Page 40 of Captured By The Alien (Starbound #2)

“She should be disqualified,” snarled Baelon. “She broke the rules.”

“With respect Lord Vantrax, technically she didn’t.” Ela stood to attention with her hands clasped behind her back, trying to sound logical. “The Potentials were told they had to ring the bell. They all assumed they had to climb up to it, but that was never stated as fact.”

“That’s absurd.” Baelon’s coloring was mottled, a sure sign of fury. “It’s obvious what the trial entailed and that… that human cheated.”

“Calm down, Baelon,” interjected Rhyn. “I actually thought it was a genius move. And isn’t that what the Zhaal is looking for? Someone clever?”

“She failed the test,” Baelon said angrily. “I demand she be thrown out of the competition.”

“Quiet, all of you.” Vahn stood from his throne and began to pace. “Let me think.”

“There’s nothing to think about.” Baelon refused to back down. “She did not complete the challenge.”

“Yes, she did,” insisted Ela. “She just did it differently to the others.”

“Careful, general,” remarked Rhyn. “You almost sound like you’re supporting her.”

“I’m entirely neutral, which is what you should be.”

“It doesn’t matter what you think,” snapped Baelon. “You’re merely a soldier. Your view carries no weight so you would do well to hold your tongue.”

Ela started to apologize and was cut off by Rhyn.

“Her opinion counts as much as anyone’s in this room,” he said, his tone uncharacteristically sharp. “And on a politically sensitive issue like this, surely it’s prudent to hear from the person to whom the entire military answers.”

Ela didn’t know who was more surprised; her or Baelon.

Vahn held up his hand and everyone lapsed into silence.

“The question is, why?” he said. “Why did she fall? She started to climb like everyone else, then she simply let go.”

“Because she is a nedek human and doesn’t have a fraction of the strength of a Vraxian,” Baelon said.

“I happen to know she’s an excellent climber,” said Vahn. “Why would she just let go without a reason?”

“Perhaps a problem with the pole?” hazarded Rhyn. “Maybe it should be examined.”

“Unfortunately that won’t be possible,” said Ela. “The damaged pieces have already been removed and destroyed.”

“That was fast,” commented Rhyn.

“Indeed. Surprisingly so.”

Ela was careful to keep any inflection from her voice but Vahn’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you suggesting the pole may have been tampered with?”

“Of course not, your Majesty. I’m just stating facts.”

“Let us not get sidetracked by hypotheticals,” Baelon said testily. “The fact remains that the human has made a mockery of the challenge. I vote to eliminate her.”

“I don’t think the wider public would agree with you,” Rhyn said cheerfully. “If anything, that little stunt won her more kudos than if she’d climbed the damn pole and come first.”

“Is that true?” Vahn demanded of Ela. She nodded.

“There seems to be a certain amount of support for her unorthodox approach.”

“Then it is decided. Kara stays.”

“You’re making a mistake,” said Baelon. “And by doing so you are exposing your bias, my Zhaal.”

“I am biased, Baelon. Towards innovative thinkers. And Kara is certainly that. She goes through to the third round and that is an end to it.” Vahn turned to Rhyn. “Is all in place for the Terran President’s visit?”

“Yes. She arrives in four days and Ela has worked out a superb security protocol. She will be entirely safe and, hopefully, reassured enough to commence treaty negotiations.”

“Kara will have a large part to play in her reassurance,” said Vahn. “And in reassuring our people also. If it is true she’s finally winning them over, then maybe peace will be easier to achieve than we thought.”

“You’re putting far too much trust in a lower species,” said Baelon nastily. Vahn’s hands curled into fists. He forced himself to breathe deeply.

“Peace begins with trust, Lord Vantrax. Remember that.”