Page 58 of Alien Prince

He placed a hand on my shoulder, the warmth of his touch soothing. “Your compassion is one of your greatest strengths,Maisie. But sometimes, we must take risks to protect the greater good.”

I turned to face him, our eyes meeting. The sincerity in his gaze steadied me. “I know. I just needed to hear it.”

Ryler joined us, his reflection appearing in the glass. “We'll minimize the risks as much as possible.”

I managed a small smile.

Kas nodded firmly. “Then it's settled. We proceed with the plan.”

The three of us stood there for a moment, the sun casting a golden halo around us. The distant sounds of the palace waking up drifted through the air—the murmur of voices, the soft clatter of breakfast being prepared, the melodic chimes signaling the start of a new day.

“Time to play our parts,” Ryler declared, breaking the silence.

“Be careful,” I cautioned. “They'll be watching you closely.”

He winked. “They won't suspect a thing. After all, who would believe the charming Prince Ryler could be disloyal?”

Kas rolled his eyes affectionately. “Just don't overdo it.”

We parted ways, each embarking on our assigned tasks. As I made my way to the communications center, the corridors buzzed with activity. Courtiers and staff moved with purpose, their conversations a backdrop of whispers and footsteps. The scent of freshly baked bread and sweet fruits filled the air, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since the previous day.

Entering the secured communications room, I was greeted by the soft hum of machinery and the cool glow of holographic interfaces. Screens displayed streams of data, encrypted messages, and surveillance feeds. I sat at a console, the chair conforming to my body as sensors activated the system.

“Access I.R.M.A. secure channel,” I commanded.

A soft chime acknowledged the request, and soon, the holographic image of Commander Maria Vasquez appearedbefore me. Her sharp features and steely gaze were as familiar as they were comforting.

“Ambassador Carter,” she greeted. “I was not expecting your call.”

“Commander,” I replied. “We have a situation developing on Xeno Prime that requires immediate attention.”

Her expression tightened. “Go on.”

I briefed her on the unfolding coup, our plan to expose the conspirators, and the potential implications for intergalactic relations. She listened intently, occasionally nodding or making notes.

“This is serious,” she remarked once I'd finished. “Do you have the evidence to back up these claims?”

“I've transmitted the data to you via secure channels,” I confirmed. “We need I.R.M.A.'s support to monitor external communications and prevent any interference from outside factions.”

She considered this. “You'll have our support. But proceed with caution, Maisie. The political ramifications could be significant.”

“Understood,” I said. “Thank you, Commander.”

“Stay safe,” she urged before the connection terminated.

Leaning back in my chair, I allowed myself a moment of respite. A notification chimed, indicating an incoming message. It was from Zoirse.

“All trusted personnel are in place. Awaiting further instructions.”

I typed a quick response. “Maintain positions. Be alert for any unusual activity.”

Rising from the console, I exited the communications center. The day was progressing rapidly, and the palace was abuzz with the usual routines. Yet beneath the surface, a silent tensionpermeated the air—a hidden current that only a few of us were attuned to.

As I walked through the grand hallways adorned with tapestries depicting Xeno Prime's rich history, I couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility pressing upon me. The cool touch of the stone walls against my fingertips anchored me amidst the swirl of emotions.

Turning a corner, I nearly collided with Bayn.

“Ambassador Carter,” he greeted, his voice as measured as ever. His questioning eyes searched mine. “You seem preoccupied.”

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