man’s eyes grew wide and threatened to burst from his sunken sockets. He stared at the readout for several minutes, one finger rubbing his chin. Byron was tempted to lower his shields, but resisted the urge. He did not want two sets of emotions overwhelming his senses.
Growing impatient, Byron shifted his feet. The sound pulled Illenth from his thoughts and he glanced at the waiting pilot. The psychic officer turned off the machine with a single flick of a switch. Exhibiting a gentle touch, Illenth removed the electrodes from Athee’s head.
“ If you would please wait outside,” he instructed, coiling the wires in his hands.
“ How’d I do?” she said, rising to her feet.
Illenth cast a quick glance at Byron. “You definitely possess strong mental abilities,” he admitted. “I need to discuss the next step with Officer Byron.”
Athee hesitated, her lips pressed together in defiance. Byron gestured to the door and she strode from the room, her boots striking the floor with force. Sliding the door shut, he turned to Illenth.
What’s the verdict? he asked, using his mental voice to prevent Athee from overhearing their conversation.
Illenth leaned one hand on the machine, his fingers tapping the metal in unison. Her psychic powers are the strongest I’ve seen thus far… by a long shot! I’m limited with this machine, though. A complete examination would be required to determine the full extent of her abilities, but I’m unable to do that here.
Officer Narunva has the necessary equipment on board the Rennather , Byron offered.
The man nodded. Tell Commander Korden I recommend a full evaluation. I’m sure the prefect will object, so be prepared.
Considering Athee is his niece, I don’t doubt that, Byron added, aware that it complicated the matter. Orellen was already annoyed, and suggesting Athee travel to the Rennather might send the man into a raging fit.
Hopefully the commander can convince him, thought Illenth.
I’ll inform Korden.
Byron turned to leave, but a nagging question tugged at his thoughts. Is she really that strong?
Officer Illenth halted his nervous strumming and his eyes narrowed to mere slits. The woman’s powers registered higher than most Cassans.
Byron stared at the man in surprise. The implications were staggering. A Tgren woman with powers greater than the average Cassan? That would alter their relationship with this race if further testing revealed Athee’s abilities were even stronger…
Damn, I wonder if she’s stronger than me? Byron thought as he left Illenth’s office.
He arose early the next morning in preparation for a flight to the Rennather. Byron had collapsed in his temporary quarters, too tired to care about amenities. The previous day’s events had weighed on him all evening, and today held the potential of yet more emotional strain. He wished he could remain in bed, but duty called.
Upon arrival at his shuttle, Byron began his preflight check. Only a couple empty cartons and two crewmembers were scheduled for the flight. Today’s transport should’ve fallen to Garnce, as shuttle flights were his responsibility during this mission. However, it was the potential third passenger that placed this trip in Byron’s hands. He doubted the prefect would allow his niece to travel to the Rennather for further testing, but nevertheless, Athee was scheduled to join them this morning.
The two men traveling to the ship arrived, along with the empty crates. Byron made sure the cartons were secure before instructing his passengers to fasten their harnesses. He wondered how long he should wait for his third passenger when the sound of voices reached his ears. Peering out the open hatch, he noticed Athee, Orellen, and a security guard approaching the ship. Neither the woman nor her uncle appeared happy. The prefect presented choppy gestures with his left hand as he spoke. Taking a deep breath, Byron stepped outside and awaited his final passenger.
“ Uncle, you
Growing impatient, Byron shifted his feet. The sound pulled Illenth from his thoughts and he glanced at the waiting pilot. The psychic officer turned off the machine with a single flick of a switch. Exhibiting a gentle touch, Illenth removed the electrodes from Athee’s head.
“ If you would please wait outside,” he instructed, coiling the wires in his hands.
“ How’d I do?” she said, rising to her feet.
Illenth cast a quick glance at Byron. “You definitely possess strong mental abilities,” he admitted. “I need to discuss the next step with Officer Byron.”
Athee hesitated, her lips pressed together in defiance. Byron gestured to the door and she strode from the room, her boots striking the floor with force. Sliding the door shut, he turned to Illenth.
What’s the verdict? he asked, using his mental voice to prevent Athee from overhearing their conversation.
Illenth leaned one hand on the machine, his fingers tapping the metal in unison. Her psychic powers are the strongest I’ve seen thus far… by a long shot! I’m limited with this machine, though. A complete examination would be required to determine the full extent of her abilities, but I’m unable to do that here.
Officer Narunva has the necessary equipment on board the Rennather , Byron offered.
The man nodded. Tell Commander Korden I recommend a full evaluation. I’m sure the prefect will object, so be prepared.
Considering Athee is his niece, I don’t doubt that, Byron added, aware that it complicated the matter. Orellen was already annoyed, and suggesting Athee travel to the Rennather might send the man into a raging fit.
Hopefully the commander can convince him, thought Illenth.
I’ll inform Korden.
Byron turned to leave, but a nagging question tugged at his thoughts. Is she really that strong?
Officer Illenth halted his nervous strumming and his eyes narrowed to mere slits. The woman’s powers registered higher than most Cassans.
Byron stared at the man in surprise. The implications were staggering. A Tgren woman with powers greater than the average Cassan? That would alter their relationship with this race if further testing revealed Athee’s abilities were even stronger…
Damn, I wonder if she’s stronger than me? Byron thought as he left Illenth’s office.
He arose early the next morning in preparation for a flight to the Rennather. Byron had collapsed in his temporary quarters, too tired to care about amenities. The previous day’s events had weighed on him all evening, and today held the potential of yet more emotional strain. He wished he could remain in bed, but duty called.
Upon arrival at his shuttle, Byron began his preflight check. Only a couple empty cartons and two crewmembers were scheduled for the flight. Today’s transport should’ve fallen to Garnce, as shuttle flights were his responsibility during this mission. However, it was the potential third passenger that placed this trip in Byron’s hands. He doubted the prefect would allow his niece to travel to the Rennather for further testing, but nevertheless, Athee was scheduled to join them this morning.
The two men traveling to the ship arrived, along with the empty crates. Byron made sure the cartons were secure before instructing his passengers to fasten their harnesses. He wondered how long he should wait for his third passenger when the sound of voices reached his ears. Peering out the open hatch, he noticed Athee, Orellen, and a security guard approaching the ship. Neither the woman nor her uncle appeared happy. The prefect presented choppy gestures with his left hand as he spoke. Taking a deep breath, Byron stepped outside and awaited his final passenger.
“ Uncle, you
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