Tech Tack Read Online Free Page B

it.”
    “You aren’t staying?” she was suddenly very nervous.
    “I will check into my quarters, get a change of clothing and some dinner. If there is time, I will sleep, and if not, I will turn around and head out on my next assignment.”
    “Oh. I see.” Her hands fumbled as she unbuckled her harness.
    She got to her feet and headed for the rear hatch.
    Unsure of how to open it, she had to wait for him. He arrived a minute later and had a bag over one shoulder. He tapped in a code that released the door, and she was invited to take her first steps on a new world.
     
    Citadel Coordinator Turnari was waiting for her, his horns gleaming in the light. He had a podium and a contract ready.
    She looked into the page and began to read. She understood the necessity of being charged for her room and board as well as uniforms but was shocked to find that there were funds already set aside for her from two sources. The first source was the Alliance and the second was Navigator Lenz.
    “Navigator Lenz?”
    The administrator nodded. “She said she was a relative of yours. Her involvement in the issue is classified but your connection is not. It is a few lifetimes’ worth of spending money according to her.”
    The rates for her services were impressive as was the free year of any courses she chose to engage in. When she signed and pressed her thumb to the plate, a sigh rippled through the assembled crowd. Apparently, there was more at stake than she knew.
    She flicked a look at Turnari. “You are going to tell me what that was about?”
    He smiled and exhaled in relief. “Your relative mentioned that if you were coerced into signing or hesitated in anyway, she was ending her career as jump mapper. You have provided your signature in front of as many witnesses as we could gather to assure her that you signed up on your own.”
    Ainora looked around at all the faces who were staring at her with interest. There was no hostility, just curiosity. She looked down and saw the number on her suit. She looked at Turnari, turned and saw Lyon then returned to the administrator.
    “I would like some new clothing please. I am not this number anymore.”
    He smiled and gestured for her to walk the path to the doors. “Welcome to Citadel Morganti, Ainora Lenz. Please make it your home.”
    She turned and walked toward the crowd that parted as she approached. “We will see.”
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    She twisted from side to side. “White?”
    Yinfa, the guide that she had been assigned, grinned. “It is a novice colour. Once you have been assessed, you will be given your occupation-identification colours.”
    The robes were a nice touch. They made everything feel dramatic. She shifted and twisted and watched them flare out.
    “What do we do first?”
    “I have been ordered to check and see if you need rest, and if you don’t, an assessment is scheduled.”
    Ainora put her hands on her hips. “Well, Yinfa, I have plenty of energy, so let’s get the assessment out of the way. White isn’t my colour.”
    Yinfa smiled and led the way out of Ainora’s quarters and down the hall. She was already placed as a specialist, but there were still the technicalities to adhere to.
    Ainora kept looking over at the scarlet skin and white hair of her guide.
    Yinfa grinned. “I am pretty sure that they assigned me to you just to help you get used to other species.”
    “Do your ears have two points?”
    “They do, and my nose does split down the middle, oh and my tongue is forked. You haven’t even commented on my tail.” Yinfa laughed, her golden eyes gleaming.
    “I didn’t think it polite.”
    Giggling together, they walked down the halls until they reached the assessment office. Iyanna and Vesa were waiting to scan Ainora with the ubiquitous tea.
    Iyanna did the assessment and Vesa helped to apply the information she discovered. All being together in one room made the arrangement go faster.
    Iyanna sat across from her and extended her