A Matter of Profit

The long antennae-five feet long? six? And covered with what looked like very short fur-swept forward quivering in the air over Ahvrens head. It took all his self-control to keep from stepping back. Then the antennae lifted away without touching him much to his relief. They remained cocked forward but relaxed oscillating slowly. Strangers in a bizarre land-thats what Ahvrens people the Vivitare are. They are the conquerors the rulers now of the TChin confederacy. But Ahvren is no longer sure what that means. After spending two years fighting a brutal war on another planet here-where not a single shot was fired-victory doesnt seem quite so...victorious. Ahvren welcomes the peace but he doesnt fully trust it. How could all these people surrender so easily? Are they all cowards? Not likely. And his mistrust is not unwarranted: Rumors abound of a plot to assassinate the Vivitare emperor. But Ahvrens disdain for war is even greater than his mistrust of peace. The last thing he wants is to rejoin the emperors fleet and conquer the next planet. So he strikes a bargain with his father. If he can uncover the plot to assassinate the emperor Ahvren can choose his own path. Its a challenge that will take more wits than strength and Ahvrens not sure hes up for it. But its also the most important test hes ever faced and his success is vital. For not only does the emperors life depend on it so does Ahvrens.