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

under his wing.  

    A lot of people still keep their distance from Eshel. He still won’t tolerate anyone touching him, even if the contact is accidental. And he’s not much for socializing; even Tom’s powers of persuasion aren’t enough to drag him away from his studies. He recently asked me about the meaning of “Mutant.” Apparently he overheard a couple people mutter the term when they didn’t realize he was nearby. When I explained, he seemed more curious than offended.  

    Not much else to report. We’ll arrive at Derovia in 4-5 weeks. Talk to you soon, Dad.  

    Love,
    C

CHAPTER 6

    Captain Ferguson removed her canteen from its small holster and set it down on her desk. She sat down in her large black chair and turned on her viewer, giving Yamamoto a quick glance. Upon seeing his expression, she stopped what she was doing.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “We have company.”
    “Company?”
    “The on-duty helmsman just contacted me,” Yamamoto said. “A small ship has positioned itself near our starboard landing bays.”  
    “Let me guess,” she said, sitting back in her chair, a gleam in her eye. “The fueling station manager miscalculated the currency conversion and believes we owe him money.” She shook her head. “It’s amazing that no station manager ever sends armed workers to refund ships that overpaid.”
    “It’s not the fueling manager this time.”  
    Ferguson’s expression changed. “Who are they and what do they want?”
    “They’re Korvali. And they want to speak with you.”
    Ferguson began to speak, but said nothing. She sat up straight, gazing out her window, as if hoping to see them. “Show them in.”
    Yamamoto nodded and turned to leave.  
    “Scan them thoroughly,” she added as the door shut behind him.  
    “Ensign,” he spoke into his contactor. “Send four Masters-at-Arms to join me on the hangar deck. Right now.”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    He contacted the communications center. “Shanti, clear the visiting ship to land. Starboard bay two. I will arrive momentarily.”
    “Yes, Commander,” Shanti’s voice replied.  
    Waiting behind the glass barrier, Yamamoto ordered one of the MAs to open the bay door. A Sunai ship entered the bay and set down as the bay door closed behind it. After a few moments, two very tall robed figures emerged from the craft, while the Sunai pilot remained. They had very short hair, as Eshel did, but theirs was paler in color. Their robes differed from those Yamamoto had seen in the past, and from Eshel’s. They were black and plain, with a crest near the right side of the upper torso. They also wore belts around their thin middles, presumably to store weapons. The MA asked them to remove their belts; they did so without argument. Yamamoto realized the men represented the Korvali Guard.  
    One of the MAs ordered the Korvali to stay put, as he scanned them for weapons and biological agents. The scans were clear, giving the two men permission to enter the ship.
    Yamamoto looked up at the tall Guardsmen, making eye contact with both and offering them a nod. “I am Commander Yamamoto, Executive Officer of the Cornelia . Welcome.” He didn’t offer his hand. The two men looked at Yamamoto with their pale eyes. “I understand you desire a meeting with the Captain.”
    “That is correct,” the older of the two men replied, his accent thick.  
    Yamamoto led them, with the four MAs in tow, to Ferguson’s office. Two MAs remained outside her door while the others followed Yamamoto inside and stood on the periphery.
    Ferguson emerged from behind her desk to greet the Guardsmen. She nodded to them and each Guardsman offered a slight nod in return. Yamamoto gestured for the two men to sit in the two available chairs. Ferguson resumed her seat, while Yamamoto stood aside.
    “I’m Captain Ferguson,” she said. The two men remained silent, offering no names. “How can we help you?”
    The elder Guardsman spoke. “We have come to inquire about a