Page 31 of Star Defenders (My Alien Mates 2)

I arched an eyebrow.

"They will be contained in engineering," he said. "Take them there."

"I'm happy to let you do the honours," I said.

"You have them, you can carry them." That was the first hint J'avet was as scared of the robotic critters as I was.

"Your chivalry is touching," I muttered. "Fine, let's go there before my arm gets too tired." I glanced up in time to see a flash of fear on J'avet's face. It gave me no comfort whatsoever.

I took a breath and resumed walking slowly.

9

"For the record,I think this is a stupid idea." I wanted to march the dish to the nearest window and toss it out. If we weren't on a spaceship, with windows that didn't open, and if I wouldn't be sucked out into space, I would. I suspected J'avet would have the security officers stop me if I tried. I might spend the rest of the journey in the brig, while Slek got stuck studying the nanobots anyway. The suspense alone would probably kill me.

Still, I couldn't let it go without giving J'avet my professional opinion.

"For the record, your opinion doesn't interest me," he said coldly.

"I wasn't under the illusion it did," I said, my tone matching his. "But it had to be said. I bet these good security folk agree."

They said nothing, of course, because he was their commanding officer.

Slek, on the other hand, had no such reservations. "On behalf of Freytauri everywhere, this really is a risk I'd prefer we not take."

"Noted," J'avet said.

"How about that?" I remarked. "He's interested in what another man has to say, but not me."

"I saw that too," Slek said. "The fact you're carrying a dish of live nanobots is a good reason to treat you with respect. One of many reasons."

"Enough," J'avet snapped. "Focus on walking and keeping your hand steady. We don't want any accidents."

"Exactly my point," I muttered. The nanobots were moving quicker now, swirling around the dish like a group of drunk people trying to find the door. "We should move faster. I have a really bad feeling…"

The nanobots tapped at the lid of the dish. They dashed away to the side, gathered into a ball and swept back, tapping harder.

My hand trembled. "I don't think I can hold them."

"Just a few more steps," Slek said.

They slammed again and I swear the lid shifted.

"In here," Slek placed a hand on my back and steered me through a doorway. "We'll put them in the deep freeze."

"Will that hold them?" I asked.

"I fucking hope so," Slek said. "Here, place the dish inside." He opened a hatch on the wall.

I did as he asked and stepped back quickly as he slammed the door shut and hit a button beside it.

The screen showed the dish snap frozen. The glass cracked and the nanobots slid a centimetre or two before they stopped entirely.

I sagged against Slek. "Will that hold them for long?"

"Space is colder and they live there," Slek said. "I think they're stunned. We'll have to work quickly."

"What could go wrong?" I gave J'avet a dark look.

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