“Oh Jeff, you’re such a kidder,” she said, putting her hand on his arm while they laughed.
Rasveen’s face was darker than a thundercloud. He grabbed Sylvia by the waist and pulled her back. “This will be your only warning, human. Touch my mate again, and I’ll feed you to the gnarsharks myself.”
Jeffrey put both of his hands in the air. “She touched me, Your Majesty.”
“Stop it,” Sylvia said, squirming to be released. “He’s a friend from work. Be nice to him.”
The regent set Dr. Cohen down and bent low, nuzzling her neck before speaking in a low voice to her. Jeffrey was barely able to make out his words. “Don’t test my patience, woman. You know the rules. Any other male touches you, I rip his arms off.”
Sylvia chuckled. “Oh, X. You’re so romantic.”
Jeffrey’s brows furrowed. He was unable to tell if her words were meant ironically or not. Still, it was clear the little human scientist and the large planetary leader had an intense connection. He decided immediately not to push things.
Besides, he liked his arms attached to his body.
“If you don’t mind an interruption to this love fest,” Dr. Tan said, approaching the entwined pair, “would you mind telling us what’s going on around here? Have your forces located theEarhartyet?”
The regent frowned. “Afraid not. We’ve got most of the fleet searching, but space is vast, and our security protocols make this kind of search slow and plodding.”
“Did you locate the other Hareema on the flagship?” Jeffrey asked. He knew it was the thing that Kat was most concerned about.
This time the regent’s face tightened, his eyes narrowing as streaks of yellow worked their way up his otherwise green skin. “No. Our men have been searching every inch of the ship, but so far we’ve found nothing.”
“The Zantharian crew has been tested and removed, and the Hareema prisoner is currently under guard in the most secure facilities. The flagship itself is locked down, no one and no thing allowed out of the hangar without testing.”
Jeffrey nodded, realizing a weight he hadn’t even known he’d been carrying was lifted from him chest. “And the prisoner, is it still being subjected to constant current?”
“Yes,” Rasveen rumbled. “It seems we have you to thank for assisting in the capture of our first Hareema prisoner. Although I must say I’d almost rather you’d let Yarr kill it.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Jeffrey replied, then grew serious. “We need the information it has. We have to find out how they learned to imitate your energy exchange. And to determine how many Hareema might be here on Zanthar. And on Earth.”
“You’re right,” Sylvia said, elbowing the regent in his ribs.
“I agree,” he said, giving the scientist a smile. “Still, it makes me nervous, having a Hareema in captivity.
“I’m working with Zantharian scientists to determine the means of imprisoning the creature without having to keep blasting it with a constant energy stream. I don’t think it can even talk until we’ve done so. Its molecules are too destabilized.”
“I’d be willing to help with that,” Dr. Tan said. “I’m a medical doctor. Although I have no experience with alien anatomy, I have kept up on current exobiological theory.”
“I’d appreciate your help,” Dr. Cohen said with a smile.
“What about me and Lieutenant Cheerful?” Chao asked. “Is there some way we might be of use too?”
Rasveen stared down at the woman who appeared tiny next to the towering Zantharian. “I will think on it. Right now, you can all help by staying put. Although my people are slowing warming to my chosen mate, sentiment on Zanthar remains against humans. As we have not been able to determine the level of infiltration and cooperation between Hareema and humans, conspiracy theories run rife. For your own safety, I’d like you to stay here in the cell a little longer.”
Jeffrey wasn’t pleased by those words, but he could understand the issues the regent was facing. Beset by enemies on all sides and beleaguered by his own constituents, it couldn’t be easy to be in Rasveen’s shoes at the moments.
If he wore shoes.
“Agreed,” Chao said, speaking for the three of them. Her stomach chose that moment to let out a loud rumble. “As long as you feed us soon.”
The regent let out a loud chuckle. “Of course.”
