{"id":407,"date":"2022-01-03T14:01:38","date_gmt":"2022-01-03T19:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=407"},"modified":"2022-01-24T23:01:23","modified_gmt":"2022-01-25T04:01:23","slug":"chapter-36","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-36\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 036: Morally Bankrupt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg\" alt=\"Etherno\" class=\"wp-image-52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg 768w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter 36:<\/strong> Morally Bankrupt<\/h2>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin held Kasai\u2019s hand as he and the others listened to Ailah\u2019s story. Kasai and Amaryllis sat on either side of Ailah, their arms wrapped around her shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin stood up when she finished. \u201cI\u2019m gonna re-state the obvious. The Natas need to be stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand. \u201cYa think, really!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m really worried about this DNA infusion device that they have.\u201d Onin drummed his fingers on the arm of the couch. \u201cWith that, they don\u2019t have to go looking for the perfect host, or wait for one to grow. They can just kidnap anyone, of any race, and make a host with multiple gifts. Apparently without the use of someone with a sharing gift.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Tannin nodded. \u201cAlso, what\u2019s a bio-syn-whatsit?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBio-synthetic.\u201d Aiden frowned. \u201cKinda like a robot, but with mostly biological parts. They\u2019d be super strong, super smart, and the Natas might even be able to possess them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cWhoa, you have those?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo.\u201d Aiden shook her head. \u201cIt\u2019s theoretical. The Kagoshi have got some pretty advanced robotics, but nothing that advanced yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin grimaced. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound pleasant. Did they mention how far along they were with that project?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah shook her head. \u201cJust that Nasal-head said he wanted to work on that project more if the DNA splicing thing didn\u2019t work out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Onin squeezed Kasai\u2019s hand before he released it and stood. \u201cSo, our priority list is to get the Natas off Nekotia, then track down this bio-synth program and shut it down. Agreed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, sure.\u201d Cerina shrugged. \u201cTrack down a project with no leads that could be anywhere in the universe. Easy-peasy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija frowned at her. \u201cThat\u2019s why we need to clean up the mess here, first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah jumped to her feet. \u201cI want to help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou don\u2019t have to.\u201d Amaryllis put a hand on Ailah\u2019s shoulder. \u201cThe whole super-powered host thing is our fault, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI want to.\u201d Ailah\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cI owe them. They did who knows what to me and mom, and my sister\u2026\u201d She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and pulled another sword out of nowhere. \u201cI\u2019m going shove this right up Nasal-head\u2019s nose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHah!\u201d Tannin slapped his knee. \u201cI like her!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin suppressed the desire to roll his eyes. \u201cAnyway. Purona, do we have any other updates on Natas activity?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona\u2019s ears flattened backward, and she shook her head. \u201cNope. Totes silent. Sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Onin sighed. \u201cWell, in that case, I suggest we all get something to eat and take a nap so we\u2019re ready to go when they do pop up from wherever they\u2019re hiding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah waited until most of the Gesarans had filtered out of the hotel suite\u2019s common room, then she tapped Purona on the arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm?\u201d Purona turned and smiled at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh, you said they found my mom. Could I go visit her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, sure! Follow me!\u201d Purona ran to the elevator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">It was only a few blocks to the hospital. Ailah fidgeted with her fingers the entire walk there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Please be okay, Mom.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona flashed her badge to the guard at the door, and he let them enter. Ailah fidgeted with her fingers as they made their way to the third floor. Was her mom okay? The last time Ailah had seen her mom, that evil Natas woman had stabbed her. The image of her mother, bleeding and pale, the color drained from her skin and hair would haunt Ailah forever. She clenched her fists. Those Natas would pay\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHere we are!\u201d Purona stopped at room 347. \u201cWhen I called ahead, they said she\u2019s up for limited company, and we\u2019re already cleared with the guards in the lobby, so you\u2019re super to go right in.\u201d Her left ear flicked. \u201cUh, do you want me to wait out here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Purona bit her lip. \u201cUh, I think I\u2019m gonna call my brother. I haven\u2019t talked to him in a while.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah nodded absently. She gripped the door handle and took a deep breath. The vision of her mom covered in blood flashed through Ailah\u2019s mind again. She shook her head. If a nurse wasn\u2019t accompanying them, her mom couldn\u2019t be that bad, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She took another breath, turned the handle and pushed the door open. The room was a standard hospital room. Walls a weird pale shade of green. A large window on the far wall. Flowers and a picture of Ailah\u2019s whole family were on the window sill. Her mother was lying on the sole bed. Her chest was covered in bandages, and a large bandage was on her forehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah\u2019s mom looked up when the door shut behind Ailah. \u201cAilah!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah ran over to the bed, and her mom pulled her into a hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m so glad you\u2019re alive! The last thing I remember before waking up in the hospital was that woman attacking Silah. I asked the doctors and nurses, and none of them could find out anything about either of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah looked up at her mom. \u201cThe Natas captured me and experimented on me. I managed to escape. I don\u2019t know what happened to Silah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah burst into tears, and her mom pulled her into a hug. The whole story of all that happened to Ailah came tumbling out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Her mom hugged her throughout. \u201cI\u2019m so glad you\u2019re okay. And it sounds like you\u2019ve made friends, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMom!\u201d Ailah jerked upright. \u201cEvil aliens are attacking, Silah\u2019s missing, and you\u2019re focusing on me finding friends?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Her mom shrugged. \u201cYou and your sister are what\u2019s most important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah sighed. \u201cLove you too, mom.\u201d She clenched her hand into a fist. \u201cI\u2019m going to make those Natas pay, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAilah.\u201d Ailah\u2019s mom placed her palm on Ailah\u2019s cheek. \u201cIf you\u2019ve been given power, use it to help people. Don\u2019t let vengeance consume you. You\u2019ve always had a great sense of humor. When your dad died\u2014\u201d she paused and wiped a tear from her eye. \u201cThere were days I couldn\u2019t get out of bed. Then you\u2019d come in and do or say something to cheer me up enough to keep going. Those aliens are hurting a lot of people, not just us. Be a light. Keep finding the humor where you can. Make friends. If you feel you have to fight, fight for the Right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah nodded and her mom pulled her into another hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">There was a knock on the door, and a nurse poked her head in. \u201cUm, I hate to interrupt. Your mom\u2019s been asking about you and your sister since she woke up, but it\u2019s time for another dose of medication, and the doctor wants visits to be kept short. All appearances to the contrary, your mom\u2019s really weak and does need rest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah\u2019s mom squeezed her hand. \u201cI\u2019ll be all right. Visit me again soon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah nodded. She turned back again when she got to the door. Her mom smiled and waved at her. Ailah waved back and stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIs your mom all right?\u201d Purona cocked her head to the side. \u201cYou look happier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Ailah smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin sighed from where he was stretched out on his back on one of the couches in their hotel suite\u2019s common room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSheesh, again!\u201d Cerina chucked a small green rubber ball at him from her chair across the room. \u201cKnock it off, all that sighing is driving me crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin caught the ball with his left hand. \u201cI can\u2019t help it. I\u2019m bored.\u201d He bounced the ball off the wall in front of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt has been kinda quiet the last few days.\u201d Saija lay her back in the middle of the room. She sank her toes into the carpet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYup.\u201d Tannin bounced the ball off the wall again. \u201cNo news on the Natas. Amaryllis and Ryogin have been hiding away on the <em>Potato<\/em>. Onin\u2019s napping. Don\u2019t know where Aiden is. Kasai and Fu-chan are off sparring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWho?\u201d Cerina asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cExcuse me.\u201d Tannin tossed the ball to her. \u201cLady Ailah of the Hadala kinset.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina rolled her eyes and tossed the ball back to Tannin. \u201cWhy can\u2019t you just use her name.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cToo long.\u201d Tannin bounced the ball off the wall again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis is boring.\u201d Saija raised her artificial leg into the air and turned it this way and that, examining it. \u201cFeels like there\u2019s something we could be doing to help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh?\u201d Cerina raised an eyebrow. \u201cSuch as?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Someone knocked on the door. Or fell into it. Either way, someone or something banged on the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin jumped off the couch and sprinted to the door. \u201cI\u2019ve got it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He skidded to a stop in front of the door and yanked it open. Purona was on the other side, carrying four full bags of food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHi!\u201d Purona handed Tannin two of the bags. \u201cI stopped for food on my way back from the office.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSweet! Thanks!\u201d Tannin headed to the kitchenette with the food. \u201cDid you find out anything else about the Natas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo.\u201d Purona\u2019s ears drooped to the sides. \u201cNo news on that front. And here I thought it\u2019d only take a few days to chase those scum off our planet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNews, hey, that\u2019s an idea!\u201d Cerina grabbed the remote from where it had fallen off to the side of the couch and turned on the holoprojector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey\u2014\u201d Purona paused mid-step on her way to the kitchenette. \u201cWhere is everyone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOut, in varying senses of the word.\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin could almost hear Cerina\u2019s eyes roll all the way from the kitchenette. \u201cHe means Onin\u2019s out, as in asleep. The others aren\u2019t here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina quickly re-capped where everyone else was for Purona while Tannin put away groceries. Tannin finished his chore and re-joined the others in the common room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin flopped down onto the far couch. \u201cAnything interesting on the news?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina shrugged. \u201cA new mall opened, some guy we don\u2019t know got some kind of medal for redesigning a monorail station.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin made a face. He didn\u2019t care about either of those things. A woman with rainbow colored hair was on the next news segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin sat upright in his seat. \u201cWoah. Is that natural?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona shrugged. \u201cI dunno. It can be, but it\u2019s rarer than calico. Most of the rainbows you see are dyed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis is a weird planet,\u201d Cerina muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A door clicked shut behind Tannin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shuffled out of his room, still in his bathrobe. \u201cHey, what\u2019s everybody up to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m not going over the list again.\u201d Cerina crossed her arms over her chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin picked the ball up off the floor and threw it at Onin, who ducked. \u201cYou\u2019re up awfully late. I was even up before you today!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Onin yawned. \u201cI\u2019ve been using the downtime to send out a lot of servitors to look for the Natas.\u201d He yawned again. \u201cAnd that\u2019s used up a lot of energy, so I decided to get some sleep while I could.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin nodded. \u201cCan\u2019t fault that logic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin plodded over and sat on the couch next to Tannin. \u201cWhat\u2019cha watching?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cInternational news,\u201d Purona said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin turned back to the holoprojection. The newswoman was talking about unrest in some unpronounceable district. According to the map, it was south of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHeh.\u201d Tannin pointed to the screen. \u201cGood thing you\u2019re not there, Onin. You\u2019d never catch up on your sleep with all that unrest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina sighed. \u201cShe means fighting, you moron.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin leaned forward. \u201cWhat are they fighting about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona\u2019s ears drooped. \u201cWell, that\u2019s a kinless district. They\u2019re probably fighting over food, or randomly beating people up just because they\u2019re poor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin looked over at Onin and they both shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Onin pinched the bridge of his nose. \u201cI think I missed something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, like what\u2019s a kinless district?\u201d Tannin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell,\u201d Purona bit her lip. \u201cKinless are people who don\u2019t have family, for one reason or another. We try to help them, but some people are too proud to accept charity, and others just don\u2019t want to work. Some of them are criminals or former criminals that can\u2019t get work and harass the other kinless. And some of them, I don\u2019t know\u2014\u201d She shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know everyone&#8217;s story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey.\u201d Saija tapped her lip with her index finger. \u201cAccording to the news report, there\u2019s more \u2018unrest\u2019 than usual for the region for this time of year. Do you think\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin jumped up. \u201cAh-ha! THAT\u2019S where the Natas are hiding!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally?\u201d Cerina kicked his leg. \u201cYou\u2019re starting to sound like a wack-job conspiracy theorist. Just \u2019cause something bad happened, it doesn\u2019t automatically mean the Natas are behind it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cTrue.\u201d Saija bit her lower lip. \u201cBut this does fit the Natas M.O. Find an out of the way place, build up a force, and throw things into chaos while they take what they want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGood point.\u201d Onin stood and strode towards his room. \u201cI\u2019m going to get dressed. Round up everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin dressed quickly, but everyone else had already returned to the hotel by the time he had finished. It only took a minute or so to bring Kasai, Amaryllis, Ryogin, Aiden, and Ailah up to speed on what they\u2019d found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo\u2014\u201d Onin pointed to the map on the holoprojection. \u201cI suggest we head down there and check out the situation. It might not be the Natas, but it\u2019s better than sitting around here doing nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait.\u201d Tannin raised his hand. \u201cThat\u2019s pretty close to the ocean. The last time we went to the beach, the Natas attacked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBeach trip. That\u2019s a perfect cover, then,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cIf it draws out the Natas, all the better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Ryogin frowned. \u201cPurona, might the government consider it meddling if we took a mission like this without permission?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Purona flipped through something on her phone. \u201cIt probably depends on how things turn out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden put a hand on Purona\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m not sure about the Nekotians, but the Kagoshi would definitely see this as interference. Sadly, they\u2019re still not convinced that the Gesarans aren\u2019t working with the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s ridiculous!\u201d Cerina leaned in close to Aiden\u2019s face. \u201cWhat idiot would work with those foul things!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin grabbed Cerina\u2019s shoulder and gently shoved her backward. \u201cFor one, you forget about the cultists back home that did. Two, put yourself in their place. If we only saw an alien species that was possessed, we\u2019d probably be pretty suspicious of them, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ve got some good news, too,\u201d Aiden said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh?\u201d Onin turned to look at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Aiden settled into the couch. \u201cThe Kagoshi sent an ambassador to Gesara a while ago. And I\u2019ve just received news that Gesara has sent one back to the Kagoshi.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin raised his eyebrows. \u201cThat is good news.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin snorted. \u201cI just hope the ambassador they sent isn\u2019t as personable as Captain Di\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina smacked him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey!\u201d Tannin rubbed his arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAll right!\u201d Onin stepped between them. \u201cLet\u2019s let the diplomats do their thing, and we\u2019ll do ours, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina crossed her arms and flopped down onto the couch. \u201cYeah, whatever. So what do we do in the meantime while we\u2019re waiting for the Natas to show up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI can just take you to the beach, if that helps?\u201d Purona looked back and forth at everyone. \u201cWe\u2019d have to go through the kinless area if we take the mag-lev, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stared at the map. He\u2019d like to stop the Natas as soon as he could, but, looking at the bigger picture, it was important to maintain good relations with the Nekotian government. He\u2019d like to have the Kagoshi be more helpful as well, but he wasn\u2019t a diplomat. He shuddered. The worst thing would be to have the Natas, Kagoshi, and Nekotians mad at Gesara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNone of us would get in trouble for going to the beach, right?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona shook her head. \u201cNope! I\u2019m supposed to be showing you around anyway.\u201d She covered the side of her mouth with her hand. \u201cThere\u2019s rumors going around that Gesarans are stuffy like the Kagoshi \u2018cause all you do is work. I don\u2019t believe that, but I think a beach trip would be a super good idea!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWoo!\u201d Tannin ran to his room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah blinked. \u201cWhere\u2019s he running off to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija shrugged. \u201cProbably off to get his swim trunks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona giggled. \u201cEven on the super-fast mag-lev it\u2019ll take us four hours to get there. I was thinking we could leave tomorrow morning?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah pursed her lips and turned to Saija. \u201cCouldn\u2019t that portal thing get us there faster?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija started to sigh, then caught herself. \u201cSorry. I can only portal to places I\u2019ve been before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay. Everybody rest up tonight, and we\u2019ll hit the beach tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A vision of Kasai in a swimsuit popped into Onin\u2019s head. He decided a cold shower was in order before he got packed.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-35\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"398\">&lt;&lt; Previous Chapter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/table-of-contents\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34\">Contents<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-37\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"413\">Next Chapter >><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/env_sm.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-178\" width=\"33\" height=\"20\"> Be notified when the next chapter comes out!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.ko-fi.com\/cdn\/widget\/Widget_2.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">kofiwidget2.init('Buy me a cup of tea', '#29abe0', 'V7V05ASUY');kofiwidget2.draw();<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 36: Morally Bankrupt Onin held Kasai\u2019s hand as he and the others listened to Ailah\u2019s story. Kasai and Amaryllis sat on either side of&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-407","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=407"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":417,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407\/revisions\/417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}