Page 10 of Sublime Target

Clarissa suspected that voice had been specially developed to lure them all into a false sense of security.

A diagram appeared on the screen. It contained information on the few influential Kordolian figures they actually knew something about. Garner seemed to think he could just approach these people—these aliens—and influence them with his vast property empire and huge fortune. As if these aliens were actually in need of his services. As if they didn’t have their own superior technology that had allowed them to become the dominant force in the Nine Galaxies.

Like most of the elite super-wealthy individuals on this planet, Cooper Garner lived in his own little bubble. He’d been born into riches and taught that he could have everything he wanted in life. He was ruthless in business, but he could also be surprisingly naive. Clarissa suspected he was in denial about the true implications of Kordolians appearing in Earth’s orbit.

She studied Arista’s graph, staring at the figure at the top of the hierarchy.

Tarak al Akkadian.

Former High General of the Kordolian Imperial Military. Commander of the Imperial Fleet. Head of the Darkstar Corporation. Leader of the Kythian Revolution.

Did Garner really think that this Tarak al Akkadian would be the least bit swayed by his shiny new building developments or whatever the hell it was he wanted to sell them?

The brief text about the general was accompanied by a picture. Clarissa suppressed a shudder as she swallowed another mouthful of curry.

The image supplied by the AI was of a silver-skinned, pointy-eared alien. He looked somewhat like an elf, only his features were hard, not delicate. His hair was pure white, and his eyes were blood-red and as cold as ice.

A chill went down Clarissa’s spine. She couldn’t help it. These aliens were warriors. Killers. Enslavers and colonizers. The official story was that they’d renounced their old ways, but who really knew what their agenda was?

Did Garner really want to try and deal with these people?

A small, devious voice in her head told Clarissa that maybe it was a good thing. Maybe the trillionaire needed a reality check.

Was she a bad employee because she thought this way? Was she supposed to be trying to discourage him?

If she went out of her way to arrange some sort of meeting with the Kordolians, would that be considered passive-aggressive workplace behavior?

But that was what Garner wanted, right?

A list of names appeared on her holo—more influential figures within the Darkstar Corporation. This information was a result of the AI scanning all media reports and all citizen posts on the Network's socials.

Xalikian Kazharan (former Prince of the Empire)

Zharek (no surname known, role not specified)

The former High Commanders of the Kordolian Imperial military, answerable only to Tarak al Akkadian himself:

Iskar Gar-Kurai

Ikriss Peturic

Jerik Garul

Mardok Raghar

Tarkun Xiross

Each was accompanied by a profile shot, some grainy and indistinct, others as clear as day.

As expected, the five commanders were as hard and intimidating looking as their boss. Terrifying, really. A couple of the profile pictures were taken from what appeared to be real combat situations, where they were clad in sleek obsidian alien armor and decked out in an arsenal of futuristic-looking guns and blades in sheaths.

The least clear of them all was of the guy called Jerik Garul. His image had been captured in dim lighting. All she could make out was his powerful frame, the shadows of weapons, and what appeared to be a bald head.

Still, there was no question that this guy was as tough as nails. Clarissa wouldn’t want to be meeting him in a dark alley anytime soon.

She glanced at the time on the holo.

12:14am.

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