Free The Arrival by Adair Hart Page A

for a moment. “This must be early in your personal time stream then.”
    “You have met a future version of myself in Earth’s past if you know of me and I do not know of you.”
    “Yes. I’ll need to be careful as to what I say, lest it influence your future. Even telling you that might have an impact.”
    Evaran’s eyes narrowed. “You are a Daedrould, but I am unfamiliar with your strain. What name do the humans give you?”
    Lord Noskov wrinkled his eyebrows. “Ohh … this is very early in your time stream then. Very interesting. They call us vampires, but we aren’t quite what they depict in human media.”
    Evaran looked around. “I am curious, why do you hide from the humans?”
    “They simply outnumber us,” said Lord Noskov. “We don’t replenish our ranks quickly, and humans are rapidly advancing technologically due to the efforts … of others,” he said, waving a hand dismissively in the air. “You will know all about that soon enough.” He glanced around the sky above Evaran. “Where’s V?”
    “I do not know a V.”
    Lord Noskov sighed and rubbed his forehead. “This is always rough. What unfortunate set of events has led you to my base?”
    “Interesting,” said Evaran with narrowed eyes. “I am looking for two human males brought here.”
    Lord Noskov snorted. “We don’t deal in human trafficking, if that’s what you’re claiming.”
    Evaran tapped at his ARI and then gestured at U4, who had been out of range.
    U4 flew a bit out and then projected a hologram of the group of men with Robert and Jake. She then flew forward with the projection under her, showing their eventual entry into the house. Once U4 got to the house, she flew back and hovered by Evaran.
    Lord Noskov pointed at U4. “So … who’s that?”
    “Statement. I am a utility artificial intelligence, version four. My shortened name is U4.”
    Lord Noskov cocked his head at Evaran. “Exactly how long have you been on Earth?”
    “About three months.”
    Lord Noskov’s eyes widened. “Oh … I didn’t know it was that early. Great. I messed up. Forget you ever heard me mention V.” He shook his head and sighed. “Anyways, I’m not sure where U4 got those images, but I assure you that I have no idea of when that occurred.”
    “Analysis. Wednesday at 1:14 a.m.”
    “This last Wednesday?”
    Evaran tilted his head. “Yes. I was stealthed in my ship and watched it occur.”
    Lord Noskov rubbed his temples. “The Torvatta. Go figure.” He turned toward Mikhail. “Who was on guard duty that night?”
    Mikhail pointed to the first man that had come out of the house. “Alexsei and Nikolai.”
    Lord Noskov faced Alexsei. He gritted his teeth. “Explain.”
    Alexsei swallowed hard. “It was just a small group of us. We took a black market bounty for some alien slaver named Greecho. You know, side money. We needed a ship to get them there, so … used one of our scout ships.”
    “You know black market bounties are prohibited, especially ones dealing in humans, correct? And you used one of our ships as well?” said Lord Noskov.
    Alexsei hunched his shoulders and nodded.
    Lord Noskov shook his head. “New bloods. They will be dealt with later.” He faced Evaran. “Well, it seems they would be with this Greecho person now. I suppose you’re going to go after him.”
    Evaran nodded. “Of course. Was the location logged?”
    Lord Noskov gestured at Mikhail. “Locate that data.”
    Mikhail nodded as he tapped at his tablet.
    Evaran rubbed his chin. “Hmm. I have read this is a protected planet. How are alien slavers coming here?”
    “I have heard that there is a transport ship that a Kreagan border outpost lets slip by.”
    “I am aware of that. However, how are they able to land here on Earth undetected?”
    Lord Noskov smirked. “The Helians let them in. That is the extent of their arrangement, though. Once inside the solar system, they escort them in. Heard the Seceltor Empire and the Helians don’t