Page 60 of Star Defenders (My Alien Mates 2)

"Got it," Slek declared. "I've told the nanobots to stop and await further orders."

"That is what it looks like, yes." J'avet eased the blaster out of Lavender's hand and nodded for the rest of the crew to do the same. "Assuming it was you who did it."

"If not him, then it's the biggest fucking coincidence in the history of the universe," I said. I might have exaggerated slightly, but it would be pretty big.

"What now?" Slek asked.

"Can you ask the nanobots to get the fuck out of them?" I asked.

"We'll need a place to put them," J'avet said.

"I can think of a place," I said. "Let's make it easier for the IF to destroy them."

"Um, speaking of them," Brinley said, "we have an incoming message."

"Put them through," J'avet and Zarex said at the same time.

J'avet gave Zarex his customary scowl, but turned back to keep an eye on Lavender.

"This is Pilot Brinley Grant, on boardHalcyon. We, um, have the situation under control now."

The screen flickered and a Freytauri face appeared.

"This is Captain Yaranin of theChimera. We received a curious distress signal from theHalcyon. Something about nanobots and destroying the ship with a laser." He looked amused and I was reminded of Slek, but with Danec's skin colouring.

"False alarm," Zarex said. "In a manner of speaking. As Pilot Brinley said, we have the situation somewhat under control. There's the small matter of some nanobots."

"Commander Zarex, it's good to see you," Yaranin said. "You're not usually given to exaggeration."

Zarex ran a hand over his forehead and up to the top of one antenna. "You and a security team should come over here. I'll explain everything and we can discuss what to do next."

"Keep an eye out for a pod or two," Slek said. "Shoot first, ask questions later."

"Noted." Yaranin looked at someone over his shoulder and nodded. "We'll be there within the hour."

"We'll keep a light on," Slek said.

Yaranin chuckled and the screen went blank.

"All right, let's try to take the nanobots out of her first." Zarex waved at Lavender. He pulled out a drawer and emptied the contents on the floor. "Make sure you tell them not to eat anything."

"Will do." Slek worked the controls in front of him and Lavender quivered.

"Gently," Zarex said.

"Moving gently," Slek confirmed.

Lavender shuddered and the silver leached from her face, bit by bit. It was slower than with Danec, but once it started, it became faster and faster. After thirty or forty seconds, her face was, as I suspected, lavender coloured. The silver faded from her hair and a cloud of darkness crept across the floor and into the drawer.

"That was so much easier than with Danec," I muttered. I moved to help J'avet grab Lavender and lower her to the ground. I felt her neck for a pulse and crouched beside her, my eyes focused in concentration.

"She's alive. Her pulse is a bit rapid, but steady. Physically, I think she'll be okay." Mentally, she'd probably need some therapy. We all would.

The rest of the nanobots started to leave the Freytauri. Another one was a dark purple and the other three were blue, like Danec. Strangely, one man's hair stayed silver around the edges.

"He might have been like that to start with," J'avet said.

"I suppose so," I said. It might also be from stress. I probably had a grey hair or two after this.

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