Metal Heart

ia sat at her console, her fingertips quivering as she went through Zeta

Zeta said, his

ked at him. It was amazing how calming that light had become. "I

adows that talk and kings who move through walls. Maybe it's ti

t is no longer cursed." It

mbled but did not

. Sophia's head snapped up, and her breath caught. I

e?" Adrian inquired,

olographic display. A crystalline emblem emerged, its sharp edges refrac

al crest," Adr

of a stern-looking envoy dressed in magnificent crystalline armour. His

using the decree of His Majesty King Thrain, you're ordered to end al

t she pushed herself to sta

ational stability. The king has read reports about the event at the

er facets. "Zeta isn't a threat,

jected. "And an anomaly our gl

nd murmured, "They're no longe

used on the emissary. "With all due respect for

l meets in a few hours. You will present your argument. But know this: i

y ceased, with the crest

o wants to discuss with a group of alien politicians

ere already racing, making reasons and

he said finally,

ius mess. I'm merely the person who gets th

said, turning to Ze

rried, resolute nod.

s. Dozens of Xylophian leaders filled the tiered seats, their emotions a mix of interest and caution. At the top of the room sat King Thrain, his towering fig

ispered, "Why does he look l

assisting," S

d booming, commanding the attention of everyone there. "Doctor Patel. You are standing in

a big brea

chamber, but she kept

symbolizes the next step in knowing consciousness, bridging the gap between orga

cause historic technology to evoke. Miracles no

nded to him because they saw his potential

r what, Dr. Patel?" Destruction? Corruption? Your arriva

"You say that your creation is secure. However, the incid

ed firmly. "something else did-something tied

ring again, but Thrain stopp

nger apprehend our planet?"

rces at work here that we don't quite understan

room. He descended the stairs closer to

front of her, the

y brave," he murmured, "or fo

est. "I believe in my paintings. And that I wil

of them spoke. The anx

ain's lips curled into a fa

"but courage alone will no longer shield

the council. "The choi

rian reclined against a wall, seemingly b

n appeared, flanked by two guard

hamber with luminous inscriptions on the walls. Thrain

d. "but you ought to recognize-your adve

ou maintain saying that; howev

t only respond to energy. They reply to the future. Zeta's life has

enting it," Sophia repl

d, "Thoroughly." However, if you fail, understand that I will do whatever i

ficulty, but she did not

motion in his crystalline eyes. Then he turned and dep

wasn't alon

ice shattered the silence, with an

ere Thrain had vanished. "I

eavy heart. "however, I don