Michaela Read Online Free PDF Page A

good man at the heart of it all. I see him as a great emperor some day.”
    Michaela turned to Raxstad next and tapped his knee with her slippered toe. “What about you, Gorilla Man? Wait, let me guess. You walk into rooms where Kalquor’s enemies congregate; they take one look at you and surrender, begging for mercy.”
    The Nobek thrust his shoulders back, swelling his massive chest in an exaggerated display. “That’s it. That’s exactly what I do. My next stop is Earth, where I’ll tell them to leave you the fuck alone or be stomped.”
    Michaela clapped her hands in delight. “I would love it! The Holy Leader would shit himself to see you coming.”
    Korkla warmed to see her happy with his Nobek. He told her, “Actually, Raxstad does fight against those who threaten Kalquor. He’s part of Global Security, which looks after the home planet’s safety.”
    Michaela cocked her head inquisitively. “Is that a military force?”
    Raxstad explained, “It’s more of a planet-wide police force. We handle issues like smuggling, threats against the Imperial Family, human slave trafficking; the sorts of crimes that affect all of Kalquor and therefore, the Empire.”
    She looked suitably impressed. “It sounds like a huge job. Are you in charge?”
    Raxstad threw his hands up as if to ward off her words. “No, thank the ancestors. The higher one is promoted, the more the work becomes administrative. I’ve refused to move any higher in the organization.”
    Govi hurried to explain, “It’s not that Raxstad couldn’t be in command of his precinct, or eventually all of Global Security. He just doesn’t want it.”
    Michaela looked the Nobek over and nodded. “No, it wouldn’t suit you. I can’t imagine you stuck behind a desk. You were made to bust heads, big guy.”
    Raxstad grinned. “You’d better believe it.”
    Michaela gave Govi her attention next. “And you’re a psychologist. Someone to make me like myself.”
    Govi gave her his most charming grin. “That shouldn’t be hard. I haven’t seen anything to dislike yet.”
    Korkla told her, “Govi specializes in the sexual problems of the Earther women brought to Kalquor.”
    Michaela snorted. “You’re still sane?”
    Govi sighed. “It’s a big job. Maybe you can offer me some insight? I could use the help. I’ve never seen females of any species despise themselves so greatly or fear intimacy so much.”
    “It’s all one huge horror story. As much as I feel female, I’m glad to have presented as a male on Earth. The shit women have had to endure is crazy.” She shook her head, her nose wrinkling in disgust.
    Korkla wanted to know what he could set up for his potential Matara before they got her to Kalquor. “What about you, Michaela? You can’t be quite finished with your schooling, right? Or is it because Kalquorians still study well into their twenties that I think that?”
    “I did finish my basic requirements. I tested for my certificate at the age of sixteen and passed. I didn’t go to a typical learning institution, however. I was homeschooled after I hit puberty to keep from being found out.”
    Govi said, “It’s my understanding your parents passed away not so long ago.”
    A shadow of sadness passed over Michaela’s round face. “They died in a shuttle accident just after I turned seventeen. I never felt I got to properly mourn them because my situation was so up in the air. I was afraid my true nature would be discovered since I became a ward of the Church.” She shuddered.
    Raxstad pointed out, “You managed to get away undetected, however.”
    She nodded. “Since I’d finished my schooling, I applied to the military as a junior serviceman. It’s a program for kids who are not likely to go to college and aren’t qualified to do anything worthwhile. They pretty much stuck the juniors like me on a ship and assigned us all the shit jobs, like cleaning or working in the kitchen.”
    “How does that prepare you for the