Page 128 of Trove’s Purpose

Chee hummed thoughtfully, face pinching as she tried to think of what she was trying to say. “I don’t know if I’d call it a trust thing. Hyde is… different. He is separate from the Imperium. The High Imperium is this being that is not meant to be biased or influenced or selfish. They’re a position more than a person. And it’s a position that’s meant to serve billions upon billions of people. Someone that has to make decisions that affects planets and entire solar systems. That person can’t use their power for their own selfish desires.

“That’s why Hyde needs you though. There is a person under that cloak. And just like any person, he has his own wants and desires and wishes, and that might not be something that serves the Coalition as a whole, so it’s something he can’t use the Imperium’s power for.

“So, yes. The High Imperium has the power to destroy the Humble Delivery Service. But Hyde has no reason to. He has a greater reason to try to prompt you to do what he wants. Whatever goal he has that the Imperium can’t try to achieve. And he does pay very well. He can make your impossible dreams a reality. He makes it worth it.”

That was as unbiased as she could possibly make it. She didn’t think she put her opinion more towards one way or another. She called Hyde a friend, but these were her friends too. And she couldn’t choose between either of their interests if they were conflicting.

Tanin nodded once, accepting her words as Garnet hummed thoughtfully.

“We seem evenly split,” she said. “We called Alred earlier and he says he agrees with Goldie, but also that he’s willing to do whatever Tanin says is right. I don’t think I’m comfortable being at someone’s beck and call either. At the same time, I think I want to hear what Hyde is offering before I say yes or no.”

“I think that’s fair,” Trove said easily, and the others appeared to agree. Vytln looked unhappy about it, but not anymore unhappy than he usually did about everything.

“Let’s hear him out then,” Tanin agreed. “I’ll decide when I hear what he thinks he can give us.”

“What did the twins say?” Trove asked.

“They’ll do whatever I say,” Tanin said. “They don’t have an opinion either way. I sent them into the city to get us supplies.”

Chee didn’t think that was the only thing. She was pretty sure Tanin had sent those two away so that they were out of the manor. In case things went badly, there would be someone besides Alred who wasn’t captured, killed, or hurt. The supply run was an excuse.

San, hearing that they were finished talking, stepped forward to take them to Hyde’s office. This walk wasn’t nearly as nerve wracking this time as it had been before. She also didn’t feel like as much of an outsider as she had before. She was safe and comfortable and unspeakably happy holding onto Trove’s arm.

Whatever Tanin decided to do, she would support him. She didn’t want Hyde to force them to do his bidding if that wasn’t what they wanted. And she trusted Hyde enough to take care of her parents as he promised to do.

Sure, the Imperium was a position he had to fill, but that position still required a person of incredible moral fiber. It wasn’t an easy thing to be truly impartial. It was a skill that very few were able to do, despite how many might think otherwise.

Hyde was at his desk, exactly where he had been when she left yesterday. He said nothing as everyone walked up the steps to his desk. They all returned to where they had stood before. All except Chee, who remained beside Trove this time.

“Welcome back,” Hyde greeted jovially, using his male voice. What she was coming to think of as his ‘real’ voice. The one that wasn’t part of the Imperium’s persona. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better, Chee.”

“I’m feeling great,” she assured him, smiling.

“Good. San has contacted Tzomei. You met him. He’s the ratchi ambassador to Earth.”

“Yeah, I remember him,” she nodded quickly. He was a ratchi – a reptilian species that she rather thought looked like crocodiles on two legs. They were big and intimidating and looked like scary lizard people. Tzomei was a gentleman, however, who wore human style suits and spoke crisp English with very little lisp. He also helped all the humans who migrated from Earth.

“He is fetching your parents now. It will take a bit of time, but I know he will convince your government to give your father to us. They will be here in a matter of a tenday or two.”

Chee’s heart fluttered with joy and excitement. It didn’t matter how many times she heard that, it filled her with such unbridled happiness, it was like she could fly.

Soon. She’d be able to hug him again soon.

“Thank you, Hyde.”

“No, thank you,” he insisted. “I am glad my theories have been proven through you. But that is old business. You all are here for new business. So, let’s discuss new business. Tanin.”

The captain stood casually, with his hands almost carelessly in his pockets. He was so hard to read, but Chee knew he hadn’t made up his mind yet.

“I’m listening,” he said simply.

Chapter 43

Trove

Trusting Tanin was something they all did inherently. He had forged their bonds through violence and blood – both theirs and others – while on Rik-Vane. They devoted themselves to him completely even now that they were out, and he kept them safe and free. Nowadays, there was less violence and blood, but it was still an option.

Point being, Trove wasn’t very happy about Hyde, but if Tanin agreed to work for him, then Trove would devote himself to completing the job like it had been his own idea. They all would. That was part of what made their bonds so strong – they refused to let them be broken.