9781618852014TheSpaceCougarsCadetPierce by Unknown Read Free Book Online

naïve
young student. “However, I cannot take full credit. Your son is a gifted
scholar with a quick mind.”
    “True
enough. Even when he was a child, my wife and I often lamented his ingenuity,
which made disciplining him a challenge.” The emperor paused to flash a loving
smile at his wife, who inclined her head in agreement.
    “I
assume you have been apprised of the current crisis facing my world and the
others around it,” Zoeg went on, redirecting his
attention to Layla .
    “If
you mean the brigands, yes, Excellence. I am aware of the situation, though I
cannot claim expertise just yet.”
    His
expression darkened. Again he glanced at his wife, who nodded encouragement.
“This show of force Earth’s Central Command is proposing… some factions, I
understand, are not in favor. Are you?”
    Layla paused, realizing how much might depend on her
response. A careless answer—or the wrong one, in the emperor’s view—would not
be easily forgotten or quickly overcome. Once before, she had allowed the
Chancellor to intimidate her into going against her personal beliefs, as well
as her better judgment. Whatever consequences awaited her this time, she would
not allow that to happen again.
    “As
a matter of fact, I am not in favor,” she stated. “I find the entire proposal
misguided and possibly dangerous. Your son will be at risk, but so will many
other lives, not to mention the very principles the Institute was founded on. I
must do what Central Command orders me to, but in no way do I support their actions
in this case.”
    She
fell silent, as did the group standing around her. The emperor’s aides glanced
at one another, eyebrows lifted in silent inquiry. The emperor himself stared
at Layla for a long, tense moment, turned briefly to
his wife, and then back again.
    “You
have spoken wisely,” he said. “As it happens, the Empress and I agree with you.
In fact, we favor a program involving intense political outreach to many
quadrants. That brings me to a somewhat delicate matter. Our people are not, on
the whole, skilled in diplomatic methods. We will require some assistance in
these matters. Given your obvious skill in the classroom, we hesitate to
approach you, but we would be grateful if you would at least consider joining
us in our quest to restore peace through nonviolent methods. It has always been
the way of our people…and our son informs us you are one of us in spirit.”
    It
took a few moments for the full significance of his words to register. Though
she feared his Excellence would find it rude, she couldn’t stop her jaw from
dropping.
    “You’re
asking me to leave the Institute?” she asked in astonishment, still not
convinced she’d heard correctly. “To join you on your home planet?”
    “Please
think it over. The Empress and I ask no more than that. For now, though, we
must take our leave. We hope to speak with our son before the festivities
conclude.”
    “Of
course,” Layla said. The aides around her bowed, so
she did the same.
    Zoeg rose, and his wife followed him to his feet. They were
both tall and slim, she noticed, much like Jaret .
Their movements were as fluid and graceful as his were. No doubt the Zaraxians as a whole were beautiful, as well as highly
intellectual, people. Layla thought she could live
among them quite comfortably…because she had no doubt that she would accept the
Emperor’s offer.
    How
ironic that she would be on Jaret’s world while he
was in the middle of space on the Trailblazer. Surely he would come home for
leave now and again. She would simply have to wait…and trust what she held in
her hands and her heart.

     
    * * * *

     
    Back
in her office, she surveyed her collections of databooks ,
exotic art, and various gifts from students and their families over the years.
Packing it up would be no easy task, but suddenly she felt ready for the
challenge. Leaving felt right.
    It
felt like Fate.
    The
buzzing at her door didn’t surprise her. She had