“Bugs can be troublesome,” Myrum agreed when Lorse stared at him for a micromark.
“Yes, exactly,” Lorse said, then continued on a tirade about all the things the Council of Souls should do differently.
“I tell my parent, Jishorn, to put forth these suggestions all the time,” Lorse said. “I think I might see about entering the Council of Souls after selling this planet. I have a lot to contribute directly instead of having to go through my parent.”
That was as good an opportunity as he might get. “You would make an excellent member of the Council of Souls,” Myrum said. “You have such incredible wisdom to share.”
Lorse gave him a pleased look. “Yes, I do.”
“Considering your vast knowledge, I hope you’ll share some insight with me,” Myrum said.
“What is that?” Lorse asked, leaning forward with eagerness.
Although he wasn’t looking directly at Amina, he could feel her tense up. This was it. He sent a silent prayer to the ancestors for help and success before speaking.
“I’d like to understand why the Ossiso would want to be colonized by the Talin Empire.” Myrum said, trying hard tosound innocent. “Most species don’t want that, but occasionally some find it easier to be controlled by us.”
Lorse violently drew back. “Why would you ask such a thing? Of course we don’t want to be colonized by the Talin Empire!”
Myrum sounded an apologetic rumble. “I regret my misunderstanding if I thought incorrectly. But what else was I to assume when your government invited the Talin military into your territory?”
“They are there to help us against the Annexers,” Lorse snapped. “It has nothing to do with abasing ourselves to your empire.”
“I’m corrected,” Myrum said. “Thank you. Please, tell me more about your plans for this planet.”
As he hoped, Lorse ignored the question and pursued the topic of Talin military intervention.
“Why would you think accepting your military’s help means we have any interest in being subservient to the Talin Empire?”
“Oh… well,” Myrum said as if he was reluctant to answer. “It’s nothing.”
“Tell me,” Lorse demanded, slapping the table sharply. “Right now!”
Myrum pretended to be conflicted. “I shouldn’t. I’ve only ever heard rumors. They're probably not true.”
Lorse banged the table again. “What rumors?”
“Will you promise not to tell anyone what I say?” Myrum asked.
“Fine,” Lorse said in a tone that clearly said his agreement was worth nothing. “What did you hear?”
“The empire expects your internal conflict to be far worse than initially believed. They are only sending a portion of our military, so after both sides have exhausted their resources it will be easy to take over the Ossiso Civilization of Souls with our military might. When you talked about the Council of SoulsI assumed they must be a part of that so as not to lose to the Annexers. You did mention the shaded forces are proving harder to defeat than expected.”
Lorse sucked in a harsh breath. “No, that’s not possible.”
“I’m sure it’s not,” Myrum agreed. “I’m probably mistaken.”
Lorse went quiet for a moment, his hand gripping the edge of the table tight enough for Myrum to hear a crack.
“Lorse, are you upset with me?” Myrum asked.
“No, of course not,” Lorse said, summoning a gentle expression even as he turned to face the front of the shuttle to yell at the guards. “Can a comm be opened to the outpost from the planet?”
One of them turned their seat around. “Yes, Planetary Expansionist Lorse. It would only be good for sending data packets.”
“That’s fine,” Lorse said. “Be prepared to record a data packet the moment we land.”
“That will be soon, Planetary Expansionist Lorse.”
