Heirs of the New Earth Read Online Free PDF Page A

surrounded the ship like a halo.
    Captain John Mark Ellis, weary from his encounter with the Cluster, trudged through the decks of the Sanson. He found his way to the command deck and entered Kirsten Smart's office at the rear. With some work, he persuaded Kirsten Smart not to press charges against G'Liat. “Under one condition,” said Smart. “Tell him to go to Rd'dyggia immediately. I never want to see his face again."
    Ellis proposed the terms to G'Liat. “I will go to Rd'dyggia soon, then,” said G'Liat. “The planet is in grave danger if what you told me of your vision is correct.” The warrior paused for a moment, thoughtful. “But what will you do if our paths cross again?"
    Ellis bit his lower lip and considered his answer. “I think that depends on what the Cluster does,” he said. With that, he turned and left the cabin.
    G'Liat activated the computer interface and pulled up a list of companies that chartered spacecraft. Admittedly, he could simply take a commercial flight back to Rd'dyggia, but he wanted solitude and quiet so he could decide his next move. He limited his search to those companies with Rd'dyggian names. The warrior was growing tired of the charade of acting like a human. He wanted to be among his own kind for a time.
    He called the first company on his list and was pleased when a Rd'dyggian answered. “Money I have,” said G'Liat bluntly in his native language. “Ships you have. I will return to Rd'dyggia. I require retrieval from a human ship in orbit, the Nicholas Sanson ."
    The Rd'dyggian on the other end bowed. “Understood, my Lord G'Liat. A ship will be dispatched immediately. Be ready.” The Rd'dyggian terminated the call.
    G'Liat stood, knocked the burning end from the incense, packed his few belongings in a small, metal traveling case, and then sat down to await the arrival of the transport from Alpha Coma. The warrior continued his reflections on John Mark Ellis and his tale of the Cluster's communications. Though G'Liat wanted to see the Cluster eliminated, he began to wonder if the Cluster could be used—at least temporarily—to eliminate other barriers to Rd'dyggian dominance of the galaxy. If so, perhaps elimination of the Cluster could be delayed.
    * * * *
    On Earth, Timothy Gibbs awoke in his apartment with red-rimmed eyes. Not bothering with breakfast, he swept up the remains of the holographic display unit he had smashed the night before and put them in the garbage incinerator. He dressed quickly, grabbed his own malfunctioning teleholo unit, and then went into work.
    He stifled a squawk when he saw Louise Sinclair. Her normally impeccable store uniform was rumpled, as though she had slept in it. Her eyes were bloodshot and she wore no makeup. She smiled bravely at him. “I see you didn't get much sleep either."
    "Bad dreams,” he said as he moved past her to the employee's lounge. She followed and found him staring at the wall, pouring coffee until it was over-flowing the cup. Gently she helped him put the coffee pot back on the warmer.
    Gibbs looked into Sinclair's eyes and sighed. “If I asked, would you go out to dinner with me?"
    Sinclair staggered back, away from him. Conflicted emotions played across her face. Finally, she straightened her jacket and forced a certain resolve. “Mr. Gibbs, you realize that I could report you for making such a suggestion at work."
    Timothy Gibbs looked down at his feet. “I know,” he whispered. He picked up the over-full coffee cup and took a sip. Some of the coffee spilled onto his uniform. Louise Sinclair made as if to reach for a towel—as if to help and try to clean it up. Instead, years of training kicked in and overrode human instinct. She stormed out of the break room, an indignant look of shock forced onto her features.
    Timothy Gibbs dropped into a chair and sipped his coffee. Twenty minutes later it dawned on him that Jerry Lawrence hadn't come by to shuffle him off to the repair shop. He crumpled the paper