Saints of the Void: Atypical Read Online Free Page A

tension.
    “We know because that is our most important goal: to
gather information that no one else can. That includes information
on Social Cyphers, its participants, and its goals. From the
inception of my organization, that is what we have done.”
    The glance Dastou gave to Nes had two intentions. The
first was to show what exactly he meant when he said “we.” He was
sure they saw the young, fit, dedicated corporal as much as the
customized and considerably dangerous dress sword hanging at his
side. The second aim was to see how close Nes was to laughing at
the roundabout insult being made. Not close enough, sadly.
    They had made a bet about this. Four such meetings in
as many months and Dastou always had some trick to play: a mineral
lode location to give up, a new technology to leverage away, and so
on. Usually when the depth of the Saint’s preparation was revealed,
Nes laughed heartily at how ignorant the holders of the meeting
were about thinking they had any power over the DSF. The wager for
today was that if the corporal would hold in his chuckles in like a
professional, Dastou would buy him dinner for a month. The odd bet
came from the Saint having decided to only use money from a set
stipend for a year, just to see what it was like to be limited in
expenditures. Nes’ stolid expression meant the Saint was about to
be very broke for a few weeks while his friend ordered nothing but
expensive seafood and rare fruits.
    “That is why we cross borders,” admitted Dastou after
looking back toward the seated council. “All your sovereignty and
independence means a lot to you, but it has nothing to do with us. We are independent as well, and the Davranis Security Force
will not halt our missions or research. I don’t care what you want
out of...”
    And just as he was finishing up the slight that this
entire meeting was leading to, the Saint just stopped. He froze in
place, not even blinking, like some animals do as a self-defense
posture. All Dastou could focus on was Tryst’s disinterest in what
was being said while everyone else was enthralled to find out why
the DSF existed – a secret held close until today. Something else,
too. Tryst was looking down until Dastou stopped mid-sentence.
Receiving a message, maybe?
    “Hey, you alright?” asked Nes, letting the forced
hard countenance drop for real concern.
    Dastou barely heard him. His mind had been taken over
by an overwhelming, instinctual sensation, and he knew only one
thing at that very moment, which he said out loud.
    “We have to go. Now.” As soon as Dastou said that he
turned around and started walking – fast – towards the
exit.
    “What? ” asked Nes, keeping pace with the Saint
toward the double doors between the benches. The Stone-State
Council, if somewhat put-off by the bringing up of a taboo subject,
were likely incensed at this sudden desire to exit very soon after.
It didn’t matter, not as much as the need to get out of this place
and back to somewhere... safer?
    Dastou shoved open both doors, and as the honored
guests were walking out into the hall, a small earthquake struck as
if waiting for the best possible timing. Barely enough to shake
what little dust had accumulated in this new building, the Council
members could nonetheless be heard standing up, half-panicked
voices asking several variations of “what is happening?” The Saint
asked himself the same question while rushing out and away.
    *****
    Dastou hurriedly opened the door to his office and
entered. Nes, still right behind him, closed the door. The click-click of the hidden magnetic deadbolt meant that the
corporal had swiped his thumb on a black plastic strip next to the
door to activate the security feature.
    Saan-Hu was leaning against the desk, and the Saint
could see she had some questions lined up and ready to go. Her
dumbfounded look also revealed that if she could turn pale, she
would have. He had assigned Saan the task of hacking the security
camera feed