Unity by Carl Stubblefield (epub read online books TXT) 📕

of conscience has allowed you to do whatever it takes to become the highest caste in the hybrid clans. Why would I want to inherit a kingdom built upon such a foundation?”

“Pshaw! Begone! You do nothing but irritate me. You have never cared for the struggle of your people, and you put their future at risk by running around playing super, away from those who need you the most.” The lion spoke with finality and threw himself down onto his throne, clutching the armrests as if he was trying to crush them.

Prime turned around and spoke to Tempest. “I’m sorry, I tried.” She lowered her head and walked toward the shimmering curtain.

Gus gasped as he saw Prime’s face for the first time. Unlike her parents, who looked like anthropomorphic animals, Prime appeared human, except for her pink irises and perky ears high atop her head. Her hair also seemed to have a slight pink tint to it amid mostly white, like cotton candy.

Tempest nodded grimly and followed her as they left.

No, this can’t be it. We’ve come so far and done so much. Gus thought desperately. Lagging behind as the others shuffled to leave, he thought of something.

“What if I can give you Dr. Flak’s research on insectoid integration? Wouldn’t that be of value to your clan?” He didn’t know if this was a total stab in the dark, but he hadn’t seen anything besides mammalian and avian hybrids, well, ever. Which amounted to mostly the last fifteen minutes.

If the Quorian had something he could barter with, it might be worth something. When he saw the royals’ eyes widen and the furtive glance they exchanged, he knew he had been correct. Gaining confidence, Gus looked at the others. Prime had turned around, mouth pursed in a thin line. Her eyes seemed to scream for Gus to stop talking but he was on a roll. It would work.

“How do you even know that name, youngling? Dr. Flak was before his time, and definitely before yours. I am intrigued you know something about the rumors of his research, but everyone knows that it was all lost when he disappeared right before the fighting began in that unfortunate misunderstanding all those years ago—” Prime’s mother began before being rudely cut off.

“Do not toy with us, little man. And do not promise something you can’t deliver. You try my patience by your mere presence. Don’t think you can tease the court without dire punishment,” the lion snarled in warning, his large face contorted in rage and contempt.

No guts no glory, Gus.

“I can get you that information, as long as we get what we’re looking for as well…”

“Speak your terms, but know this: You will not leave until you have given us what you know regardless.”

“Before you get any big ideas, I am pretty sure that only I can access the information, so killing me will do nothing. I also have to be in a pretty focused mental state, so I wouldn’t try torturing me, or stressing me out by harming my companions. We can make this a win-win.”

“Out with it!” the impatient king demanded.

“I don’t have it on me, but I can access it quickly. What we need is to find somebody. We were told she was taken here, but we have no leads.”

“That’s incredibly vague, little man,” the cheetah chided, her voice playful yet retaining some patronizing undertones.

“If you can’t help us, then—”

“I never said that!” she said sharply, honeyed words turning icy for just a moment as she relaxed her pinched features as quickly as they had appeared. “We have someone we use for such… jobs. But we would need much more information. There’s no guarantee that even he could help you, but if anyone could, it would be him.”

“Then I will volunteer to stay until Gus provides you the information, as a show of our good faith,” Prime offered resolutely. “You will allow them to check on your lead, and if it is of dubious validity then I am under no obligation to stay.”

“Done!” the two royals said in unison, eyes afire.

Gus’ heart felt like it had been hit with a large mallet. He wasn’t even sure if he could deliver what he had promised, and now Prime had put herself in a position she obviously wanted no part in just to secure the deal. He tried to keep the horror out of his eyes as he saw a Cheshire grin spread over Prime’s parents’ leonine faces.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

In My Head

Prime glanced over and her eyes narrowed slightly as she saw Gus’ hesitation.

“Gu~u~u~s… what does that expression mean? Do you have the information to trade or not?” Prime whispered out the side of her mouth.

“Well, sort of…”

“What?! You can’t back down from a promise to the High Court!” she hissed, catching herself and speaking with forced calm. “They will torture you. Play with you for their pleasure! Don’t forget their cat aspect—it influences how they deal with their prey. Even worse, they can bring you to the edge of death and back, thanks to being able to access and read your remaining health.”

“But they’re not supers, they don’t have a display—”

“There are some supers in Hinansho. They just have made certain pledges to be able to stay here. Some of the more devious ones aligned themselves with the clans and especially the High Court. You know what an inquisitor is, don’t you?”

“No, but it doesn’t sound good.”

“It isn’t! Do whatever you can, but you have to get that information,” Prime pleaded with Gus, horror in her eyes evident with her huge pupils that would have been at home in an exaggerated anime reaction.

Crap. Why can’t I just keep my big mouth shut? I thought I’d have more time to play around with the cube, but when are things easy and convenient?

Gus turned to Aurora and whispered, “Can you watch over me while I delve? I don’t know how long this will take. If they pressure you—say that it’s heavily encrypted