Page 50 of Star Mates

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

When she stepped from the pod, the first person she saw was Willoughbee. So overcome with relief at seeing the stoic looking leader, Emmarie threw her arms around her and burst into tears. The surprised woman gruffly hugged her back, but it was clear giving emotional support was out of her comfort zone. Willoughbee cleared her throat and gave her an awkward pat on the back before pushing her gently back.

“It is good to see you,” Willoughbee stated softly. “I’ve been worried.”

“How is everyone? Leona? Pike? Harpo?”

“They are safe on Sparta, starting the salvage operation.”

Relief flooded Emmarie, making her a little light-headed.

“We are now at war,” said a voice behind her.

Startled, Emmarie turned and saw Scarface. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Two other Durian soldiers stood behind him, mimicking the stance.

He gave her a perusal up and down and Emmarie knew she was in desperate need of a bath and a decent meal. Her hair was greasy and itched and every once in a while, she caught an unpleasant whiff of herself.

“When we questioned some of the others on the Merloni ship, they said they saw you being pulled along behind Logan. We’ve been searching for you, Miss Tice.”

“Thank you…I don’t know your name.”

“I am High General Nairan Val’un.” He gave her a small, stiff bow before looking over her head. Logan had just exited the pod.

“Logan Crusic,” Willoughbee said coldly. “You will follow these Durian soldiers to a holding facility until we reach the Durian home planet. From there, you will face treason charges.”

Logan’s eyes widened behind his glasses but if he felt fear, he didn’t show it. “All right. Please take care of Emmarie. She’s innocent.”

“We know that,” Willoughbee replied.

Emmarie stepped forward but General Nairan’s hand closed over her shoulder. “I only escaped because of him. He knew he’d done something horrible, and he wanted to make amends.”

Willoughbee didn’t say anything. Logan sent her a grateful glance before he looked resolutely at the Durian soldiers. He followed after them as they escorted him away.

“What’s going to happen to him?” Emmarie asked.

“Even though he committed treason,” Willoughbee said, “the unprovoked attack by the Unarians on Durian territory brought the Durian’s to our aid. When General Nairan learned you had been taken, he personally launched the attack against all Merloni medical ships. Once they found the one you had been on and learned you escaped through the pod, he had his people scanning for it.”

Emmarie looked up at the coldly imposing General. “Thank you,” she murmured.

“I am…pleased…to see you well. Willoughbee will escort you to your quarters where you may freshen up.”

Emmarie felt heat steal into her cheeks. The General gave another formal nod to them before turning on his heel and walking away. The Durian ship was quite different than the Merloni medical ship. While that one was white, steel and sterile, this ship was pure militaristic. Dark colors, minimal paneling, much of the ship seemed under construction, although she had the feeling it was just a no-nonsense approach the Durian military used.

Willoughbee walked in the opposite direction than the one they had taken Logan, and Emmarie fell into step beside her.

“Have you heard from Pell?” she asked Willoughbee.

“We have not. We have received reports that the hub had been destroyed but so far Captain Raiden and his two accomplices are missing.” She sighed. “I’m afraid they might be…lost.”

A cold hand seized her heart. Tears sprang up into her eyes, but she blinked them back. Now wasn’t the time to get emotional.

“I’m pregnant,” she reported softly.

Willoughbee looked at her in surprise. “Captain Raiden?”

Emmarie nodded.

“Did he know?”

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