A Time For Ryda Read Online Free PDF Page A

Gandian Army officer, the Gauten had learned to despise the secret police on his rise through the ranks. Many good commanders had been ruined by their baseless claims, countless troops wasted covering up their excesses. Though normally hard to abide, the Rezident’s haughty demeanor this evening was truly remarkable.
    Thus, the Gauten deliberately studied her before speaking. “Have you caught the Terran spy?”
    “We will have her shortly.”
    “I see.” Now taking his seat, the Gauten casually leaned back. “And what makes you so sure of that?”
    The Rezident’s eyes narrowed. “She is alone, without support. It is only a matter of time.”
    “Is that so?” Smiling, his hands dropped lightly onto the armrests. “And what of today?”
    “Today,” she replied, “your imbecile troops interfered in a Vextar operation, directly leading to the deaths of eight agents and the escape of an enemy operative.”
    There was complete silence. The Gauten now brought his chair forward.
    “Nonsense.”
    “I think not.”
    “My dear Rezident,” he began, each word clear and distinct. “Your intelligence reports lacked any mention of the Terran spy’s presence on Ryda. You also failed to inform me of this afternoon’s escapade in advance. This requires an explanation.”
    “Not really.” Placing her hands on the desk, the Vextar woman now leaned down toward him. “My dear Gauten, let us be clear. The Vextar does not report to you. I am required only to pass along information where and when I feel appropriate.”
    “Ah, the mantra of the Vextar! How consoling, given the laughingstock we’ve become.” Now it was the Gauten’s turn to stand, leaning over so that their faces were only a few inches apart. “And what of competence? Are you required to exercise that all the time, or only where and when you feel appropriate?”
    “Your troops dared interfere…” she snarled.
    “Enough!” Slamming his fist on the hovering desk, the Gauten was gratified to see the Rezident dart back, as if he’d intended to strike her. “From what I understand, this Terran spy slaughtered most of your people before my patrol even arrived!”
    “Perhaps it would be wise for you to remember who you’re dealing with.” Pure hatred poured from the Rezident’s gaze, though her body remained rigidly in control. “I’ve brought down bigger men than you.”
    “Is that so? Well, then you shouldn’t have trouble bringing down one scared girl.” Shaking his head, the Gauten turned away from her, once more looking out at the evening sky. “Now go.”
    Several moments passed. Finally, he heard the Rezident stride from the room, the musical chime once more sounding as the door opened and closed of its own accord.
    Sighing, the Gauten stared wistfully at the darkened horizon, but the sun had already completed its final plunge, leaving the Rydian sky in almost complete darkness.
     
    ***
     
    A warm, calm heat caressed the entire length of her body. Rolling onto her stomach, Eve was immediately rewarded by the same soothing intensity along her back. Unbidden, a few languid footfalls approached, followed by strong, masculine hands spreading a cooling ointment along the long, taut muscles in her legs and shoulders. Sighing with pleasure, Eve squeezed a fat ankle in thanks, allowing her eyes to drift slowly open.
    Gazing out along the surface of the deck into open space, Eve was rewarded with a stunning view of her home world, placidly situated in a sea of stars. A few other planets drifted behind Ryda, the long tail of the Nasari Nebula providing a slash of brilliant color. All in all a nearly perfect panorama of the Rydian System, but for the trio of Gandian battle cruisers in orbit around the Rydian home world.
    Such a grievous flaw, however, provided only an additional measure of comfort for Eve’s host.
    A disgraced former media executive at the time of the invasion, Hanson Lex had instantly presented himself in the Gauten’s office,