Free 3013: SYNERGY: A 3013 Novella (3013: The Series) by Laurie Roma

place.”
    Blaiz blinked, then sputtered, “You
can’t be serious.”
    “I believe you’re perfect for the
position, Blaiz. You’ve been with me for years, and you’ve watched everything
I’ve done. You know the rules, regulations, and the protocols. It would be a
seamless transition.”
     “Orion, I’m not as patient as you
are. Daven would be a better choice.”
    “Oh, no,” Daven said holding up his
hands. “I’d make a horrible ambassador. I like to help, but there’s no way I
want to run the show. Plus, I’m younger than you are. Orion is right. You’d
make a great ambassador, Blaiz.”
    “Well, shit…” Blaiz rubbed his fingers
against his forehead as if he had a headache. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
    Orion let his friend think for a moment
as he took a sip of his drink. “It’s your decision, but I’d like you to accept
the position.”
    Blaiz shook his head. “You know it’s
not that simple. The Conclave always chooses individuals with influential
families to represent our race. My parents worked in your palace. I don’t have
the background or the—”
    “Don’t do that,” Orion ordered softly.
“We are family. You and Daven have been brothers to me all these years. Your council
has been invaluable, and I will be forever grateful for your friendship. You
have helped me stay the course when I wanted to give up. And without both of
you, I wouldn’t have found Morgan.”
    Orion felt the warmth of Morgan’s love
wash through him as she reached over and placed her bare hand on his arm. He
swallowed tightly as he imagined the darkness his life would have been had he never
met her. Placing his hand over hers, he held on, wanting that physical
connection with her.
    “Are you sure about this?” Blaiz asked
carefully.
    Orion nodded. “If you want the
position, I’ll tell Adric and Iyana that you are my choice. They’ll agree with
me, and with their backing, the Conclave will appoint you.”
    Blaiz stared down at the table for a
long moment. He cleared his throat as he looked back up. “Thank you, my friend.
If the Conclave agrees, I would be honored to take on the duty of becoming an
ambassador.”
    Orion smiled. “Good. I will speak to
them tonight.”
    Daven shoved Blaiz good-naturedly.
“Looks like I’ll be traveling with you. Orion has Morgan to keep him in line, so
I’ll have to do my best to keep you out of trouble.”
    Blaiz groaned, and they all laughed.
Orion raised his glass, glancing at Morgan with a wink before smiling at his
friends. “Let us toast to new beginnings.”
    “To new beginnings!”

 
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    Beginnings …
    It was something she’d had plenty of
recently, Morgan thought as she stared out of the observation window, admiring
the beautiful starscape in front of her. She found comfort in the vastness of
space, with the brilliant display of colorful stars and gases that only added
to its beauty. Somehow, witnessing just how small a part of the universe she actually
was helped her deal with whatever problems she faced each day.
    The observation deck on the fifth level
was supposed to be reserved for VIP guests only, since that was where the guest
suites were located. She was the only one in the observation deck, but that
wasn’t unusual. It was late, and most of the VIP guests were either in their
suites or enjoying themselves down in one of the bars.
    Orion had a suite on this level, and
she had agreed to stay with him there after he’d asked her. She hadn’t expected
Orion, Blaiz and Daven to move all of her stuff up to the suite after they’d
left Asylum, but Orion had insisted. She knew he disliked her quarters, and
didn’t see a reason to argue when the guest suites were so much nicer.
    Morgan had enjoyed getting to know
Orion’s friends. Although they didn’t share blood, Orion, Blaiz and Daven were
definitely like brothers. Instead of making her earn her place or treating her
like she was an outsider, they all accepted her into their