Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“Ulf told Tayla and me that you and your men could speak and understand our language because of a translator device in your ear.”
“Já. The device takes in what you say and gives me some different options of what to say based on my way of thinking.”
Her eyes widened. “You have an AI device in your head?”
“AI?”
“Artificial intelligence.”
Skars didn’t care what term the humans used. It was obvious they didn’t have the capabilities of much more advanced species.
“Scientists have been trying to develop it on Earth, like medical breakthroughs, robots, and self-driving cars.”
“They would have been better trying to concentrate on how not to destroy themselves,” he commented sarcastically.
“You don’t think much of humans, do you?”
Skars looked up from his food. “Are you not angry at the wasteland Earth has become?”
Mournful, grey eyes had him setting his utensil down.
“Not all the damage done to Earth was caused by the bombs. Las Vegas wasn’t. All the damage you can see for miles around here wasn’t caused by humans. Don’t get me wrong. I am angry. I miss being able to buy my books, watch television, buy what I want to without leaving my apartment. But, in reality, what I miss the most wasn’t caused by the bombs.”
“If the humans hadn’t been so determined to destroy each other, none of us would have come here.”
“I can’t fight against your logic, which is true.” Raine’s head tilted to the side. “But the same could be said against your people. Your people lost their planet, which should have given the different species of Vikings reason to band together, but it seems to me it’s driven you apart.”
“Já, but not against each other. King Jurzed wasn’t fighting to kill me any more than I was fighting to kill him. Nor did he lift a sword to hurt any other Viking. Each Viking species has vowed to serve their own brand of justice to Xioarius. Thorsen wants his revenge for his family, and for our clan,” he explained.
“And King Jurzed? Did he have a family? A wife and children?”
Skars moved his food away, his appetite gone. “Neinn. Jurzed’s family consisted of Ziea, his sister, and his clan members. Jurzed and his clan weren’t on Raum when it exploded. They were given the task by my father and several other rulers in power from other planets to become Guardians to track and bring to justice to those who violated laws on their planets and had fled to escape justice. They were rarely on Raum. They were scheduled to return that day. They had been delayed when word had reached them that an outcast had been spotted.”
“We had somewhat similar organizations on Earth. United States Marshalls, FBI, CIA, and Interpol.”
“Jurzed and his warriors were tracking exiled Ozions who were planet skipping, leaving numerous victims behind, when Raum was destroyed. He and other clan members blame themselves that they weren’t home.”
“They shouldn’t blame themselves. Maybe they would have died also.”
“I cannot agree, nor would any other Viking clan. Jurzed being there would have made a difference.”
“I don’t understand how he could have made a difference?”
“The shields would never have been lowered for Xioarius. Jurzed had made the petition to bring him to justice for the crimes he had committed on other planets where he had blamed others to cover his crimes.”
“Has the petition been granted since Raum was destroyed?”
“Já, but Jurzed is not tracking Xioarius nor those who helped him as a guardian; handing them over for their crimes isn’t something he’s willing to do. This time, Jurzed wants to carry out justice by his own hand.”
Raine stacked the empty dishes on the trays. “So, it’s not only Xio that King Jurzed wants to kill?”
“Neinn, there are others who are just as responsible.”
A thoughtful expression crossed her face then cleared. “The person who lowered your planet’s shields.”
“Já.”
Raine seemed hesitant to ask then seemed unable to help herself. “Who?”
“King Jurzed’s sister.”
Chapter 19
Skars
“If you’re finished, I will take you to your friends.” Skars rose from the table, carrying the tray. He placed it on the conveyer belt, which would start moving once the tray was set down. The belt would automatically take the dishes and tray to a cleaning machine that would clean and sanitize the items for their next use.
Raine was waiting by the elevator when he turned. He could see the anxiety in her expression. He couldn’t understand why his wife was so anxious of the reaction that the group of humans would have toward her.
“All will be well.” He sought to reassure her as they went into the elevator.
“I don’t know why I’m so nervous.” She made a face of self-reproach at herself. “I’m just not much of a confrontational person. And please don’t tell me Vikings aren’t afraid of anything. I get that.” Raine expelled a shuddering breath. “Believe me; I get you’re not, but I am. My father used to call me raindrop. He said I would dry up the moment someone made me uncomfortable. I guess he was right.” Giving a self-recriminating shrug, Raine lowered her gaze from his to the slippers peeking from her pants.