Read Heaven Saga 2: Sands of Aquarius for Free Online Page A

else?”
    Brian
took up his drink and sipped. “No thanks, I’m full. What about you Kivi?”
    “I
lost my appetite watching you eat.”
    “If
you need anything, just call.” Grig headed to the other end of the bar.
    Brian
noticed the pair of Ick-Tckt walking over to them. He turned and gulped the
rest of his drink. Kivi did likewise. The two creatures stood behind them.
    “Are
you Brian Peterson?” the first one asked.
    “Yes.”
    “May
we have a word with you?” the second asked.

Chapter 6 - Being Drunk, Being Bugged
     
    Brian
looked the Ick-Tckt in the eye. They stood a little shorter than an average
human, with four back legs and two limbs for use as hands. Most of their
ant-like bodies were covered by a dull brown cloak, although their insect eyes
and antenna showed through their hoods. Their mouths were ant-like as well,
causing their speech to be screechy with clicks and whistles.
    “I’m
off duty right now, but I’ll listen to what you have to say,” he said.
    One
of the Ick-Tckt stood close to Kivi while examining her closely. “Have you
chosen this one to be your mate because of her physical superiority?” he asked.
    Kivi
choked on her ale, coughed, and turned around to shoot him a nasty look.
“What?”
    Brian
shook his head. “No my interested ant-man, Kivi’s not with me for that reason.
We’re just friends.”
    “What’s
an ant-man?” the one in front.
    “An
ant is an insect from my homeworld you resemble,” Brian explained.
    The
Ick-Tckt next to Kivi lowered his head. “I apologize. I assumed you were his
mate because you wear the same armor as him.”
    “What
is it you’d like to talk about?” Brian asked.
    The
Ick-Tckt leaned towards him. He smelled a strange acid filled odor coming from
them. “We were wondering if we could hire you.”
    “Yes,
we would like for you to work for our Duchess,” the other added.
    Curious,
Brian didn’t flinch. “What kind of job would it be?”
    “She’s
called the Duchess Chka. She is very interested in hiring you as her Tcka
Knight,” the first one answered.
    He
looked to Kivi. “What rank is that?”
    Kivi
stared at the two Ick-Tckt. “Think of it as her personal general. If they really
serve the Duchess Chka you’d command over ten thousand troops, not to mention
her space fleet.”
    His
narrowed his eyes before answering. “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”
    “The
Duchess is prepared to offer you much wealth and power,” the first one offered.
    He
shook his head. “No, I have a contract with Captain Valis.”
    The
two ant-men looked at one another, clicking away in their native language.
“We’re sorry to hear that. If your contract expires early, or you choose
another way to leave it the Duchess’s offer is always available.” The pair
bowed before leaving the Kritkar.
    “That
was interesting,” Brian remarked as he tapped for another drink.
    Kivi
knocked the look of shock off her face. “You haven’t even been in space for two
years and already offered the position of a Tcka Knight.”
    “So
who is the Duchess Chka?” he asked before drinking more ale.
    She
put her glass down. “She’s one of the wealthiest merchants on Dega Jul. Behind
the Kein family of Kalaidia and the Ka faction of Shandi; she’s the third most
powerful person in this system.”
    This
time he choked on his drink. “What? And she wanted me as her general?”
    “Not
only that, but you’re a Terran, not an Ick-Tckt,” Kivi said. “To say that their
kind don’t like outsiders is an understatement. The fact she was willing to
bring you in shows just how much value they place on your abilities.”
     
    * * *
     
    Baed
and Jesela neared the Kritkaras dusk approached. Both carried a bag on
their back full of clothes and other materials.
    “You
look tired,” Baed said.
    Jesela
sighed. “I am. Are we going to have enough energy to pull this off?”
    “Maybe
we should get something to eat,” Baed said before pointing to the