Page 7 of Chosen (The Registry #2)
Chapter
Five
DRAKEN
M y muscles tense as the chauffeured hover craft comes to a halt in front of Sector Leader Magnus’ manor.
I didn’t expect to return so soon after the summit, but upon reading my breeder’s file, I realize time is of the essence to sort out the issue I’d found in her file before it gets beyond my control.
During my entire trip to this sector, I couldn’t relax as I thought of what needed to be done to soothe over what I’m sure Braeden would call an “intersectoral incident.” I only gave the green fields and colorful flowers we’d passed a cursory glance.
My only thought was making it to Sector Leader Magnus’s headquarters and collecting my breeder.
There will be trouble if I don’t get her out of this sector immediately.
“If you can give us this extra time before you come to collect Jameshia, then I should be able to sort this matter out for you.” Magnus explains.
I didn’t expect the cross breading technology to find a match for me so quickly. So when he’d contacted me shortly after I was matched, I had believed he wanted to follow up to see what I thought about the program. At this point, I’d only given my breeder’s file a passing glance.
My tenure as Sector Leader has been one of the shortest among all the sectors. Were it not for the chaos caused in sector 6 over the past year, I would for sure have the least experience among my fellow Sector Leaders.
It’s why I’ve spent a great deal of my time learning the rules of not only my sector and the other 11 along with the intersectoral rules governing all of us.
Most people would assume because of the reputation I’ve curried over this time, that my intelligence doesn’t match my brawn.
Admittedly, I may not be the smartest man, but I’m familiar enough with the law to realize there’s something Sector Leader Magnus isn’t being forthcoming about.
Mentioning a small incident, and dismissing it so causally made my senses tingle.
There was something he wasn’t telling me.
I pause and take a measured breath before finally responding to him.
“No matter the size of the issue, is she not now my responsibility since she was reassigned by the Registry?”
The length of silence that follows this question is all the answer I need. “I’m going to end this call and get back to you when I have my final response.”
“Wait! I need ? —”
I end the transmission without allowing him to finish. I’m sure my abruptness oversteps the boundaries of politeness but in this matter, I don’t care.
“Pull up Registry database,” I command to the voice activated system programed in my office. “
The holographic database pops up and I allow the laser identifier to scan my retinas to verify my identity
“Welcome Sector Leader Draken Westronstrom how may I assist you?” the system’s voice greets me in a pleasant female register.
“I’d like to access the breeder records for Jameshia Smith sector 2. “
Her holographic profile instantly pops up. My eyes immediately go to the image attached to her file. It’s blurry so I can’t quite make out what she really looks like. These pictures are usually of better quality but given the circumstances, I could almost understand why.
There was probably an influx of people who needed to be entered into the database for the first time because many of them were past the age that should have been their initial time.
Still, this is sloppy work and should be handled by the Sector 2 leader unless…
perhaps her photo is blurry for a reason.
I take a look at her file and note that the last update to it was around the time she was reassigned to Sector Leader Magnus’ manor.
He must have blurred her image to protect her from any possible reassignment.
Knowing she is the sister of his bride he probably did it for her protection. An overstep on his part.
The only features I can make out is her darker skin.
I had caught a brief glance at Sector leader Magnus’s future bride at my visit to his manor during the last summit and from what I could tell, she was a beauty, with rich dark skin and short curly hair.
If Jameshia is as attractive as her sister then at least she would be pleasing to the eye.
My gaze roams the file, looking for anything out of the ordinary when it lands on something I didn’t expect to find. There was a flag on her profile which indicated there was an item that could only be accessed by those with the highest authority.
“Open flagged item,” I command.
“Opening, flagged item.”
My body tenses the moment I see what’s now on the screen.
Jameshia had committed the worst crime by a homo sapien.
She’d murdered a superious. In most regions that was an automatic death sentence as trials were not held for homo sapiens, at least that was the way of things in my sector.
It was the same in most of the other sectors as well.
The fact that she is still alive must have been because of Magnus’s intervention. However, now that she is technically under my jurisdiction, her punishment would be handled at my discretion.
I notice her victim is the member of a wealthy family in the fifth district of Sector 2 where she had previously been assigned. I read further and note that the law had recently been changed in Sector 2 to allow trials for homo sapiens regardless of victim.
So that’s what he wanted to hide from me.
Maybe Sector Leader Magnus believed by getting me to agree to give her more time, he could possibly get a trial or even make an arrangement with her victim’s family before they found out that she had been reassigned to my sector.
Because it would be well within their rights to petition me to carry out her death penalty.
While I find this information jarring, there’s one thing I’ve decided.
I will not tell Braeden. For reasons he hasn’t adequately explained to my satisfaction why he’s been against the idea of a breeder, despite understanding I need an heir to continue my line.
It’s the responsibility of a good Sector Leader to create strong offspring for the betterment of their land.
Jameshia’s profile doesn’t go into further detail about the incident other than to say: trial pending.
I do a thorough study of the file before ordering it closed.
“System, contact Sector Leader.”
“Calling Sector 2 Leader.”
It takes a few moments before his holographic image pops up again. “Greetings Sector Leader Draken. I didn’t expect for you to get back to me so quickly.”
I see no point in wasting time with pleasantries, especially when I believe he had tried to deceive me. “I will be collecting my breeder in five days’ time. There will be no further negotiation of this matter. And yes, I’m aware of what’s in her file.”
I end the transmission without waiting for him to respond, not giving a single damn about my rudeness.
From out previous interaction at the summit, I had gain some respect for him and how he ran his sector, but now I’m not certain if that respect was misplaced.
And now I find myself back in sector 2, prepared to claim what’s mine. My thoughts are focused on the task at hand.
As the vehicle pulls up to the front of the large stately manor, I note two lines of Enforcers and what appears to be high ranking officials, the usual protocol of greeting for one of my status. I’m not interested in the formalities, only collecting my breeder.
I’m sure Sector Leader Magnus will invite me overnight to stay but if all goes according to my plan, me and Jameshia will be headed back to Sector 10 by nightfall.
Anxious to get this exchange over with, I don’t wait for the driver to open my door. I step out and immediately zone in on the Sector Leader, who walks toward me with his hand extended.
“Welcome back to my sector. I trust your flight and ride here was comfortable.” A slight smile curves his lips but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes. He’s wary of me, because I’m certain he will attempt to convince me to stay longer than I intend.
I’m slow to take his hand as I scan my surroundings.
I’ve only brought one of my personal Enforcers more so to calm Braeden than for my own protection.
Not that I think I’ll be under any kind of danger while I’m here.
Magnus would indeed be a formidable opponent should things become physical between us.
We’re similarly built although I’m slightly taller and my musculature is bit thicker. Still it wouldn’t be easy to best him, not that I am worried.
“I found everything sufficient. There was no need for such a ceremonial visit.” I pull my hand out of his grasp.
His empty smile remains. “Perhaps not, but you are a Sector Leader and I would be remiss to not give you anything than isn’t your proper due.
Perhaps you’d like to freshen up and rest after your long journey.
I can have some refreshments sent to the quarters we’ve prepared for you.
They should be familiar to you as it is the same rooms where you stayed during the summit. ”
My suspicions are confirmed that he does indeed expect me to stay longer than I plan. “Perhaps I did not make myself clear when we last spoke, that I’m only here to collect my breeder. I do not plan to stay longer than it takes for her to ready herself to leave.”
His dark red brows fly up in obvious surprise and the slight smile he’d worn only seconds before falls. “Perhaps I’m misinterpreting your words. Do you mean to leave today?”
“There was no misinterpretation. That is exactly what I meant. I hope to leave within the hour if possible.”
I notice how his fists briefly clench at his sides. I’m sure my intentions have surprised him but I’m sure his strategy is to get me to stay for a long visit.
That condescending smile returns. “Perhaps we can talk about this further in my office. I can have someone bring you a drink. You must be tired from traveling.”
I don’t wish to be completely ungracious, he is after all being hospitable but I won’t change my mind. “I will accept your drink, but I must head out shortly after.”
His lips tighten but there’s no retort.
Another superious in a formal uniform with a gold sash steps forward.
His long blond braid hangs over his shoulder.
I immediately recognize him as the Sector Leader’s second in command, General Rohman Crafteshon.
He extends his hand to me. “Sector Leader Draken, it is our great pleasure to welcome you to our sector once again. I couldn’t help but overhear that you don’t plan on staying with us long.
It’s a shame because our chefs have prepared a feast featuring several of the dishes you favored at your last visit. ”
I offer him a brief handshake. These formalities have always made me uncomfortable. “I appreciate the hospitality but I do not plan to stay longer than is necessary.”
Magnus and Rohman exchange a silent look that says nothing and everything all at once. My years of struggle and clawing my way to the top has taught me how to read people and I can tell they believed they could convince me to change my mind.
I hate to say more than necessary at any given time, but now is not the time to mince my words. “I think I’ll take that drink now so we can talk, Sector Leader Magnus.”
“I believed on you last visit I said that you could call me Magnus,” the redhead responds.
This tactic to soften me is only making me annoyed. “Or perhaps we can skip the drink and you and I can have a conversation, Sector Leader Magnus. But I doubt you would like to have it in the open.”
“I would be happy to have any discussion you wish, however?—”
“About what’s in her file,” I interrupt him.
The only indication that my words have gotten to him is the stiffening of his shoulders. Again she shares a wordless glance with his General. From that I can discern that his second-in-command is also aware of what’s in my breeder’s file.
He released a heavy sigh. “Perhaps we should have this conversation in my office.” He then turns to the General. “Rohman please have someone inform my wife of the situation. I’m sure she would like to give her sister a proper farewell.”
The blond nods. “Of course.”
“This way please.” The Sector Leader turns on his head and leads me up a white marble staircase.
The inside of his manor is much grander than my base back home.
It reminds me of the high-end homes of wealthy superious families on a much grander scale.
There is a marked difference in the décor from my last visit, perhaps the due to the touch of his new bride.
I usually take in my surroundings wherever I go more out of necessity and security than for admiration, but my focus is only on the back of the Sector Leader as he takes me down the grand hallway toward his office.
As we get closer to our destination, my nose twitches.
Something smells amazing but I don’t believe its food.
If I remember the lay of the perimeter from my last visit, the kitchen is on the other side of the manor.
My sense of smell is stronger than most, even as a superious yet I can’t figure out what that scent is or where its coming from.
There are vases of flowers on white marble pedestals yet the smell doesn’t match ay flower I’ve ever smelt before.
Magnus halts abruptly. “Jamie. What are you doing here?”
There are two Enforcers standing on either side of the door and since I’m standing directly behind the Sector Leader, his body blocks the person he is referring to.
Jamie?
Before I realize what’s happening, I’m again hit with an intoxicating scent that shoots through my nostrils and gives my body a euphoric sensation. But this time it’s much stronger and sweeter.
Drawn to it, I step around Magnus and freeze.
Standing in front of his office, a slender woman with rich brown skin.
Although the picture in her file had been blurred, I’d know this woman anywhere. This was Jameshia.
My breeder.