Warfare: Rise Of Mankind Book 2 Read Online Free

collective sigh of relief. Gray cleared his throat. “Crystal Font, this is Captain Atwell of the Behemoth. Welcome to Earth space and thank you for coming. I assume this has to do with the discovery of Protocol Seven.”
                  “Allow me to put my Anthar on the line.” Anthar equated to the Earth title of Captain . “He may have more he can add about that.”
                  “Are we in range for visual yet?” Gray asked.
                  “Aye, sir.” Olly tapped his keys. “And I’ve got their silhouettes now. I’ve confirmed that these are two alliance warships. They’re transmitting as friends.”
                  “Put their Anthar on screen.” Gray sat in his chair and leaned forward as a young man, much younger than any commander Clea saw before, appeared. His teal eyes sat above a delicate face, pale blue hair topping his head in thick locks. He offered a grim expression as the connection established.
                  “I am Anthar Kale Ru’Xin of the Alliance Navy. We are here on a diplomatic mission to exchange information and discuss an alteration in the treaty our two people have agreed to. Will you grant permission to orbit your planet?”
                  “Welcome to Earth, Kale,” Gray said. “You’re more than welcome to orbit the planet. I’ll contact the council and let them know you’ve arrived. Are you in command of these two vessels?”
                  “Negative, sir. I am in charge of the Crystal Font. In our military, the junior captain is relegated to routine duties such as establishing communications and gaining authorization for a landing. Please do not take this as an insult. It in no way reflects on how we view the importance of your station or ship.”
                  “No offense taken,” Gray replied. “We have Clea An’Tufal on board. Do you have a message for her?”
                  Clea stood and stepped in front of the view screen. Emotions coiled within her. She hadn’t seen any of her people in a very long time. She smiled and lifted her hand, extending a greeting in her own tongue. “I’m pleased to see people from home.”
                  “We have much to discuss, Vinthari An’Tufal. I hope you’ll come aboard when we arrive while arrangements are made for the council meeting.”
                  “It would be an honor.” Clea bowed her head briefly.
                  “We will be able to orbit your planet in less than six hours. At that time, we will re-establish communications to finalize arrangements. Crystal Font out.”
                  The screen went dark and Gray turned to Clea. “I bet you’re excited.”
                  Clea nodded emphatically. “More than you know, sir.”
                  “It’s been a while. I hope they’ve brought you some news of your family, of home.”
                  “They send it along,” Clea replied, “but it’s always so stale by the time it comes. I look forward to speaking to them in person…to seeing some of my people again.”
                  “Feel free to spend as much time as you need aboard their ship when they get here,” Gray said. “This type of opportunity may not come again for a long time. Best to take advantage of it while you’ve got it.”
                  “I appreciate that, sir.” Clea finally smiled, fighting hard not to cry. Tears blurred her vision for a moment but she blinked them away. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to retire to my quarters and prepare.”
                  “Feel free.” Gray gestured for the door. “I think we’ve got things well in hand up here.”
                  “Thank you.” Clea paused to give him an appreciative look then hurried off. He was right. This opportunity did not come along often enough