Chapter 1
Kat'Chinna Yarr stood on the observation deck of the Zantharian flagship, staring out at the much smaller vessel currently attached to the hull by a retractor beam. Her hands were clasped behind her back, and she hoped her stance projected the disciplined calm she was nowhere close to feeling.
Kat'Chinna used every ounce of her legendary control to keep her emotions in check. To keep her skin the even green her colleagues would expect from her at all times. None of the turmoil she felt inside could be allowed to show.
Major Ontarii, the flagship's commander, and Kat'Chinna's fearless leader, was at this moment exploring the small Earthling vessel with two of his security team. She'd been left behind in charge of the crew. As Major Ontarii's second in command, it was expected that she be here to take over in case of any emergency.
Nevertheless, it still stung. Being left behind while Major Ontarii risked his life ferreting out the enemy caused her anxiety to rise.
The Hareema, Zanthar's notorious shapeshifting nemesis, were able to hide in plain sight as anyone or anything. Your grandmother, your own child, even the floor you walked on could be an enemy agent. Her crew had picked up signs of Hareema DNA on the Earthling ship and they’d moved quickly to intercept the vessel. Now Major Ontarii and his men were interrogating the human crew.
Saying the mission was dangerous was an understatement. They'd been as careful as careful could be since the discovery of Hareema on the Zantharian home world. The six-foot blobs of jelly had even impersonated the Minister of Defense, brother to the Zantharian supreme regent himself. The minister was still missing, perhaps dead at the hands of the Hareema. If they had hands at the time.
What they were doing was of the highest importance. Kat'Chinna locked her hands tighter all the while trying to fight to keep her muscles relaxed.
Deep breaths,Kat, she told herself.Major Ontarii's a big boy. He can take care of himself.
In the five years she'd served under Major Ontarii's command, the major had time and again proved himself an excellent commander. He was strong, brave, and powerful, but at the same time respectful of his colleagues. He demanded the best from his underlings because he held himself to an even higher standard. It was an honor and a privilege to serve under him, and Kat'Chinna had never once been disappointed at being assigned to his crew.
It doesn't hurt that he's also handsome. And smart. And probably the most loyal and honest man I've ever met.
Although she would never admit this anywhere outside of her own mind, Kat'Chinna was half in love with the dashing Major Ontarii. He'd only ever been professional with her, so she couldn't tell if perhaps her feelings would be returned. And because of her position as his second, they weren't free to pursue a relationship.
That didn't stop Major Ontarii from starring in her fantasies each night.
She’d always wondered what kind of lover he would be, even if her curiosity filled her with embarrassment. He was a man of quiet strength, one who had always been fair but firm with his crew. She wondered if that strength and firmness would translate to his lovemaking.
Kat'Chinna shook her head to clear it of such perilous thoughts. They had an easy working relationship, and the major trusted her with high-level, classified information. She couldn't risk losing what they had by exposing her desire for him.
An alert sounded and she turned from the viewport, her body springing to action. In a few steps, she was out the door and headed down the corridor, toward the hatch that served as the entrance to the Earthling ship. It was heavily guarded, an additional membrane established to act as a quarantine in case any life forms attempted to invade the flagship.
As she approached, the membrane between the Earthling ship and hers opened. She watched as Major Ontarii stepped through, followed by three others.
Humans.
Kat'Chinna made her way to the barrier, waiting as Major Ontarii breached the second membrane. She charged up her bioelectricity, seeing similar ripples tracing up the skin of the four guards gathered around the quarantined area. They would be ready for anything.
Major Ontarii cleared the second membrane and nodded at his crew. He then gestured for the humans to follow. As they stepped into the corridor, Kat'Chinna sized them up.
The first one through was small, with dark hair that framed her face. A female, Kat'Chinna surmised. All Zantharians officers were required to have a working knowledge of other species' biology. Human females were generally smaller and more delicate than their male counterparts. The same was not exactly true of Zantharian females.
Next came another female, this one slightly taller, and with almost no hair on her head, just the barest hint of dark fuzz. She hurried to the other human's side, putting an arm around her and staring daggers at the rest of the crew.
Kat'Chinna almost smiled. At least that one has some fight in her.
The last human pushed through the membrane, and for a moment all thoughts fled from Kat'Chinna's mind.
A human male, tall and well-muscled (for a human), with hair that was cut close on the sides and neck, giving way to longer waves on the top. The color reminded her of the Southern Sea under moonlight, a glowing yellow that she'd spent long nights admiring during her training with the Zantharian guard. They'd done several night missions, long nights at sea, and that color had always brought her a strange sense of inner peace.
Kat'Chinna forced herself to continue her inspection, pushing away her wayward thoughts. The male's skin was lightly tanned, and she wondered how he managed that while spending so much time in a starship. His eyes were a deep blue, and she noted immediately the intelligence she found there.
She realized those eyes were staring back at her and blinked, unsure why the human's gaze unsettled her.
"I want these three taken to the brig," Major Ontarii commanded, pulling her attention away from the male. Kat'Chinna was almost grateful for the distraction. She set her mind back to her duty.
Major Ontarii was already striding down the corridor, headed for the bridge. Kat'Chinna nodded at the guards to stay put, knowing they would keep an eye on the humans. She then jogged after her leader.
"Major, if you'll excuse the interruption, we need to follow protocol."
