TrainedtoDestroy by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page A

but Targo has to be there, for everyone’s safety.”
    He frowned. “No animals have ever been in an Archive outlet before.”
    Rathi laughed. “This is a Yaluthu. It is helping me maintain molecular stability.”
    “Oh. I suppose that you could bring it with you as long as it doesn’t shed or anything.”
    She lifted Targo so that they were eye to eye. “Don’t shed.”
    He chirped in what she hoped was agreement, and she resumed her position with him on her hip as they walked through the Citadel to the Archive access deep in the basement.
    “Why is the Archive access so secret?”
    Penodal gave her a disbelieving look. “Because this access point runs through the archives of nine systems via living relays. The information assembled in this sort of hub can bring down governments and topple planets.”
    “Oh.” She absorbed that. “Will you be doing the data retrieval or shall I?”
    “I will set you up, and you can do the recall on your own. I will be nearby in case you need any assistance.” He pressed his palm to a door pad and leaned forward for an optical scan.
    The door slid open, and he ushered her inside. She got her first look at the Archive access, and it was distinctly underwhelming. Three terminals, one master control and a view screen that reached from floor to ceiling made up the entire structure.
    Penodal helped her to a seat and pulled a second seat close for Targo. “You can enter in the data that you are seeking, and I will begin the uplink.”
    She entered Resko-Devi into the terminal in front of her and watched as Penodal sat in the master control, and he set a metal halo onto his head. He placed his hands flat on the desk surrounding him, and he breathed deeply. “Uplink commencing.”
    The screen in front of her flickered to life, and she saw the data streaming regarding the possible location she would be spending the rest of her life in.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Nine
     
     
    Resko-Devi had a peculiar life form that took the representation of dancing sparks of light. They had the odd ability to create objects from raw materials around their world. It was this ability that had thrown their very existence into jeopardy.
    Raiders and casual passersby had scooped up a few of the Resko-Devi for their own purposes and depleted the population to the point where it was in danger.
    After engaging the Sector Guard to help them, the Resko-Devi sat behind a phalanx of satellites and defensive weaponry, but the passive population did not like having that much metal in the skies above. Their view of the stars was blocked.
    Rathi absorbed the information as it scrolled past on the screen. She had been designed to assess information and make a decision as quickly as possible. With all the information on the Resko-Devi absorbed, she quickly typed in Ichadra.
    The information was old, but she watched the rise and fall of the species that had designed her. When the data stream was complete, she sat back and turned off the monitor. Her skin shivered, and she welcomed Targo as he hopped into her lap.
    Penodal rose to his feet. “Is that all you need to look up?”
    “It is. Thank you.” She waited for him to open the door, and when he paused next to her, she felt his hand on her waist.
    “If you are not doing anything this evening, I would love to discuss data mining and the histories of your people.” His low tone had a smooth and practiced rhythm to it.
    She lied. “I don’t know anything about my people other than that which I have learned today.”
    He didn’t open the door. “Would you care to learn more about the Citadel?”
    His hand on her waist was making her uncomfortable. She reached out and gripped his arm. “I am sure that the Guard can tell me what I need to know. I am not interested in spending time with you socially if that is where you are heading.”
    He blinked and backed up. “I understand…I think.”
    “Good. Now, let me out, and I will return to the base.”
    Targo was