The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 by Elizabeth Price (good e books to read .txt) 📗

“I like what you’ve done with the place,” she started. “Dranuim, I see you’ve managed to get the systems operational.”

He skittishly responded to Sedom with a head nod. “With help. Sections four through nine should be operational within the week. We also have full power to all the replicators in sections one through three.”

From the front of the table, Danstu watched Dranuim with concern for the man’s mental health. Just the previous day, Dranuim acted excited and outgoing. Around Sedom though, he was withdrawn and very skittish.

“Good. We have several levels to go. I know you’ve been spending a lot of time on level four, but it’s really not a priority,” Sedom mentioned.

Danstu raised his hand, gaining Sedom’s attention. “Chadon, how many levels are there in Gathow?” he asked.

“Thirty-two,” she lied. She didn’t even know, but she was going to find out soon. She turned her attention to Danstu, staring at him for a moment. For some reason, she couldn’t recall his name. “I understand you and Cidele have placed everyone in their proper positions?”

“We have three textile workers who are waiting until next week when level four opens completely. Everyone else, yes,” Cidele spoke up.

“That’s why you’re working on level four,” Sedom surmised, motioning over to Dranium. “And here I thought it was because of the tech warehouse,” she jabbed.

“Uh… yes. And… yes,” Dranium admitted.

“There’s some pretty interesting tech in that warehouse. Some would really benefit us right now,” Danstu mentioned.

“Like this?” Sedom removed the same metal box Dranium’s small buzzing toys were housed from her pocket and released one of the disks. The disk buzzed up and she grabbed it, tossing it at the door. The disk hit the door, exploding outwards and blanketing the boardroom with dust and smoke. Everyone in the room jumped back from the explosion, hiding beneath the large conference table.

As the smoke cleared, everyone poked their heads up over the top of the table. The disk had created a five-inch round hole in the door. Six orbs hovered near the door, their tops glowing red.

“Stand down. It was only a test,” Sedom called out the door’s new opening to the orbs. The orbs switched back to green and returned to their posts.

Cautiously, the members of the group returned to their seats. Most had to wipe off their seats from the debris the explosion had left behind.

“Hell of a way to prove a point,” Lolum muttered.

Sedom wiped her hands together then placed her hands on her hips. “You have no idea what’s housed down there. Some of the equipment in that warehouse could not only kill you, it could destroy this city,” she scolded Dranium and then turned her scolding eyes to Danstu. “We’ll play with the tech toys once I see less empty beds,” she demanded.

Everyone settled back into their seats, all a bit shook up over Sedom’s little show.

“For a peaceful people, the Narkoy certainly had a lot of dangerous weapons,” Cidele mentioned.

“The war-mongers built the city. It was the religious sect who took it over during their civil war,” Danstu mentioned.

Sedom nodded, sighing deeply. “The Narkoy weren’t always peaceful. Nor will we be ever again,” she pledged.

Danstu shifted uneasily to Sedom, his squeaky shoes causing her to glance down at them. He was still wearing the same leather shoes she hated. “Um… right. Well, Chadon, we are still in need of several key positions. Teachers, for one,” Danstu mentioned.

“And doctors,” Noral added. “Evolanc and I are overwhelmed. We’re desperate for some help.”

Sedom nodded slowly, her mind racing from all the information. How could she find more people when the people she found were simply a fluke? In the back of her mind, she could hear Lolum whisper “we’re here to help,” but she was having difficulty asking.

“The city to the east of us, Scicon, has about eight thousand citizens,” Nokinil began. “Good, hard-working men and women who are undoubtedly nervous and worried about what happened to our city. Many lost family in our city. Not to mention there has been an increasing number of Marisheio roaming the streets.”

“You’re thinking of asking the entire city to join us?” Danstu questioned his uncle.

“It’s not a half-bad idea,” Terman said.

Sedom sat back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. “Okay, someone please tell me why the three most recent members of this group are doing all the talking? And who the hell are you again?” She pointed to Terman.

“We meant no offense, Chadon,” Danstu bowed his head in respect as he spoke. “This is my old friend, Terman. You met him in the tunnels when you rescued us. I have him in charge of social development.”

Lolum tapped his finger on the dark cherry-wood like desk, gaining the group’s attention. “And to answer your question, Chadon, it’s because they know more about running a city than we do,” he answered Sedom.

“Social development? Seriously? Look around! This is a military base. I haven’t seen one decent fighter walk down these streets,” Sedom pointed out. Zion started to rise. “I take that back, there’s three of us. We have nearly a million Marisheio warriors heading our way and no one here know how to stop them. The three of us sure in the hell can’t.” Her words caused all in the room to grow quiet. “Our top priority is to build an army. Once we’ve managed to create some kind of protection around here then we can talk teachers, and doctors, and other staffing issues, and… tech toys.” She looked at everyone around the table. “Anything further?” she asked.

“No, Chadon,” Danstu replied at the same time as Lolum.

“Very well, you all seem to know what you’re all doing,” she spoke within a disgruntled sigh. “I’ll leave you to it.” Without saying anything else, Sedom stood and walked out