X ordered the scientists working inside the little ship out. After they’d gone, he undid the restraints at Sylvie's back.
"Magnis," she said, approaching the console before X could start to interfere. "It's me, Dr. Cohen. Begin activation sequence."
There was an unpleasant buzzing sound. "Human voiceprint recognized, but no access code received." It was Magnis, his voice as toneless and flat as ever.
"Stupid NASA. They built in a bunch of extra security protocols because they were worried about the ship falling into the wrong hands. Although I don't know why, since we weren't even sure advanced life existed in the universe."
"Input the access code."
"I will," she barked at X. "As soon as I can remember it."
"You forgot the access code?" His voice was a heavy growl.
"I didn't forget," she shot back. "I have to remember the appropriate code for the situation. If I toss out the wrong one, it will make things worse."
"Well, what kind of situation is this?" His breathing rate was increasing, his body rigid.
God, this mating frenzy thing is sure making him tense. If only I could think of a way to relax him so he could think straight.
The image of dropping to her knees and giving him something to moan and groan about almost buckled her. Maybe he wasn’t the only one going into a mating frenzy. She swallowed hard and tried to concentrate.
"Let's see... I would think Magnis would consider this just a standard entry. I'll give him the code I would give after returning from a scouting mission."
Sylvie leaned over the console. "Honey, I'm home."
The green lights blinked red, and an alarm began sounding. "Incorrect access code. The ship has started auto-destruct sequencing.”
"Goddamn NASA, why do they have to be so overdramatic?" Sylvie bit her lip.
"Self-destruct in T-minus ten minutes."
"Thanks for the update.” Sylvie rolled her eyes and let out a shaky breath. Having X stare over her shoulder didn’t help much. The heat rolling off of him was almost palpable.
He grabbed the back of her arms, pressing himself to her back. His desire to mate was evident by the thick press of his erection against the middle of her back.How the hell did he fit that thing inside of me?
He leaned over and brushed his lips over her shoulder. "Wrong situation. Try again, doctor."
"Okay, don't worry." She pushed at his head, needing a little bit of breathing room. "After I realized NASA wanted me to memorize thirty or so of these situations and then rely on a computer to share my assessment of what constituted each one, I insisted that they input an overall all-clear code that would call off any self-destruct sequence."
"Why didn't you try that one first?"
Sylvie frowned. "Because it's a last resort. Once I use it, the self-destruct can't ever be re-enabled."
X's hands covered his ears through the cloak as the destruction radar began to wail louder and louder. He moved and stuck his head out of the hatch of the craft. "Get everyone out of here. Initiate blast shield protocol."
Sylvie watched as the scientists scurried out, then saw an opaque membrane similar to Zantharian doors appear and engulf the walls of the large chamber.
The regent pulled his head back in and pushed back his hood, his dark face scowling at her. "Re-enabling doesn't matter now. Call off the self-destruct."
"Okay," she said, licking her lips. The self-destruct was the one weapon her vessel had. Literally. It wasn't equipped with any long-range weapons, nor anything hand-held. Even the utensils were dull.
Make a choice. You either trust him to keep you safe, or you blow up your only ride home.
"Magnis," she said, turning back to the console, "don't you think you're overreacting a little?"
The alarm kept buzzing. The lights continued flashing. Sylvie's knees buckled and X reached for her.
"What is it?" X asked. “Give the computer the damn code, Sylvie.”
