Page 64 of The Alien's Major Dilemma

Cooper shook his head.

"Is this what everyone else is eating?" Ae-cha asked.

"Yes, ma'am, I brought three portions of everything that was offered so you would have a variety. I'll be back to collect the tray before the meeting resumes."

"I suppose it will suffice," Ae-cha said and proceeded to ignore him in favor of picking through the food on the tray.

"It's a feast," Zoric said, the awe in his voice palpable.

"Thank you for bringing it," Cooper said. The soldier nodded and left.

When the door closed, they'd all started serving themselves, and Cooper reached out for Marissa. He wanted to ask her whatthe young man's name was but Ae-cha interrupted his thoughts before he could ask.

"You don't have to thank them for everything," she said.

"What do you mean?" Cooper asked. "I was being polite."

Ae-cha shook her head. "Most of them are basically servants. Hardly worth wasting the time to be polite to."

A strange buzz filled Cooper's mind that he eventually realized was coming from Marissa. Feeling her rage at Ae-cha was a curious experience. He'd felt something like it before, during his training, but it had been shut down before he'd truly understood.

Now, though, he could feel the full extent of her wrath and some indication of what had prompted it. He was so lost in her feelings that he didn't realize he was clutching at his chest while his heart beat fiercely against his ribs until Zoric shook him.

Cooper looked up and Zoric jumped back when he snarled at him.

"What the fuck?" Zoric gasped.

His gaze focused on Zoric, Cooper didn't see Ae-cha move across the table until she was right next to him. She had her hand on him before he could react and the connection to Marissa flashed away.

He shook his head and turned on the lizard woman, his anger rising and mutated for a different reason, when he felt Marissa's presence return.

Her anger had changed to fear and worry and he reached out to her.

Are you okay?

I should be asking you that,she returned. What happened?

I felt your anger like it was my own. Ae-cha broke the connection.

That is not comforting.

No, it is not. Are you well?

I went with Mintonar to see about getting my head fixed. He told me what's been happening to Captain LaGrange. I think they're going to need your help. And then I heard what Ae-cha said.

I did not intend for you to hear that.

I know. I have to talk to Mintonar. I love you.

Marissa closed the connection between them, though he could still feel her in the back of his mind, and he could tell he was smiling.

When he focused on his immediate surroundings, he saw the two other Chelion watching him warily.

"I believe we need to talk," he said, returning to the seat he'd knocked over in his rage.

"Yes, we do," Ae-cha said.

"Start with how you were able to do that," Zoric demanded.

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