Arguing the Basics

By Viola Grace

Koara has always loved being able to predict the effects of social change and what is needed to make it happen. On her own world, she set matters in motion when she was twelve years old, and it cost her her planet. While some folk enjoy an evolving society, others fight to remain the same, and their actions can take a violent turn.

Citadel Lowel becomes her home, and a Yaluthu adopts her as its own. Life is going along well until she is given an assignment that removes her from her comfort zone and she has to alter the way she sees the worlds around her or disaster will take over.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eXtasy Books Inc
• Release date: Aug 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781487403751

Viola Grace

Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.

Book preview

Arguing for a living isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Koara embraces her calling to analyse societies and fight for change.

Koara has always loved being able to predict the effects of social change and what is needed to make it happen. On her own world, she set matters in motion when she was twelve years old, and it cost her her planet. While some folk enjoy an evolving society, others fight to remain the same, and their actions can take a violent turn.

Citadel Lowel becomes her home and a Yaluthu adopts her as its own. Life is going along well until she is given an assignment that removes her from her comfort zone and she has to alter the way she sees the worlds around her or disaster will take over.

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Arguing the Basics

Copyright © 2015 Viola Grace

ISBN: 978-1-4874-0375-1

Cover art by Carmen Waters

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by eXtasy Books Inc or

Devine Destinies, an imprint of eXtasy Books Inc

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Smashwords Edition

Arguing the Basics

Tales of the Citadel Book 48

By

Viola Grace

Chapter One

Koara sipped at her water and straightened her shoulders as the last of the ruling class filed in and settled down.

The sea of faces showed contempt as well as a certain amount of curiosity. Koara deliberately placed her water at the edge of her podium and waited. The moderator glanced up at the unoccupied balcony and nodded, beginning the proceedings with a delicate chime that stilled the audience.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are here to listen to the debate between Master Councillor Fremon Dralkin and Koara Ulings. Master Councillor, you have the floor.

Koara stood and listened while the master councillor composed a verbal hymn to the status quo.

When he finished, she drew on her inner strength and spoke slowly and clearly.

Our world is in stagnation. All of our resources are squandered and that includes our young people.

She took a breath. The current existing class system provides education in the basics of trade to the ruling class, but those not born to privilege are left to begin work at the age of twelve. Their potential is locked in the manual labour that provides the trade goods that are sent off world without appropriate tariffs being levied. We are ignoring part of our future and throwing away the rest.

Koara continued her speech, bringing out examples on the display that showed the intellect being squandered as well as the potential for profit if the goods were processed and manufactured on Trimel. Each report and example was backed by alien researchers who were astonished at the degraded development of the economy of Trimel. She had asked them, and they had provided the data she needed for this moment.

After she finished her report, she looked to the master councillor and waited.

His mouth opened and closed. Finally, he scoffed and looked to those assembled. Well, what do you expect of one so low born?

The room erupted in laughter. Several faces were serious, but there was an overall motion to drown out what their minds were thinking about with noise.

Koara sighed. She had tried. Nothing would crack a ceiling that tightened as you approached.

The moderator looked over his shoulder. Thank you both for your words. We now await a decision.

The laughter ceased as if cut off. The condescension turned to wariness.

The balcony that she faced slowly illuminated. A figure got to its feet and stepped into the light of the chamber. Koara had seen the Avatar in news vids, but she had never seen him in person.

The Avatar smiled at her, and light swirled in his gaze. Koara Ulings, you are very wise for one of your years. May I have a copy of your report?

Um, of course, Avatar.

The master councillor had his mouth open. Avatar, you cannot be serious.

The Avatar looked over at