Pilot in Command

Helen needed more from life as a pilot than the Alliance could offer. When a handsome Azon offers her a new position, she can’t say no, to anything. Helen has enjoyed her tenure as an Alliance pilot, but working with unpredictable crews is wearing on her nerves. When an incident of defense of the innocent via mutiny ends her career, controlling warships is over. Joining the Sector Guard felt right, but if she had known what was ahead of her, she may have held back when the handsome Azon doctor offered her a job. Hyder has always known the matches that he sees are the perfect mate for the person he is speaking to. He may not know a name, or a location, but he knows what everyone’s perfect match looks like. Seeing himself as the Terran’s perfect match is a surprise, but when he looks her over, he is sure he is up to the challenge. He just has to put Pilot in command.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Pilot in Command Copyright © 2011 Viola Grace ISBN: 978-1-77111-051-8 Cover art by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by Devine Destinies An imprint of eXtasy Books Look for us online at: www.devinedestinies.com

Pilot in Command Sector Guard Book 25 By Viola Grace

Prologue

B

efore there was a Sector Guard, there were talks for years about a joint task force to cover all of the minutia of peacekeeping in outer reaches of the Alliance and Nyal sectors. Multiple species all trying to gain a leg up on the staffing so that their races would be represented in the majority. When the Avari joined the discussion via long-range communication, they proposed a compromise. The first official Guardsmen would be a pair—one from an old race of the Alliance and one from a new one. The candidates would be selected on merits that would have made them Champions of their own species if they had not already been involved in the Alliance. Psychic talents of unusual strength or application were preferred. Several species who had worked hard to expunge the psychic genes were outraged, but they calmed when they were informed that they would be allowed to contribute support staff to the project. 1

Viola Grace As everything settled, the first candidates were selected and approached by the Alliance. Out of one hundred fourteen candidates, only thirty accepted and the males only agreed when added incentive was arranged. One man had the talent to make those arrangements viable and he needed to meet with each of the men to confirm their needs. Hyder Mihal was an Azon doctor with a talent for organization and matchmaking. He just needed a pilot and a note from the Haldis Imperium explained exactly who he needed.

2

Pilot in Command

Chapter One

H

elen Taline swung her ship around so that the gunners had full access to the raider ships. They fired back and she felt every impact on her hull like a mild burn. “Pilot! What the hell are you doing?” The com screamed in her mind, a sound run through the wires that led to her implants. “I am flying the ship, Captain. Nice of you to ask.” She winced as another strike hit her broadside. “I told you to clear the area!” “There are civilians in the area. We are buying them time, Captain.” Her voice was a mock-up of her physical voice translated from electrical impulses into a speaker. Captain Westerhale was a coward. She had filed numerous complaints against him, but it was a pilot versus the captain. It was not as if she could physically witness anything from inside her tank. With a quick flick of her mind, she disconnected all manual controls. The crew was in her body, 3

Viola Grace they were going to have to play by her rules. Her gunners were devastating the raiders and they fell back, but it wasn’t good enough. Keeping the bulk of the Burnt Star between the raiders and their initial targets, she pursued them until an array of ships was lying in her wake. The captain was screaming into her sensors and she released the control back to the control-room staffers who were trying to cut her override. She would face disciplinary action for the hijacking of her own ship and she was ready for it. Those family transports had nowhere to hide and for a moment, she had been the only thing between them and disaster. She would do it again. She was weak, but the Azon physician who worked on her had gentle hands. She wanted to get his attention, but she was weighed down by her leaden limbs. “Hello.” He looked into her eyes with the sparkling green of a forest shading into the gold of the afternoon sun. His skin was fine bronze velvet in the normal specs for his race, but she had never seen it so close before. “Hello.” Her voice was a raw squeak that cracked when she got to the o. “Glad to know that your voice is working. Well, Pilot Taline, you are in excellent shape for someone who was forcibly removed from their tank. The 4

Pilot in Command captain has been arrested and dispatched to a penal colony and the rest of your crew is firmly on your side. They were tired of following the orders of a coward.” “How do you know all this?” Her harsh whisper made her blush. He keyed a pad in his hand and she elevated which made breathing easier. “I have been over all of the reports from beginning to end. I watched the battle from all angles, including the civilian ships that you refused to abandon. You are a very brave woman, Pilot Taline.” She blushed and she knew that her tank-pale skin was turning bright red. “I did what I had to based on the situation.” “And refused to leave until the raiders were beaten back and retreated.” She took a look around the silent medical bay and the lone doctor that attended her. “I have been fired.” He looked up and laughed. “No. You have not been fired. You have been offered a commendation and a sort of a promotion.” She made sure that she was wearing a sheet before she moved and she held it to her breasts while she tried to swing her legs over to dangle off the edge of the medical bed. “What kind of promotion?” 5

Viola Grace “There is a new position in the Alliance that is about to be offered to you. It is an offer made only to exceptional members of their races and species. You qualify for that distinction.” He watched her carefully as she slowly started to swing her legs. “How long were you in that tank?” “Two years. I tried to work out when I could.” Her bare legs clearly showed the ports in her skin as did her arms, chest and her temples and the base of her skull. She had been altered to join to a warship and now that was being taken away from her. “What kind of position would this be?” “You would be a pilot but in a smaller ship.” “Why?” “Because I need a pilot and you are the best there is.” She snorted and looked at him in shock. “I am supposed to go from being a living warship to a private driver? That is considered a promotion?” He crossed his arms and scowled. “It isn’t a bad deal. I am considered charming in some sectors.” “It isn’t personal, but I used to be able to tear holes in space and jump across it in an instant. This will be a step down for me.” He nodded. “I see. What do you know about Reflex ships?” She froze in place and then started kicking her legs again. “Tell me more.” 6

Pilot in Command He leaned forward with a smile lighting the sharp curve of his lips and did just that. Helen blinked at the stiff fabric that she was presented with the moment that she had signed on to be Dr. Mihal’s chauffeur. It was an unrelieved grey, but there were sparkling fibres in the fabric. To her surprise when she tugged it on, it also had holes for her control ports. As she sealed the suit, it hummed slightly and conformed to her body, causing rigidity around her limbs that suggested support. She slipped on the flat shoes that matched the bodysuit. She had just wobbled to her feet and was settling her weight with the bizarre support offered by the suit when Dr. Mihal returned. “You are up?” She straightened slowly. “Apparently.” She wavered and the suit compensated, steadying her. Grinning, she looked up into his changeable gaze and smiled. “Show me the ship.” He seemed stunned by her smile, but then he offered his arm for support. She waved him off. “Are you sure? You look a little unsteady.” “I haven’t had to use my own muscles for a very long time. The suit is offering some support, but I need to remind my body what it has to do.” Helen rubbed her hands together and smirked. “Show 7

Viola Grace me this ship.” Dr. Mihal nodded and gestured for her to follow him. “This way.” She had assumed that they were still on the Burnt Star, but the people who passed them were not in the standard crew uniform. “Where are we?” “The Niglith Halor. It is a ship that has been given to the Sector Guard to begin its first planet-bound base.” He was walking far more slowly than his legs were able to manage and she knew that she was holding him back. Helen cursed the after effect of her lack of movement in her tank. She despised being feeble. “When does that happen?” He smiled. “When you fly me to our candidate world and we meet with the avatar.” She stopped. “Wait. How many other Guardsmen are there?” “Many candidates, but right now there are two. You and me.” She shook her head. “We are supposed to get this whole thing started?” He walked for a few more steps and then typed in a code to open a door. Inside was a shuttle bay and the most beautiful ship that Helen had ever seen. “My dear Pilot, we have already begun.” 8

Pilot in Command

Chapter Two

H

elen ran her hands along the smooth skin, enjoying the leashed power beneath her hands. “She’s gorgeous. What is her name?” Dr. Mihal was looking a little disgruntled as she stroked the sides of the shuttle with reverence. “She is the Class One.” That made Helen blink. “I am a Class One.” He inclined his head. “She is yours.” Class One was a breeding designation in the Alliance. A Class Zero would contribute the least amount of genetic material to their offspring. They were highly desired by races obsessed with racial purity but who were forced to seek out other races to interbreed with to stave off extinction. A Class One could contribute recessive genes for appearance but little else. When you got to a Class Ten, the parent was basically self-cloning. “Mine? Really?” Her hands trembled as she triggered the biometric opening and a set of stairs extended to allow them entrance into the 9

Viola Grace extraordinary creation. Her admiration continued inside. The details were exquisite. All storage was both physically and magnetically locked. The seats would accommodate up to eight and the cargo area could contain tons of load. The true jewel of the ship was up front. A pristine set of jacks were stowed in a display near the pilot seat and she rubbed her hands together with eagerness. “Can I?” Dr. Mihal put a hand on her shoulder, an act that startled her as no one had touched her in years. “You have not eaten yet.” Eating. Right. “Sorry, it has been a while. Is there a dispenser here?” He turned and with a light pass of his hand, the galley rotated and lifted into view. He pressed a few buttons and a packet of light pink liquid with a straw rose out of the unit. Suspicious, she took what seemed like a plastic bag full of pink milk with a straw. “What is it?” “Nutrient supplement to get your system used to working again. You won’t get hungry until your body realizes where the nutrients are coming from.” He gestured for her to drink it. She took a cautious sip and then sat down. “This is strawberry!” He smiled. “We did our research. It is one of your favourite flavours.” She slurped rapidly until it was all gone. “Is 10

Pilot in Command there more?” His grin showed sharp teeth. “Not for two hours. I will run scans on you and confirm that you are absorbing the nutrients, then you can have another.” “Thanks, Doc.” She dropped the bag into the disposal unit and wistfully watched it disappear. A peculiar expression crossed his face. “You can call me Hyder.” She felt a small flip in her stomach. “Hyder, thank you. The previous physicians I have had experience with didn’t have that kind of attention to detail.” “It is my responsibility to keep you functioning. This project will fail if we don’t keep track of each other.” Helen could swear that there was almost a blush going on on his face. She cleared her throat and stood. With the wave of his hand, the galley receded, leaving a smooth surface. “Now, you can jack in to the system and check out what the Class One can do.” He waved for her to take the pilot’s seat and he leaned back while she rushed past him with a manic grin. She primed the system, checking the power and frequency flows. Helen tuned the level to match her own frequency and waited for a moment to confirm the signal flow. It was strong, systems 11

Viola Grace were good and she shut it down to jack in. “Does it meet with your approval?” Hyder was sitting at the unnecessary navigator station. “Let’s find out if the Class One and I are meant to be together.” There were only six jacks, so she used two on her temples, two at the back of her head and two in the back of her hands. With her right hand, she pressed the power button on the centre of her console. She stiffened in her chair as data from the ship streamed into her. She saw through the sensors as if looking through her own eyes. Absently, she drew in the steps and sealed the hatch. “Are you ready for launch, Pilot?” She turned to him and smiled with a snappy salute. His Alliance military details filed past her. “If I can call you Hyder, you can call me Helen, Commander.” He smiled. “Our destination is Morganti. You have priority clearance to launch. Let’s get you back to work, Pilot.” “You don’t have to tell me twice.” With her eyes watching the readouts, she signalled the control tower visible on her internal displays. They authorized immediate launch and the bay door lights began flashing as the ship prepared to disgorge them. She hovered the ship and retracted the landing gear. With the flick of her mind, they turned 12

Pilot in Command toward the opening doors and a moment later, they were falling out of the ship and clearing the rotation space in seconds. She brought Morganti up in the nav system and laid in the course. “Now we head to the jump zone and then we will see what this baby can do.” She retracted her senses and noted that Hyder seemed relaxed for someone in an experimental vehicle. “Well done, Pilot. Feel free to research any of the candidates as they will be our next stop after we secure the space for the base.” He brought up a screen and started making notes and doing research. He seemed to be unconcerned with her handling an experimental vessel with nothing but her mind. He knew nothing about her. Why would he trust her with his life? “Who gave you my name? I am fairly sure that pilots engaging in mutiny are not something that normally would gain promotions.” He chuckled and she smiled as she realized that she liked the sound. “You were recommended by a Negotiator working in the Haldis Imperium. She gave a rather pithy description of your personality which was confirmed by this latest action.” “A Negotiator? Really? Huh.” Helen didn’t know any Negotiators. 13

Viola Grace “I got the impression that you shared a species.” “It’s possible. There were two thousand of us brought out here and it is possible that one of us could have taken up the armour. Or more than one, actually. I know of at least five other pilots.” She frowned. “It could have been Tyrell. She has cracked her shell, but I think she is still active in politics.” “That was the name on the message. The administrative council considered the information and you were added to the Sector Guard roster. In fact, once you were discovered, you were the only possible pilot that could be considered.” He had a wistful look in his eyes. She blinked, “Why is that?” He smiled. “Aren’t we at the jump point?” She redirected her focus and set the coordinates for the jump. “I am going to bring that up later.” “I look forward to it.” He kept his eyes on her and she noted that he casually held a scanner in one palm. He was going to watch her jump on every level possible, so she immersed herself in the potential of her new silver body. The site coordinates of her destination were set. She sent a priority pulse to the jump-zone beacon and when it sent back an all clear, she moved. The ship occupied two spaces at the same time, a flickering of energy that folded the space into an 14

Pilot in Command overlap or jump. Helen was breathing quickly as she cleared the jump site and continued on to program the destination of Morganti. Hyder got up and left her for a moment, returning with another bag of the nutritional supplement. She slurped down her second batch while her neural network controlled the oxygen levels in the ship, reducing them to lessen the risk of her passing out. “How am I doing, Hyder?” He checked his scans. “Your digestive system is slowly waking up, but you are going to have to keep your fluid intake high for a while. All of your supplies were delivered directly to your body and removed as well. You will have to keep on top of it.” She muttered. “I will get right on that.” With over an hour to Morganti, she had to ask, “How long has this Sector Guard project been in the works?” He leaned back. “From what the documentation tells me, it has been requested for the last century for the outer reaches of the Alliance. They are too far for an effective force to arrive in time to natural disasters or raider attacks. The goal was to create a force that could mobilize quickly, use talents to the fullest of their ability and for the betterment of the populations.” 15

Viola Grace She nodded. It made sense. Local organizations back on earth could mobilize much faster than armies. To have several bases around the Alliance would make intervention more feasible. “What has held it back this long? Even back home, we can work stuff out in a hundred years.” He rubbed his forehead and grimaced. “The same thing that kills good intentions throughout the universe—politics.”

16

Pilot in Command

Chapter Three

M

organti was an unsettled world with one small house on the entire planet and a large structure without any life signs within. Without asking, Helen aimed the Class One for that lonely house with two signs of life within. Those life signs approached the shuttle as she brought it down for a smooth landing. Regretfully, she uncoupled herself from the ship and shut it down. “We are here.” Hyder nodded and got to his feet, straightening his shoulders. “Time for the first big step.” She was bemused, but she followed him out of the shuttle and across the stone plateau she had landed on. The two males approaching them were definitely a contrast. While she had heard of Drai, Helen had never met one before, but the tall, dark male with the huge bat-like wings could be nothing else. Those wings were muscled enough to lift off from standing and he had a calm about him 17

Viola Grace that told her he was ready for anything. The other man was walking power. She looked at him with eyes used to gauging energy and she saw him for what he was. She smiled at him and nodded. “Avatar of Gant, it is nice to meet you.” Hyder looked at her in surprise, but Gant broke into a smile. “Thank you, madam. You may address us as Kale-Gant. It is simpler than trying to determine who is in control.” His voice rippled through her and the ground even hummed with his power. The Draikyn next to him chuckled. “I am Vasu, sleeper of Morganti. It is nice to see friendly faces. May I ask for your name, lady?” Hyder tensed. “Pilot. You may address her as Pilot.” The twitch of the Drai’s lips indicated he was amused at Hyder’s defence. Helen was a little startled, but she shrugged. “It is as good a name as any. Pleased to meet you, Vasu.” Kale-Gant smiled. “Would you care to continue this indoors? I am assuming that you are here to negotiate terms for occupation of Morganti.” Hyder nodded. “That would be easier. Pilot, will you join us?” Helen looked around and simply felt the air moving around her. “I will stay out here. It has been a very long time since I was able to walk on a 18

Pilot in Command surface. This place is lovely and I have missed the light and air.” He frowned. “There is some sunscreen in the shuttle med kit. You are still very pale, don’t burn.” She waved the boys off and as they entered Kale’s home, she started to walk. Vasu was one of the Sector Guard candidates. He was a Drai shifter and his ancient photo did not do him justice. Helen had heard of the sleepers as one of the myths of the Alliance. It was said that over a dozen of the great dragon shifters had scattered across the stars and gone to sleep for more than a thousand years. She had never guessed that she would be recruited for a team that would allow her to meet one. She walked slowly through the green grasses and along the stone pathways while the sun crept over her and warmed her skin. Helen ran a hand along her shorn hair and wished that it was long again. The nutrients of the tank she had lived in for so long had the effect of destroying her body hair while keeping her clean. The tennis ball feeling of her dark hair re-growing was comforting, but she wished it would hurry up. For some reason, when she looked at Hyder, she wanted to feel pretty. It was a stupid crush and she knew it. There were a few Azon-Terran couples, but the amount 19

Viola Grace of paperwork required to get the authorization for it was mind numbing. Would Hyder even be interested in trying? She heard wing beats behind her and she turned to smile up at Vasu. “Are the negotiations finished?” He landed and smiled back. “They seem to have stalled. Gant is willing but Kale is holding back.” “Why?” She ran through what she had read of the Avatar since his waking and being given the option of life as a popsicle or life with a planet sharing his mind and body. “I don’t know. Hyder is frustrated and Kale is shutting down. This is getting us nowhere.” He offered her his arm and she took it as they walked back to the house. “Are you going to join the Sector Guard?” He smiled. “Hyder has given me hope that my mate is right where I hoped she would be. I have dreamed of her, but knowing that our paths are destined to cross within two years is a great relief.” “He told you that? How would he know?” Vasu raised his dark eyebrows. “He didn’t tell you? He is a seer and a matchmaker. He can see those destined to be together and when. It is why he was assigned for this duty of assembling the initial teams. He can promise those that need it mates.” “Why do they need a guarantee of mates?” It 20

Pilot in Command was a genuine question. Back home, women would line up for superheroes. “Many races have taboos in regard to talents. They don’t want the lines to continue, so they make regular courtships for those with gifts impossible.” He cocked his head. “Even the Drai despise psychic or other talents in their populations. They cannot stop the destined mating, but they can try and keep the couple from starting a courtship by denying the female access to the Introduction ritual.” “That sucks.” “By your tone, I will guess that you mean it is a bad thing and it is. It is why the sleepers left our world. We were given hope for a future, but we had to wait for it.” “It is a good thing that your race is known for patience.” They stepped onto the walk leading to the house. “Yes, it is. I believe that you may have more luck with Kale than Hyder did. I will distract your male while you investigate the situation.” Vasu nodded and wandered over to Hyder, who was watching them with a tension in his shoulders. When her commander was distracted, she slipped into the house and went in search of Kale. She found him, scowling, sitting alone at the dining room table. 21

Viola Grace “Okay, Kale, what is your deal?” He stiffened. “You wouldn’t understand. You have a race of those like you. You are not alone.” Wow, he gave up his problem right off the bat. “You are right, my race is scattered through the Alliance and some are breeding like mad. We are not in danger of dying, but I do know what it is like to be alone in a room full of people.” He blinked. “How?” “Pilots are chosen for the precise organization of their minds. They get implants and are chemically sterilized so that nothing can affect their thought processes. When you and your genetic future have been destroyed, jacks plugged into your body and you are hung in a tank of fluid to assist you in bonding to a warship so much larger than yourself, you know lonely. “For the last few years I have been suspended in fluid, able to watch the people around me but never to be a part of their lives. I was the ship. I felt injuries to its skin as my own and I had to charge into battle naked. The sides of the ship were armoured, but a strike to armour is still a strike. I knew fear, I knew pain and I was alone in my tank while they depended on me for everything.” He looked up at her as she stood with her hands on her hips. “How did you get away?” “Gross insubordination. I hijacked the ship from the captain’s orders and defended those who 22

Pilot in Command needed my help. That is why I made it into the Sector Guard. We are here to help those who can’t help themselves, including folks like your race. If there had been a medical team who could have come out in time, it may have been different. If the Guard can help only a few worlds, don’t you think those lives are worth it?” “What is your talent? I heard only those with psychic talents were eligible.” He was getting to his feet and towering over her smaller form. “I don’t have one. I am a helluva pilot and can improvise on the fly. I am also one of the only Pilots ever ripped out of her tank by an irate captain who wanted to kill me.” She grinned and batted her lashes. “I am special.” He laughed. “Thank you.” He pushed past her. “Where are you going?” He called over his shoulder, “To sign the agreement. You have convinced me, Pilot. Better alone with those who understand, than alone with the shrubs.” She grinned and trailed slowly after him. It seemed that the Sector Guard had just gotten their first home base.

23

Viola Grace

Chapter Four

T

he Niglith Halor arrived the following day and as the bulk of the ship remained in orbit, work and building crews arrived in an endless stream of shuttles. Kale-Gant was everywhere, pointing out water tables and authorizing foundations to be set into his surface. There was a smile on his lips whenever Helen saw him and that was a very good thing She was standing with Hyder and Vasu at one of the schematic tables, looking at plans for the base. Kale had everything under control planet-side, so Helen was getting restless. “So, Commander. What is next?” He looked up with a smile. “We begin assembly of the team.” She nodded and looked at the design on the table. The base was one large blob that was taking shape in front of them. “What is that over there?” “It’s the village. Kale has already sent out a request to civilian businesses to come and set up 24

Pilot in Command shop near the base. He is diving into this project with intensity. It is nice to see.” Vasu nodded. “He and I began speaking after I completed my home, but his life has been one of loss. I think that with the settlers here, he will finally feel a little more anchored to the worlds around him.” Helen smiled and wished that she felt the same. Out of her tank, with folks bustling around, she wanted nothing more than to hide in the Class One. She wasn’t used to being brushed by what were predominantly masculine bodies or standing on her feet all day. It was a trial of nerves and she was losing. “When do we start assembling the team?” She bit her lip as Hyder gave her an assessing look. “We can send a ship anytime. Now that we have a location, we can scout a secondary base and begin to call up the candidates. Would you like to do it?” He raised an eyebrow at her. She frowned and then grabbed him by the arm, hauling him out of earshot of the others at the work table. “Are you serious?” He shrugged and looked at her with a calculating gleam in his eye. “I believe so. I have the records for your first acquisition, so if you are willing to travel alone, I am willing to give you your first assignment.” She blinked in surprise. “I have a few questions 25

Viola Grace first.” He jerked his head toward the ship. “Let’s sit down and you can ask me anything you wish.” She used her hand to activate the extending dining table and she had a seat, bringing up two cups of tea from the dispenser. When he cupped his tea cup in his hands, she sent her first volley of questions. “Why me? I have no extra talent and that seems to be a prerequisite for the Sector Guard. What do you do, precisely? If you can offer a talent that will make working with you more appealing, I need to know.” Hyder blinked. “I…the reason that you are the selected is that…damn. This is embarrassing.” He ran a hand though his hair and tried again. “I will answer your second question first. I am a matchmaker. I have a particular precognition that revolves around personal relationships. I can see the perfect match for anyone I meet. It is frustrating, because not every match lives on the same world. Also, sometimes, the person that I see a perfect mate for already has a mate who does not match the vision.” She winced. “Seeing that could be awkward.” He nodded. “Especially when two of the mismatched were my parents. They were happy enough, but I could always see that they could have been truly matched with someone else. Azon 26

Pilot in Command mate for life once a pregnancy occurs, so once they produced little me, they were trapped.” She sipped at her tea. “That sucks.” “It does indeed. When I agreed to become part of this project, my stipulation was that all of the Guardsmen selected would be single, male or female. I would be able to help them locate their perfect mate and they would work in teams of bonded pairs, male and female, mate and mate. It took some negotiation, but they agreed to my conditions.” A suspicion started in Helen’s mind. “Does this relate to my first question?” “It does. You are my ideal mate. I don’t know how or where this started, but when I met you, I saw myself in your future. There is no doubt.” The skin over his cheeks was darker. She raised an eyebrow. “You have to be kidding.” He frowned. “I am not. It is definite. In your future, we will be more than coworkers and far more than lovers. Partners in every sense of the word.” She parked her chin on her hand. “Fascinating. There must be a hallucinogen in the tea. I thought you said we would be lovers.” She was sure he was going to walk out at her mockery, but he simply stood, came around the table and lifted her to her feet. The kiss he planted 27

Viola Grace on her lips was enough to sear her skin. The delicate nerves of her back sent shocks of pleasure through her as he pulled her to him. Her hands flattened against his chest and she leaned up into his kiss, feeling the pressure of his pointed teeth on her lower lip and sighing as his tongue flicked in to taste her. When he finished a long and leisurely exploration of her mouth, he released her and resumed his seat and his tea. Helen stood blinking for a moment and then slumped back into her chair. “Okay. I am beginning to believe in the possibility of matchmaking as a talent. Why did you never see me before this?” Her lips throbbed and she fought the urge to touch them. She covered with a sip of tea. “It has never worked that way. I have never seen my own future, only those in my immediate vicinity. To call it frustrating is an understatement.” She snickered, idly licking her lips to retain the taste of him. His pupils widened in reaction and she straightened. “So, what can I offer the candidates? Mates?” “If it is a concern for them. If not, you can promise them the following—a good salary which you are already aware of, uniforms tailored to their talents, adventures on dozens of worlds and the 28

Pilot in Command chance to use their talents to make a difference.” He reached forward, lifted her right hand and pressed a kiss to her data port. “All you have to do is bring them here, Pilot.” She blushed and nodded. “I will, but I want to address something. We are going to be dealing with governments who are not always happy to have talents running around. Do we really want them to know exactly who we are? I mean, I have no family out here, but if your family still lives, would you want them at risk by even raiders knowing exactly who you are?” “I think I am understanding your point. The families may be in danger if the identity of the Guardsmen is commonly known.” She scrubbed her face with one hand and came out with her logic. “On earth, we have a form of written entertainment that involves talents who wear unique uniforms and all have a code name for their law-enforcing activities. This keeps their identities secret and their families are less-obvious targets because no one can confirm the identities.” He sat still for a moment. “That is a rather good idea. The Guardsmen will be in situations from acting as ambassadors for the Alliance to evacuating tadpoles on degenerating worlds. Having a concealed personal file would be an asset. With that in place, those in the Alliance who wanted to use specific Guardsmen on a regular 29

Viola Grace basis would not be able to pick and choose. It will give us additional control of our people and reinforce our distinction from the Alliance staff.” “What is our distinction precisely?” “We will go anywhere for any reason, Nyal space, Alliance space, colonies, non-member planets and stars. As the Sector Guard develops, I hope that the bases will be able to specialize, but until that day comes, the faster we can get our Guardsmen in place, the better.” Her mind was made up. “Where are the files?” “In the secure data pad I have been carting around.” He removed it from the holster on his thigh and handed it to her. “It has all the Guardsmen candidates that have been confirmed as mildly interested. It will be up to you to travel to their locations and convince them to come along.” She glanced at him for permission and when he nodded, she started to scroll through the men. “Why only men?” “Because it is easier to send them to find their mates than to have the mates pursue them. Most of the races are still fairly traditional and it is up to them to pursue the female. Once I meet them, I will be able to select the ideal female from the candidates, or using the description I get, I will track them down.” “So, you don’t know them all yet?” He smiled, “I only know when I meet them. 30

Pilot in Command Everyone has a match out there. The sleepers find their own, all I did for Vasu was confirm it. I even saw a match for Kale, but I don’t know what to make of what I saw.” She cocked her head. “What did you see?” “A star hurtling toward Morganti and breaking into pieces with a figure inside. I don’t understand it and certainly have no idea what it means. I suppose it will be revealed in the fullness of time.” Helen took a deep breath and smiled. “Pilot, reporting for duty, Commander. When do I leave on my recruitment mission?” He chuckled. “So, you have named me?” “I did. You will be base commander when it is up and running and as far as my future is concerned, you are giving me orders. Commander suits you to a tee.” She smiled. “I am registering Pilot and the Class One with high-priority ambassadorial status. You can take off as soon as you are ready.” She stood and came around the table. She pressed her hands against his shoulders and leaned in, kissing him with all of the intensity she could muster. If she was going to be coming back to a mate, he was going to miss her while she was gone.

31

Viola Grace

Chapter Five

“T

his is the Class One, shuttle of the Sector Guard, requesting landing permission on Leharra.” Helen waited in the queue of ships slowly approaching one of the most cosmopolitan planets in the sector. A com officer came back with a clipped, “Just a moment, Class One.” Having a background in stellar craft kept her calm while her body had other ideas and her palms sweated. Her suit was a deeper grey today and she was praying that it didn’t show sweat. “Class One, proceed to the Hirack lane and you have shuttle slip ninety-six. Welcome to Leharra.” She didn’t hesitate. Her ship soared above traffic and past the heavily armed access ships that controlled the flow of folk to and from the planet. She held her breath, but they didn’t fire as she jumped the day-long queue and proceeded to the planet. High-priority credentials were definitely on her Christmas list from now on. 32

Pilot in Command Her ship locked onto the beacon and she tucked the Class One into slip ninety-six without any problem. With several keystrokes, she accessed the records for temporary living quarters and sought out her target. He made her the most nervous, so she had decided to get him out of the way as her starter. It wasn’t him, precisely. It was more like his job was one she knew she couldn’t do. Helen’s time alone in the ship had given her insight into some of the extras that they had put in and she plugged one of those extras onto her wrist, using the connection to bring up the data that she needed as she needed it. “Directions to the quarters of Isabi Reda.” She murmured it out loud, because she was still in the ship, but once she left, she would remind herself to do it silently. The wrist unit beeped and she was on her way. She left the ambassadorial slip and walked through the high-security fields. They chirped as she passed and she paused for security. She held her hands out as they moved to scan her body. “I am Pilot of the Sector Guard. The implants aren’t negotiable.” She smiled and when they confirmed their readings, they bowed and walked away. Shrugging at the peculiar situation she seemed to be in, she walked down the halls and alleys of Leharra Prime. She had an idea and asked her 33

Viola Grace wrist unit to locate Isabi Reda precisely, not just his quarters. She got a different destination, but it was much closer and that had to be a good thing. Instead of a seedy bar, it was an elegant tea house and while they gave her a snobbish look at the entry way, they did send a servant to ask Isabi Reda if he would see her. The servant was shocked when he returned. “Pilot of the Sector Guard, please come with me.” He led her through the public spaces, her skin-tight suit causing more than a few murmurs. When the servant slid open the door to a private room, it seemed empty. A pool of shadow rested against one corner, but the table and cushions were inviting, so she sat down. “He will be with you in a moment, Pilot.” She smiled and waited. Her readout indicated that Isabi Reda was in the room with her and she grinned while she sat and waited for the shadow to introduce himself. Finally, she broke protocol. “Isabi Reda, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The shadows shifted and formed into a male Selna, the first that Helen had ever seen. His skin was black velvet. The elaborate braids in his hair were capped with gold beads and the rest flowed in silky black clouds. The gold eyes and muscular physique wearing an elaborately embroidered long vest and loose trousers sashed at 34

Pilot in Command his waist reminded her of his primary occupation. “Master Companion Isabi Reda, I am here to offer you the rest of your life.” He tapped the table twice and tea rose from the centre. “Welcome to my one hiding place, Pilot. You have a certain skill set. That is a surety. Now, what can you offer the man who can sleep with anything?” She laughed. “I am guessing that money would not work. Adventure, well you also operate as an intelligence agent for the Alliance, so that is out.” She pretended to consider her options while he served the tea. “What about the ability to use your talents on a daily basis to not only engage in stealth activities but to help people? You can help those taken by raiders, enslaved against their wills. Talents banished by their own people, sentenced to death for being different from the standard.” Isabi smiled. “You play hardball. No sweet seductions from your humble self?” She laughed. “I am Pilot. Anything relating to my hormonal system has been shut down so I can do my job.” “So? We could still have sex.” Pilot sipped at her tea. “Before I left, I found my mate. I know who he is. I like him and want him to stay in my life. If you want to hump something as a 35

Viola Grace condition for applying, you are out of luck.” She leaned back and crossed her arms. “In or out, Shade?” He raised a midnight brow, “Shade?” “We are hiding our original names for the sake of those who knew and loved us before we begin this adventure. With your career, it might help to hide you from those who have a more intent interest in you.” He extended his hand, palm up. “I am in. What next?” She grinned and clasped his hand in her own, ignoring the heat and softness of his skin over hard muscle. “Get your stuff. We have to continue collecting Guardsmen.” “Come along then. You can help me carry my bags.” He rose gracefully to his feet and helped her to hers. He was taller than she had imagined a male Selna to be. She asked him as they walked, “How is it that you came to be in the Companion-training situation?” “I was sold to the Companions when I refused to settle down and accept a role as a stud.” Helen snickered. “I am sorry. I am feeling irony in that situation.” He grinned. “The Alliance has found my skills handy on occasion. My ability to be unseen in a room has garnered all sorts of interesting 36

Pilot in Command information over the years.” It finally struck her why he was in the Alliance database as a candidate. He was a spy. More than simple intelligence, he could go where others could not. They rode speed walks and she kept his impressive physique within her sight at all times. When they had covered kilometres of walks and promenades, they entered a quiet area with heavily guarded entrances. “Welcome to an area that most women never see.” She laughed. “A land where men do their own laundry?” He snorted. “No. My personal quarters. I will seal them when we leave.” Helen shrugged and offered her hand to the biometric scan at the entry to his hallway. Cleared for entry and recorded for the security logs, she walked with Isabi to his home. His apartments were sparse. A few masculine touches but nothing obvious to his employment as a Companion. He packed his bags swiftly and as he packed robes and trousers, he looked back at her. “Do you wear that all the time?” She shrugged. “It is all I have so far. I haven’t had time to shop. I just got out of my tank this week. Walking is all that I am concerned with right 37

Viola Grace now.” He whistled. “A tanked pilot. That explains the hair. What do you say to a minor detour before we head to our next stop?” She was suddenly nervous. “What did you have in mind?” He grinned, a sexy, white-toothed grin. “Oh, so many things…but let’s start with a makeover.”

38

Pilot in Command

Chapter Six

T

he small detour took six hours, but when she left the groomers and salon, Helen was wearing a startling blue robe, her suit was a deep burgundy and she was wearing boots with two-inch heels. Her hair was also over eighteen inches long, courtesy of Isabi’s flirting with the hair salon staff. She felt like a new woman, she almost felt human again. “Thanks for this, Isabi.” He grinned. “It was my pleasure. You have the aura of a woman destined for great things, you should look like it.” “Thank you again.” She smiled. He gave her a considering look. “Are you sure that you don’t want to persuade me with sexual favours?” She chuckled. “Our Commander would probably shred you into pieces if you reported anything of the sort.” “You and he?” 39

Viola Grace “Not yet, but we are in severe negotiations.” She laughed and patted his arm. They entered the shuttle slip, scanned in and entered the Class One. He whistled softly. “This is a nice ship.” “Yes, she and I get along well. You can stow your bags in the cargo bay.” Helen took her own bags containing clothing and hair accessories and filed them in storage. She noticed the slither of hair across her shoulder and removed a hair clip to confine her locks out of the way. After stowing his bags, he took the navigator’s seat. “Where to next, Pilot, and when do I get my own name?” “I think Shade suits you rather well.” He nodded and strapped in. “Shade. I can live with that. Where to next?” She brought up a file on the small data pad and smiled. “How many times have you run into Kozue?” He winked at her and loosely gripped the arms of his chair. She plugged in and checked her systems. Everything was a go. She acquired clearance from traffic control and lifted off. Isabi lifted the data pad and started to flick through the files. “You know a lot of these men can complete the recruitment with a simple call and a mediator or a notary to witness the forms.” She grimaced as she wove her way through the 40

Pilot in Command traffic until she reached open space. “I wouldn’t know where to start.” He smiled at her. “Well, with my tenure as Guardsman officially underway, I believe I can help you with that.” With the priority registration that the Class One had, his calls were swift and to the point. He called dozens of potentials and persuaded them to sign up. When five asked about the possibility of mates and family, Helen took over. “Our Commander is the best matchmaker in the sectors. He can meet you and see the perfect woman for you instantly. Most of the Guard are being encouraged into couples, so this will not be an issue and your duties will be altered visa vie the family situation.” Shade watched and listened, making notes. He was able to return the litany to the next man who brought up a mate. Helen let him run the show on the recruitment front. She headed to the most likely location for the Kozue enclave and when the collection of warrior ships was sighted, they both went on the alert. She sent a greeting pulse to the ship and when they allowed the unarmed ship to clip to an exterior dock, she exhaled slowly. The negotiations would be conducted through the hull and if the men agreed, they would use EVA suits to join the Class One. The elders didn’t even haggle. They were glad 41

Viola Grace to be rid of the powerful but unlucky twins. Kennan and Vornan were tucked into the Class One and away before the Kozue could change their minds. Kennan sat back and shook his head in amazement. “We learned out trade at the Citadel and returned only for our brother’s wedding. How did you know we were here?” Vornan laughed. “It was probably your socks, brother. They could smell them from across the sector and came to get us.” Isabi laughed and introduced himself. Everything was going well until Helen got a priority message. It rang through her thoughts. Helen, do not return to Morganti. They are trying to bring a case for disbanding the project before it gets off the ground. You need to stay out there until I can bring you in with certainty of the Sector Guard going forward. Are you in danger, Commander? No. They cannot do anything to me or Vasu with Kale-Gant present. Good. Get Kale-Gant to acquire another willing planet. We have suddenly rocked into full acquisition. Excellent. I will alert Relay and you will start on missions. They won’t be able to disband us if we can prove our worth. The worry in his tone was unmistakable. Then we will prove our worth. Keep me posted as to your situation. 42

Pilot in Command I will. I have been looking forward to reuniting with you. As a sign off, it was highly irregular, but she could feel the heat in his mind. She had been in his thoughts and he had been in hers. As he left her mind, she sat back and watched the Kozue enclave fade in her sensors. She decided to enlighten her companions. “Gentlemen, there is a slight problem.” Isabi was on alert. “What?” “The same council that began to assemble the Guard is now experiencing second guessing and debating disbanding the project because there has been no progress. They debated it for years and expect progress in months.” Kennan and Vornan scowled and they spoke as one. “That is hardly reasonable.” She turned her seat and knew that she was a frightening site with her wires sticking out of her at odd angles. “I agree. Commander has urged us to connect with a dispatcher and to use our talents to prove the use of an entity such as the Sector Guard. Are you willing to assist me on this?” The men around her looked at each other with speculative gazes before they all grinned. “What the hell?” That was all the confirmation she needed. She rotated her seat forward and grinned. She used the code embedded in the communication with Commander and set up a link. This is Pilot of the 43

Viola Grace Sector Guard. I am requesting a mission. The other end of the link paused before a female voice answered her. You have a planetary distress call on Shizzi. Raider attacks. Fabulous. We are on our way. Shall I dispatch any travelling Guardsmen? Oh. Please. Thank you. May I get your name? A low chuckle sounded in her mind. Call me Relay and call me any time. Thank you. No, thank you. This is the beginning of something special, so let’s make it happen. I love that attitude. She looked around the masculine contingent in her ship who were getting along just fine. It seems to be contagious. The best ideas always are. Now. Go get ‘em. I have sent you the coordinates and one long jump should take you there. I look forward to speaking with you again, Relay. Give ‘em hell, Pilot. Grinning, Helen turned to her passengers. She went to full power and showed her teeth. “Prepare to jump. We have a raider fight on the other end of this ride.” They howled with a strange battle cry and Isabi was right along with the Kozue. Helen hit the jump and in a twisted second, they were on their way to their first fight.

44

Pilot in Command

Chapter Seven

T

he site of smoking buildings and raiders stalking the streets for survivors enraged her. Helen was not the only one affected. A growl behind her asked, “How close can you get us?” Kennan said what she was thinking. “Hang on.” She engaged the seat’s gel function and the Class One dropped out of the sky. With her body completely supported, the she and the ship became one. Confirming that the street was strictly full of hostiles, she skimmed inches above the ground, running over and knocking down everything in her path. The Class One came to rest on a slightly raised platform outside the city hall. “Close enough?” Her grin was savage as she rotated to face her crew, but they were out the door and going on the attack. Smaller shuttles hovered nearby and disgorged men who flew, some with weapons and some 45

Viola Grace without. The Guards were here and they seemed eager to get to work. She sent a signal to the woman who had sent them here. Relay, we have arrived and wow, these guys mean business. The raiders? Yeah, they can be vicious. No, the Guardsmen. They are destroying the raider forces and a few are healing the injured townspeople. It is something to watch. She was doing most of her watching through her instruments, but it was still impressive. Shade was surprisingly deadly, but he was also effective at releasing confined citizens and getting them to safety. When two raiders snuck up on the Class One, Helen put Relay on hold. She reached casually under her control panel and withdrew her stunner. As the booted feet entered her shuttle, she turned slowly in her chair and simply shot them without saying a word. Shade popped his head in and she waved at him. He dragged the unconscious raiders out into the street and added them to the growing pile of the dead and knocked out. She smiled and saluted him as she returned to her conversation. What was that, Pilot? A small incursion into my shuttle. We need armour and uniforms. We look very patchy right now. I will look into options. They are leaning on Commander fairly heavily. Is there any way that you can 46

Pilot in Command foot the bill? Pilot thought about it. I have some savings and the signing bonus that I was given. If you can find us a seamstress, I will pay for the uniforms. She could feel the warmth of Relay’s tone. I was just checking. I will subvert some funds into your account. There is a seamstress on Rehahlic named Zalbeeliyah. I have contacted her with scans of the men and she is making up some uniforms with basic body armour. After this event, go directly there and get your Guardsmen kitted out. If there is no other call, I will have you brought home. Hyder needs some proof of concept and since he wasn’t the one with this bright idea, it is tougher than it should be. Pilot suddenly realized that every one of the five small ships coasting over the city were shuttles. How did everyone get here? What could only be described as a wicked chuckle came through the data stream. I very politely asked a warship to hijack itself. Steyvin will be acting as transport for the Guard until we can get something more permanent. I know him! You must be very persuasive. What was the Yahara supposed to be doing? It was off for repair. There is no atmosphere, but he can still haul the shuttles and jump with them. Perfect. That is a five-week repair, so he has some time to come and play. She sent the image of rubbing her hands together evilly and Relay chortled on the data stream. 47

Viola Grace The battle around her was winding to a close. I think I need to check on the situation. I will be in touch with you when we reach Rehahlic. Fine. Just a warning, Zalbeeliyah is a l’nal. I will send her the information she needs based on those who are with you now. Good job, Pilot. Thank you, Relay. They parted and Pilot removed her connections to the ship. An emergency com plug was inserted at her temple and the microphone curled around her jaw line. She got to her feet, kept the stunner in her hand, sealed the ship behind her and went to join her fellow Guardsmen. As a few of the raiders started to come to, she zapped them with her stunner while she sought those she had transported. An Enjel landed next to her and smiled. “Pilot, I presume?” “Yes.” “Shade, Razer and Flame have made it to the far end of the city. If you would like, I can take you to them.” She recognized him from the files. “Thalik.” “Yes, but you may call me Seer.” “Yes, please bring me to Shade and the others.” Other familiar faces kept an eye on the pile of raiders while Seer lifted her and took off with a heavy surge of his legs. Clumps of citizens were gathering in the streets. 48

Pilot in Command Women sobbing and men relieved. The children were watching the Guardsmen who were working to right toppled vehicles and put doors back on buildings. “How many of us are there here?” “Twenty-one, including you.” “It seems like more.” She smiled as she watched Flame helping a woman with an abdominal wound and then she winced in sympathy as he used green flame to heal her. “We do seem to take up more room than most.” A male with silver skin was next to a burgundy Dhemon with silver horns and wings. “Haaro and Martuas.” “Thinker and Guardian. The men have enjoyed your idea of an alternate identity. Several have families who are not too impressed with their participation in this new grouping.” She nodded and Seer brought them down with a slightly rough landing. Several of the locals were staring at her in her bright suit with the floor-length vest. “It does feel a little weird to be the only female in this bunch.” “The citizens need information and comfort. You can provide them with both if you would.” She nodded and started to walk toward a cluster of folks who seemed to be wrapped in conversation and not in sobbing relief. When she learned her guess was correct, that they were city 49

Viola Grace officials, she began to help them work out communication with the Alliance and supplies to keep them up and running until they got back on their feet. Comfort was not her style. When everything was sorted via Relay, Pilot smiled at those assembled. “We will remove the living raiders. Can you arrange for disposal of the bodies of the dead?” They nodded. “Can’t you remain here?” She shook her head. “No, that is not the nature of the Guard. We are here for emergencies only.” “Can’t some of them stay?” The deputy mayor was plaintive. “No. The Alliance ships will be here within days.” One of the politicians spluttered, “You have to stay, we pay your salary.” She went still. She eased up to him and stared into his eyes. “We are about to go to a world where someone is waiting to fit us with uniforms that I am paying for. We landed here without weapons, armour or shuttles of our own. Our lives were placed between you and your attackers and the assembly is working to cut this project down to nothing. Now, if you have enjoyed us saving your asses, please let the assembled coalition know about it. I have to make sure that the men under this command are safe.” He trembled and swallowed. “I was 50

Pilot in Command unaware—” “We are not regulation Alliance forces. We offered our lives to help those in emergencies who cannot wait for the regular defences of their lands and lives. That is what the Sector Guard is for. Not bodyguard duty when the attack is over just so you don’t feel vulnerable. We received this call within hours and we came as quickly as we could. We arrived, we eradicated the threat and if we get another call, are you willing to sentence others to death in order for you to feel less exposed?” The politician paled. “Of course not. Thank you for your assistance. We will manage the dead.” Pilot stood and when she turned to look behind her, all of the new recruits were listening to every word she had said. She pinked a little. Public speaking was not her favourite thing. Pilot nodded at Razer. “Is everything secure?” He nodded. “It is. Scans of the system show no activity.” “Pile the prisoners into one of their ships and we will lock them into Steyvin’s custody. If they try to leave it, they will be entering a zero atmosphere area. Shade, can you cripple everything but the environmental systems?” He nodded. “I can and will.” She turned and nodded to the gathered citizens of Shizzi. “We will take our leave now.” Pilot pressed her hand to her temple and used 51

Viola Grace her com to summon her ship. She wasn’t sure that it would work, but when the gleaming silver ship moved slowly toward her, she fought to keep a cool expression. Shade entered one of the attack ships and the Guardsmen loaded the newly stunned raiders into it. When the vehicle lifted off and headed to the warship in orbit high above, Pilot took her leave with Razer and Flame entering the Class One via the extended ladder from the lower hatch. The Guardsmen returned to the shuttles that had brought them and in under half an hour, they were exiting the atmosphere of Shizzi and their first mission was over. Pilot aimed at the warship and looked back at her grubby and scuffed up companions. “Was that fun or what?” Razer and Flame looked at each other then grinned at her. “When can we do it again?” She sighed happily. It was a good start.

52

Pilot in Command

Chapter Eight

T

he enormous spider clicked as she was faced with twenty-one clients at the same time. The translator dangling on her thorax clicked before it spoke. “How lovely. My assistants will help you five in that area, you with the wings, come this way and the rest of you wait here.” Those with tails went one way, the winged went another and the others stood and waited. After Zalbeeliyah had set up her assistants with the flyers, she turned toward the remainder. One at a time, they were hauled behind the curtain and shoved into a uniform. Pilot was amazed. The men went in scruffy and they came out in armoured bodysuits that fit like a second skin. The plating on the suits gave the men a more muscular appearance, but they really didn’t need it. Shade was preening in his unrelieved black. His ability to move in the shadows let him remove himself from the raider ship after his vandalism 53

Viola Grace and the shade had simply drifted into the Class One within the warship. Male after male entered and left the changing room until just Pilot was left. When the spider gripped her shoulder and said, “You next.” She looked up into the multiple eyes. “It isn’t necessary. I think I am fine.” “Relay told me to outfit you all and I am going to. Now, get in there and strip.” There was no room for argument. Helen’s eyes widened at the elaborate suit that was hanging in front of her. Bands of colour were woven into the fabric that would accentuate her female figure. “I don’t hear you changing, Pilot. Your troops are waiting.” The l’nal’s translator had a singsong tone. She removed the clothing that she was wearing and slipped on the suit that hugged her body like a second skin. There was a subtle warmth as she was gently compressed by the fabric closing over her arms, legs and torso. She stepped into the boots and when everything was sealed and set, she peeked around the curtain. The l’nal looked at her and clicked with satisfaction. “Your tank measurements were good. You look good enough to eat.” From a l’nal, it was high praise. “Thank you, Zalbeeliyah. Your work is very 54

Pilot in Command much appreciated and the work is exquisite. I am sure that future Guardsmen will try and make the pilgrimage to your door. It is too bad you are not on one of the new bases.” She bowed. “Could I be?” Blinking in surprise. “I am sure. Yes. There is a village being set up outside of the Morganti Base. Off-duty staff and Guardsmen will have nothing else to spend money on and they do seem to enjoy your style and designs. They are truly wonderful.” “Are you the only female?” “In the Guardsmen, yes, for now.” She lowered her voice. “There will be one for each of them, but don’t tell them that. Some of them don’t know that yet.” “Males rarely know what is good for them.” Zalbeeliyah made some minute adjustments to the suit and then nodded. “Excellent. I will arrange for a new shop with the coordinator. Relay will be able to put me in touch with the correct person, I believe.” “That, I would have to agree with. She seems to know everything that is going on at any given time.” Zalbeeliyah clacked in amusement. “Being wired into the data stream will do that. Anyway, time to see your audience and stop hogging my facility. I will be sending spare uniforms to Morganti in the morning. My fabric generator 55

Viola Grace needs time to stop smoking.” The fabric screen was swept away by one of the l’nal’s limbs and she was facing a room full of men in a colourful variety of uniforms that had a style that was completely distinctive. Despite the difference in colours, she could easily see she was facing a unified force. The men were grinning at her and she grinned back. “Oh, yeah. This is going to work.” They all started laughing and admiring the detail that the seamstress had managed on such short notice. An assistant ran up to her while she was speaking with Guardian. “Pilot, there is a call.” She went to the house communicator and answered, “Pilot here.” A dry mechanical voice replied. “Pilot, this is Relay. Pardon the voice, I can’t get my tone through the non-secure lines. There is an emergency evacuation needed on Corevan and a riot to control on Vekriab. How fast can you get there?” “How big is the riot?” “Seven hundred people.” “We are on our way.” She hung up and returned to the centre of the shop. “Okay, two assignments. There is an emergency evacuation on Corevan to coordinate and a riot to control on Vekriab. I need you to decide if your 56

Pilot in Command skills can be more useful on one or the other.” She lifted her left hand, “Corevan here.” Her right went up, “Vekriab here.” The men quickly moved from the right to the left and back again. Once everyone had settled, she nodded. “Right. I will take those for Vekriab. The rest of you try and get life support running in Steyvin’s ship for those who need medical evac and get everyone else off that world.” A male Enkaran with his tail lashing asked, “Why is there an evacuation in place?” “I wasn’t told. I am sure that you will be able to let me know what happened after you get the people whose lives are in danger off the world.” Her voice was implacable. “If it makes you feel better, I am taking a crew to a riot where the cause could be alien interference. It isn’t about us knowing what is going on but that we have an ability to assist that others do not have. So, let’s be on our way.” She clapped her hands and the men scattered. Some were eager, some were leery, but all of them headed for the shuttles. Exhaling and swaying gently from the stress of speaking to a crowd, she smiled up at the l’nal who put a leg around her shoulders. “Thank you, Zalbeeliyah. I will settle the bill.” “It has already been done. You have some very impressive friends. I will see you on Morganti 57

Viola Grace when this is all said and done.” “I look forward to it. Thank you again.” Pilot made a mental note to find out who had paid the bill and grabbed her previous clothing and took it with her with a bright wave to the seamstress and her assistants. Her knees buckled as soon as she was out of their field of view. Being in control of this kind of situation was different from going into battle as a tanked pilot. When she was in the tank, her nerves took the beating and she defended those inside the walls of the ship to the best of her ability. In this situation, she was sending them into a situation that she knew nothing about. Whether they lived or died, she couldn’t put herself between them and harm’s way. Her hands shook as she returned to the Class One and the twelve men inside were jockeying for space. She swiped her hand along the galley and seating for four appeared out of the walls. Pilot sealed the ship and took her position in the command chair. “Is everyone ready?” Affirmatives came from everyone in the ship. Thinker had bound his hands to thongs hanging from the ceiling. His wings made the chair backs uncomfortable, he was better off standing. “Okay, mission to Vekriab commences now.” Pushing aside her misgivings, she got clearance, 58

Pilot in Command jacked in to the ship and lifted off. The moment they were clear of orbital interference, she jumped. Screw the jump points, she had places to be and lives were at stake.

59

Viola Grace

Chapter Nine

V

ekriab was calm. Thinker had gotten to the heart of things while the others had worked crowd control. Exhausted, Pilot took her Guardsmen away from the surface and wondered what the hell to do next. Relay came to her rescue using confrontation as the bait. Hello, Pilot. Hello, Relay. How are you today? A little worried about Commander. The bureaucracy is cracking down. He needs you. All of you. How is the evacuation coming? Almost complete. They just needed some more shuttles to clear some of the outlying areas. Can you get a message to them? No. You will have to bounce over to Corevan and gather them up for a show of force, then bounce over to the meeting enclave on Zheharic. Force? Okay, a united front. You need to show them that not only is the theory of the Sector Guard sound, but you 60

Pilot in Command have put it into action. On our way. This is gonna hurt. Give yourself a bubble bath when you get home. Good luck, Pilot. The signal went silent and Pilot had the feeling that it was the last she would hear from Relay until this was over. “Okay, gentlemen. We have just gotten a communiqué that we need to present ourselves en masse. Commander needs a show of strength to convince a few naysayers who want to shut us down before we really get started. I am going to jump to Corevan and from there, we will join Commander at Zheharic.” Thinker smiled wearily. “We will follow where you lead, Pilot. Just tell us where you want us and we will be there. You have not steered us wrong yet.” The others agreed and she gunned the engines, clearing all gravitational bodies before jumping to Corevan. A steady stream of ships was leaving the surface, but it was an orderly exodus. Hey, Steyvin! Pilot, how are you doing? Great. How many ships are you still waiting for? Only one clump of Guardsmen is still on their way in. They should be inside within five minutes. Where shall we go next? Pilot laughed. Steyvin was having fun and it was showing. Zheharic. We are going to confront the 61

Viola Grace politicians in their den. The guys told me about your confrontation on Shizzi. They were very impressed. I almost puked. I hate public speaking and this week has been hell. You sound tired, have you been resting? Not really. Not enough food either. This will be the last trip for me for a few days. I get the feeling that I will be spending some time in medical. You have to take care of yourself. That is Commander’s job. Well, they are aboard and locked down, so we can get moving. See you at Zheharic? See you there. She warned her companions, “Jumping to Zheharic,” and they were away. The trek from the jump site to the orbital station where a good many of the multi-race treatise were debated and settled was surprisingly quiet. Ships from hundreds of planets were in orbit around the station. She sent a signal to the station, waiting for an acknowledgement. “Is this the Class One?” There was something in the tone that set her on edge. Steyvin’s bulk appeared behind her and floated into a holding pattern. “It is.” 62

Pilot in Command “Please dock in berth nine where you will be taken into custody for theft of Alliance property.” “I beg your pardon?” This was why Relay had been cut off from communication. There was a warrant out for her. “You have been charged with stealing the Class One.” “Fine. Take me to those laying the charges. I really want to see them.” She sent a signal to Steyvin and he disgorged the shuttles containing the Guardsmen. They floated into the station together, despite alarms and klaxons going off as they landed and waited for the atmospheric seals to engage. The station was on automatic and the moment that the lights indicated breathable air, the Class One lost its contents. Thinker placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled. “You are no thief, Pilot.” “I know. I want to know who levied the charges.” When the station guards arrived, they were shocked to see the twenty-one uniformed Guardsmen waiting for them. “Please, take me to my accuser.” Pilot stepped forward and extended her hands for restraints, but when one of the guards tried to put them on, half a dozen of the Sector Guard growled at him. He put them away. 63

Viola Grace “This way, Pilot.” The guards acted as an escort as they led the way through the station. They worked their way into the heart of the trade terminal. The marching of feet in step caused heads to turn as they made their way to the point where Commander was working on keeping them in business. **** Commander was beyond frustrated. The Tival ambassador was demanding the immediate return of all support personnel, because the Sector Guard project had not yet borne any results. Their complaints were causing a cascade of dissent on those who were slightly unsure as to the usefulness or possibilities to begin with. When the steady thud of booted feet came to him, he looked to Vasu. “What is that?” “I have no idea.” Vasu turned in his seat and he slapped Commander in the shoulder. “Turn around.” Across the crystal-lined halls of the high-negotiation centre, Pilot was leading a force to be reckoned with. The station guards were almost invisible in the battle-ready mass of males from a multitude of races. Pilot looked exhausted. Dark shadows 64

Pilot in Command surrounded her eyes and her skin was pale. She marched with the others with her head up and her jaw set. Someone was about to get an earful. The guards rushed forward and the captain addressed the speaker. “Sir, the crew of the Class One has been apprehended.” The speaker, Tival Ambassador Leron, scowled. “That is not only the Terran female. The others are not necessary, she was the sole thief of the Class One.” Pilot bristled. “Thief? Thief! I have been busting my ass to acquire the Guardsmen that we needed and then we got distracted answering distress calls. When did I have time to steal anything?” Azon ambassador Ranith leaned forward, “Distress calls?” “Yes, we stopped a raider attack on Shizzi, assisted with an evacuation on Corevan and a riot on Vekriab, then we came here.” Leron bristled. “That is impossible. You could not have jumped with all of those men in your ship.” She crossed her arms and smirked. “So, if it is my ship, why did they try and arrest me when I arrived?” Commander stifled a grin as the Tival ambassador dealt with the snickers that broke out. He stood and assisted in the process. “Sirs and madams, the Class One was designed with Pilot in 65

Viola Grace mind. The jacks are calibrated to work with her ports. To have accused her of stealing a piece of equipment designed for her is ludicrous. May I ask, why was I not informed that there was an arrest warrant issued?” Leron blushed. “It was not something you needed to know.” Commander bristled, literally, his hair began to stand out in a halo that another Azon would have recognized immediately as fury. He spoke through gritted teeth, “Pilot is my partner, she is the first Guardsman aside from myself. When I was summoned here, I left Pilot in command to continue the recruitment phase. “She has proved not only herself, but the purpose of the Sector Guard. Quick response when no other force was able to answer without a ton of red tape. This is exactly what we are here for.” Leron wasn’t giving up. “We have no proof that they actually attended those events.” Grinning, Pilot pressed the com attached to the side of her head. “Steyvin, dump the raiders. We have a Tival jackass here who doesn’t believe that we captured them.” A voice came through on the external speaker of her headset. “Will do, Pilot. Thanks, they were making me itch. The ship is away. They only have three hours of air left, so you had better be quick.” “Thanks. You are a sport.” 66

Pilot in Command “Anything else?” “Not yet. Stand by.” She removed her hand from the headset and smiled beatifically at Leron. “An off-duty warship has just dumped a raider shuttle full of our prisoners into space outside the orbital zone for the station. Feel free to have someone pick them up and confirm my story.” The guard captain began frantically whispering into his wrist band and he winked at Pilot as he passed her and the others. Commander wasn’t happy with the wink and he was wondering how the hell Helen had gotten her hair to grow that long while she was flitting from world to world, but he loved the look so much that he was going to table the query for a later date. “What else am I charged with aside from carrying out the job I was hired to do? I have a contract filed to prove it.” She crossed her arms and scowled at the assembled men. Commander was astonished at the amount of Guards she had assembled. The details would wait on that as well, because now, he had a presentation to ram home. “Twenty-three Guards, nine worlds and four strategic stations have offered themselves to the service of the Alliance, the Nyal and all settled worlds. Our duty drives us as well as a love for adventure and no one here was coerced into 67

Viola Grace position. We are a grouping of volunteers. The planets have offered themselves freely. We need resources for housing, equipment, supplies and support staff until our bases can become self-sufficient.” The Azon ambassador nodded. “How do you propose to earn your bases an income?” Commander raised his data pad. “We have a list of talents who are less physically active and more psychically active. They are inventors, creators, horticulturists and scientists who need an environment to flourish in. We can offer them a space to do it. A haven for those whose worlds reject talents. Also, we can charge the Alliance for the research and invention patents as they come to light. I have a plan and I know we can make it happen if we are simply given the opportunity to be the Sector Guard, fully and without restraint.” A Nyal representative stood. “Will you pick and choose your assignments?” Commander shook his head. “If we get a distress call, we will go. No matter which territory or expanse of space. Even into interdicted territory if necessary. If someone can call for help, we will go to them.” Ambassador Ranith smiled, showing his teeth. “Then, I know all I need to know. Anyone in favour of supporting the Sector Guard for the first ten years of their existence in every way we can? It 68

Pilot in Command will drastically reduce the amount of call on the warships and with that, some of them may not have to wait for internal atmospheric repairs.” Commander didn’t understand, but Pilot blushed. The room filled with hands that slowly lifted. When there was a ninety-five-percent approval, the mediator struck the table with a stone. “Motion carried. Negotiations and investigation closed. Sector Guard will be supported freely by the assembled planets, nations and species for ten years. Dismissed.” The mediator sat back with a sigh of relief as the room exploded with hoots, shouts and flying Guardsmen.

69

Viola Grace

Chapter Ten

P

ilot staggered over to Commander and fell into his arms. “We did it.” He caught her and smiled down at her. “You did it. How did you do it?” “It was pointed out to me that I didn’t have to be at every negotiation. Alliance and Nyal personnel in the right place could do the asking for me as well as ratify the contracts. Seer, for example, was on Jela. No Terran woman wants to venture there, even with my implants, I am considered fair game.” She sighed as his hands slowly rubbed up and down her back. “I need some rest.” She yawned. “Can you fly the Class One back to Morganti?” He tilted her chin up and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I can, but that will be it for the day. I think I need about sixteen hours of sleep and something to eat.” She yawned and waved at Vasu over Commander’s shoulder. “Why don’t you boys go 70

Pilot in Command meet the others and I can have a little nap? Go put some real names with the faces.” Commander put her in his vacated chair and wandered off to introduce himself to his Guards. She watched him until her head wouldn’t stay up anymore and she leaned against the table and let the darkness come. Waking up with her body wreathed in green flames and her nerves burning started her up with a scream and she punched Flame right in the jaw. He reeled back and winced. “She’s up. She should be fine for a few hours.” Commander nodded. “Pilot, it is time to get the ship going. Come on, you can do it.” She grumbled, “Fuck off. That hurt.” She put the data jacks in place and powered up the ship. A quick glance behind her told her that only Razer and Flame were on the Class One with her and Commander. “The others left?” “Steyvin took them to Gant already. They are landing as we speak. Gant has been assisting the workers and the base is coming along very nicely.” “Why didn’t you wake me?” Commander shook his head. “We couldn’t. Flame’s burn can keep you awake and alert for a while, but you have a date with a med centre the moment we arrive.” She nodded and tersely requested clearance 71

Viola Grace from the control centre. When they gave it, she smoothly moved the Class One out of the station and out into space. She went a little faster than she should have, weaving through traffic around the station with a combination of fatigue and frustration. The moment they were clear of the station, she hit the engines and they shot past the gravitational fields as quickly as she could manage it. “Prepare for jump.” “This isn’t a jump site.” Commander’s voice was strained. “We have cleared gravitational interference and I need a nap. Jump.” Ready or not, here they went. Gant’s system came into her view and she twisted her ship to the side as Steyvin rocked past her. She heard curses behind her and grinned as she accelerated past the warship and whipped through the orbit of the pink moon. She gave them the wildest ride she could manage and by the time they landed next to the selection of shuttles, she wasn’t the only pale one on board. Pilot powered the ship down and detached herself from it with a smile. “There, that feels much better. Now, where can a girl get a nice protein shake? I just realized I am hungry again.” It took Commander three tries to get his hands to release the arms of his seat. 72

Pilot in Command Razer and Flame were glaring at her as she checked on them. She got out of her seat and wobbled alarmingly. Commander was at her side, supporting her as they left the shuttle. The base had come along fairly well in the week that she had been gone. “Kale has assured me that medical was the first thing set up. There may be nothing around it, but I should be able to run some scans on you.” “You flirt.” She stumbled and he lifted her, carrying her to the peculiar cube in the centre of the work zone. “Holy crap, it’s really a medical bay.” Inside, it was all clean, high tech and had the medical beds ubiquitous in all Alliance facilities. “It really is. Now, lie back and hold still.” He set the scanners and immediately started pulling injections from the storage cabinets. “You are dehydrated, lacking nutrition and you have a muscle fatigue that is flooding your system with lactic acid.” She yawned. “Yeah, it’s been a fun week.” He started a regimen of shots and slathered some gels on her ports. She relaxed and let him take care of her. She was back on base and she didn’t have to fly anywhere. A deep thudding woke her from a sound sleep. 73

Viola Grace She sat up and blinked at the blanket that slipped to her waist. Behind her, a hand wrapped around her belly and pulled her back down. “What the hell?” “They are drop shipping the supplies since we have a dragon to do the heavy lifting as well as several Guardsmen who are ten times the strength of average members of their species.” Hyder’s voice was husky. “I meant why am I in bed with you and why am I naked?” she lifted the blanket to cover her breasts and turned to him. He smiled. “Ah, well, they created our quarters first as you were most in need of the resting place. I am with you because we have some unfinished business.” She quickly ran her tongue around her mouth and noticed the distinct and peculiar lack of morning breath. “Why doesn’t my mouth taste like something died in it?” “Nanites. They were offered by the Avari and they are assisting your body with maintenance. Like many Pilots, your body was eating itself with no explanation as to why. There seems to be irritation near your ports, but the cause is unclear.” “What do the nanites do?” “Biological maintenance. They eat the obnoxious bacteria that would normally be associated with prolonged inability to care for 74

Pilot in Command oneself. You spend so much time wired to the ship that it is a benefit to your health or I would never have administered it.” She shifted her leg and confirmed that he was as naked as she was. “And why are you in bed with me?” He nuzzled her shoulder. “Because there is no place else I would rather be.” Helen leaned down and pressed a kiss on Hyder’s lips. “Why isn’t your breath horrible?” He chuckled. “Because your body started to wake and I just cleaned my teeth on the off chance that you would be amenable to consummating our partnership.” She chuckled and stroked a hand down the planes of his chest, enjoying the feel of the light nap of his velvet skin under her hand. A purr out of his throat startled her into laughing and he rolled her to her back, slowly stroking and exploring his way from her neck to her knees. When his caresses took on an urgency between her thighs, she twisted against him until he moved to settle in the cradle of her hips and she pushed toward him when he entered her. They tangled together, thrusting and retreating for minutes or hours, Helen didn’t care. She was just upset when it was over. Lying beside him, she kept one leg wrapped around him and his hand on her thigh kept it there. 75

Viola Grace “So, you waited until my vitals said I was waking up and you jumped into bed with me?” she was smiling as he nuzzled her neck, licking at the wound his teeth had made when he came. He muttered against her flesh, “Yes. It seemed like the best idea. We never know when we will be called out for a mission, so it is best to make the most of the time we do have.” She groaned and shifted, seeking more of his warmth. “That sounds like a hell of an idea.”

76

Pilot in Command

Chapter Eleven

T

hree months later…

Helen looked over the Morganti base, all shining and complete in the sun. “It looks so empty.” Hyder was standing next to her as they watched the last of the shuttles leave for Udell base. The construction crew was moving on and seventeen of the new recruits were going with them to speed things along. The only new Guards still posted to the base were Shade, Thinker and Seer. Vasu and Kale-Gant were still here, but it was their home. “It will start filling up quickly. It’s time to send Isabi to meet his mate.” Hyder wrapped an arm around her waist and she leaned into him. She was still exhausted most of the time, the missions took a lot out of her, but she and the Class One had finally hit the merging point. With advanced calculations, she could make a jump just beyond an atmospheric barrier without causing 77

Viola Grace damage to her ship or the environment. Sentient planets didn’t like it, but if she was in a hurry, her Guards got where they needed to be with exceptional speed while putting no innocents in danger. Zalbeeliyah had embraced the creation of uniforms and when the missions took them through jungles full of razor-sharp leaves, she was kept busy. Five uniforms was now the standard for a Guard. With barely a break in between distress calls, they could be jumping from world to world for weeks. The uniforms were a necessity. Her shop was one of the most visited structures in the rapidly growing town. The three restaurants were also high in popularity. Hyder hugged Helen and she smiled at the now-familiar feel of his body. “Finding his match will be a bit tricky. Most of the females have not been notified that they are on our candidate list.” She knew his tone. He was hiding something. “What do I need to know?” He grinned. “Come with me. You have to see this to believe it.” Bemused, Helen walked with him down the hill. Her body was almost up to a normal-human level again and it was due to his fanatical attention to every inch of her when she had some down time. Inside the pristine halls of the new base, the med centre was still central. There was now a gym 78

Pilot in Command with high-strength equipment next to the standard workout gear. A pool, commissary, admin offices, a quartermaster for the support staff and the Guard quarters and boardrooms for mission briefings took up the rest of the space. They walked together, hand in hand, to Commander’s office. He closed the door behind them and locked it. “I don’t want Isabi to see her.” Helen raised her eyebrows. “Really? Is she that bad? I mean, he will hit on anything remotely compatible…so this will be something.” Hyder sat at his desk and keyed up a holographic projection of a female with dark hair. She was pale, slim and had eyes that were an indefinable colour. “She’s pretty. Very attractive, actually. Where is the problem?” “This is what she looks likes on the recorders, but her DNA shows this.” He struck a few more keys and the woman altered dramatically. Dark rainbow hair hung in waves to her waist, her eyes reflected the same colours. “Holy heck, she is a Moreski?” “Not a pure breed but one of the royals without a doubt.” A trickle of dread ran through Helen. “A royal but not pure? I thought the Moreski killed all partial breeds.” “They do. I believe it is why this woman is 79

Viola Grace hiding.” Helen leaned back in the chair. “What is she doing and where am I taking Isabi?” Hyder cleared his throat. “Kaddaka station.” If she had been drinking water, she would have spit it out, but as it was, she simply fell out of her chair. “What?” Hyder helped her to her feet, steadying her with his hands on her arms. “She is the repair specialist at Kaddaka station. She fixes all the ships that come into the station and is racking up a hefty account that she transfers regularly to someone on Cadith.” “How can she be the sole repair specialist?” “She isn’t. But she is called on every time a ship needs extensive repair and it leaves in factory condition.” Helen whistled. “That is impressive. Any idea how to get us to the largest black-market station in the region?” He pulled her in for a hug and stroked her back. “I was hoping that you would have an idea for that.” She smiled against his chest, inhaling his scent into her lungs. “I have an idea…but you won’t like it and Shade will hate it.” She felt his laugh. “Do I want to know?” She leaned back and gave him a quick kiss. “No, you definitely do not. But, I will tell you one thing, 80

Pilot in Command if she isn’t as good at repairs as you think, we are going to find ourselves in the negotiating arena again trying to explain the destruction of property.” He winced. “She’s as good as I think at repairs. Will you be in danger?” She grinned up at him. “Probably, but with Relay’s help, I think we can get this done. When do you want me to go?” He sighed and scrubbed his face with one hand. “As soon as I tell Isabi and he calms down.” She laughed and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. “I will run some pre-flights on the Class One and make sure that all the restocking has been done. Last time we ran short of water for tea. A pretty big deal in the frozen hell we were visiting.” “You couldn’t boil water?” “I never said the ice was made of water.” She punched him in the ribs. “If you see Isabi, send him in here.” She grinned and nodded, dismissed. She snapped him a salute. “Yes, Commander. Whatever you say, Commander.” Isabi was where he always was, working out in the gym. Helen wandered over and waited until he had noticed her before speaking. “Commander has something he needs to discuss with you.” 81

Viola Grace He looked her up and down, took in her demeanour and nodded. “It’s about my mate, isn’t it?” “I should be surprised, but I am not. How long have you known?” “Six weeks or so. It was the main reason for guys like Mist and Guardian to join and they are gossipy.” He towelled the sweat off his torso. “Do you know anything about her?” “She is a repair specialist. Works on ships and shuttles. Her talent is somehow woven into those repairs, so we will have to see it to figure it out.” “Is she pretty?” Helen thought to the two pictures she had seen. “Pretty or beautiful depending on the angle. Pretend I didn’t say anything, Commander has to break it to you or he won’t feel like he is doing his job. Whenever you are over your emotional upset, come meet me at the Class One and we will go get her.” He chuckled and headed for the shower.

82

Pilot in Command

Chapter Twelve

I

nside her private sanctuary, Helen called up her pen pal. Relay, how are you this fine day? Oh, you know life in a tank. Same old, same old. I need a favour. What can I do? I need raider activity on some warships. Something has to blast the crap out of the Class One and it can’t look staged. Do you know what you are doing? Nope, but I trust in my ship and my instincts. Shade is going to freak out, so this has to be the right location the first time. So, what are you looking for, somewhere they are attacking or somewhere they are reported? Reported and confirmed. I need them to attack the minute that they see me, because I am going to have to jump with a crippled ship. The cursing was genuine. Helen laughed in the data stream. Either do it right or don’t do it at all. 83

Viola Grace Sending you the coordinates. Don’t tell Commander I gave you this. I won’t, he just knows I am going to get the job done. Isabi is getting a mate, or we are coming back in pieces. The connection was stopped when Isabi came through the shuttle door in his Shade uniform. The women silently agreed to discontinue the conversation without any words being spoken. She grinned at him. “Are you ready?” “I have heard that we are heading to Kaddaka station. How will we get near a repair specialist in a Reflex ship in perfect condition?” Shade strapped in and sat facing forward. Pilot sealed her ship and jacked fully into its systems. Shade was going to regret his front-row seat in a moment, but why ruin the surprise? When they reached the jump point in the Morganti system, Pilot strapped in. Shade started to look worried. “Why are you strapping in? You never strap in.” “You said it yourself. No ship in perfect condition would be allowed near Specialist Deeha, so I have to change that. Unfortunately, you have to be with me. If I were you, I would close my eyes, because the next half hour is going to be a little hairy.” Shade’s eyes were still wide as she programmed the delayed jump four minutes after the first. Pilot 84

Pilot in Command took a deep breath and triggered the first jump, right into raider-occupied space. She left the shielding down as they shot around a moon and through a crowd of scraggly ships. The first blast rocked them to one side, the second struck the other. Electronics started to flare and flicker within the ship and she kept flying, taking as much damage as she could. Shade was sitting with his hands over his eyes and when their escape jump took them away from the action, everything was silent. They were drifting in a straight line and at the end of that line was Kaddaka station. “Shade, you can open your eyes now.” He removed his hands from his face and looked at her as if she was insane. “You are…what the hell, Pilot?” “We had to have genuine damage or we wouldn’t have qualified for exorbitant cash repairs. Now, shush. I have to make a call.” She cleared her throat and accessed the com unit. “Kaddaka Station, this is the Class One. We are a ship in distress floating toward your station with minimal power and we require emergency repairs.” “This is Kaddaka Station. You are out of your jurisdiction for an Alliance vessel.” “We were on a…private mission and really can’t have this getting back to anyone. We need discreet 85

Viola Grace repairs and we need them fast.” “Discreet costs.” “Obviously, or I would be at an Alliance station.” “I will wake up our repair specialist. She will come out and get you. Bring you safely in.” Pilot smiled in triumph. “Thank you. I appreciate the effort.” With the connection to the station over, she raised her hand to Shade for a high five. He didn’t know what she wanted, so she lifted his hand and smacked her own with it. “A Terran acknowledgement of triumph.” He was still shaking from their game of being the target in a shooting range. “I cannot believe you did that.” “I can’t believe the Commander didn’t ask me what I was up to.” She chortled as they waited. Shade got solemn. “Do you think I will make a good husband?” Pilot blinked in surprise. “Yes. I think with the right woman, she will make you give her what she needs. Whether that is done in or out of the bedroom, and hopefully both, will be up to you.” Shade ran a nervous hand through his hair. “I am not sure about Commander’s judgement on this. How do you feel about your match?” Pilot cocked her head. “The moment that he met me, he saw himself in my life. That had never 86

Pilot in Command happened to him before. We like each other, but due to our schedules, it is harder to get to know each other as fast as other couples could manage. You and your partner will be able to learn about each other on missions, you will have shared experiences that will bind you together.” “How do you manage it when you are together so infrequently?” “You were a Companion, you know this. You make the most of each minute you are together and let the rest sort itself out. He will not be the Commander of Morganti Base forever and then, he can join me on my travels as he makes matches for the rest of the Guard, one at a time.” “You are willing to wait for that?” “A strong woman requires a strong man and a strong man requires a patient woman. I am both strong and patient, so it isn’t too much of a stretch for me to wait.” Isabi smiled. “That is a rare thing.” “It is surprising what you can find when you don’t realize you are looking for it. I sure wasn’t looking for a mate when Hyder woke me, but now, it feels bizarrely right.” “How did you meet?” Isabi was trying to work off his nerves and they both knew it. She leaned forward and smiled. “I was the tanked pilot of an Alliance warship who was involved in a raider intervention. My captain was a 87

Viola Grace coward who wanted to run instead of protecting the travellers and ship convoy that the raiders had jumped.” Isabi grinned. “What did you do?” She snorted, “I believe the term is mutiny. I took complete control of the ship, got the gunners aimed in the right direction and kept us between the raiders and their prey until all of the little bastards were gone.” “What happened?” “The captain freaked. From what I was told later, he smashed through my tank and tried to kill me. I woke up with Hyder at my bedside and that started this really weird adventure.” A small figure riding a metal harness and a rocket waved at them. It was dispatched out of Kaddaka and was moving toward them at a quick pace. “Isabi, I think that your adventure is just about to begin.” He nodded and watched the woman intently while she and Pilot chatted through the open com. Mala Deeha, repair specialist of Kaddaka station, his future wife. What did Commander get him in to?

88

Author’s Note And so, I bring the last book to the moment where the first began. Freak Factor started the Sector Guard odyssey and Pilot in Command completes it where it started. This is the twenty-fifth of the Sector Guard books (26 if you count Hardcore Green) and it has been a blast to write these characters and their adventures. Thank you for coming with me on this weird journey. The next series will use the Guardsmen and support staff as backup for the exceptional women who are recruited by the Citadel. With the Vorwings creating and controlling the raiders, a defence has to be more than rooted in dispatched assistance and that means small outposts with talented occupants. Tales of the Citadel will begin on January 1, 2012 with the book Soul Keeper. A woman whose only true talent is to absorb and protect the souls of the dead is summoned to help the victims of a most peculiar plague. Sounds like fun. Hope you will continue to visit the Sector Guard in their next series,

Viola Grace http://www.violagrace.com http://www.extasybooks.com http://www.devinedestinies.com [email protected]

About the Author Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales. Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.