Page 59 of Protected by the Alien Warrior Triad

Gods – I don’t want them to leave me!

Tenderfoot is oblivious to my turmoil.

“From my research,” he strokes his long, white beard, “I believe the ‘price’ I paid will give travel both ways – from the homeworld of these Aurelians, and back to it.”

The ‘price’ he paid.

I swallow hard and make up my mind that I don’t want to know the price he’s talking about. The Lord Tenderfoot might seem harmless, but I see an almost crazed look of obsessive need in his eyes, whenever he glances over at the Orb-Sphere that dominates this room.

Diana looks like she’s about to faint. I feel a tinge of shame as she slumps down on one of the many chairs. She was locked up in a dungeon for Gods-know-how-long, then rescued by a species she’d been raised to fear and hate, and now she’s forced to question everything she’dthoughtshe knew in the presence of the same fearsome Orb-Sphere as me.

I look to the glowing, blue-black ball of otherworldly mystery, and I realize how the almost imperceptible vibration of it cuts through you like a knife. There’s no other way to think in this thing’s presence – except with brutal honesty.

Lord Tenderfoot noticed Diana’s reaction and gives her a long gaze of sadness. “Lady Pooler… The Viceroy took you into custody to use you as political leverage against your father. He now has witnesses that you escaped with the help of Aurelians. The people will believe that you are working with the Aurelians, and the Viceroy will whip them up into a frenzy against you and your family. You have no future here. You have to leave.”

I see the first hint of tears in her eyes, but she juts up her chin. “No. No! That’s crazy. My father has many powerful friends.”

Tenderfoot shakes his head. “Not after what happened today. Anyone who aids you will be branded by the same poisonous rumors as you will be. If you leave, then your father can argue that the Aurelians kidnapped you while you were in Lord Aeron’s custody. With the proper argument, perhaps we can weaken the credibility of Aeron’s version of events. With the firebombing of Barl, they’re already on weak footing. Perhaps the people of the Capital will finally wake up – and the reign of Lord Aeron’s tyranny can finally be ended.”

I can see that the old man looks at Diana with care, but I grow suspicious. I wonder how much of his concern is for the young noblewoman, and how much is based on getting the puppet Lord Aeron out of power.

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Diana protests. “You want me to go to the jungle planet with these brutes? How the hell will I ever get back!”

I know I should feel concern for her, but suddenly another pang of jealousy hits me.

Great. This gorgeous, highborn lady – who makes me remember that I’m nothing more than a greasy mechanic – is coming to the jungle planet with us. I have no choice – I’m on the run – but couldn’t she just hide out with Lord Tenderfoot? Or…

Then it hits me.

Oh, Gods! I’m going to go to a jungle planet?

The reality of the situation strikes me like a punch in the face.

Of course I have to go. I’ve poisoned Lord Aeron. I’ve broken three Aurelian fugitives out of jail. If I stay in the Capital – or even Independence itself – it’ll only be a matter of time before I’m caught, executed, orworse.

“I’m scared,” whimpers Tyler.

“I’ll keep these children safe,” Lord Tenderfoot sees my pained expression. “I’ll care for them in secrecy. The jungle planet is no place for a child.”

He snorts, returning to absent-minded scholar.

“They write that there are eagles the size of a transport ship there, and legend even tells of huge, winged reptiles in the sky – like the dragons of the Old Earth legends.”

“No! I’m going with Tammy!” Stacy cries, understanding what we’re talking about. There’s fiery anger in her voice, and I take pride knowing she learned that from me.

I look at Lord Tenderfoot. I can tell he has a good heart – one that is full of grief at the loss of his niece just yesterday.

“Youpromiseyou’ll keep them safe? And in secret?”

Lord Tenderfoot nods. “I’m out of the political sphere. I’m just happy to keep to myself and do my research. I enjoy learning more about different cultures, and I have great wealth with which to do so. Plus, no one saw your party entering my estate, and my staff is to be trusted. The children will be safe here.”

I stare at him, trying to tell if I can truly trust the old man or not.

“Once the search has died down,” Tenderfoot reassures me, “the orphans can be moved to a safer planet. No one will be suspicious of orphans having worked with Aurelians – they’ll be seen as victims, unlike the two of you.”

Diana and I glance at each other.

“I can look after them even off-world. I have estates on every planet in this solar system.”

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