The Refugee (The Korvali Chronicles Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

publication on the six classes of methylation inhibitors?” As he spoke, his speech seemed to suddenly grow more fluid, his accent softer.
    “You know my work?”  
    “Yes. We study all publications from Earth’s geneticists.”
    “Wha… why? Isn’t our work a bit rudimentary to you?”
    He thought for a moment. “Perhaps. It can also be… interesting.”
    Catherine couldn’t help but smile at his attempt at diplomacy.  
    The Korvali smiled in response. It wasn’t a big smile or, really, much of a smile at all. It was a subtle change in his expression that somehow conveyed pleasure.
    “That’s an old paper,” she finally replied, recovering from her surprise. “Anyway, that’s as far as I got before you came to life… rather suddenly.”
    “Yes, you both appeared… what is the word?”
    “Surprised.”
    “Yes. Surprised. I am familiar with your language, but unaccustomed to speaking with… outsiders.” The word came out strange, like he was uncomfortable with it.
    “You haven’t spoken to otherworlders before?”
    “No.”
    Catherine, again torn between the many, many questions she wanted to ask, decided to stick with the most important ones.
    “If you don’t mind my asking, which designer did this level of work on you? Was it Othniel? We have so little information on Korvali genetics, but Othniel’s work seemed to be heading in this direction.”
    His expression changed, and he broke his strong eye contact, if only momentarily.  
    Catherine felt a chill. She’d gone too far, asked too many questions. “Have I offended you?”
    “No. It is my work. I was the designer.”
    Catherine stared again. “You were.”
    “Yes.” He paused. “Othniel… provided guidance with the initial design.”
    “Othniel is your mentor?”
    “He was my father.”  
    Catherine nodded, unsure of what to say. Sensing she was in dangerous waters, she dropped it.  
    “You again appear… surprised,” he said.  
    “You aren’t what I expected.”
    He looked at her with his sea gaze. “Neither are you.” He then held out his webbed hand to her. “I am Eshel.”
    Catherine, completely taken aback by the unexpected offering, stared at the long-fingered, webbed hand before she finally put her hand in his and shook it. She was embarrassed that he, the outsider, had to offer his name, rather than she or Vargas asking for it. “Catherine,” she replied.
    Before either could say anything more, Eshel’s powerful gaze was redirected elsewhere. When Catherine followed his glance, she saw that Captain Ferguson had arrived. She’d been so absorbed by the Korvali that she hadn’t heard Vargas announce her arrival. She quickly turned and stood at attention.  
    Ferguson walked over to them, her graying raven hair pulled back into a bun. Her blue eyes had their usual gleam, her posture its usual confidence. “At ease,” she said, faintly waving her arm, not taking her eyes off the Korvali. “Welcome aboard. I’m Janice Ferguson, Captain of this ship. What’s your name, young man?”
    “I am Eshel,” he said, his manner once more aloof.  
    “Eshel, our first priority is to make sure you’re well. Doctor, what’s Eshel’s status?”
    Vargas replied with some trepidation that Eshel appeared to be healthy and functioning normally.  
    “Good,” Ferguson said. “How can we help you?”
    “I seek asylum from Korvalis.”
    Stunned at the Korvali’s request, Catherine turned to see Ferguson’s reaction.
    Ferguson could not contain her surprise either. “You want asylum? To live with us… to live under our protection?”
    “Yes.”
    “That’s no small request.” She eyed the Korvali for a moment before she shifted to a softer tone. “Your crewmates didn’t survive your journey.”
    His expression clouded over. “Yes.”  
    “They also sought asylum?”
    “Yes.”
    “What happened to them?”  
    “The Korvali Guard aimed their weapons at our water supply when they could not catch us. The