Read Halo for Free Online Page B

herself.
    Mist carried her down the halls and into medical, depositing her on the bed in the quarantine area before he drifted away. The doors slid shut and the air pressurized. She was in for the long haul.
     
    * * * *
     
    Utolian felt Avina leaving the area. “Where is she going?”
    The medical assistant smiled at him. “If she is being carried, she is on her way to quarantine. It means you were correct and she did have a spore in her body.”
    “Am I clear?”
    “You are exceptional. Reset is going to have a field day with these tests.”
    Utolian stood. “Am I free to go then?”
    A Dhemon appeared at the edge of the decontamination area. He knocked and gestured with his hand.
    “That is General Brodin. He is the base commander; I believe he wants to speak with you.”
    Utolian didn’t comment. He verified that his robe was tied, and he exited the synthetic tent to meet with the man who was giving him a curious look.
    “Welcome to Teklan, Your Majesty.” General Brodin was smiling slightly.
    “Call me Utolian, please. I am no longer a ruler, merely a man.”
    “Utolian then. You had some very peculiar requests during your communication, but I believe that I have been able to accommodate you. If you will come with me?”
    Utolian inclined his head. Avina’s medical needs had been pressing, and he had required the assistance of the team at Teklan to keep her alive. Reset had been most helpful, but she had also patched him through to the base commander, and Brodin had allowed him to ask for a few ancient accounts to be revived. After all, he couldn’t go courting if he was without funds.
    It was unlikely that all of his investments were still existing, but if a few were still viable, he would be able to begin his physical life with a leg up.
    “I have to say, I have never seen one of your kind out this far.” General Brodin led him into a large office and gestured for him to have a seat.
    “We prefer to spin around the energy of the stars. I sought out a world and a place to put down roots of a sort.”
    “I well understand that urge.” The Dhemon sat back and smiled, his horns bright against his scarlet skin. “May I have Relay join this conversation?”
    “Of course.”
    The general moved his hands over a keypad hidden in his desk. A woman’s face appeared, a metal headpiece framed her face.
    “Ah, welcome to Teklan, Utolian. I am Relay, we spoke a few days ago.”
    “I am pleased to meet you, Relay.”
    The woman beamed. “Thank you. Now, as for your accounts, I have located three that are still viable and in your name, the rest were claimed by your world over a matter of centuries after your death.”
    “Is it enough to begin a life over?”
    Relay chuckled. “You could say that. The business manager that you engaged continued to reinvest until you now own three habitable worlds and several mining consortiums.”
    Relief trickled through Utolian. “Thank goodness. I did what I could, but I was never happy with being unable to check up on them. Aura’s aren’t supposed to have financial holdings.”
    The general and the hologram laughed.
    Brodin said, “I can see how that would be difficult. Regardless, you are well to do and your accounts have been activated. Relay is very good at that sort of thing.”
    Relay inclined her head at the compliment. “I have already created an accessible account for you; Might will give you a payment chip. There are not many shopping opportunities on Teklan, but if you would comply with the qualification process, you may be able to travel on Sector Guard business.”
    Utolian sat back and steepled his fingers together. “Avina works for the Citadel, I believe.”
    Brodin raised his brows. “Is that a concern?”
    “It is to me. I regained physicality for her and that is not something I engaged in lightly.”
    Relay pursed her lips. “I will contact the Citadel immediately. They may not be willing to part with her. Aura Speakers are not that thick on the