Page 32 of Star Defenders (My Alien Mates 2)

"Fortunately we can jettison them the moment they pose an increased risk," Slek said.

A handful of engineers gathered around to peer at the screen attached to the freezer unit. They muttered amongst themselves, but moved aside when a woman in an IF uniform strode into the room. Taller than me by at least a head, she held herself like someone accustomed to being obeyed.

"Captain Uval," J'avet greeted with more respect than I had ever heard from him. I sensed he still held something back, even now.

Sexistpig, I thought.

She turned eyes as green as her skin, and slender antennas toward him.

"Commander J'avet. I hear you're responsible for securing a cluster of nanobots for my engineers to observe."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied smartly. He gave me a look as though he wanted me to keep my mouth shut. Fat chance, asshole.

"Engineer Slek and I found them," I said. "With Doctor Mazic's help. He—" I jerked a thumb toward J'avet, "told us to bring them here."

"It was a team effort," Slek said, much more kindly than anything I would have said.

"I see." Uval gave J'avet a speculative look and turned toward the screen. "Curious little machines."

J'avet shot daggers at me with his eyes behind Uval's back and said, "Indeed they are. I understand they were dormant inside Nurse Wright, until they were removed. Perhaps with too much haste."

"Perhaps," Uval said. "They are here now." She glanced at me. "Dormant?"

"I thought they were dead," Slek said. "Either Edie's system suppressed them in some way, or their programming caused them to reactivate."

"Curious. Well, I won't order them to be placed back inside you." Uval smiled faintly.

"I appreciate that," I said dryly.

"Yes. Well, you might donate some blood for Engineer Slek to test on the nanobots," she suggested. If she wore glasses, I'm sure she would have looked at me over them.

"I'm happy to," I said firmly. "I'll go back to the—" I stopped and felt the blood drain from my face. "The infirmary. Danec! What if—"

"Shit," Slek said softly. "You go, I need to get started on these."

I nodded and started toward the door.

"Commander J'avet, accompany her."

I'm sure he was as happy to hear the captain's orders as I was, but I didn't stop to check. I barrelled out the door and bolted down the corridor as fast as my short legs would pump.

"It won't make a difference if you get there a moment later," J'avet called out to my back.

"I don't care," I panted. "You might not give a shit about him, but I do."

Somehow he caught up to me. It might have been his much longer legs and higher level of fitness, but I was only guessing here.

"Who says I don't care?" How was he not even puffing? "He's my subordinate, and he's a good kid."

"He's not a kid," I snapped. "He's a better man than you will ever be."

"That's probably true, yes. You won't do him any good if you're winded." He made a grab for my arm, but I swerved to avoid him.

"Don't touch me," I hissed, but I slowed down. "What the fuck?"

"If you can't control yourself, how are you going to be any use to anyone else?" He trotted beside me, his breathing a little heavier now.

"I can control myself just fine," I snapped. Maybe he had a point. I was supposed to be the one who was cool and calm in an emergency. Now here I was, bouncing around like a rabbit in a trap. A cute rabbit, but still…

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