Mama and the Alien Warrior (Treasured By The Alien #1) - Honey Phillips Page 0,24

is around to do the job.” Her chin came up. “And even if he is, I want to stand next to him, not behind him.”

A thousand objections rushed through his head, but he had gained enough wisdom not to utter them.

Sedlit was not so wise. The young ensign stepped forward eagerly. “A woman is not capable of violence. I would gladly stand between you and danger.”

Hrebec growled and only just refrained from challenging Sedlit to step into the ring. The youngster thought he could have the privilege of defending Hrebec’s woman?

Abigail’s eyes narrowed. “I assure you, I am quite capable of violence.” She turned back to Hrebec and huffed. “What are you teaching these boys?”

Before he could attempt to defend himself, Lucie tugged on his hand. “Teach me too.”

Gazing down at her eager little face, he could not find it within himself to refuse. “Of course, little one. But perhaps now is not the right time. Did you need me, Abigail?”

Her cheeks flushed that delightful pink color again and her eyes roved over his body a second time, causing his shaft to respond. “Um, yes. I wanted to speak to you about the journey back to Earth.”

His arousal disappeared as if dashed with cold water. Of course. How could he have forgotten that he had promised to return her to her planet? He forced down his instinctive protest and gave a formal bow. “Very well. I will meet you in my office as soon as I have dressed.”

“Thank you.”

Chapter Twelve

“Captain.”

Before Hrebec could return to his office, Lieutenant Jedan intercepted him.

Jedan was the one who had first put the thought of leaving Ciresia into Hrebec’s head. Although they hadn’t known each other well at the time, Jedan had worked for him as part of the security for the lab complex. He had come to report one day and found Hrebec staring at a memory eraser. The machine had been developed because of the high rates of suicides among the survivors. It allowed them to forget the past, to forget the pain and suffering endured by their loved ones; in some cases, they even chose to forget that their loved ones had ever existed.

“Sir, what are you doing?”

Hrebec hadn’t answered at first, turning the device over and over in his hands. His father had just died and the experiments were still failing. Could he erase enough of his memory to be able to start over with the sense of optimism he had once experienced? Would there be anything left of what made him uniquely himself?

“Sir—Hrebec—I have another suggestion.”

“Yes?” he asked finally, dragging his thoughts away from the past.

“You know that the Confederated Planets are recruiting volunteers for their Interplanetary Reserve?”

Frowning, he dropped the device and looked up at his head guard. “I had heard something to that effect, yes.”

“If you were to outfit a ship and assemble a crew, you could leave Ciresia and join the Reserve.”

Leave? His first reaction had been an immediate denial, but then he rose and went to the window, staring out at the long buildings holding the incubators… the useless incubators. And beyond them, the desolate buildings, the empty streets. For the first time in a very long time, he felt a flicker of interest, almost eagerness. He could do no more here.

Perhaps out there, he could make a difference.

In the end, he had made the decision to leave and purchased a ship. Jedan had been the first to volunteer for his crew and Hrebec had made him second-in-command.

Now Jedan stood at attention, waiting for a response.

“Yes, Lieutenant?”

“Sir, the Ciresian High Council has responded to our message regarding the suggestions to improve infant viability. They are most excited.”

“I’m sure they are.” He could only pray that this attempt did not result in the failure that had haunted all of their previous efforts. Impatient to get to Abigail, he started to turn away, but Jedan continued.

“There is more, sir. They… strongly suggested that we proceed to Trevelor immediately to see if there are additional Cire females on the planet. They will contact the Interplanetary Reserve to make sure they understand the importance of this mission and approve the exploration.”

This was not good. While he was not directly under the authority of the Ciresian High Council, he had agreed to follow the orders given by Reserve headquarters.

“I made a commitment to the Earth females.”

“Yes, sir. I did mention that. However, they suggested that another ship could perform that task. They also encouraged us to take possession of the infant