CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh Read Free Book Online

accusations or threats. We are here to resolve this dilemma.”
    Prefect Enteller shot Byron a warning glance before gesturing to the three empty chairs to his right. Ignoring the inference, Byron strode toward his seat. He sensed the hostility as he rounded the large table. Selecting the middle seat, he allowed Athee to take the chair beside the prefect. He required a cushion around him if he was to keep his head for the duration of this meeting.
    The others murmured amongst themselves as they waited. Sensitive to mental emissions, Byron was aware of the unease and anger permeating the room. He detected a hint of fear but not enough to sway the overriding stubbornness of those present.
    You should be afraid, he thought, pulling up the latest war report on his tablet.
    “Order!” Prefect Enteller said. “Commander Byron, we have already deliberated our position on this war, but we want full details before we declare our intentions. What is the extent of Cassan involvement in the war?”
    Byron didn’t need to refer to his computer for that answer. “What began as skirmishes involving the Fesell and the Narcon and Vindicarn have now grown to encompass nine of the known races. Cassa officially joined defenses with the Fesell, Arellens, and Charren while the Torbeth, Jerril, and Lorvendera joined with the Narcon and Vindicarn.”
    Several prefects gasped, but Byron suspected most didn’t comprehend the implications of such an alliance. The races had often bickered with one another, but never were the lines drawn so clearly as now. And at the moment, the Cassan’s enemies had the advantage.
    One of the older prefects rapped his fingers against the tabletop. “Has no truce been offered on either side?”
    “The uneasy truce we had with the Vindicarn has dissolved,” Byron said, leaning back in his seat. “They have refused all attempts at negotiations, as have the Narcon. We are past that point now. A truce will come when one side emerges the victor.”
    “They won’t listen to reason?”
    “The Vindicarn are desperate for resources and will stop at nothing to expand their territory. Because we have such a checkered history, they won’t listen to reason. An agreement might have been reached with the Narcon, but once the Vindicarn became involved, reconciliation was not an option.”
    “So the Cassans are to blame for the Vindicarn’s path of destruction?” another Tgren said.
    Clasping his hands together so as not to strike out at the man, Byron dropped his chin. He chose his response with care. “Would you rather we’d let them conquer all known space forty years ago instead?”
    He felt his mate’s touch but ignored it. Byron didn’t want consolation.
    “Forty years ago, they would’ve passed right over Tgren, knowing we weren’t a threat,” another man stated. “Now we are a target because of Cassan occupation.”
    His words broke Byron’s resolve to remain calm and he slammed his fist on the table. “You are a target because of the rich supply of letrellium on this planet! Only five races have mastered teleportation, and the Vindicarn and Narcon are two of them. They would rape your planet for that compound and level your cities in the process.”
    “Gentlemen, this isn’t solving anything!” said Prefect Enteller. “I’m not happy with the circumstances that brought this war to our part of the galaxy, but now we must deal with enemy ships prowling the edge of our solar system. We must prevent this war from involving Tgren.”
    Enteller’s statement confirmed Byron’s suspicions. Disgusted with the situation, he crossed his arms. Diplomacy was not his strong suit. His leadership skills and familiarity with Tgren had secured him the position of commander. Moments such as these reminded him why he preferred the cockpit of a Cosbolt.
    They are scared, Athee thought, her words intended for him alone.
    Not scared enough.
    “Commander Byron?”
    Turning to the speaker, Byron recognized the prefect