Page 71 of I Married Amreth

“We don’t, but your case was unique in that Noah’s action made your people sick,” Nylar explained. “There had been many complaints lodged against him over the years for previous infractions and violations of safety and medical protocols. Had Jacobs reported what happened, Noah would have lost his license. Beyond the fact that his mother was always overlyprotective of him, she couldn’t lose the effective agent at exploiting primitive worlds that Noah proved to be.”

“I get that. But this all went down more than a decade ago. Our current research indicates that the source of the new disease is caused by an invasive species of berries,” I countered. “If that ever came out, Jacobs could argue that there’s no proof that his team brought them to Kestria. Various people come to work with the Sangoths under strict permissions. One of them could be responsible.”

“Which would have applied if not for SS12,” Nylar countered. “That changed everything for both good and bad.”

“How so?” Aku asked.

“Without the serum, everyone would have just moved on once your people were cured. But the serum stirred a lot of questions about the source. The work missions with the Sangoths were also a problem. Sooner or later, one of the seasonal workers would eventually discover the Kreelars, which would expose that incident. But the years passed and nothing happened, so we figured all was good. And then the messages began.”

“What messages?” I asked.

“Our demands that Elias fix what his team did to us,” Aku replied in his stead.

“Except Elias is no longer the weak and nearly broke researcher that he was back then,” Nylar said. “SS12 has made him insanely rich and influential. While Typhoon was able to silence him at the time, they no longer have as huge of a hold on him. He started messaging Marilia, Typhoon’s CEO, saying they were long overdue to come clean about the incident. Naturally, she did not agree with that. She charged me to make it very clear that he was to remain quiet about the matter and let her handle it.”

“Are you saying that Jacobs isn’t involved in any of this assassination plot?” I insisted.

He nodded. “Jacobs is an obnoxious ass, but he never wanted to keep any of this secret. Marilia forced him to in order to protect her own interests.”

“So what else were you going to do beyond poisoning our temples?” Aku asked.

“Nothing,” Nylar responded. “We were going to let my Puricis do its work. In one week’s time, we were expected to come back for a second dose if needed.”

“But why? We sent out those messages many months ago,” Aku insisted. “The attack on your ship was more than two weeks ago. Why come now?”

“Because we received confirmation that you had scientists here treating you. I immediately suspected that it was a trap and told Marilia as much. But she insisted that we come and wipe everyone out.”

“What made you think it was a trap?” I asked, baffled.

“Because the Enforcers never leak anything unless theywantthat information out there. And every single time, it’s a trap for the idiots and gullible,” Nylar said with a dejected expression.

And that much was true. I remembered all too well how they ‘encouraged’ me to leak similar information about pirate raids involving the Levendoc Corporation after Gaelec completed his sentence on Molvi.

“And yet, you came,” Aku challenged.

The Raithean snorted and smiled with resignation. “Like Elias, I didn’t have much of a choice. I’ve been working for Marilia for far too long. Once you get in too deep, there’s no turning back until you are set free—which rarely ever happens—or death claims you.”

“You are resigned to this death now that you have been captured, but you wouldn’t have risked it to avoid wiping outan entire species that, of your own admission, is innocent?” Aku snarled.

To my surprise, Nylar didn’t respond right away and took a moment to reflect on his answer.

“Truth be told, you were not people to me… not really. You were merely targets… a task. I don’t like hurting anyone who hasn’t done me wrong, but that has never stopped me from doing it, if it was my job. Compassion and empathy have no place in my line of work. Just know that it was not personal,” he replied in a factual manner.

Far from appeasing him, the Raithean’s words further incensed Aku, who bared his teeth at him.

Nylar lifted his chin defiantly. “You wanted the truth, you got it. I never claimed it would be pretty.”

“I should kill you,” Aku replied, his voice dangerously soft and low. “I should bring you to the people so that they can give both of you a slow and excruciating death. But even that would be too kind.”

My heart leapt with hope upon hearing his words, especially when he turned to look at me.

“I hear Molvi is a terrible place to serve on,” Aku said.

I smiled. “It certainly is.”

“It all depends on which Quadrant you serve in,” Nylar said in a nonchalant fashion. “I’ve already been on Molvi and came out unscathed, as you can see.”

“You never served in Dakon’s playground,” I retorted in an icy tone. “No one survives their sentences there. And I can assure you, it is exactly where you both will land for your crimes.”

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