December Read online

  *

  “What’s going on?” Vandoraa asked as Ted entered the room Vandoraa had been given on the December. Vandoraa wasn’t an expert on human behavior, but even he picked up on the fact that Ted was flustered and anxious. Ted said nothing, pacing around the room as if lost deep in thought.

  “You’re coming with us,” Ted said finally, glancing up at the Drevi.

  Vandoraa looked confused. “What?”

  “We’re going to Earth and we want you to come along,” Ted said, his tone betraying how much he didn’t want to be saying this.

  Vandoraa was utterly mystified. “You’re an even bigger idiot than I thought. What makes you think I won’t run away and tell my military superiors everything I know?”

  “Look, Hoguh wants to interrogate you,” Ted snapped angrily, taking Vandoraa aback. “I don’t exactly know what that entails, but I don’t trust him. He seems to have it out for all Drevi. I... don’t want him to do anything to you.”

  “And how did you manage to justify my new... assignment to the Koleans?”

  “I didn’t, and I think Alana wants to kill me for it,” Ted said.

  “Heh,” the Drevi laughed.

  “I’m serious, Vandoraa,” Ted growled. “If you’re with us all you have to do is stay on the ship, translate any Drevi transmissions we manage to intercept, and give us warning if they come. We made a deal, remember?”

  Vandoraa looked at him with more expressive eyes than usual. Every other time Ted had met with Vandoraa, the Drevi had steeled his expression into an unreadable mask. Now it seemed like he was letting his guard down. But even after living among Drevi for a decent amount of time, Ted was far from an expert on reading their facial expressions, so he had no idea what this change in behavior might mean.

  But it sure looked like Vandoraa was honestly appreciative of what the human was trying to do for him.