A Zantharian soldier peeked his head through the door. “We’ve got the containment field up and the prisoner is inside it. What are your orders?”
Jeffrey stood, crossing his arms over his chest and trying to calm his breathing. “I want all four of you to remain on theEarhart. Keep watch over the guards in rotating shifts. Stay in the cargo bay at all times. I don’t care if you have to piss in the corners, don’t leave that room.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“There could be other Hareema on the ship, ones we don’t know about. So just stay there and watch the prisoner. Don’t let him escape. Am I understood?”
“Yes, Sir.”
The Zantharian sped away. “At least one of your kind knows how to follow orders.”
Kat rolled her eyes, then made to stand, swaying slightly on her feet. Jeffrey grabbed her. “You shouldn’t be moving around.”
“I’m fine,” she said. “I feel much better,” she said, wiping a bit of salve off her neck. “Thanks for treating me.”
“Of course,” he said. “Look, Kat, you scared me half to death earlier.”
“Please,” she said, stopping him with a spearing glance. “We need to get underway to Zanthar. Let me inform the navigator of our progress.”
With that, she walked out of the room. Jeffrey stood there, his insides on fire. How easily she dismissed him, like he wasn’t even there.
He stalked after her, down the corridor, and onto the bridge.
“We’ve captured the Hareema,” he heard her say. “Plot a course back to Zanthar, as quickly as you can. You’ll have to account for the extra weight of the human vessel. We’re going to have to tow her back.”
The navigator nodded, punching in coordinates and studying his display. “We can be back to the home world in 6 hours,” he said.
“Good,” Jeffrey said, grabbing Kat’s arm. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, the lieutenant and I need some rest. We’ve been up two days running and we’re pretty exhausted.”
“I’m fine,” Kat started to interrupt, but he shoved her toward the bridge entrance.
“Do not disturb us unless the damn ship is being fired upon. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Lieutenant,” the navigator said, his eyes wide.
Jeffrey turned on his heel and headed for the corridor, dragging Kat along with him.
“There’s no need to be an asshole about it,” Kat said, trying to pull away from him. He only tightened his grip and sped up, pushing through the mess and back into the bunk. When the membrane closed behind him, he rounded on her.
“Now I’m going to say something, and you’re going to shut up and listen.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she opened her mouth to fire back, but he slammed a hand over it.
“I said listen. You disobeyed a direct order earlier, one that almost led to your death. I realize you’re not a fan of taking orders from a human, but for once you should have fucking obeyed!”
Kat surprised him by biting the palm of his hand. He yanked it away, glaring at her furiously.
“Obey? You? What makes you think I would ever obey you willingly?”
