Chapter 14
“I don’t need a bodyguard.” Teagan crossed her arms over her chest in refusal.
“You’ll have one or you won’t get off this shuttle.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
She thought LemAN would make her stay on the shuttle like last time. No way was she going to do that again. It made her too antsy with worry not knowing what was happening. When they landed on the Morinian transport, she asked if she could go with him to meet with the commander and leader. He reluctantly said yes and immediately followed it up by dropping the news that she would have a bodyguard following her around. At least it was someone she was familiar with: Lt. ComEY. She turned to the lieutenant.
“I guess you’re stuck babysitting me,” she said to ComEY as they exited the shuttle behind LemAN.
He frowned. “You are not a young.”
“Never mind.” She watched as LemAN met with his men and gave more orders. The Morinian warriors, mostly women in uniform with helmets, stood around watching them with what she assumed must be suspicion. Some of them looked her way and she smiled at them.
“Hi! I’m Teagan White.”
No one greeted her but they looked curious. She was short and they were much taller, similar to a few of the Katieran women Teagan had seen.
“They are scared. Don’t take their hesitancy personally,” ComEY whispered to her.
She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. “Do you still think of them as the enemy?”
He shook his head. “So far I would have to say no. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.”
Well, that was an improvement. Maybe there was hope that the Katierans would one day be able to fully welcome the Morinians into their fold. It was going to have to happen since the Morinians were mostly women, and they would have to have men to help repopulate. In turn, the Katierans and their allies needed women. It could be beneficial to both races and help to bridge the gap between the two.
“Teagan, you’re with me.” LemAN took her hand and turned to follow one of the Morinian warriors.
Teagan walked next to LemAN, who squeezed her hand reassuringly. Lt. ComEY followed behind them. She was excited to be on a different transport. It was similar to the Katieran and Colonial transports that she had traveled on. She would love to check out their engine room and take something apart. She needed a new project.
She saw Commander Kayley waiting for them when they got off the lift. The taller woman looked at Teagan curiously. “Are you a Katieran female?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m human from Earth.”
“Earth? What galaxy is that in?”
LemAN cut Teagan off before she said anything else. “We’re not here to discuss my mate’s home world. I need to speak to your leader about what my people are willing to offer.”
Commander Kayley narrowed her eyes at him. “You bring a foreign species on board my transport. As a commander, I have a right to find out if she poses a threat to my people.”
LemAN snorted. “Does she look like a threat?”
Commander Kayley laughed, looking Teagan up and down. “I suppose not.”
Teagan felt a bit insulted by that. “Hey! Don’t talk about my species like that! I know I may not represent the strongest of my people but we do have warriors of our own.”
“I apologize to you and your fierce species. I am Commander Kayley of the Morinian people.” She reached out a hand and Teagan knew to clasp forearms, which was what the Katierans did.
“I’m Teagan White, engineering and communications expert from Earth.”
“It’s a pleasure meeting you. If you will follow me I will take you to meet with the councilmen.”
LemAN took her hand again and she felt at ease. Nothing could hurt her as long as she was with him. She knew he would do everything he could to protect her. Plus, she had her very own bodyguard. What could happen?
They entered a room where three people sat at a table. Two older men and an older woman stood up and greeted them.
“Commander LemAN, thank you for your assistance. Your crew has extended the power for our transport. It gives us a better chance to find a planet that will sustain life,” the older woman said before turning her attention to Teagan.
