Zero's Return by Sara King Read Free Book Online

sat
down and made himself comfortable, vaguely excited at the prospect of seeing a
member planet chastised, since that always spiced up the usual humdrum
discussion of intergalactic politics.
    When the First
Citizen’s image turned to him , however, Fred felt the blood drain from
his face.  He glanced at the seats nearest him, trying to determine if possibly
the hologram only looked like it was facing him.
    All doubts faded
when the First Citizen’s alien snarl filled the room.
    “ Representative
Mullich. ”  The speaker inset in the small lectern in front of Fred made him
jump.  His heart began to pound and he swallowed convulsively.
    The alien
hologram began to snarl again.
    “ We have
received reports that your planet has begun stockpiling weapons.  Are your
people preparing for a war against Congress? ”
    Weapons? 
Shit!  Sweat broke out on Fred’s face in a warm sheen as he quickly said,
“No, Representative Aliphei, Earth has no intentions of attacking any member of
Congress.  Humans are loyal members.” 
    The hologram
made a snort and what sounded like a high-pitched giggle, followed by several
guttural clicks.
    There was no
translation from the Watcher, which meant Aliphei had intentionally switched
his translator off as he conferred with his Bajnan assistants.  Knowing what
that meant, Fred broke out in goosebumps.  Oh God, he thought, in
growing panic.  They found something.  Those furgs back home got caught!
    Aliphei spoke
again, and this time it was translated.  “ Not only is your planet
stockpiling ships and weapons, but it has radically increased its science
funding. ”    
    “For peaceful
uses,” Fred said quickly.  Too quickly.  He winced, biting back the rest of
what he had been going to say.
    Aliphei spoke,
and there was an iciness to his voice that even the Watcher managed to
translate.  “ We have reason to believe that Earth has instituted a breeding
program for genetically-enhanced Human foot-soldiers. ”
    Fred’s jaw
dropped.  The First Citizen was accusing Earth of breaking the Second Law of
Congress, the most damning thing a member planet could do, other than attacking
another member planet.
    “ Well,
Mullich? ” Aliphei’s hologram demanded.
    “That’s not
possible,” Fred babbled.  “Genetics experiments…you misunderstand the reports!”
    The Shadyi’s
snort of disdain was translated impeccably.  “ I misunderstand nothing.  My
information is much better than your own, Mullich.  See for yourself. ”
    At that, a Human
girl appeared in the center of the room, suspended in air like a rag doll. 
Even from that distance, Fred could tell that her eyes were glazed over almost
as if she were drugged.  Immediately, an image appeared on his lectern, and on
every other lectern in the Regency.  It was a scan of a Human brain.  Embedded
deep within the tissue, a square cube of white rested like a cyst.  A chip,
much too bulky to be Congressional-made.  Fred felt bile rising in his throat.
    “ She is one
of many we have captured, ” Aliphei growled.  “ Human generals forced her
to do their bidding by triggering the pain response through the rudimentary
chip in her brain. ”
    “That doesn’t
prove…” Fred began.
    “ She has the
ability to move objects and matter, ” Aliphei interrupted.  “ Human
scientists also experimented with telepathy and energy manipulation, as well as
dabbled in a failed shapeshifting project, and Earth’s military is openly
combating our patrols with the telekinetics and telemorphs as we speak.  We
already lost three ships to these mutated abominations. ”
    There was a roar
of outrage from those gathered in the Regency.  Fred suddenly wished he could
shrink out of sight.
    “ Representative
of Earth,” Aliphei’s voice boomed, “I demand a Trial. ”
    Fred’s mouth was
suddenly dry.  The entire Regency was a resounding clash of noise, three
thousand different alien languages demanding justice.
    “Watcher,”