Devotion (Chosen by the Karal #5)(38)

“Earth technology. Analysis complete. Data on display.”

Okil cursed. The chip was not compatible with the Karal technology. “Can you read the information?” Okil asked.

A long pause, before the sim’s voice answered. “Simulation computer online.” There was a flash of lights and then behind him, the simulator re-created a computer to read the chip. Okil went to it, amazed at how it could look so lifelike, and only hoped it could fool the chip into thinking it was real too. Pushing the chip into a small slot, he held his breath and hoped it would work.

“Encrypted. Searching.”

A few tense minutes passed while the display flashed code; every so often a beep sounded. This signalled another part of the encryption being stripped away.

“Data on screen.”

Okil leaned forward to study it. It made little sense; it seemed to contain broken files. Feeling frustrated, he asked the sim, “Explain data.”

The sim didn’t respond. So it was broken. What a waste, what information the chip contained they would never know. It was too corrupted to be read.

“Code is the DNA strains of the Karal species. Secondary code is a virus.”

“A virus?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of virus?”

“Airborne autoimmune.”

“You mean it would make us sick? Or kill us?”

“The code is not complete.”

“You mean it is not finished?”

“I do not have that data.”

“Can you extrapolate the data?” he asked. It was a long shot, but he needed some clue as to what the virus was. Although deep down, he already knew. The President wanted the cruisers, not to search for a new planet, but to come to Karal and destroy them.

“Airborne autoimmune. Deadly to the Karal species to 95 percent.”

“You mean it would kill 95 percent of us? You are sure?”

“Yes. Extrapolation margin of error is 5 percent.”

Okil had to allow himself a minute to compose himself. This went far beyond finding the parents of a small boy. They now needed to know where the scientists were who were perfecting this virus.

“Do you see any information as to where the chip came from?” Okil asked. “Who created the virus? Anything to lead us to the perpetrator.”

Okil could not believe what he was seeing. The President, a man whom he had trusted, was working to make the Karal extinct. That was how he planned to deal with the Karalians. The war would not be fought on the ground; it would be fought in the air. The very air they breathed.

“I can cross-reference with similar projects.”

“There are similar projects?” Okil faced the console, his hands having to support him, shocked that the humans he had tried to help, had fought for, would do something like this.

“I count four other projects. None complete. Three inactive.” Pause. “All under the umbrella of Judd Holdings.”

“What is Judd Holdings? What do they do? What do they make?”

“Information on screen.”

Okil scanned the information and then said. “Show location.”

A map appeared on another screen and Okil moved to view it. “Zoom in. Zoom in.”

The image grew bigger and Okil tried to pinpoint the area. Damn it. There was a complex of warehouses; they were situated behind the bar Harri had walked into the day Tikki had run from him. This put the final piece together. The only thing he didn’t know was where Charlie’s parents were.

Think. No. There was no more he could do. He needed more information from Tikki. She must know Sienna’s surname, or Charlie’s. He was stupid; he should have got it from her before he came here. In this way, he could cross-reference back and see when Sienna had first appeared with Charlie and expand out to search for his parents.

He took the chip and tucked it back in the piece of cloth. He needed to see Darl and show him this, then he would need to go before the council as soon as he could. This went beyond smuggling a child onto Karal; this was far more of a threat than he could ever have imagined.

At this moment the people of Earth took second place to his own species. If it was a choice, he would save the Karal. His devotion to Earth and humans was being tested.

Although when he opened the door and walked out to find Torac and two armed guards waiting for him, it seemed it was too late for him to prove that devotion.

“Okil, I have come to arrest you for treason.”

“Treason?” Okil asked, sure he must have heard wrong.

“Yes. The council awaits.”

As he was led away, he wondered who had betrayed him. Darl, the doctor, had more to lose than anyone. Or maybe it was one of the female humans. Had Celia found out and told the Hier Ruler? Or had Charlie been discovered?

It could be anyone. Now he had to decide to whom his loyalty lay and how he was going to make sure that the woman he loved was not brought down with him. Because above all else, he loved Tikki and had to protect her.





Chapter Twenty-Six – Tikki


She opened the door before Elissa even had time to step out of the cruiser. “I am so glad you are here early,” Tikki said.

“I couldn’t sleep. Neither of us could,” said Elissa. She was wrapped up against the early morning chill. Marin came up beside her and put a protective arm around her. Tikki wondered if there was a problem between them. This news might be enough to split them up, unless their relationship was very strong.