OMEGA Conscript by Stephen Arseneault Page B

that."
    Harden Salton stood. "Now, we must prepare for the ambassador. And, brother, I do enjoy these discussions. They leave me full of energy, full of the knowledge that we can achieve whatever it is we set our minds to. With you here beside me as the voice of reason, we will rule the six galaxies and beyond!"
    With that, Harden Salton turned and left the room. Joseph sat in silent contemplation as he sipped at his now lukewarm cup.
    Garrett turned to face me as I rose. "Where are you going?"
    I replied as I walked into the gantry. "All that coffee drinking has me thirsty. And while that was interesting to hear, I can imagine much of the rest of our observations will not be so stimulating. I foresee the need of an energy boost from a cup or two."
    Garrett gestured. "Bring me one while you are at it. I can see this being a long day as well. Oh, and Go is on the move."
    Go replied, "I think it's time I searched for Joni."
    I returned with a steaming cup. "No, follow Harden first. Joni is safe. It's more important that we know what he's up to. The Galorian family is not in this galaxy. What is it that Harden wants them to build that is so critical?"
    Go nodded. "Harden it is then. If he's meeting with the ambassador, it should be in the reception building. I'll head over and familiarize myself with it."
    Garrett pulled up a diagram of the buildings in the Salton compound. "Why don't you try shadowing him between now and then. I'd be interested to see their security building if he goes there. Their security operation has to be significant. The more we know about what they know and can see, the better off we'll be if we need you to take action."
    Go powered to a stop. "Take action? I thought we were just here to observe."
    Garrett half laughed. "I only meant that about future action. Don't worry, we don't have anything planned for you."
    Go pointed. "There he is. Heading across the courtyard."
    As Go powered in behind Harden Salton, I turned to Garrett. "Well, we at least now know his grand plan. If word of that were to leak out, the other families would deal with him in short order."
    Garrett replied, "Yeah, and I don't think that would be a good outcome for any of us. The Salton branch of the Alliance is where most Humans reside. If Harden is seen as trying to take full control, there will be a price to be paid by all Humans—and by every other species fully under his control."
    I nodded. "An all out war between the families would be more destructive than anything you or I could imagine."
    Go said in a quiet voice, "I could always end this right now. It would be easy for me to blink in while occupying his space. I'm sure we could get the location of the portal from someone else."
    I shook my head. "No. If we take him out, it will surely bring war. The other families would attempt to grab control of the Salton sectors. I think we have already seen this morning that Joseph would be indecisive if given the reins of power. Harden must remain in control until such time as we can ensure a stable transition."
    Garrett smirked. "Who's the empire builder now?"
    Before I could respond, Go came over the comm. "Garrett, I think you got your wish. We just entered a building with heavily armed security at the door. They took several bio-scans before letting Harden himself pass. Hang on, I have to change directions."
    Go contorted his BHD glove hand, firing off a microburst, bringing himself to a complete stop. A second burst followed, moving him down the long hallway Harden had traversed.
    At the end of the hallway, Harden Salton entered another room. With two additional bursts, Go drifted through the wall into a large room with a high ceiling and sunken floor. The room was expansive, running nearly a hundred meters in each direction. The walls were lined with large holo-displays while the floor was covered in small personnel stations, manned by individuals watching over a half dozen displays each. In the center of the room a platform rose