Chapter Fourteen — Part 2

I snarled at him, “We’ve committed no crimes against the Kottanna government.” I said. “By what authority do you feel you can drag us away from our duties?” I signaled Captain Reed to lock all exterior hatches and activated the ship’s exterior defenses.

Commander Barrot was calm, and apparently aware of my tactics. “By my own authority. We only want information, we need to talk in person. If you could lower your defenses.”

“I don’t take orders from you.” I tried to look threatening.

“This isn’t an order, it’s a request. An unofficial and personal request of services, nothing more.”

“Oh really? Then why’d you strong arm me?” I said, frozen with indecision. “You wouldn’t lie to a woman with wings would you?”

“I don’t lie. It would be very inconsiderate of me to lie to a woman with horns.” Commander Barrot said, waiting for my answer.

I put a hand my head, and wondered how he’d seen my stubby horns through the hair. My fingers touched the tips, and I was mildly surprised. They’d grown a good half-inch since the last time I’d thought to check on them. “Give me ten minutes, turn off the teselar reactor, and you’ve got yourself a deal.”

After contact was broken, I gave the ship an order. “Persimmon, assist Captain Reed in a safe shutdown of your Otherspace drive system and localized defenses.”

True to his word, the Commander cut the teselar field as soon as we powered down our engines. I ran through the ship straight to my quarters, pulled my uniform from its hanging rack, and pulled it on over my human form. I tightened my boots and put my pistol into its holster, strapped my sword to my side, and locked my pistol into place. Then, with a flick of my hand, tossed my hair out of my eyes. I set up a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses at the ship’s mess hall table.

I got a scolding look from my mother. “You know, this isn’t a date.”

I tried not to blush as I set a cold platter of sliced cheese and bread on the center of the table. “Come on Mother, it isn’t like I’ve anything to worry about with you here. Besides, I’m just trying to make him feel at home.”

“Getting him into bed may be trying too hard. Just because you’re an angel doesn’t mean you’re invincible, after all.”

“You know I’m an angel?” I said, surprised.

“Of course I’ve known. I always have — and so has your father. It was pretty hard not to notice that Bit and Fluff both disappeared when I got pregnant. Even harder not to notice that you turned into an angel every time you got exposed to Otherspace. Why do you think we had you wear that bodysuit under your clothes? One Otherspace shift in a public park, and you’d be running around naked.”

The airlock between ships unsealed, and Kotian led Commander Barrot into the mess hall, disturbing our conversation. I leaned against the wall for a moment, smiling coquettishly at Barrot. Tiffany quickly and courteously seated him, then left us alone. His eyebrows were definite lines of black marking his face. He couldn’t be more than 25, but already he was the Commander of a police flagship. His black hair and brown eyes contrasted his pale skin, and his entire posture was one of utter confidence.

“Have some wine, Commander. It’s nothing special — just something we picked up while touring a Lenitian pleasure ship.” I said, taking a sip of my own.

He took a glass and sipped it carefully. Then he finished the glass in one gulp and set it down gently. For some reason he was looking around, as if curious about his surroundings. His uniform gave him a stiff, symmetrical outline.

“It is awful trusting of your crew to leave us here alone, isn’t it?” He asked.

I completely missed the intention of his question. “Are you kidding? They’re probably watching right now, making bets on whether or not you’ll make the first move.” I paused, embarrassed at my own forwardness. “What’s your business, Commander?”

“Rumor has it that you set slaves free as a hobby.” Commander Barrot finished his glass quickly.

“Yes.” I said. “Whenever the opportunity arises. I’ve another mission right now, however, so if this is a matter of me hunting down a slave ship for your amateur forces –”

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