Free The Refugee (The Korvali Chronicles Book 1) by C. A. Hartman

the Korvali, for their non-participation in the Alliance.”
    “It is not my belief, Captain. It is the truth.”
    Ferguson raised her eyebrows at him. “But you also said that no Korvali would share their methods with outsiders.”
    “That is also true. However, those who oppose the current leadership and respect Doctrine recognize the value of limited sharing, Captain.”
    Tallyn spoke up. “Are you saying, Eshel, that with different leadership, the Korvali will share some of their technology and join our Alliance?”  
    “Yes, Tallyn.”
    He saw the Derovian official’s smile grow large and sensed a change in the others. I have convinced them .
    “Do you have any other comments, Eshel?” Ferguson asked him.
    “No, Captain.”
    Ferguson turned to Sansuai. “Gronoi Sansuai, what is your opinion?”
    The Gronoi sat with his back straight, his chin high, and his arms resting on those of the chair. “This is a difficult dilemma, Captain. The Sunai value scientific exploration; one must only view our excellent scientific program to see this! We see many benefits of such knowledge. The Korvali leadership will be angry at such a decision… yet, it is their policies that created this problem! I vote that your refugee exploit his knowledge and take his position as scientist.”
    “Tallyn?” Ferguson said.  
    Tallyn smiled as she brought her clasped, six-digit hands closer to herself. “It is with much respect that I acknowledge my brother planet’s point of view,” she began, glancing at Gronoi Sansuai. “Such knowledge would be quite valuable to so many.” She paused, a faint blue coloring her briefly. “However, I feel great concern that sharing Eshel’s knowledge will cause the Korvali much anger, and harm the relationship we have built with them. It is, perhaps, too soon? Therefore, I vote we postpone until we negotiate agreement with the Korvali.”
    Everyone looked to Ferguson, whose vote would serve as tiebreaker. She sat back in her chair, tapping her index finger on the table. “The Space Corps was created to defend our people beyond the limits of our atmosphere. It was also created to foster scientific discovery and develop relations with those from beyond our world. This very mission is both scientific and diplomatic in nature. I believe Eshel should be able to share his knowledge however he chooses.” She paused. “However, at this time, I believe the costs of allowing him to work as a scientist outweigh the benefits. Peace, and Eshel’s safety, come first, and keeping his knowledge tucked away greatly reduces risk of Korvali retaliation. Until the Korvali agree, I vote no.”
    Eshel, frustrated, resisted the urge to speak his true thoughts. He glanced at the delegates, then looked back at the Captain. “Until the change in leadership occurs, they will never agree, Captain. Nor will this decision placate them.”
    “Then so be it,” she replied, her blue eyes looking back at him. “Choosing to leave Korvalis means giving up the life you had there, Eshel. You may still speak with Commander Steele about genetics, as before.” She stood up. “This topic is closed. You are dismissed, Eshel.”
    Eshel looked away from her. And without a word, he left.  

    Catherine finished turning off the automatic light sensors in her laboratory. The lab would remain dark except for one small light in her office, and no passersby would notice that someone was inside unless they purposely looked in the window. Such a possibility was unlikely, as Research was in a quiet area of the ship and typically deserted at that late hour.  
    She fired up her viewer. “File, epigenetic engineering techniques two,” she said. The file’s contents appeared. She glanced around, somewhat paranoid that Steele would awaken and discover her late night forays in the lab. Meeting Eshel had sparked a series of new ideas and she had to explore them, one way or the other. While undertaking nothing nearly as ambitious as what