Читать книгу To The Stars - Назар Валерьевич Валеев - Страница 9

Draam found Abuun on the captain’s bridge. He was finishing the verification of calculations transmitted from Fraal’s polar weather stations.

«I sent an autobot to retrieve him and move him aboard the Armaon, our reserve cruiser – away from the main fleet, together with two Fraalians», Draam reported, recounting the whole string of adventures that had befallen their friends. «He barely made it out alive.»

«Maarv is no soldier», Abuun said thoughtfully. «Nor are those two Fraalians fighters. Their victory over the hunter was more luck than skill, nothing more. Still, you have to admit – it was an original outcome.»

Draam gave a gruff snort. «Come on, out with it. I know you too well – you’ve had this all mapped out for ages, haven’t you?»

«Not for ages», Abuun replied with a small, knowing smile. «And whatever plans I do have are only for the safety of my friends, my comrades, and our people as a whole.» His brow furrowed again. «For sooner or later, we will pay dearly if we allow our Warrior caste and a handful of senile fanatics in the Senate to carry out what they’ve devised here.»

Abuun leaned forward, his voice firm yet tinged with warmth.

«I’d like you to go with them», Abuun continued. «I’ll feel your absence keenly, but they need you far more than I do. And besides, I’ll feel much calmer knowing you’re there. You and Maarv will make an excellent team – your intuition and his strategic mind will complement each other perfectly. Those two from Fraal aren’t exactly fainthearted either. You’ll like them. If you have no objections, prepare what you need, take whatever’s necessary, and join them as soon as you can.»

Draam stroked his chin thoughtfully. «Everything essential is already aboard the cruiser Armaon. I have no objections, but we’ll need at least one more supply container.»

He cast a sidelong glance at Abuun, who was smiling. In unison with Draam’s words, Abuun added: «I already ordered all the unnecessary cargo thrown out and additional containers of provisions delivered. Now let’s hope those greenhorns don’t drive you mad.»