for three days. At least the refreshers the Alliance had were better than what either the Con-fed or Federation used. “Is Slee coming with me?”

YES. SHE WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE COURIOR.

“That will shake them up.” She slid the chair back from the desk and stood. “They’ve never seen a non-humanoid alien.”

THEIR WORLD VIEW IS ABOUT TO BE ROCKED, AS YOU SAY.

“And how,” she said with a most evil-looking grin.