Birthright: Book I of the Temujin Saga Read Online Free PDF Page A

will monitor your progress with great interest. Never before has implantation been attempted with this particular organism. You do understand, of course, that our fee is absolutely non-refundable should the implantation fail, which could mean the death of both the host and the larvae.”
    “I am well aware of the risks.”
    The Replodian produced a small silver disk and placed it in Amaadoss’s hand. “This contains all the data you will need to implant the larvae successfully. It is imperative that you follow these instructions to the letter. There is absolutely no room for error.”
    “I understand.” Amaadoss passed the disk to Jiri.
    “It has been a pleasure doing business with you, Doctor,” said the Replodian. “Good day.”
    Jiri shuddered as two yellow glowing eyes flickered briefly from beneath the hood. The laboratory door opened with a soft hiss and the guards nervously followed the creature outside. When the door sealed them off from the departing Replodian, Jiri let out his breath and relaxed. He leaned against the wall. “That was creepy, Doc.”
    Amaadoss nodded, his eyes still fixed on the door. “The Replodians certainly have a flair for the dramatic.”
    Amaadoss approached the table where the guards had deposited the three silver cylinders. He gently placed his hand against the smooth, warm metal and brushed his fingertips along the curved surface until he found an oblong button set in the back of the cylinder. He pressed it.
    With a puff of steam, the top of the cylinder rotated a quarter turn and a second glass tube lifted itself out of the protective metal skin. It contained a fiercely bubbling liquid. Suspended in the center was a glowing yellow object that seemed to be made of nothing more than the light itself.
    Jiri leaned in to peer curiously at the cylinder. “Doc, is that it?”
    Amaadoss nodded, his features illuminated by the orb’s soft glow.
    “That?” asked Jiri. “ That is a Replodian larva?”
    “Remarkable, isn’t it?” Amaadoss pressed the buttons on the two remaining cylinders, releasing the bubbling glass tubes within and bathing the room in their soft yellow glow. “That such great fear can be inspired by these tiny balls of light.”
    “Why do they keep them in that bubbling liquid?” asked Jiri. “Is it some kind of organic vitamin compound?”
    “No, Jiri,” said Amaadoss. “It’s water. And it’s boiling.”
    “Boiling?” Jiri’s four eyes widened. “How can they survive?”
    Amaadoss gazed from one glowing larva to another. “Replodia is a planet covered almost entirely by water, with only small, unpopulated landmasses located at the poles. Because of its close proximity to the system’s triple suns, the planet’s surface temperature can exceed five hundred degrees on the daylight side. The night side of the planet, however, is racked by continuous rainfall and devastating hurricanes.
    “Very few life forms can survive very long on the surface of Replodia. The majority of the planet’s indigenous life forms live at the bottom of the ocean floor in deep trenches, where the temperature is slightly more tolerable. Being comprised primarily of energy, the Replodians are quite comfortable in that hostile environment.”
    “Wow,” said Jiri in awe. “So what are they going to do for us, Doc?”
    “The Replodians are fierce warriors, Jiri. They are also shape shifters, able to blend into virtually any environment or culture. Better still, they are completely programmable for any function we see fit to assign to them. Each will have a unique role to fulfill; something to teach the child to prepare him for the war.”
    “Oh.” Jiri’s gaze returned to the glowing orbs.
    “Shall we begin?” asked Amaadoss.
    *****

Admiral Ohrb stuck his head out of the grav-lift and scanned the corridor in both directions, making sure no late-night workers were wandering the hallways of sub-level three. He stepped out of the lift tube and walked toward Dr.