Page 48 of Alien Engineer's Mate

"They took Maax!"

"Did they really?" Sheena's expression hardened as she stepped forward. In a heartbeat, she became someone else.

"Officer." Sheena stopped the third officer before he could retreat down the corridor. "I believe you were about to explain the grounds for this detention?"

The change in her bearing was so dramatic that Eira almost didn't recognize her. Gone was the shy teen girl she’d met this morning. This Sheena moved with precise, measured steps, her chin lifted with authority.

The officer's expression didn't change, but something in his posture shifted. "As we've explained to Lady Coleman, the matter is classified?—"

"That's interesting." Sheena moved to block his path, her tall, slender frame filling the space. "Because according toSection 47-B of the Intergalactic Security Protocols, immediate family members and legal representation must be informed of any detention's basic parameters within one standard hour of incarceration.”

Eira's breath caught. She'd known Sheena was studying law, but this... this was something else. Hope flickered in her chest.

Leo moved to stand beside Eira, his shoulder brushing hers.

"Furthermore," Sheena continued, her voice sharp, "failure to provide such information constitutes a violation of no less than three separate statutes regarding civilian rights during security operations. Would you like me to cite them?"

The officer's face had taken on an uncomfortable cast. He glanced at his colleagues, who suddenly seemed very interested in their datapads.

The security officer's jaw worked, tension visible in the cords of his neck. "The detainee is suspected of purist activities and associations."

Her knees weakened, and Leo's steady presence beside her was all that kept her upright. She’d read about purists in the mate program documentation. They were a nasty bunch of terrorists who hated the Lathar mating with human women. Something about keeping their bloodlines pure. But… Maax? A purist? The accusation was so absurd she almost laughed, but the sound caught in her throat, emerging as a strangled gasp.

"That's impossible," she managed. "Maax isn't—he would never?—"

"I will require that in writing," Sheena demanded. "Along with the specific allegations and evidence categories, as required by statute 359-C of the Intergalactic Personal Rights Act."

The officer's expression darkened. "You don't have the authority to?—"

Sheena pulled herself up to her full height. Even her horns seemed to straighten themselves out.

"I am Sheenara Elanis Taci of the Taci Family Legal Corporation." The words rang in the corridor like a declaration of war. "And I am officially informing you that Maax A’Taav is my client. Which means any further questioning or processing of my clientmustbe conducted in my presence."

The effect of the name on the security officers was immediate. The first officer actually took a step back. The one Sheena had cornered looked like he'd swallowed something sour.

"Additionally," Sheena—no, Sheenara—continued, "under the Suspected Ideological Crimes Protocols, my client is entitled to an immediate medical evaluation by an independent physician, unrestricted access to legal counsel, and accommodation in a holding facility rated for political detainees—rather than in standard security cells."

She produced a datapad from somewhere, her taloned fingers flying across its surface. "I'm logging these requirements with the Intergalactic Courts of Justice now. Failure to comply will result in an automatic review by the Intergalactic Justice Board. Would you like me to add anything to the record before I submit it?"

The officer's face had gone from sour to ashen. "That won't be necessary. I'll... inform my superiors of the change in status."

"Excellent." Sheena's smile was all teeth. "You may go."

They watched as the security team retreated, their previously measured steps now hurried. As soon as the corridor was clear, Sheena's professional demeanor cracked. She fumbled for her comm unit.

"Mom? I need some help. Yeah, now. I'm in the Mate Program section of the base." She looked around at the door to Eira's apartment. "Yeah, apartment 6147."

The transformation was so abrupt that Eira could only stare. This was still the same Sheena who had stumbled over her ownname when Leo had finally introduced her this morning as his girlfriend, but she'd just faced down station security without flinching and quoted laws Eira hadn't even known existed.

"How did you—" Eira started, but Sheena held up a hand, listening to whatever response was coming through her comm.

"Yes, Mom. No, I'm sure. It's bad." Her eyes met Eira's, filled with determination and worry in equal measure. "They have Maax A'Taav. They're calling him a purist. We need everything. And Mom?Hurry."

14

Pain exploded across Maax's jaw as a fist connected. The force snapped his head back, and he stumbled, held upright only by the iron grips on his wrists. His boots scraped against the polished floor as they dragged him forward, the sound echoing off the metal walls of the corridor.

"What is this about?" His words came out slurred, copper flooding his mouth. He worked his jaw, spitting out blood. "I demand to know the charges."

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