Zein: The Homecoming Read Online Free PDF Page B

had to try. ‘Myolon, did we not try this before, yet the Pod grew back more powerful and their hatred for us immeasurably greater?’
    Myolon hesitated, choosing his words carefully. ‘I do acknowledge, Lord Chancellor, this has been tried before but this serum is stronger and now we know that rather than dispersing it in the atmosphere, if we place it in the main reservoir deep in the planet, where their queen resides, we will be able to wipe out all the Pod.’
    Tate’s breathing became more forced as panic rose within him. He deployed every fibre of his body to suppress the fear he felt. He knew he was losing the argument.
    ‘Yes, that is what we need!’ Quinlan shouted, He had lost his wife, Aaila, six manos ago in a foraging expedition on the surface and his hatred of the Pod was all consuming. Tate fully understood that with the Tythers backing thisapproach there was only one way to go or he stood the chance of being deposed which would provide Safah with the chance to step in to become Lady Chancellor. Then all hell would break loose , he thought morosely.
    One last try . ‘That would mean killing all their women and children and how can we be sure there will be no impact on us?’ he challenged.
    ‘They kill our women and children!’ said Eben angrily. He had lost many of his kin when defending the barricades.
    Myolon did not waver. ‘The question you need to ask yourself Lord Chancellor is, will the savagery and hatred likely decrease or increase in the Pod and if that answer is increase, then the whole blood line needs to be cleansed.’ Cheering for his words echoed around the chamber but he wasn’t finished, realising he still needed to answer Tate’s other question; ‘We have already tested this serum with the Blackstones.’ Tate looked across at the smug Safah, who inclined her head to confirm the statement. Jaida whipped around to look at her mother, her face registering shock and Safah returned the look without flinching. ‘There were no side effects.’
    ‘But…’ Tate started to say in rebuttal but it was now Myolon who went for the jugular.
    ‘Lord Chancellor, the Pod are savage beasts with no empathy to us. They want to remove us from Zein and they are happy to kill our women and children. Why are you defending them? Your father would not hesitate to back this plan.’ Tate felt hostile eyes on him. He was angry that Myolon had brought his late father, Lord Lambert Malacca, into the discussion. That was a low blow.
    Irrespective of how he felt, the challenge brought the desired effect in the room. He had no remaining allegiances in the Inner Council on this issue and knew he had lost. Tate stood and with a heavy heart, and after clearing histhroat, stated, ‘I, as Lord Chancellor, accept and uphold your proposal. Proposal to be carried out within the next two termins.’ The chamber went wild, Myolon bowed to Tate and with a satisfied smile sat down and surveyed the impact of his proposal impassively as the excitement rose in the room.
    Tate caught Jaida’s eyes and saw her sympathy for his position. He slumped back down on his throne, knowing he had just signed the death warrant for over five million souls. There could be no joy in that.

Chapter 3: Journey Home
    His mother was running towards him, hands outstretched, glancing back behind her fearfully. The dark brooding figure in red and black was gaining, his hand reaching out and grabbing hold of her shoulder. Photon shots pinged past them indiscriminately from the raging battle around them seeking targets. The disdain on Zylar’s face drove Tyson against the brick wall of the stony faced Ilsid in front of him, his seckle slashing through the air in its lethal arc of death.
    Tyson heard her screaming in his head, his magics out of control as he tried to reach his mother. Zylar’s hand held her back as he pushed the device on his wrist and vanished into thin air. Leila screamed one last time as she disappeared from Tyson’s view,