Ancient Birthright Read Online Free Page A

around the table making eye contact with each individual. “The report, that Ops Prime handed me, has significant consequences for every crewmember and passenger on this ship. We have suffered a seventeen percent dropout in the aluminum catalyst reserves. That means, unless we find more aluminum on our inbound track to our planet, we will be unable to establish orbit when we reach home.
    “Engineering Division Lead Daroo, you will form a team to study the problem and present recommendations at the next scheduled staff meeting.”
    “Immediately,” Daroo answered.
    “You all know what this means. If we don’t find a way to replace the missing catalyst we’ll continue on our current course until all ships supplies are expended. The colony on Danuaa 3 and the souls on the Universe Explorer will all perish because we cannot complete our mission.”
    #
    The morning after Saigg’s sentencing, Department Leader Remoo walked into his room right at cycle change.
    Saigg straightened to attention, a smug smile quivering on his lips. He had spent three truebeats last night cleaning. Everything looked good. Remoo couldn’t have any complaints.
    “Passenger Garuu, I see you have engaged a personal assistant to make your bed, and that soul is late this morning. Is that the case?”
    “Ah...No, I generally don’t make my bed. I just pull up the covers when I climb in.”
    “I assume you are intelligent enough to figure out how to make a bed?”
    “I can make it. I just don’t want, too.”
    “Ship’s policy states that, ‘Quarters will be maintained in a clean and orderly state to eliminate the potential for vermin infestation or disease.’ Since you are ignoring ship’s policy and endangering every soul on board, it is my duty to bring this infraction to Command Prime, so that more drastic action can be taken.”
    “Okay, okay. I’ll make the stupid bed,” Saigg said as he yanked the blankets and sheets into place.
    Remoo waited until he’d finished before stripping it again. “Now make it properly with clean bedding. If you need instructions on how to properly make a bed, I will be happy to demonstrate.”
    Saigg grabbed the soiled bedding and left the room to find clean sheets and blankets. When he’d returned and started to make the bed, Remoo began pulling open the built-in drawers and closet doors. Saigg soon found out his idea of clean did not come from the same galaxy as that of DL Remoo.
    Remoo was making gagging noises as he opened drawers and slammed them shut again when the smell from the contents reached his nose.
    Why’s he so upset? They’re my clothes. Who cares if I store them in a wad rather than folded, and who cares if I’ve spilled a little food on them. They’re not “really” dirty.
    Maybe the skinks scrambling out of the drawers when he opened them scared him a little. He’s a big boy. He needs to get over it.
    Remoo turned and just stared at Saigg.
    Saigg surrendered, walked to the drawers, and began pulling out clothes so he could put them into piles for cleaning.
    I might as well wash everything. He’s not going to be satisfied until I do.

Chapter-4
    Socorro, New Mexico: Transjump plus 0 years, 7 days:
     
    “Beldon, wait up—Bel!” Terrie’s voice rose in pitch and volume as she ran to catch her older brother.
    “Sure, with the day I’ve had. I’m going to wait for you and let Billy catch me. Thank you, Lord, for making this the last day of school here in wonderful Podunk, New Mexico,” Bel mumbled as he leaned further into his backpack straps and kicked his speed up a notch.
    His younger sister continued to call after him as she trotted faster to catch him. He only had to make it one more block, and he was outside of Billy’s normal hunting grounds. Avoiding the class Neanderthal had become a daily occurrence. William Thadford Breathsword III, aka Billy, had been bullying him since they were twelve. What a perfect name. The idiot son of a U.S. Senator and the richest man