The First One's Free by TS Hottle Read Free Book Online Page A

his seat and began digging into the
breakfast Laral had ordered for himself. “That’s quite all right,
General. A man of your accomplishments and stature has a right to
expect preferential treatment.” When the servant returned with a
beverage for Laral, Kai said, “Summon Palak. Tell him I require a
witness.”
    The general finally smiled. “Will the lovely
Tishla be joining us as well?”
    “The lovely Tishla was up all night with her
duties.” Kai shoved a forkful of tuber into his mouth and again
regretted not importing any salt with the last shipment of
provisions. “I bonded her for her mind as well as her beauty, you
know. Which is why I’ve summoned Palak. I will need Tishla’s
brilliant mind to shape those two new planets you will be helping
me secure.”
    Laral had started to raise his cup to his
lips and stopped. “Need her?”
    “Oh, yes, General,” said Kai. “I slept on
your proposal last night. I accept on condition you make a vow in
front of another member of the Warrior Caste.”
    The captain of Kai’s palace guard entered,
dressed in black with no visible armor this morning. “Sire, you
wished to see me?”
    “Ah, Palak. The General has a business
proposal I’d like to accept.” He looked to the ceiling. “House,
record.”
    “Begin recording,” a dull female voice said,
sounding about as real as the stuffed birds Kai knew Laral kept in
his own home on Blutoch.
    “General Laral Jorl,” said Kai, “the terms
you outlined yesterday are as follows: You agree to militarily
support the taking of two rogue colonies at the coordinates given
us by the Tianese known as Marq. You will provide transportation,
weapons, and incursion capsules for my colonists to neutralize the
squatters and agree to send colonists recruited to take over and
develop both worlds. Is this correct?”
    Laral looked like a trapped meezu . He
bowed his head.
    “General,” said Kai, “this is an audio-only
recording. Please signify that this is your offer with a yes or a
no.”
    “Yes.”
    The answer made Kai giddy, particularly
because Laral looked nauseated saying it. “And your terms offered
were as follows: We acquire for you a city near the second planet’s
northern pole to secure its manufacturing capacity. We agree to
give you ten percent of our harvests as payment for your support.”
Kai struggled not to sound like he was gloating with his next
statement. “And once my new worlds are officially secured, you
agree to take possession of Essenar as compensation.”
    “Have you not considered selling Tishla’s
indenture contract?” asked Laral.
    “I did. And I reject that option. Therefore,
I offer you an entire world, one you have the resources to mine
that I do not have. Are we agreed, General?”
    Laral stared down at the plate of hot food
just placed before him. “I could not change your mind.”
    “General, Tishla’s indenture ends in one more
revolution. In the interest of producing a child, I may extend it.
If she successfully conceives, she will become my wife and be
elevated to High Born. If she fails, her talents and her brilliance
assure that she will always have a place with me as a Free Woman.
Therefore, I must reluctantly offer you Essenar instead.”
    “Sentimental cub,” Laral muttered under his
breath. “Very well. Governor Lattus Kai, I humbly beg you to accept
the terms we have just outlined. Upon securing the two rogue
colonies brought to our attention by the Tianese Marq, I, Laral
Jorl, your servant, will accept possession of Essenar.”
    Kai had one more item to add before asking
for Palak’s assent as witness. “Then upon confirmation of
possession in Confab, General, Essenar will become yours. Palak,
please give your name and make a statement of witness to this
deal.”
    Palak’s eyes shifted between Kai and Laral.
His look told Kai he wanted to be anywhere but the Governor’s
private dining room. “I, Orial Palak, Captain of the Governor’s
Palace Guard on Essenar,