Page 44 of Desperate Measures

He edged closer. “Shalia, I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve missed you and your trouble. I mean, I hated it when you were in danger or hurt, but the rest…it was wonderful.”

Her expression was definitely softer. “I have to say, I’d go through the worst parts again just so I could enjoy the good times.”

“You, me, Oses…part of me lives there still.” He leaned nearer. If he kissed her, would she reject him? Or would she let him?

“We heard a yell. Is everything all right?”

Betra jerked back as Resan stepped through the tall grass that had concealed him and Shalia from their surroundings. Nekis, a strong, hale woman despite her nearly white waist-length hair, was right behind them.

“I decided to see if I could break my ankle and ruin everyone’s fun. I think it’s only sprained.” Shalia gave Resan a dirty look, ready for him to insult her. Betra was reminded again it was as if it were the old days.

“Does it hurt?” he asked mildly. Betra noticed how his Dramok’s sharp gaze lit on him for a moment.

“Only a ton, but don’t worry. I won’t cry.”

“A nice change.” He smirked but remained on his best behavior after a warning gaze from Nekis. His grandmother was aware of the dislike between the pair, a dislike she most adamantly refused to share. She adored Shalia, much to Resan’s consternation since he worshipped his grandmother.

“You must have stepped in this hole,” the family matriarch said. She crouched and gently probed Shalia’s ankle as Betra had. She earned the same wince and jerk. “Yell for her Imdiko to come here. Cifa can carry her to the shuttle and take her home. He won’t want to remain here when his clanmate is hurt. The rest of us can continue hunting as planned.”

“Thank you,” Shalia said, her gratitude shining at Nekis as Resan shouted for Cifa. “I can’t stand the thought of wrecking this holiday when you’ve been so kind to host us.”

“It’s always a delight to have your clan here. I might stay in tomorrow too if you’re unable to hunt. You and I have a lot to catch up on.” Nekis beamed at the thought.

Cifa burst into view, followed by the rest of Shalia’s clan. Oses and Anrel were a split second behind. Everyone was exclaiming at once, asking what had happened.

A hand fell on Betra’s shoulder. He glanced up to find Resan smiling at him…a not very nice smile. “Make room for her clan so they can tend their Matara, my Imdiko.”

“Of course.” Betra stood up and stepped aside as Clan Seot and their children crowded around Shalia. He pretended his legs weren’t shaking.

* * * *

Alpha Space Station

Spy Nobek Selt glanced at his superior officer Nobek Kuran, then to Kuran’s Dramok clanmate Rihep, who wasn’t a spy. The pair stared intently at the footage from the promenade Selt had loaded into the computer vid hovering over the desk of the office they occupied.

Because Admiral Piras was off on assignment, Kuran was in charge of Earth II’s spy contingent, which Selt and his clanmates worked for. They used their absent leader’s office for the private meeting. Selt’s clanmates Deram and Hadlez were also present, in their capacity as spies and Charity Nath’s on-station guardians.

“I have an identification on the Gyma who was watching Matara Charity,” Selt reported. “His name is Nydroj, and he’s an aide to his world’s ambassador to the Galactic Council.”

“I see it.” Rihep’s eyes narrowed as he peered to the side of the Gyma, sharpening his usual peaceful countenance.

“A Dark?” Kuran pressed. His rugged good looks turned fierce.

“It’s on his back and shoulders. A couple of the tentacles are wrapped around the Gyma’s neck.” Rihep’s lips pressed tight together.

The Dramok had once pursued a career as a Temple of Life priest. He continued to meditate regularly, a practice that helped some Kalquorians detect the enemy’s presence. It was why he’d been called in to view the footage despite not being a member of the Kalquorian fleet’s spy division.

Deram and Hadlez exchanged worried glances.

“Do we know the current whereabouts of this Nydroj?” Kuran’s attention went to Selt.

“I tracked him as soon as Matara Charity reported him watching her. He left almost immediately after she spotted him. His heading would take him to Galactic Council space.”

“What was he doing on the station? I thought GC personnel had been banned since the trouble started,” Deram said.

“They were,” Kuran said, scowling at the footage as it played on a loop. “Nydroj was on Earth when the whole mess started. He’d been operating as a liaison between Earth and the Galactic Council. He disappeared until Matara Charity spotted him last night.”

“His spacecraft had remained on Earth all this time. Chief Adams had it under guard at our request. Before daybreak, it took off without clearance, then disappeared before patrols could track it.” Selt scowled.

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