3013: CLAIMED Read Free Page A

tech, but we cannot let this new stealth technology get into the hands of our enemies.”
    “She isn’t behind this. Where are her guards? I want them questioned.”
    Regent Ian Spartan released his hold on Jax and huffed out an impatient breath. “Already done. They were also taken into custody when they landed. Two members of the SI Division are with Officers Meyers and Rhine now.”
    “I’ve called in my own interrogators from SI. Hold them until my men can interrogate them,” Jax ordered. He knew that all the officers of the SI Division were capable, but his friends were the best, and he and Archer would only trust them with Serra.
    As soon as Jax had discovered that Serra had been taken into custody, he had made the call to the Capital’s Director of the Security and Interrogation Division, Dominic Stryker. Dom was known as a bad-ass that could make a suspect spill his guts with just one hard look of his piercing black eyes. He also had the added advantage of working with Arik V’Dir, one of the few members of the D’Aire alien race that had decided to make Earth his home.
    In the year 2960 a new alien race came to Earth called the Zyphir. They’d been a colony race of insect-like creatures that stood on two feet. What they came for was total annihilation of the human race, after which they’d planned to take over Earth and deplete the world of all resources until moving on to the next planet that suited their needs. A three year war ensued, during which a large portions of Earth were destroyed. Not just by battle, but by an unknown virus the Zyphir carried that nearly wiped out the entire population. Without the aid of the Arcadians, Krytos and the D’Aire alien races, Earth would have been nothing but a memory.
    Regent Spartan’s eyes narrowed. “Who have you called in?”
    “Director Stryker and Ambassador V’Dir.”
    With a satisfied nod, Regent Spartan said, “They are the best. If she’s innocent, they’ll clear her. The information we have is that the sale for the new stealth technology is set to be held on New Vega in a few weeks. Serra Lysander is booked on a private shuttle for New Vega before the deadline. That is highly suspicious. Even you have to admit that.”
    “And why is she back on Earth now?” Regent Marks asked. “She hardly ever comes back on planet, so why has she decided to check out the drones we’re testing the stealth tech on? We aren’t set to add it to the fleet for another three months, so why is she here now? She arrived here in the Capital. If she is here to examine her creation, why didn’t she arrive in Light City where the testing site is? We need to know what the hell she is trying to hide!”
    Jax stared at the regents, knowing the older men saw the hard edge that gleamed from his own eyes. “Archer,” he snapped.
    Knowing what Jax was asking for, Archer stepped forward. “Serra Lysander comes back to Earth every year for a two week period this time a year so she can attend the Freedom Day Gala. She’d never fly into Light City unless she has to, because that is where her fathers are stationed. Since they’re more interested in spending their free time with their mistress instead of seeing their daughter, Serra doesn’t bother with them. Tania Lysander-Dobbs is sure to stay clear of Earth if Serra is going to be anywhere near her fathers.”
    “Why would Serra have handed the technology over to the Alliance if she just wanted to sell it?” Jax asked. “If you’ve looked at her accounts, you know she doesn’t care about credits. She hardly spends anything, and has more than she could spend in a lifetime anyways. All her time is focused on work.”
    “Still, that doesn’t explain about the timing of the sale,” Regent Marks argued.
    Jax turned to glare at the regent. “It’s not her, and you’re wasting time thinking it is.”
    Regent Spartan sighed. “Jax, we are doing what we have to in order to protect the Alliance. Hell, to protect Earth.