Drysine Legacy (The Spiral Wars Book 2) by Joel Shepherd Page A

absorb some portion of the deepynine hacksaws all those thousands of years ago… well, it would explain why their technology is so advanced, for one thing. The most advanced species usually became that way after interacting with other species, but the alo just popped up two thousand years ago, refused to talk to anyone but the chah’nas, refused to let anyone travel in their territory, and were already more advanced than the tavalai. Fishy doesn’t begin to describe it.”
    He pointed at the queen. “She might know. She might even tell us, if we asked her. In that synthetic brain may lie the clue to exactly what threat humanity allied itself to, at the beginning of the Triumvirate War… but no, your brother and his muscle-headed Major are still so tied to Fleet’s apron strings that they can’t imagine looking outward toward what’s most important.”
    “Well…” Lisbeth blinked, wondering how to explain it to a man like Romki. “Well they’d like to go home,” she said lamely. “Everyone here would like to go home.”
    “Exactly,” said Romki, exasperated. “Humanity has been in space for over a thousand years, yet still we look to answers amongst ourselves. One day, Lisbeth Debogande, we will have to grow up. There’s an entire universe out there.” He waved a hand expansively at a wall. “And until we learn to cast off these childish things, and venture forth as a truly grown up species, a species that belongs in this galaxy, we will always be in terrible danger from the many things out there that we refuse to understand.”

4
    C olonel Timothy Khola’s cruiser landed on the pad within wide, pretty gardens on a hill. He left the cruiser, presented his ID to the marine guard who came to check it, then walked with his two officer companions toward the mansion. The neighbourhood was wealthy, as all neighbourhoods were on these green hilltops that overlooked the gleaming city of Shiwon. The city and ocean view were partly obstructed by tall, green trees, and the gardens stretched downhill to patios, swimming pools and flower beds, surrounded by high walls.
    Fleet personnel bustled about, mostly officers on business. They were moving a lot of files and boxes, and furniture piled on the pavings beside big French doors. The mansion was Shiwon Fleet Administration, the personal residence of Fleet Admiral Paul Anjo. The third-most-senior officer in Fleet, even Anjo’s own home was filled with staff, on full-rotation service. And these staff looked like they were preparing to move house.
    Khola entered the downstairs living room, wide and spacious, where civilian removalists were considering the furniture. A middle-aged black lady in expensive clothes fretted with them beside a sofa. An adult daughter held a grandchild nearby, chatting to a Fleet officer Khola didn’t recognise.
    Khola went briskly upstairs, down a hall past more officers carrying boxes, to some big double doors guarded by marines. Both marines came to attention as Khola approached. He wore full dress uniform today, with medals. He didn’t do that often. The Liberty Star had an effect on all who saw it, even civilians. After one hundred and sixty one years of war, few humans didn’t know what it was. There were rumours of rare ones on the blackmarket fetching fortunes, for collector value alone. To serving personnel, they were worth far more than money.
    The marines let him in unasked, and the two officers with him. Fleet Admiral Anjo was talking with several Captains and Commanders. About his office, more boxes, filling with files, pictures, framed commendations. Several shelves were approaching bare. Against the wall behind his desk, the twin flags of the Fleet Arrowhead on Crescent, and the United Forces Starburst about a blue sphere. The blue sphere was Earth, and rising above the northern-most point of the star, the silver wings of a Phoenix. Humanity, rising from the ashes.
    All turned to look at the new arrival. “Colonel Khola!”