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