Shiver and Bright Read Online Free PDF Page A

can’t deny us or threaten us.”
    Dirven asked, “Are there other talents on Miikor?”
    Nat shrugged. “I have heard of a few. If they have somewhere to go, they will come just to feel like they belong. Miikor is pretty peaceful, but if someone doesn’t act, that is going to change soon.”
    Dirven pitched in, “Change is good for most worlds.”
    Nat took in a calming breath before exhaling. “Yes, but not when they are on the verge of having their government take over all their citizens. This is not good. We need to stop it.”
    Those around the table stared at her.
    Kaylee cleared her throat. “What if it is the will of the people?”
    “We live in an oligarchy. There is no will of the people. There is the ruling class and everyone else.” Nat sighed.
    Dirven smiled. “Which is how we were able to gain the control over those few acres. They were an offer from a previous regime.”
    Nathaly watched the schematic grow in front of her, the digital display rooted a Citadel and it spiralled upward.
    “How does that work?”
    “Avari nanites. They use the local materials to build a predetermined design, and then, they simply become part of the self-healing structure.”
    Nat cocked her head. “So, it grows a building?”
    Worvin smiled. “It does. I have only seen it used once, but it was very impressive.”
    Kaylee grinned. “Now, we just have to finish fitting you with appropriate clothing. Your dress is great, but you need the robes of a Citadel head.”
    Worvin smiled. “I have made the arrangements, and the robes should have finished with their generation by now.”
    “Just like that?” Nat was surprised at how fast things were moving.
    Kaylee put her hand on Nat’s shoulder. “We started things in motion when Lupik sent the first message for help. The Citadel is wanting to seed as many planets with outposts as they can. Even if you don’t have enough experience to train them, you keep them safe and summon the training that they need.”
    Worvin nodded. “We have all the monitors and terminals we need; the design of the tower is full of them. All we need is a basic connection and a link to a relay and we will be in full communication. It should only be a few days without links to the Alliance, but we can manage it if you are willing to keep us safe.”
    She stood straight. “If I am given a code name so my parents aren’t in danger, yes.”
    Dirven smiled. “Shiver. It is a solid name and only hints at what you can actually do. Strobe will be with you.”
    Nat made a face. “I am not a fan of the name Strobe. I think Bright would suit him better.”
    Worvin smiled slowly. “I wouldn’t mind a change. Being Strobe has not brought me luck, so perhaps Bright would be a better choice for my future.”
    Kaylee shrugged. “Bright it is then. Shiver and Bright will be the administration of the new Citadel Miikor until the building is up and more instructors can be brought in.”
    Dirven nodded. “So, Nathaly, are you sure of how you are going in?”
    She inclined her head. “We are there to reclaim what belongs to the Alliance. We will have the treaties, the witness statements and the declarations of the rest of the planets in the system that an outpost once was stationed on Miikor.”
    Worvin smiled. “We are merely reclaiming the outpost and building a new base. Once it is built, we will transfer the ownership to the Citadel.”
    Kaylee nodded. “And as the Citadel works with the local classes, you can demand representatives from the government and the local population for your liaisons. That is how you will get your parents out of their situation, Nathaly.”
    Nat nodded and smiled. “Do we really think this will work?”
    Dirven chuckled. “She has had stranger ideas that were harder to execute. Just remember that as a member of the Citadel, Shiver can use her talent to defend herself at any time.”
    “It will seem strange to use it on Miikor. I am not sure that I am ready for it. I have