big group coming in the next few days to inspect the production. This might be the big one too. I hear Anithistor himself might even show up.”
Anithistor! Nalani had to fight to contain herself. This could not be good. If he was overseeing production of this Sphere, then that meant it was something extremely significant. Was it a weapon? How could it benefit the Stühocs? This made getting the medallion that much more important. If the Stühocs and Nestorians were developing something powerful, then the Humans wouldn’t stand a chance without having all the medallions. They needed all six medallions in order to defeat the Nestorians and Stühocs for good.
She nudged Alric in the ribs and motioned her head behind them. He nodded and told Grif they would be right back. He was too drunk to care.
“What is it?” Alric asked when they were out of earshot.
“This is huge,” Nalani said. “We need to find out what the Sphere is. I guarantee whoever is overseeing it will have the medallion. If Anithistor is coming in, that means we’re running out of time. Let’s get to the bottom of this quickly.”
“I’m doing what I can,” he said. “I’m about to throw this mask against the wall, it’s so stinking hot in here.”
Nalani suppressed a laugh and they made their way back to the table. Alric got straight to the point.
“I’m starting a taskforce,” he said. This got no reaction from Grif. Alric swallowed and continued. “I don’t think the Stühocs should be here. I don’t think you want them here either.”
Grif looked up, now alert. “You’re not the secret police or anything are you?”
“If we were the police, we wouldn’t tell you would we?”
Grif stared blankly for a moment then burst out in laughter. After a moment he asked, “What is this taskforce of yours?”
“Anti-Stühoc taskforce,” Alric said. “And we need your help, Grif. We don’t think the Nestorian people should allow ourselves to be weakened by relying on the Stühocs. The Stühocs want nothing more than to take over. They’re just using us.”
“Some would argue that having them has helped us grow.”
“Yes, but have you seen the number of slaves they’ve brought out here?” Alric said. “They far outnumber us. If they ever got the inclination, they could overrun us. We need to focus on what we want to accomplish. Not what the Stühocs want.”
“I agree wholeheartedly,” Grif said. “Talk like this isn’t usually tolerated, you know. You could get yourself killed.”
“That’s why I came to you,” Alric said. “I know your allegiance. I’ve been studying you for months now. You’re the one to help us.”
Nalani couldn’t help be amazed at Alric’s genius. He almost had her believing him. His ability as a con artist shone through in that moment and she would not forget this. The Dunarian Council could use an asset like Alric.
Grif considered Alric’s words carefully. Then he nodded. “You’re right,” he said. “I am the right man for the job. I just don’t know how to do it. I don’t know how to stop what’s happening.”
“Leverage,” Alric said. “You need leverage.”
“What do I have that they would want?”
“You don’t now,” Alric answered. “But if you point me in the right direction I can help you get it.”
“What’s that?”
“Who carries the orange medallion?” Alric asked.
*****
When Coffman awoke, he felt like someone had dropped a boulder on his head. Everything had happened so quickly. He remembered Nalani attacking him and then a group of guards had knocked him out. The room where he sat was dark, soundless and bare. The pounding in his head was unnerving, and it was everything he could do to keep his stomach from heaving out everything he had eaten that day. He let out a sigh, knowing that this had been the only way to proceed with their mission. He hoped Nalani and Alric would find out something about the medallion. He wasn’t sure what he could do from this end. The slaves had far outnumbered the predicted amount, which might be good for keeping a low profile, but bad for obtaining information. With such a large group of people it would be difficult to find anyone with useful information. He sat up and leaned his large frame against the wall opposite the door and rubbed the side of his head. He hadn’t been stuck in a jail cell since his life on Earth. He had no desire to be in one back then and certainly no desire to be in one now.
He