Splintered Fate (40 page)

“
Yes, because they were one of the
first to work together since the races split. That does not mean we
should get involved.”

“
We are scientists, we made an
oath to not involve ourselves with the species, not influence their
decisions.” Rachel spoke in support of Jonathan.

Anna waved her hand as if Rachel’s words were
unwanted filth, floating in the air. “We involved ourselves from
the moment we decided to train the youth.”

“
We did that because they needed
guidance to have a chance of survival.” Rachel
countered.

“
And do they not need guidance
now?”

“
Last time we got involved past
our teachings we created something we shouldn’t. We over stepped
our bounds and now we must learn from our mistakes,
Anna.”

“
She needs to know what she is up
against!” Anna yelled out, try as she might she couldn’t hide the
passion from her voice.

“
They are not our children, not
our responsibility! We are scientists, we do not play God!” Rachel
spoke.

“
They became our responsibility
the moment we came here and you know it.” Anna looked at Rachel and
Jonathan, shocked to not have either of their support. With a sigh
she brought the conversation back to the point. “By allowing them
entrance, by speaking to them we will inform them. We will not be
playing God, we will simply give them missing pieces that they will
need to survive what’s to come.”

“
Enough.” Christopher spoke as he
stood. The bickering was making his head throb and it was
pointless, his mind was already made up. He brought his hands
together in front of him so the fingertips touched. “If Lana and
Kaiden make it to the portal bridge, we will allow them
entrance.”

“
You can not be serious.” Jonathan
gaped.

Christopher turned to Jonathan. “I
am.”

“
What of the other matter?” Rachel
asked.

“
You know for certain she wants
access?” Christopher asked Rachel.

“
Yes. She somehow knows Lana will
try and make the journey, we have her recorded on camera 43 that
she will come to the portal too.”

Christopher stood silently a moment, weighing
his choices. “We will give her access as well.”

Jonathan stood in outrage, hitting
his palm against the desk. “You are not planning on letting her up
here! They have never been here-“

Christopher cut Jonathan off, his patience
wearing on him. “Their ancestors come from us! She will be allowed
access as well, it is the least we can do.”

Jonathan turned and walked out of the room
without another word.

“
You may all go.” Christopher
said, with a wave of his hand, as he walked over to the glass wall,
his blue robe dragging on the floor behind him. He clasped his
hands behind his back and silently admired the planet in the
window.

Anna walked over and stood beside Christopher.
“What are you going to tell Lana?” She asked curiously.

Christopher turned to Anna’s large
golden brown eyes. Her skin was a radiant brown that was cloaked by
her cream robe. On the robe were the initials U.C.U, standing for
United Cosmic Undertaking, it was the name of the star ship that
they have been living on for too many years now.

“
That war is coming.” He answered
her.

“
That she can’t kill
Arkhip?”

“
Amongst other things,”
Christopher added with a nod.

“
She is not going to like
it.”

“
Unfortunately, there is not much
I can say that she will like.”

They both stood next to one
another, staring out the glass wall. Christopher was glad to have
Anna standing beside him, he enjoyed her company, the warmth she
seemed to always bring with her.

Anna was the only one who fought
for Lana to come, the only one who agreed with him that there was a
dire need to talk to her. Christopher understood the others
apprehension but Anna was right, Lana should know what she is up
against and what is coming for her.

“
It looks like home doesn’t it?”
Anna asked in a soft voice as they stared out the window. Home,
it’s a word that stands for a place that no longer exists. It’s a
place that hasn’t existed in a very long time. But even in that
time, he had never forgotten what it once looked like.

“
The blue oceans, the green land,
and the white clouds…” Christopher nodded at the glass in
agreement. “Yes, Anna. It looks a great deal like
Earth.”

To be continued…

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank a few people who
have helped me in the creation of this story.

Josh, thank you for being the spark
that lit this story into existence for me. For inspiring me to take
a little idea and craft it into an entire story, helping me to
create a whole new world with it. Thanks for the nights of
discussing characters, plots, and for being someone I could bounce
ideas off of. Thank you for letting me read the entire book out
loud to you.

Kristi thank you for being the first
and last person to fully read the story, from my very rough first
completed draft to the final draft.

Carolina, thank you for being one of my
first friends to completely read the story. I am happy to have your
support in this venture.

Thanks to Anna and Katie
for sharing with me your edits and ideas.

Thank you Polina, for sitting with me
for several nights over the summer as I read parts of the story out
loud to you.

Steph, thanks for all of your
encouragement and support! I wouldn’t be able to do this without
people like you in my life.

To my family. You always
support my creative side. Thank you for being there for me and for
encouraging me in all that I do and try to accomplish.

And to my readers, thank you for
reading my very first book. I hope that you enjoyed the story as
much as I loved creating it.

Continue the Aorra
Series

with

Shattered Fate