Page 4 of Secret War

“No, but I was informed I might be tapped to help a young ensign who went through a nasty experience in the field.” Their Imdiko popped a small salt potato in his mouth, eyeing Tranis. He sidled closer.

“Should I leave the room?” Cassidy was willing to step away if it meant Tranis could lessen his burden. He assumed responsibility too easily, including for matters he had no control over.

Besides, she could sneak a peek at her remote reports on her latest lab tests beyond Degorsk’s sight.

“Maybe you shouldn’t.” Tranis’ answer surprised her. “It might be helpful to get your professional opinion on the scientific end of what’s confronting me. You’ll have to sign a note of confidentiality, on pain of prosecution if you discuss this outside of us.”

“Oh, sounds so clandestine. Give me the contract and tell me more.” She beamed, curious about what was going on.

He did so but waited until they were seated at the table for dinner to talk.

The dining room was as snug as the kitchen, where Degorsk and Lidon cooked amazing meals when they weren’t too busy to settle for ordering in. Cassidy thought it was wonderful Lidon had been able to return to a homecooked meal. It almost felt like a celebration, which she believed the occasion warranted. Two months of her Nobek’s absence had been a trial, the small polished table for four feeling empty without his presence.

Tranis’ worry took some of the festiveness from their reunion, however. He told her what little he deemed necessary to gain her opinion. “There’s evidence a lifeform from another dimension has crossed partially over into ours. You’ve heard rumors of phasing technology?”

“They’re true? Have you done it? I’ll have to run tests on cellular samples.”

“I haven’t, but Lidon has as part of his latest mission. There are plenty of studies done on those who’ve phased, short and long term. I’ll get you the particulars.” Tranis offered her a bite of ribs.

Cassidy was practically dancing on her floor cushion and talked between chewing. “This is amazing. So this new lifeform, it’s noticed when you phase? Because you’re looking in another dimension?”

“It’s unclear what exactly is going on. Sometimes we can see them. Most the time we can’t, except for a few who catch them in their peripheral vision. One of our operatives believes there’s a sort of ‘between’ place separating dimensions, and that’s where most of our encounters are taking place. From there, these Darks, as most have taken to calling them, can affect our side of things.”

“Is it natural to them, or do they need the use of devices as we do?” Questions were arriving faster than Cassidy could catalog them.

“Unknown. My biggest question for you is what sort of lifeform can live in the vacuum of space?”

“It was observed doing so?” She pushed aside the forkful of potatoes Degorsk waved in front of her face. The Kalquorian tradition of the men feeding their female mate was occasionally a pain in the ass.

“A huge entity, bigger than our spyship, was indeed living in space, as did the miniature versions of itself that left its body. It seems to procreate by releasing smaller, identical pieces of itself. The smaller pieces can do the same, until they’re around the size of my fist.” He clenched his hand to demonstrate.

“Wow. That’s…that’s astonishing. Did anyone get samples?” She grabbed Degorsk’s wrist to keep the potatoes at bay.

“You have to eat. Can’t this wait?” he grouched to Tranis.

Their Dramok ignored him. “No samples, but we do have video footage.”

Video. She could barely breathe. “I have to see it.”

Tranis nodded. “I’ll show you after dinner. You’d better eat before Degorsk has a heart attack.”

“Apparently I’m the only one who recognizes she’s feeding two. Does anyone else care she’s pregnant and already overworking herself? Now you’re bringing her in on this?” Degorsk looked ready to fling his plate at someone.

“My Imdiko, this is a matter of great urgency,” Lidon soothed.

“Do the entities constitute a danger to the empire?” Cassidy asked, her excitement quieting. “They do, don’t they? Are they here?”

Tranis gazed at his half-eaten meal. “Maybe. They could be a threat to the entire galaxy.”

Degorsk stilled, his irritation shifting to concern. “How sure of that are you?”

Tranis looked at his clanmates, and ice stabbed Cassidy’s heart at his expression of open fear. “They already wiped out Bi’is.”

“What do you mean, ‘wiped out’?”

“Everyone on the planet is dead. Admiral Hobato doesn’t seem to care.”

Chapter Two

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