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board with the
Quorum, not fractured with internal dispute by a small faction pushing for reunification
with the Karukai.” Jameson could hear his own voice rise, propelled by
knowledge and sheer instinct that given the state of affairs as they stood, the
Vosaia political situation carried the potential to represent grave danger.
That potential had to be snuffed out before it could take root and reach
fruition.
    Taking a breath, Delegate Sweetwater let the former Ministry
Naval Officer in him take over as he forthrightly declared, “You and I both damn–well
know that in the sum total of horrors that wait to pounce on Humanity as
well as all of the other Quorum races, the single most dangerous threat
is the Karukai Imperium, plain and simple.”
    “So you need me to make nice and help solidify Human–Vosaia
relations.” Captain Serros replied.
    He nodded, meeting her eyes unflinchingly.
    “Jamie, I’m no politician and you know how I feel
about political machinations.” Captain Avara Serros declared, frustration
raking her normative state of calm for the first time as she ran both hands
through her dark hair, pushing an errant cowlick back like the unwanted reality
of her position.
    As if reading her mind, Sweetwater commented quietly, “I
know. Just as you know, this is part of the job. Part of guaranteeing lives. We
not only need the Quorum’s best, but we need Humanity’s best, to stand as an
exemplum of the past and of who we are and what all of the Quorum Systems can
be. We need you , Avara.”
    Watching his old friend carefully, the rich skinned Delegate
let that thought settle in the space between them. “Either way, rumors are just
rumors. Major Goyan Hadarr is highly competent and necessary for the Ministry
and the Quorum to achieve all of its mission objectives, not just the overt
tics.”
    “Okay, okay, I get it.” Captain Serros responded, raising
her hands in mock surrender. “No need for top grade polemic; I already voted
for you!”
    “ Ha–ha ! Good thing, too. Wouldn’t want my feelings
bruised.”
    With a sigh, Serros’s half–grin faded. “You know I will
complete the mission, Jamie. But you also know, never again will
I freely allow another Cindrex. Some compromises should not be made.”
    Sweetwater made himself directly meet his friend and one
time protégée’s gaze. “That’s a given, Captain Serros, at least for me.”
    She nodded once, in acceptance. “Then where and when do we
meet my fellow Quorum Strategic High Risk, Intelligence, and Enforcement Operative,
and begin the mission?”
    “Cillian Station.”
    “Then we better set course for Cillian Station, Commander
Perez.” Captain Serros remarked mildly, glancing over at her Executive Officer.
    “Aye, aye, Captain.”

CHAPTER 2

    Cillian Station was a Vosaia construction, one of their
first fully operational stand–alone space stations. Fashioned almost a
millennia ago, it was originally built for the twin purposes of mining therum
gas and as a defense outpost. Though still directly under control of the Vosaia
Consulate, over the centuries the station had also become both a way–stop for
spacefarers and a hub for intergalactic exchange. As such, the station continued
to expand until it could house its current population of over four hundred
thousand souls of many different races. In build, Cillian Station resembled a weirdly
sleek–lined, massive snowflake with elongated points against a clear night sky.
Dozens of vessels were visible maneuvering to and away from Cillian, as well as
patrol shuttles and maintenance teams wearing skinsuits as they worked in the
vacuum of space.
    “Captain, Cillian Station Communications is asking for
docking identification.”
    “Thank you Lieutenant Rygel. Please identify.”
    “This is the Quorum vessel, QS Excalibur .” The fair–haired
Communications Officer stated clearly, his fingers dancing over the projected holo–display
of his terminal.
    “ QS Excalibur , please