I rise, letting my full seven-foot-three frame tower over them. Where my twin, Lorian, might have flung the nearest offender against a wall to make his point, I prefer intimidation by word, rank, and presence. My tailored charcoal suit shifts with me, briefly revealing the ornate hilt of the plasma dagger at my thigh, an unusual boardroom accessory, but Lorian and I haven't built the Ascendant Alliance on savvy business deals alone.
“I don't need the IGC breathing down our necks on smuggling charges,” I continue. “They've already announced Tribune Jin Kol will be returning to the Grand Championships to confirm that all human pets are there voluntarily.”
Anxiety ripples through the room.
“And you know what is worse than being fined for having illegal humans on-site?” I let the silence hold for a good minute. No one dares move or answer. “Having those illegal humans abducted on our property. As you all well know from what happened last year. If it happens again, we’ll have both the IGC and disgruntled trainers demanding compensation.Draining our profits from every angle.”
I settle back into my chair, adjusting the silver band that has never left my hand since our mother gave Lorian and me identical rings when she named us her successors. Many balked at her decision—two sons and with no sister to temper us. But she was confident in our abilities. And when death came for her sooner than it should have, those rings became our claim. Her properties on Reima Two formed the foundation. From there, we carried her vision outward, expanding the Ascendant Alliance into the man’s sphere in the galaxy. The Ascendant Alliance is not just a business for us; it is a testament to our parents' sacrifice. They surrendered their Imperial standing so Lorian and I would not grow up as Outcasts on the margins of Imperial society. We will not disgrace that choice with incompetence.
“Now,” I say, shifting the subject, “how is our recruitment on Earth going? We need human employees now more than ever at the Spire.”
Cal, the manager of Terra Sanctum on Earth, nods, though his holographic image crackles every few seconds. “Yes, Sovereign. Earth transmitted another 'search for alien life' signal two days ago; it met all the IGC standards for formal contact, which gave us our legal recruitment window.”
“And our selected candidate?”
“Eve Eden is en route as planned, Sovereign. Everything we discussed last year has been implemented perfectly. She signed the contract without hesitation and asked very few questions. Her psychological profile matches your requirements exactly.”
“Good.” After the Yasmin debacle, we weren’t just going to takeanyonefrom Earth. “What about Dubai?” I turn to the holographic figure of Khalil, manager of our most profitable Middle Eastern property. “You were supposed to provide the other human. We discussed the importance of pairs for psychological stability.”
Khalil's image flickers. “Sovereign, there was an unforeseen complication. Our selected candidate, Magda, developed a romantic attachment we were unaware of, and she refused the position because her boyfriend had proposed marriage and her parents agreed. There was nothing we could do short of abducting her.”
“You let a human female on a patriarchal planet choose a husband over a career opportunity worth more credits than most humans will see in a lifetime?”
“Sovereign, I?—”
“How could you allow emotional entanglements to develop when you knew we needed her? This was planned over an Earth year ago, Khalil. A year of careful psychological profiling and conditioning.”
Cal clears his throat diplomatically. “Sovereign, if I may. I anticipated this possibility and took precautions with Eve's entertainment package. I've provided her with extensive human media, literature, and recreational programs. She is exceptionally independent andaccustomed to solitude. I think she will adapt to isolation better than most.”
“That is not sufficient,” I snap. “Humans are social creatures. Even the most independent require companionship of their own kind, eventually. The last thing I need is a depressed human breaking down during the Championships, especially with Tribune Jin Kol scrutinizing every interaction.”
I drum my fingers on the table, calculating the alternatives. Purchasing a human companion from the slave markets would contradict our narrative of “voluntary employment.”
Then, the obvious solution presents itself. “Lira,” I announce. “I'll assign Lira as the human receptionist’s trainer and companion.”
Several managers exchange glances. Lira is my most capable receptionist, poached from a competing Reima Two hotel chain at considerable expense. She has an instinctive understanding of diplomatic protocol and guest psychology.
“Sovereign,” ventures the general manager of the Spire, “is Lira not overqualified for training duties? She handles our most prestigious guests.”
“That is exactly why she is perfect. Eve needs to learn our standards quickly, and she needs someone who can serve as both mentor and companion. Lira has the temperament to befriend a human without compromising her professionalism. More importantly, Lira is utterly loyal to the Alliance. If Eve shows signs of instability or disloyalty, Lira will report it immediately.”
Cal nods approvingly. “An excellent solution, Sovereign. With Lira's guidance and the entertainment package, Eve should adapt beautifully to her new role.”
I activate Eve's profile on the holographic display in the center of the table. Her face materializes in soft blue light. Eve Eden, a human female with long brown hair and big brown eyes.
“She appears adequate for our needs,” I say, thoughadequatehardly describes the meticulous selection process that led to her recruitment. “Cal, are you certain no one will come looking for her?”
“I am certain, Sovereign. As we established, she has no family, minimal social connections, and a history of disappearing into her work. Her absence will be attributed to the promotion everyone believes she has received.”
“Excellent. When does she arrive at the Spire?”
“In six days, Sovereign. She is en route as we speak. Rae from Interspecies Resources is scheduled to meet her at Falcon Station.”
“Good,” I say, and dismiss the group. One by one, the managers file out or wink off their holographic feeds.
I let Eve Eden's image linger, studying her features. In six days, she will walk into the Celestial Spire believing she is starting a new career. What she will actually be starting is a carefully orchestrated operation that serves multiple purposes.
First, she will convince Tribune Jin Kol that humans are voluntary participants in the Grand Championships. Second, and just as importantly, she will serve as bait for Terra Ka operatives. Gael the Returner has been too quiet since last year's security breach. And I have no doubt a beautiful, seemingly vulnerable human employee might be exactly what we need to draw him out. Of course, she will never know that she is our bait.Finally, Eve will be an example to the galaxy that humans can be more than pets. That they all do not need to be kept on leashes.
