Page 33 of Heart's Keeper

"That's correct."

Jameson nodded. "Well, that puts us in a bad predicament, doesn't it?"

"I guess so," Lana replied.

Jameson sniffed and started to walk along the wall. "To be truthful, I'd hate to take out a pair of fine females such as yourselves. But I have to protect this facility as well and do my duty to keep outsiders from knowing about us." He stopped by one of the large guns connected to the top of the wall and patted its side. "I don't want to shoot you down like dogs. But imprisonment, I'm afraid, may be your best option. Until we can figure out what you're looking for here."

"I don't think that's going to work either," Lana said.

"Wish I could say otherwise."

Lana lowered her arms and glanced at Elise before returning her gaze to Jameson. "I don't think you understand. If you try to take us or shoot us, I can guarantee my men will retaliate. We could have made our way in by force, but I chose to walk here alone with my associate in hopes you'd understand we only wish to talk."

"Threatening isn’t going to help your case."

"I'm not threatening. I'm giving you a warning," Lana explained. "We don't wish to fight."

Jameson seemed to think it over. He gestured to one of his men, and they talked low for some time. The rest of the guards kept their guns aimed and ready. Eventually, Jameson turned back to them.

"Afraid it's a no-go," he said casually. "If your men don't want to stand down, we will gladly respond in kind." He patted the gun again. "Now start forward slowly. If you make a wrong move or your soldier there so much as goes for her gun, we won't hesitate to fire."

Lana didn't move, and neither did Elise.

“Did you not hear me, or did your feet stop working? Cause we can get them going again." He lifted his hand, and the men dropped their aim toward the women’s feet.

Lana thought quickly, trying to work out a response. Whether she and Elise went with them or not, she knew her team would respond at any moment. "You don't want to do this."

"I think I do. Start walking. We will give you two seconds. One—"

A loud buzzer sounded, followed by a heavy click from a speaker box on the wall. "Halt, Jameson," came a voice from the speaker.

Jameson nearly rolled his eyes as he turned to the box. He put up a finger indicating to wait one moment, then pressed a button and grabbed hold of a small phone connected to the box's side. They waited as he spoke with someone unseen, tension rising in every moment. When he finished, he returned the phone to the box and turned back to them with an annoyed expression.

"Seems you're in luck today," he said grimly. "Open the gate," he ordered his men. Guns dropped and the men moved off to the side as the gate screeched open.

Lana let out a slow breath. She and Elise relaxed briefly as the station was revealed before them. From inside, a pair in labcoats—a woman and a man—came running toward them. The man, to Lana's great surprise, wasn't a human but, in fact, a gyda male, a fish-like species whose people Lana had long ago studied but hadn't seen in years.

The woman approached them first, her dark eyes wide with excitement. "I can't believe it's really you." She shook her head in disbelief, her thick curls swaying. "Dr. Hart, it is so good to meet you." She put out her hand. "I'm Dr. Siera. You can call me Bo."

Reluctantly, Lana took her hand and shook it. The woman gave her a bright grin that, for a moment, reminded Lana of her friend, Nicole. Her grin quickly disappeared when Jameson appeared and stood by the gate, watching them.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with all that," she said in a low voice. "But they have very strict measures here now."

"It's all right," Lana said. "Are you in charge here?"

"Not exactly. I'm one of the head officials of the station, but the current powers that be are inside." She gave Jameson a dirty look before fixing Lana with another smile. "You can come through, and we can talk at the center."

Lana looked to Elise. Elise glanced at Jameson with a frown, then turned her back and stepped away. She brought up the techband on her wrist and spoke softly. Lana turned to Bo, her eyes drifting over to the gyda male nearby.

"That's Abrohs," Bo said. "He's another head official and my good friend. He recognized you right away. He'd seen you once many years ago on a gyda reserve."

Abrohs tapped his chin and extended his palm in welcome. Lana did the same in turn.

Elise returned to Lana's side and leaned in close. "We're good to go," she said softly. "They'll be close, watching."

Lana knew she meant the team and Nezka. She locked eyes with Jameson, who gestured for his men to circle them.

"Only you two," he remarked. "I see one non-human thing that isn't a gyda trying to get in and I order my men to shoot. Keep your guys away, and we won't have a problem, got it?"

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