The Ninth Orb Read Online Free PDF Page B

vegetation and natural stones beneath the soles of her feet.
    The myriad of sensations that pelted her as she made her way down the gangplank and trod the new world for the first time distracted her momentarily from her anxiety.
    After years of strolling around a ship the next thing to naked, the jumpsuit she’d chosen to wear felt as uncomfortably restrictive to her movements as the elements around her and she moved stiffly to stand at the edge of the clearing and lift her head toward the walls of the alien fortress. When the others had assembled behind her, she tested her translator, setting it to a volume she thought they would be able to hear in the alien compound.
    “I am Eden Chisholm, leader of the colonists of Earth who have come to settle here. We hope to negotiate a peaceful co-existence with your own colony.”
    She saw a long row of faces turned down at her, but none moved, either aggressively or otherwise. “We have come to speak with your leader.”
    That comment caused a ripple. The men along the top wall exchanged confused glances. After a few minutes the faces disappeared one by one.
    Uneasy, Eden glanced behind her at the other women. “What do you think?”
    Ivy was studying the wall, her face impassive, but the tension in her stance was unmistakable. “They haven’t fired. That’s always a good sign.”
    A minute passed, then more minutes. Eden shifted uncomfortably, almost sorry she’d bothered to dress for the occasion. As accustomed as she was to the ease of movements without the restriction of clothing, she had to wonder if she could flee weighed down with boots and draped with heavy cloth. She felt moisture pop from her pores, as well, as the minutes dragged past. The cloth began to stick to her.
    She had almost reached the point of ordering everyone back into the shuttle when a creak of metal drew her attention. An opening appeared at the base of the wall.
    “Ready ladies,” Ivy said quietly.
    At her command, the squad took up defensive positions, lifting their weapons.
    “Don’t get trigger happy. This is still a truce until I say otherwise,” Ivy reminded them just as Eden was about to comment on their stance.
    Almost another minute passed before a handful of soldiers emerged through the opening. Without hesitation, they marched smartly across the clearing, halting when they reached the banks on the opposite side of the stream.
    Eden’s heart was beating unpleasantly fast. It leapt into overtime when she saw that the soldier in the forefront was the one that she’d studied so curiously before. “I am Baen.”
    It was silly, and poor timing at that, but a thrill went through Eden that was totally feminine and wholly appreciative as his deep voice rolled over her. She felt a blush rising. “You are the leader?”
    He looked disconcerted. “We have no leader.”
    The comment stunned Eden to silence. She exchanged a questioning look with Ivy. When she returned her attention to the soldiers, she saw that they were staring with unabashed curiosity at her and the women around her. There was something in their eyes that gave her pause--fear and hopefulness. “I don’t understand,” Eden said finally. “This is a colony?” she asked, gesturing toward the walled community behind the soldiers.
    Again, the leader looked disconcerted. “It is not. We have no queens.”
    Eden felt her jaw sag. No women? Or did he mean no leaders? Obviously, it was going to take more than a language translator to make communications possible. “This is … a military installation?”
    Baen frowned and glanced at the others as if he was seeking help. “No,” he responded finally. “We are kzatha.”
    The word failed to translate and Eden hadn’t a clue of what it might mean. “What position do you hold?” she asked finally.
    “I am dominant soldier.”
    That sounded like leader to Eden, but he obviously didn’t interpret it that way. She glanced at the other council members, wishing she dared