Morshrarthi: Interactions
Volume Two of the Empire of the Race
by
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The High Admiral wavered a moment, then dropped the stylus and said, “I can’t.”
T’Yamka leaned over and whispered, “You must sign, Garfrelen.”
“Why must I?” Gralun protested. “You’re the Primary.”
“I know that, but the Terrani insisted on the military signing separately,” t’Yamka countered. He glanced at the non-shlani waiting expectantly and hissed, “Sign it, Gralun. That’s an order.” As Gralun began to protest again, the Primary’s tail tugged at Gralun’s uniform kilt. “We’ll settle these people later.” Gralun considered for another moment, then picked up the stylus, signed his name and threw the instrument on the table. He then stood and crossed to where the captured Kashlanin officers were standing. Returning Admiral t’Terin’s salute, he whispered to his brother, “Kandun, I thought I lost you.”
The High Priest smiled and embraced him - he knew how much signing the treaty had cost Gralun. “You know our family - we’re hard to kill. Dorzal and I,” and he indicated the admiral, “have been thinking about what happened.” Kandun shrugged. “Bad planning and a poor estimation of what the Terrans were capable of.” His voice dropped lower as he added, “It was a trap, Gralun. They drew s’Zhan in and evacuated the place before - ” His voice trailed off, as if still stunned by the enormity of what the humans had done.
At the news, Gralun’s feline pupils dilated in anger, then he got himself under control and said, “I suspected as much. We - “ Gralun glanced to see where Mortimer was, then he and the others moved to one side “ - we’ve been doing some planning concerning the treaty, but that can wait for later.” He led the former POWs through the docking tube to the shuttle. T’Yamka spoke briefly with Mortimer, then he too left the Rose of Sharon. The Guards filed in behind him, and the lock closed.
Mortimer sat down, and MacKenzie asked, “What did he say?”
The Ambassador smiled, hiding his uneasiness. He had not been able to hear the conversation between the two leaders, and despite having spent several days on the planet and struck by the courtesy and relative openness of the shlani, he still felt a lingering distrust of their motives. “We’re invited to the coronation sixteen days from now, Admiral. As, ah, guests of the Government. I think we should attend.”
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About the Book
People interact in many ways. There is love, and hatred. There is politics, and crime.
There is peace, and war.
Morshrarthi: Interactions describes the contacts between the human race and an alien race known as the Kashlani, a species far older than Humanity. Beginning far back in Terra’s prehistory, the story stretches out in a series of episodes that covers fifteen thousand years.
Among the events in the story is the culmination of the human race’s long climb to the stars, and its contact with the Kashlani. From there the story leads the reader into an uncertain future.
For the past quarter-century, the author has tried to bring to life an alien culture; their language, history, beliefs and customs, and has tried to impart some of the effects of their interaction and association with Humanity – both good and bad.
About the Author
Walter Reimer was born in
Mr. Reimer has published short stories for college publications, and has published short stories over the World Wide Web under his own name as well as under a pseudonym. The first book in the Empire of the Race series, Fastoshi: Chronicles, was published by 1stBooks in October 2003. The final book in the series, ‘Atshnegjir: Rebirth, will be published as soon as he decides that it is ready.
Mr. Reimer now lives alone with a pet cat as familiar, and describes himself as someone “who grows old while always learning.”