THE PRIZE: BOOK TWO - RETRIBUTION Read Online Free PDF Page A

answered, a little taken by surprise. Director Markoff wasn’t known for treating his visitors with such social pleasantries.
    “No trouble at all, Professor.”
    Director Markoff sent the command by mental relay through his computer systems, and a few moments later a door opened and a slave arrived with a tray bearing a carafe of Kaf, cups and sweetener. Director Markoff looked at the slave with a certain degree of distaste, silently cursing Richard Penn for stealing all of the beautiful young Earth slaves the palace had before… Markoff pulled his mind back from going down that thought path again, and brought it back to the interview at hand.
    “I read your report to military high command with interest on the assimilation of the Refru collective.”
    “Thank you, Director. I try to do my part in helping our glorious military and diplomatic services overcome resistance to our… acquisition of new territory.” He refrained from using the word conquest, preferring to remain with safer words to describe the brutal conquest on an alien culture.
    “Yes, understanding the state of mind of any species is key to bringing that culture into line with our more enlightened Imperial… doctrine, shall we say.”
    “Yes, Director. I’m sure you found my poor treatise on the subject dry reading for a lay person like yourself.” It was only after the words were out of his mouth that he realized just how condescending that sounded. If the Director took umbrage at the words, nothing showed.
    “Not at all. I found it fascinating if somewhat long winded. Could you put your theory into words that a poor lay person like myself would understand?” He said as a not so subtle hint that the Professor should choose his words a little more carefully in future. From the expression on the Professor’s face, he’d taken the words to heart.
    “Um… well, simply put, all societies and cultures have certain underlying motives for resisting or accepting Imperial… occupation. Once you understand what that motivation is, it is relatively easy to pacify a species. In the case of the Refru collective, it was simply the understanding of their herd instinct. Individually they will do anything to protect the herd…”
    “Quite so…” Director Markoff cut the Professor of as gently as he was able before he launched into a long winded diatribe, which he was noted for, of how and why the Refru collective had finally submitted to the Empires rule. “…and it is in regard for your outstanding work in that department that the Emperor has graciously agreed to raise your Var status.” Hearing this, the Professor paled slightly. The Director’s sensors jumped.
    “T… thank… thank you, Director… I don’t know what to say.”
    “Say nothing. As of now, you will be permitted to use Var in your title, Professor Var Veolan.” The shadow of something akin to a smile crossed the Director’s lips for a moment. So much for the carrot, now the stick.
    “Tell me Professor, have you done any work on what drives humans?” The sensors showed the Professor’s heart rate shoot through the roof, hearing that, and it took a moment for him to calm himself sufficiently to speak.
    It was well known, but only whispered, that anyone who had anything to do with the invasion and the attempted conquest of the human planet called Earth had met with an unfortunate ‘accident’. The Professor didn’t want one of them to be him, or his family. Clearly, the Professor was reluctant for the same reason.
    “Come - come, Professor. I only ask out of curiosity.” The Director lied.
    “Well, yes… I have done some preliminary work… but only after the um… conquest, not before.” He ended with a rush.
    “Yes, I understand that.”
    “Had I been consulted before the invasion, I might have been able to avert the…”
    “…catastrophic repercussions of that event?” The Director finished for him.
    “Yes, sir. That is one way to put it.” He could only thank