Read Shadow World for Free Online

couple of months, and Mark's feet led him automatically to his usual final destination, the observation dome.
    Thoughtfully, for a long time, he stared upward at the glowing stars, mulling over the choice that had haunted him for weeks now. It lay at the root of his inner turmoil and, Mark recognized, was probably the main reason he hadn't been able to share his feelings with Sulinda lately. His feelings lay too close to the path of his decision, a decision that had to be made by
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    him alone--a decision that it was time to stop postponing.
    Some will say I'm taking the coward's way out by quitting, Mark thought. He knew differently, knew what the cost would be to him for the rest of his life.
    But he had to consider the consequences, not only to him but to others; he had to do the right thing.
    And so he made up his mind.
    And to think there was a time when I was naive enough to think that administering a school would be a dull job, Rob Gable thought with a wry smile as he strode toward his office the following morning, with Cara Hendricks at his side. The school's Chief Psychologist almost voiced the thought aloud, but caught himself, remembering that the girl was a journalist.
    Rob had been burned by the press enough times in his youth to have learned caution, even when the reporters seemed as pleasant and ethical as this young woman.
    Rob liked Cara and was impressed by her work. He knew that she was hoping that their interview this morning would include his reminiscing about the past, and his relationship with Mahree ... and Claire, their daughter ... but it wouldn't. Rob Gable didn't talk on the record about the things that were most important to him.
    With one exception ... this school.
    StarBridge Academy was his baby, nearly as much as his twelve-year-old daughter. The doctor cheerfully seized every opportunity to be interviewed about the Academy, eager to keep its goals before the public eye. StarB
    ridge had to succeed. Effective diplomacy and peaceful negotiations were no longer just ideals--they were essential. The explored universe was now a place where modern technology could wipe out an entire planet in less time than it took Rob's students to finish an evening's studies.
    A Simiu student came barreling down the corridor at a headlong gallop.
    "Dakk'ahrrr," Rob growled, his throat protesting against the harshness of the Simiu syllables, "in the name of honor, slow down!"
    The student skidded slightly as she hastily moderated her pace. "Apologies, Honored HealerGable," she yipped back over her shoulder.
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    Rob nodded and waved her on with a resigned expression. "Freshmen!" he muttered to Cara, shaking his head.
    She smiled and nodded sympathetically, but her attention was clearly divided. This morning Cara wore a voder, a Mizari-designed one resembling a jeweled ear cuff more than an extremely sophisticated translation device, and the largest part of her attention was given to the conversations going on all around her.
    She's a very attractive young woman, Rob mused, glancing at her animated, heart-shaped face. The gold sensor patch accentuated her high
    cheekbones, adding a slightly rakish air. Her wide, dark eyes sparkled with humor and intel igence, and her smile always seemed easy and genuine.
    To think that she's the same age as Mahree when I first knew her, Rob thought with an inward shake of his head. Was I ever that young? He smiled at the young woman's eager expression as she passed two Vardi, careful not to stare openly. Already she was fascinated by other species. Just like Mahree. He realized that Cara reminded him, in some ways, of her. The young journalist had the same kind of quick, instinctive understanding, and the same relentless curiosity. She's strong, too, he thought. Strong and practical, just like Mahree.
    Cara grinned, her eyes indicating a small knot of students they were just passing. Rob followed her gaze to the girl holding court.
    "--and then Windracer broke his own record on the