“What makes you think that?” another warrior asked.
“The theft is happening on specific dates and times?” Logan suggested.
The commander gave him an approving nod. “Yes. At first, it appeared to be random with food, clothing, and medical supplies. Now the thefts are only occurring with shipments of weapons.”
Logan shuddered to think about these destructive humans getting their hand on Drastan weapons. In order to stop this, he would have to do something he never thought he would do. He would have to spend time with the humans.
“Sir, I would like to volunteer to lead the team that goes to the dome,” he offered.
Commander Estro smiled. “You were my first choice, Captain Coor. You can pick three warriors to be part of your team. You leave in ten hours.”
“We’ll be ready, sir.”
*****
Shortly after Commander Estro dismissed the warriors, Logan was called for a private video conference with Commander Drake Bond. It was known that this commander was not fully supportive of the Drastan efforts on Earth. Logan thought the meeting had to do with his mission.
“Sir.”
“Captain Coor. I understand you have been assigned a mission on Earth.”
“I cannot discuss my mission with you, sir,” Logan told him.
“I don’t need you to tell me the details. I have clearance and am fully informed.”
“Then why did you call this meeting? I must prepare to leave in less than six hours.”
“I want to discuss some concerns I have about this mission.”
“You should address them with Commander Estro.” Logan wasn’t sure how he felt about this meeting behind his direct commander’s back.
“Commander Estro is a fine commander and male. He is honorable. However, I believe his judgment may be compromised due to his and his sons’ mating with Earth females.”
“Again, these concerns should be taken up directly with Commander Estro.”
Commander Bond raked a hand through his heavily salt and pepper hair. “I’m not asking you to act against your assigned mission.”
“Then what are you asking of me?”
“All I ask is that if you come across evidence that the agreements between the humans and Drastans are not being met appropriately, to let me know. If humans are building a resistance to attack our people, I want to know.”
“What do you want to use this information for exactly?”
“If the agreement is not being upheld, or the humans are planning to attack our people, then it is best for our people to withdraw our aid and leave this planet to deal with their own survival. It is my belief that humans and Drastans are not meant to mix.”
“You can’t mean to split the mated pairs.” Logan wasn’t a fan of humans, but he had seen the Estros with their mates. They were very loving. Many Drastans expressed a desire to meet a human to mate. He wasn’t one of them, but he would support those who sought such a pairing.
“Of course, I would never deny someone’s claim to a mating. But if the gods intended for our people to mingle with this species, shouldn’t there be more mating than what we have seen?”
Logan couldn’t argue with that. It was a sound argument. Only a handful of mates were paired off. “I won’t go against my original mission. But if I find something that is a threat to our people, I will pass that information on to you.”
“I knew I could count on you, Captain Coor. Dismissed.”
Logan saluted the commander before leaving. He had a terrible feeling that this mission, which should have been straightforward, just got more complicated.
