Page 132 of Alien Haven

“You better believe it. There’s sometimes up to a GC standard month delay to get at the resources at my school. We’re constantly filing extensions to finish our work for our professors.”

“Haven’s colony charter is specific about it being a resource to benefit Earthers and Kalquorians who wish to pursue farming and ranching. However, other colony charters belonging to Kalquor have been changed if the alterations were considered of value to civilization,” Detodev noted. “It’s possible our government would consider an observatory and university facility to be an advantageous addition.”

“It is inside the empire’s space,” Mitag added.

“If the Galactic Council’s university got its shit together after the Darks are shown the door…or Kalquor and Haven residents decided to extend Kalquor’s current university system to extend studies here…I can see it. Planet Farm Hell could be an important place for stellar investigation.” Charity’s mind boggled. The modest home of cow and ronka patties could become a springboard for a whole field of education and exploration.

“You should send a proposal to the Kalquorian university board,” Ilid said. “As well as the governors of Haven. Groteg and Utber have the connections to get you interviews.”

“The Jennifer Seng Observatory.” Mitag grinned. “Impressive credentials. You’d have Kalquorian clans of high rank beating down your door.”

She snorted, not just at his obvious fishing. Nor because it wasn’t her real name he was using.

She considered her father’s vaunted position on the original Earth. He’d been a high-ranking general at the Holy Leader’s side when Browning Copeland had wielded all the power. It wouldn’t have saved her from Copeland’s sick lust. Then there was her sister Hope. She’d joined a high-ranking clan, but theyhad served as double agents in the empire’s recent civil war. Though they’d been instrumental in saving Kalquor from the enemies determined to destroy it, they were still considered one step above traitors by many.

All those showy titles, all their heroics, yet the Naths weren’t allowed to be together as a family. Charity had no clue when she’d see her father and sister again. Thanks to the dangers inherent in their positions, it was possible she wouldn’t.

“Rank is nothing,” she said. “I can’t imagine anything lower on my list of priorities. I’m only interested in those I can count on to be close. People I can count on, period.”

Reminded of how Detodev had been there outside the barn when she’d run to escape her attacker, she glanced at the big Nobek. True, his showing up when she needed him had been a coincidence…but he’d been there, nonetheless. Her smile of gratitude was sincere.

She must have caught him off guard because he returned it in full. His was a wonderful smile. It transformed what had been a merely handsome man…in a morose sort of fashion…into stunning.

Hello, gorgeous. Why have you been hiding?

Jennifer smiling…really smiling instead of in her teasing, ready-to-kick-you-in-the-crotch smirk…was a revelation for Detodev. Starry Eyes was beautiful. Truly, unequivocally beautiful. It was as if he’d never seen her before.

It had come on gradually, he realized. As she’d spoken of the hypergiant sun she ached to prove, as she’d seen the potential for an observatory on Haven, the snide and somewhat juvenile aspect of her personality had faded to reveal an intelligent woman fully capable of forging a path for herself and those who’d take note and follow. Just as she’d looked at the sky and seen the whole of its possibilities, he now saw that in her.

Is this what it is to fall in love?

Shit.

The notion simultaneously amused and irritated Detodev. The urge to be near Jennifer, to protect her at all costs…an urge setting his teeth on edge…was terrifying because it felt so imperative. It was a desire he couldn’t shove aside.

It was getting late, and Jennifer began packing up her telescope. Mitag glanced between Ilid and Detodev. “Want to come back to my place? Drinks, whatever else?”

“I have to be in the fields early. The east field’s monitors seem to be passing their glitches to each other. In fact, I need to talk to Groteg and Sara about it, get some extra hands over there to work on the machines if they can spare them. I’ll join you another time.” Detodev spoke half-truths blandly, hoping Mitag wouldn’t suspect he was doing so. The Imdiko had an uncanny ability to sense when he was being outright lied to.

“I’ll join you,” Ilid told Mitag. He glanced at Detodev but didn’t press him to accompany them. “I told my parents not to wait up. Hopefully, they’ll listen this time.”

Detodev felt a mix of disappointment and relief. The idea he could have enjoyed both the fascinating Dramok and lovely Mitag almost made him wish he hadn’t opted to remain behind. At least Mitag was too delighted to be entertaining Ilid to press him on his excuses.

They stuck around long enough to see Jennifer to the back steps of the Amgar home. Then the two men left, their heads close together in conversation as they walked away. Their laughter drifted on the air.

“Good. Ilid needs to have an affair. He and Mitag fit well, don’t they?” Jennifer sighed, the sound happy.

“You really aren’t put off by them being intimate?” It wasn’t the conversation Detodev wanted to have, but curiosity demanded he ask.

“It’s hot. I’ll be imagining those two together later.” Her bald statement was accompanied by a challenging gaze. “Not all Earthers are uptight. Do I strike you as an Earthtique?”

“No. But some Earthers have secrets. What did you mean when you told Sara someone had discovered who you really are after the attack in the barn?”

She paled. “I have the feeling you understand about keeping secrets. It seems you’re a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Heaven forbid you share anything when it comes to yourself.”

“You’re deflecting.” He kept accusation from his tone, trying to invite her to share. “I’ve spent the entire evening wondering who Jennifer Seng really is. And who realizes who she is and why they came after her today.”

“Damn it.” She scowled at the sky she’d been looking so dreamily at minutes earlier.

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