Test of Magnitude (The Torian Reclamation) Read Online Free Page B

no—the battles you ask about will not be terribly destructive for us. But the battles I speak of, which are not all fought in space or with physical weapons, will test all of Tora and could well lead to our annihilation.”
    “Can you tell us anything specific?” the governor asked.
    Arkan9 looked over at him and smiled broadly this time, in obvious appreciation of his small gesture of belief.
    “In the science research labs on C2 Amulen, there is a great sleeping zoo.”
    “You mean the collection of humanoid specimens?” the governor asked.
    “Yes. In Research Lab 71, there is a large stock of intelligent humanoids from an underdeveloped world in the outer regions, a planet that has been renamed Earth by the scientists. Much material has been gathered from their culture as well.”
    “Can that help us?” Mip7 asked.
    “The Earthlings are frail,” Arkan9 said. “They have delicate skin and weak bones. But they possess fast reflexes, are highly adaptable, and are excellent strategists. Moreover, they are born with a tendency to seek balance. Our coming troubles will have much to do with finding balance. Hundreds of Earthlings are in cryonic preservation tanks at Research Lab 71. They may prove to be very important for the future of Tora.”
    The governor shook his head again. “You will need permission from the Amulen government if you want to access that research facility. The scientists there will not be agreeable to interference in their studies, either. In any case, this is not space station business, so it is not within my jurisdiction to help you even if I wanted to.”
    “I will take care of the Amulen government and the scientists,” Arkan9 said.
    “Then what are you asking of us?” the governor asked.
    Arkan9 turned to Mip7. “You must meet me at ReserachLab-71 five days from today. You are the one to oversee this project, Mip7. As the governor here has already noted, you can be trusted. The alliance born of wisdom must have your cooperation now. It is time for you to serve Tora in all your capacity.”
    Mip7 looked over at the governor, who simply shrugged. He turned back to Arkan9.
    “What are we going to do?”
    “Revive the Earthlings.”
     

Chapter Two
     
    “You’ll have to wait, Mip7. The governor is busy at the moment. Please have a seat.”
    Mip7 was too anxious to sit, so he paced back and forth in front of the fountain in the governor’s reception lobby. Since the meeting with the Sheen five days ago, his sleep had been restless—filled with images of space battles, Sheen going supernova, and alien beings who resembled the description Arkan9 had given of these Earthlings he now had to go work with. The governor found a temporary replacement to take over Mip7’s regular duties, and marked him on special assignment leave for an undetermined time. Mip7 still didn’t know exactly what it was he would be doing with Arkan9 and the Earthlings. He had received only two messages regarding his new assignment, and they were mostly his travel details. He was scheduled to take the next shuttle for C2 Amulen.
    The governor appeared in the lobby with the Chancellor of Banor. Both were wearing scarlet shoulder pads—something only top-level government officials and military leaders wore, and usually only when meeting with each other or making important public appearances. Mip7 sat down, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention, but the governor saw him and motioned for him to come over.
    “Chancellor Gormin8, this is Mip7, the one I was telling you about.”
    The chancellor bowed and said, “Tulros.”
    “Tulros, sir.” Mip7 returned the bow. The chancellor’s bronze skin was noticeably brighter than his own. Mip7’s skin must have dulled more than he thought.
    “We appreciate your help,” the chancellor said. “The governor has informed me about your special assignment, how you came into it, and how you have earned his trust. It’s good to have a smart, young Banorian with us,