Page 6 of The Quoram Effect

And with that revelation, I already wanted her to leave.

Chapter Three

“I’m relieved to see you were unharmed,” Torz said to Governor Zuli several hours later as she floated into Torz’sformaloffice, her female companion trailing behind. “Are you sure you’re well enough for this meeting?”

The hubbub of the command centre faded as Torz slid the door shut behind them. Sensing his weariness, I questioned why Torz always disregarded his own health. He’d been the one to take the heaviest hit from the bombing this morning, yet here he was, concerned and caring about everyone else. Thankfully, he hadn’t refused the medical assistance provided to us all, but as soon as he was cleared of injury, he had returned to work. I hadn’t left his side.

“The rest-and-recoup was a little unnecessary, Commander,” Zuli said, a chime of authority ringing in her amicable tone. “Really, I’m fine. We all are.” She gestured to the red-headed woman, who smiled sweetly at Torz as she helped the governor into one of the comfortable visitor chairs.

“Even so...” Torz inclined his head courteously, the fresh bruise on his cheek darkening with each hour that passed. Miraculously, Zuli appeared unmarked. “You are our guest. As is your full team. Your safety comes first.”

“Were there any fatalities?” Zuli asked.

“Thankfully, no. The investigation team confirmed the blast was superficial, meant to scare.”

Rolling my left shoulder, an ache stirred. I’d landed awkwardly on it. No doubt I’d wake with a bruise tomorrow. Butother than a few scratches or minor concussions, everyone had come away unscathed.

“This is the sixth attack in as many weeks,” the governor muttered.

Torz took his seat opposite her. “I apologise for my naivety, but whydoesthis keep happening?”

I remained standing in the corner beside Torz’s tidy desk. The governor’s companion mirrored me on the far wall behind Zuli’s chair, her astute eyes fixed on my commander.

“There are those who are strongly opposed to my latest debate manifesto.” Governor Zuli smoothed down her skirts, a sense of pride resonating from her. “And that is why I’m here, requesting an audience with you.”

Twitching his lips, Torz cocked his head. “I don’t follow.”

“I’m asking you for your vote, Commander.”

Confusion crossed my mind. The Debate Gala took place every two years, where the governing body—made up of the twelve governors, their shadow cabinets, and the thirty-eight sector commanders—came together to address priority political matters. They then voted on the best proposed manifesto to help resolve the issue or issues at hand. Judging by the attacks on Zuli and her brazen cheek towards Torz, I feared what her manifesto held.

Torz leaned back in his chair, the frown on his face mirroring the same perturbation I felt.

The governor glanced at me, then spoke to Torz. “Perhaps, we should converse in private.”

“We are in private.” The coldness in Torz’s voice cut through Zuli’s comment like a serrated knife. “This room is airtight. And if you are referring to my lieutenant, she will remain.”

Flattery warmed my stomach, but the icy look Zuli’s companion threw me abruptly froze the well of sentiment.

The room fell silent, and as the two superiors glared at each other in a battle for dominance, heat tugged at my collar. The stiffness in Torz’s neck matched that of Zuli’s taut shoulders, both their stares passive but hard. The tension in the air stretched to an unbearable degree, and I shifted uncomfortably on my feet, twice.

To my surprise, it was the governor who backed down first.

“If you insist,” she hissed through her teeth, revealing a far harsher disposition than I’d expected from her. No longer did a diligent, wise woman sit before us. Now there was a stern-faced leader. “The upcoming governmental debate is not one of standard footing. It will shape the future of the Orbital Civilisation, more so than ever before. And if you paid heed to such things, you would know that we are at a pinnacle point in our existence.”

“It’s my job to pay attention, Governor, just as it is yours.”

“So you are aware of the disturbing stats filtering back to the Board Office, yes? Stats confirming the realistic issues our whole civilisation are facing?” She analysed Torz’s face with scrutiny as a sour wave of concern punched me in the gut, and I realised: Torz had no idea what she was referring to.

“I assure you, I haven’t heard of anything detrimental.”

Zuli tutted, exchanging a disconcerting look with her companion. “Clearly, you have some reading to catch up on, Commander. The Debate Gala is next week. Shall I summarise it for you?” The mockery of a smile fell upon her lips as the flutter of Torz’s humiliation danced across our bond. “As we already know, the population within the Orbital Stations has increased significantly over the past century, but we’ve recently received disturbing information regarding the population on Quoram. It’s decreasing—severely. With the Quoram-born children having to seek residency on our space stations afterpuberty, coinciding with the rise of rejected Damson couples, we are approaching a critical moment in our history.”

Torz scoffed. “We have plenty of vacant homes. Gemini II has been constructed purely for that reason.”

“This is not about having enough homes!”

I was thankful I wasn’t the recipient of the glare our visitor threw Torz.