ZeQuest: A Space Opera Mystery Novella (The Quest Saga Science Fiction Adventure Series Book 2) Read Free Page A

stuff.”
    Elizabeth had to admit she was intrigued at what exactly this planet was. All she knew was that it was like the Earth, and the natives dressed like the Pope.
    They finally stopped at the end of the corridor, in front of a sleek double door, each one spanning half the width of the corridor. The men swung open both sides and bowed their heads, which was probably their way of asking them to head in.
    “Thank you,” Carlos nodded at both the men and walked in, with the others behind him.
    The room was dimly lit by blue lava lamps in each corner of the room. On the right side was a large bed, with a canopy and translucent cloth screens around it. On the other side was a semicircular couch, with a circular table in the center. A window stood about five feet above the floor on either side but no light came through.
    “Well, this looks like some sort of a royal chamber,” Q said.
    “It is in a way,” Carlos said. “The Getafixians follow a sort of monarchy.”
    “Really?”
    “They elect a High Priest, and then the position is filled until he or she dies.”
    “That’s interesting.”
    “It’s also how the Vatican works,” Elizabeth chuckled.
    A thundering explosion shook the ship, sending waves through the metal walls and floor.
    “What was that?” Elizabeth asked as she shifted her weight to balance herself.
    Carlos looked at them, his face devoid of emotion, “The Thanonian vessel just destroyed.”
     
    ***

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    “I hope you’re comfortable in here,” the High Priest said as he walked into the room.
    Q stood still with the others, contributing to the utter silence that filled the air. The only sound that resonated was the dull ‘glob’ noise from the bubbles in the lava lamp.
    The High Priest stood still for another few seconds, his hand gripping his staff, his eyes looking at everyone intently, trying to get someone to say something.
    “Commander Carlos,” he said. “Is there a problem?”
    Carlos stood up, his face stern, “Was it really necessary to blow that ship up, High Priest?”
    The High Priest’s face changed, “Blow up? What in the world are you talking about,” he said. “That Thanonian ship was an attack drone. It self-destructed when we rendered it immobile.”
    Now it was Carlos’ turn to change expressions.
    Q was surprised that his brother would make such an inaccurate assumption. Although, he had to admit, he’d pretty much thought the same thing. Only difference was that he wasn’t that sure about it, whereas Carlos was very confident about his statement.
    “Self-destruction?” he asked, not convinced by the High Priest’s answer.
    “The Thanonians do not want us learning about any of their weaponry. So all their ships, satellites, and drones are programmed to self-destruct as soon as they fall into the wrong hands.”
    Carlos eased up a bit, but remained silent, hindered by the awkward atmosphere he’d left in the room.
    “Do not worry about it, Commander,” The High Priest smiled. “I’d have made the same assumption if I were not familiar with these practices.”
    Carlos managed a smile.
    “Come,” The High Priest sat down on the U-shaped sofa, and everyone else followed suit.
    Q sat down at the edge and stretched his legs out. All that standing had made him feel sore. The regular ‘standing in a ship’ was fine, but this ship was accelerating through space, and that usually made it harder for the body to cope with it.
    “Why do you think the Thanonians attacked us?” Elizabeth asked. “Did they think we were one of the Getafixians?”
    “I believe so,” The High Priest said. “But we can’t really say for sure. These days the Thanonians have us under a small siege, attacking all sorts of small merchant vessels that head to our planet.”
    “Can’t you just threaten them?” Q asked. If the Getafixians had such superior tech then it would make sense to threaten to wipe them out.
    “They know we won’t wipe out an entire group of people,”