"Master System seems to think so," Kian said.
"It is satisfying that Master System is caring for our development in our time of crisis," another Rhimodian said.
Kian glanced at the doorway.
It was an older Rhimodian. Even older than Harbin. A white beard filled his face, and a metal plate on his shoulder hissed as he moved his arm.
"Peace should ease the crisis," Kian said, "Elder." He did not see a lot of the Elder cyborgs. They had their own stations in the scheme of things among their people. He encountered very few since they typically stayed away from the warriors.
The Elder nodded. "The crisis is not the war. Wars come and go. The crisis is our ability to endure beyond."
"To endure beyond what? The war with the Terrans?"
"To endure at all. If a new way to generate future generations is not found, the war will be a moot point."
Kian nodded.
In his head, Master System released more data to the others, some uploaded from his internal storages, other parts from wherever it was in the system that Master System kept data.
The flaw is being addressed.
20
“Did you find the others?” Freya asked as she sipped on some tea. The brew was warm and soothing to her throat.
Veta shook her head. “Not yet. We’re heading out shortly to see who else we can find.”
Freya nodded. “Do you think—”
“They’re out there,” Veta said, making a fist around the cup she held. “I know that Bianca, Caoimhe, and Eleanor won't go down without a fight. And if their Rhimodian guards are as passionate as yours and mine are, they should be well cared for until I can get there."
“You,” Freya said. Veta shouldn’t be doing this alone. Freya could go with her, help rescue them. They were her friends as well. “I can—”
Veta raised her eyebrow. “You slept from the moment you boarded the transport ship. Even now, I can see the exhaustion in you. You need your rest.”
“So do you.”
She waved her hand. “I’m good. I feel better than I have in a long time, in fact.” She leaned over and patted Freya’s leg. “Don’t you worry. I’ll have the others back in no time. Wrathin has an idea to find them fast. You rest up. Take some time to make sure the facilities they have for us are adequate.”
Freya’s private room was a simple affair, clean and fresh smelling. A sitting area in the front, where she and Veta sat now with a bed and bath in the rear. All the suites opened to a common room, almost like a large foyer, but each female had her own personal area for resting.
It was a fine set-up for them. Exactly what the Terrans had asked for in the preparation. Some of the Ambassadorial party’s property had already been transported to the Rhimodians. As a result, Freya had a change of clothing and some necessities.
As did Veta. Though Veta had changed from her dirty tactical jumpsuit to a clean one.
Freya sighed. Sitting around on the Rhimodian homeworld waiting seemed like a horrible waste of time. Surely Freya could be of assistance with the search to find the others. “The facilities are fine, Veta. I can come with you. I can help you—”
She shook her head. “No. I want you here. Where you’re safe.”
“Is anywhere safe, though? We are supposed to be here for a mission of peace, and our own people attacked us. Tried to kill us.”
“I trust the Rhimodians, right now, more than I trust our own people,” Veta said. “And I am pretty sure you do, too.”
“Why do you think that?” Freya asked.
"Really, girl?"
Freya blushed. "I don't know what you're talking about." She did, but she did not want to admit it.
