Read Alien Honor (A Fenris Novel) for Free Online

vomiting. But there was no way he was going to show weakness before the telepath.
    “Yeah, I remember.”
    “Don’t worry about the NKV recording our conversation,” Jasper said. “I’ve tampered with the equipment and with the monitors on duty. Everything you say here is between us.”
    Cyrus could have asked Jasper why he’d just attacked him mentally, but the answer was obvious to the man from the slums. It had been a pecking order fight to show who was stronger. Jasper wanted him to know how freaking strong of a telepath he was. Cyrus had a much better inkling now, and he would tread lightly or he would try to kill this monster when the man’s guard was down.
    “Do you want to stay a slave?” Jasper was asking.
    “Of course not,” Cyrus said.
    Jasper grinned. “I did figure you right that day. Kid, you’re a prize in so many ways. It’s too bad you have such a weak talent. Anyway, I can use you just the same.”
    “
Use
me?”
    “That’s a bad choice of words,” Jasper said. “We can help each other. Do you agree?”
    “Sure.”
    “You didn’t have to think about that a long time, did you?”
    “Have you ever read Plutarch?”
    “Who?” Jasper asked.
    “He was a Roman historian who wrote about Spartacus.”
    Jasper shook his head.
    “Spartacus led a slave revolt against the Romans.”
    “Ah,” Jasper said. “I begin to perceive your point. How interesting. The slum dweller has turned into a history reader. I’m sure the NKV have taken note of your reading material, but…”
    Jasper turned away. He nodded, to himself, it seemed. Facing Cyrus, he said, “The inhibitor appears impossible to overcome. Well, the best surgeons could remove it, but we’re not going to get that chance. I’ve spoken with a clairvoyant who told me an interesting story. She said there might be a way to remove them, but we have to go far afield indeed to get it done. Are you interested?”
    “Yes.”
    “It could mean incredible danger to us.”
    Cyrus shrugged.
    “I’m not talking about petty dangers, but something worse than Level 40.”
    “That’s supposed to scare me?”
    Jasper glanced both ways before leaning toward him. He whispered, “It could involve aliens.”
    “Illegal citizens?” Cyrus asked.
    “No. Aliens: intelligent nonhumans.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “I don’t completely either,” Jasper said. “She was vague. That’s the nature of clairvoyants. In olden days, people called them ‘seers’ or ‘oracles.’ In any case, a Teleship is about to leave for a very long journey. You and I need to be on it.”
    “Are you talking about the voyage to New Eden?” Cyrus asked.
    “You’re a weak talent, so don’t get your hopes up. But in several weeks the authorities are going to choose the Specials to shift the Teleship. I plan to be one of the chosen. I might be able to push for you. On this voyage, you can be certain they’re going to ask for volunteers.”
    “Why wouldn’t someone go?” Cyrus asked.
    “Like I said, there’s possibly real danger to this journey. Apparently, you’ve studied history. Surely, you read about the cyborgs of one hundred years ago.”
    Cyrus nodded.
    “Would you go on the voyage if you thought you might run into cyborgs?” Jasper asked.
    “If it means I can get rid of the inhibitor, yes.”
    “Practice your mind shield and sharpen your TK. In several weeks, I’ll know more.”
    “Your clairvoyant spoke about aliens,” Cyrus said. “Did she specifically mean cyborgs?”
    “That’s a clever question,” Jasper said. “She doesn’t know whether the aliens are cyborgs or something else. Now save your questions for later. The monitors are changing guard and they’ll likely examine the damaged equipment. Remember, you agreed to help me. I’m going to hold you to that. So if you have any second thoughts, tell me now.”
    Cyrus had plenty of second thoughts, but he said, “I stand by my word.”
    Jasper smirked at him, nodded, and took