"That caring about your health and cleanliness, that intelligent thought, it's what first drew my attention. I must commend you, for other than those transgressions I would not have been able to distinguish your work or efforts from the others. You are indeed good at hiding it. As is Mr. Pike here, since you've taken him under your wing. With the others I was able to spot them through their recent behavior. As to the wait... I was in need of time to find a use for each of you. I now have one."
Hallik followed the threesome up the ramp before opening a door and gesturing for them to enter a room. Padded benches lined three walls.
"Please, have a seat. When the others arrive, we will have much to discuss."
Hallik and his armed assistants exited the room.
Martin Gecka looked at Jamus. "What have you done to us?"
The veteran farmer scowled. "Me? I haven't done anything. This is all new to me too. I've worked hard at keeping my head down. And all for what, so I could grind out a few more years of hard life as a farmer? I'm thinking now maybe I should have volunteered for the dissection years ago."
Daniel said, "You don't mean that. If you don't have hope, who of us does? Or should?"
Jamus Turnbull set his forehead in his hand, his elbow propped on his leg. The door opened and the other three aware farmers were pushed inside.
"Wait here. The master will be with you in a moment."
The girls sat as Dester Marr paced. "What is this? What is happening?"
Martin stood directly in his path with a scowl. "Sit and shut your mouth."
Dester returned a scowl of his own, sitting on a bench by himself. The Bachran girls took a seat next to Daniel, the least intimidating figure in the room.
Daniel nodded and smiled. "Hello."
The girls remained silent.
Hallik reentered the room, a grin on his face. Jamus let out a sigh as his mind envisioned a half dozen Empire doctors cutting into his body with blades. Martin raised a chin in defiance. Dester Marr scowled. The Bachran girls and Daniel returned worried looks.
"Perfect!" Hallik clasped his hands together. "My new team of Human conspirators."
Jamus raised his head. "What?"
"The six of you, you are now my intelligent and cunning Human team. I have big plans for the lot of you. You cooperate and there will be perks. You cause trouble or disobey and there will be death, or torture, or torture and death. Now that you're aware, I'll let you decide." Hallik's expression turned into a coy smile.
"What exactly are you expecting of us?"
The overseer's smile turned into a wide grin, wider than normal for a Brekan. "You will be my spies! The eyes and ears of Hallik!"
"Spies?"
"Yes. Have any of you ever worked in a factory?"
Dester slowly raised a hand. "Been twenty cycles, but I done it way back. Ran a machine stamping metal plates. Got replaced by a machine and was sold off to you for farming."
"Perfect. You will be my factory worker. An associate of mine, Pilor, owns a mill that is in competition with one I operate. His product is superior even though it appears we use the same suppliers, and the same contents with the same proportions. You will be rented to Pilor—through a third party of course—for work in his factory. You will be my eyes and ears. The rest of you will be Mr. Marr's planners. You will question the information he returns daily and will determine what exactly Pilor's advantage is."
"You want us to report on another master?" Jamus asked. "And why so many of us?"
"If this venture proves successful, I foresee this group taking on more tasks." Hallik leaned in with a stern expression. "And it will be successful, right, Mr. Turnbull?" His expression again turned to a smile.
Hallik began to pace the room with his hands clasped behind his back. "Future assignments may require a young girl or boy, or perhaps muscle like our friend Martin here. You see, I have many competitors in a variety of industries and trades. You will be my great equalizers, as I said, my eyes and ears. And the more successful you are, the greater autonomy you will acquire, and the more perks you will receive."
Dester said, "We don't know the first thing about being spies."
Hallik nodded. "Not to worry. You will soon be meeting with my newest employee, Bersa. She's an individual who, let's say, is on the outs with the Betuaon government. Intelligence was her tradecraft for many years. An unfortunate incident lost her favor. She will be your teacher and you her willing and eager students."
Jamus said, "I don't get why you're doing this. I thought the Realm was all divided up and you masters had it easy. Don't you personally run several colonies?"
"Parts of, yes, and those colonies compete in trade with other colonies. The same happens between States. Bersa was previously employed by Betuaon State. The Markux Empire is a very competitive place, Mr. Turnbull. It is also very political. Spies are usually limited to managers who are of other alien persuasions, primarily the Girda. They are also very easy to detect and to turn, always giving in to the highest bidder. Humans, however… no one would suspect Humans who are addicted to Shackle of being spies. I'm almost giddy with excitement over the thought."
Bersa entered the room. A sinister looking alien of the Girda species, she was a thin biped of modest height. The Girda had ultra-white skin, greasy black hair, and dark eyes. She cleared her throat before speaking in a raspy voice. "Good evening." Her beady eyes surveyed the room. "You look like an average group of Humans. This will do nicely, Master Hallik. Very nicely. When can we begin training?"
Hallik smiled. "Who's the eager one? You will have them soon enough, Bersa. They have yet to even accept my offer."
Jamus asked, "Do we have a choice?"
Hallik tilted his head to one side in jest. "I said you did. Join and live a much better quality of life than you were… or die. You seem intelligent, Mr. Turnbull. I have confidence you will make the right decision."
Jamus leaned back on the bench he was sitting on. He was confused and apprehensive, and at the same time intrigued. A part of him wanted to fear the entire situation, but for whatever reason he didn't. "I guess I'm in then."
Daniel Pike nodded. "I follow him."
"Mr. Gecka? I could use a man of your muscle."
"In."
Hallik turned to face the Bachran sisters.
Greta nodded. "We're in."
"And that leaves Mr. Marr. Are you prepared to become a spy for the House of Hallik?"
"What's really in it for me?"
"Life."
Dester scowled. "Sure, why not."
Hallik slowly walked around the room, looking each new member of his team in the face. He stopped in front of Bersa. "I believe you have your students. Training may begin whenever you are ready."
~~~~~
Once again, this Human is asking for your help! If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review on the site where it was purchased. And by all means, please tell your friends! Any help with spreading the word is highly appreciated! I have a free science fiction eBook short story, titled "THE SQUAD", waiting for anyone who joins my email list. Also, find out when the next exciting release is available by joining the email list at [email protected]. Visit the author's website at www.arsenex.com for the rest of the series and other works!
Thank you for reading my work! I hope you have a great day!
Stephen
Books by Stephen Arseneault
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SODIUM-AMP-OMEGA Trilogy Series
SODIUM:
Butchered, abandoned.
Dissected like lab rats.
Alien machines are stalking Humans.
Man is suddenly no longer alone in the universe. Advanced enemies plague our very existence. We have to muster all our strength, determination, and courage if we are to survive. And if those can be managed, there is a galaxy to be conquered.
This six-book saga takes Man from his first encounter with aliens back in 1957, all the way to a fight for our all-out survival in the fut
ure. If you love tales written in the style of the science fiction masters, prepare yourself for full immersion in this fantastic adventure! Get it here!
AMP:
In a distant galaxy, Humans are on the run.
An insane species follows.
They will not stop... ever.
Trapped on an immense station with limited resources, our only option has been to flee. Years of peace are over. War is again coming to the Grid.
This time however, it's time to stand and fight.
This exciting eight-book series chronicles the struggles of Don Grange, a simple package deliveryman, who is thrust into an unimaginable role in the fight against our enemies. Can we win peace and freedom after a thousand years of war?
Continuing as a legacy of the SODIUM series, the story picks up a thousand years into the future. Don't just sit at home scratching your head about what to do because you are bored, go on a mental rampage, travel the stars, take a risk and dive head-first into this non-stop-action saga! Get it here!
OMEGA:
The Alliance is crumbling.
There are rumors of war in Andromeda.
Whole colonies are being conscripted to fight.
When corruption and politics threaten to throw the allied galaxies into chaos, Inspection Detective Knog Beutcher gets caught in the middle. Espionage, intrigue, political assassinations, rebellions and full-on revolutions, they are all coming to Knog Beutcher's world.
Told from the unique perspective of an alien, this thrilling eight book series is cast a thousand years into the future beyond the exciting AMP series. Prepare to be reading until the wee hours! Get it here!
* * *
HADRON:
Billions die.
Life on Earth is shaken to its core.
We can be our own worst enemy.
After scientists using the Large Hadron Collider discover dark matter, the world is plunged into chaos.
Massive waves of electromagnetic interference take out all grid power and forms of communication the world over. Cities go dark, food and clean-water supplies are quickly used up. Marauders rule the highways. One group of citizens takes a stand. Can they make a difference?
A benevolent species will arrive in their spaceships to rescue the Human race from themselves. Only, are they really so benevolent? Our little corner of the Milky Way may be a very hostile place.
This eight book adventure begins as a modern day, Human survival story and then morphs into an all out fight for rule of our section of the Milky Way. If you love reading apocalypse-turned-science-fiction, and reading with your mouth agape, this saga was made for you! Get it here!
* * *
ARMS:
Selling arms to the outer colonies.
A sweet deal.
Unless you're being used to threaten the peace.
Genetically engineered and trained for war, Harris Gruberg and Tawnish Freely, former Biomarines with the Domicile Defense Force, have been out of work since the centuries-old war with New Earth came to an end two years prior. They lack the knowledge and experience needed to live among a civilian population.
Getting involved in the illegal arms trade offers the promise of working with something they know-- weapons. When the profits from their efforts run wild, they soon find out acquiring wealth so easily comes at a high cost. Will their mistakes bring a return of the Great War? Or is what's coming far worse?
If you enjoy fighting the good fight, protecting the people and what you love, the ARMS saga will keep you ripping through pages until your fingers bleed! Get it here!
* * *
FREEDOM:
Addicted.
Enslaved to the Empire for 500 generations.
We are bought, sold, traded, and hunted for sport, our value only measured in credits.
But a mysterious virus is sweeping through our populations, giving immunity to the addiction and making us aware of our condition. We feel the call of freedom. Our masters feel different.
If you love being dependent, confined, trapped in a great story, this unique six book saga will become an addiction of your own! Get it here!
* * *
QUANTUM:
A lifetime lived in under a minute...
Impossible, everyone thought.
Until now.
An Opamari scientist has found a way. By cloning a subject and sending the clone back in time, the subject can live the clone's entire life in less than a minute of sleep.
But all actions have consequences. Playing with the past can be disastrous for the present.
When a ruthless tycoon steals the technology, the future of the galaxy is at risk. Will humans, after being slaughtered by the Opamari more than 50,000 years before, be resurrected by the tycoon's actions?
If you love time travel and historical fiction, the Quantum saga will keep you burning through the pages late into the night! Get it here!
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ARMS For Eternity: (Book 8) Page 27