Tamed By the Alien Pirate by Celia Kyle Page 0,31
and rush up through the decks toward the bridge.
When I’m passing by the galley, I pause, frowning as I hear Kintar’s voice emanating from within.
Our ship’s steward stands with one arm on the serving counter, leaning against it with a big smile on his face as he speaks to Marion. Much like Kintar, her duties on the ship are varied and numerous. Judging from the grin on her own cherubic face, I’d say she’s equally as happy to speak with the shorn horned former Alliance officer.
Given the dire circumstances, however, I’m more that a little peeved. I stand behind him, arms akimbo, and clear my throat noisily.
“Zander?” He takes me in with a wide-eyed gaze. “I see you’ve cleaned up.”
“And I see you have yet to gather the senior staff on the bridge… like you said you would.”
“Ah.” Kintar looks back and forth from me to Marion, clearly at a loss for words. “I, ah…”
“It’s okay, big guy.” Marion smears a stained rag over the burnished counter. “I’ve got a lot of work to get caught up on. We’ll catch up later.”
I arch an eyebrow at Kintar as we leave the galley.
“So you think Marion might…”
“I have nothing to say on the matter.” Kintar sniffs pointedly. “I’ll gather the staff. You head up to the bridge and fill in our intrepid captain.”
I nod and then jog my way up the decks until I reach the corridor leading to the bridge. Only then do I start to feel apprehension. Solair is a cautious sort when it comes to risking the lives of the crew under his command. Even though I know he cares about what happens to Thrase, convincing him we need to mount a rescue op could prove difficult.
The doors slide open, and as one the bridge crew turns their gazes on me. Solair’s brows come down low over his eyes, and his nostrils flare. He’s probably a little miffed at my going rogue and running off on my own with Thrase.
“Well, look who’s decided to return to duty…” His recrimination dies in his throat when he takes in my expression. “Oh no. Did something happen to Thrase.”
“Indeed. I apologize for my actions, Captain, but I’m afraid my discipline might have to wait.”
“Tell me everything.”
So I do, not sparing any details. Solair’s eyes go wide when I mention the women in cryo sleep who’ve endured brain surgery. He greets the news of our capture with equal gravity, and when I wind down, most of the senior staff has joined us on the bridge.
Solair takes them in with his gaze.
“Did you all get the gist of that?”
“We did, Captain.” Kintar steps forward and stands at “parade rest,” with his hands clasped behind his back. “I’m willing and able to join the strike team.”
Solair sighs, and rubs the bridge of his nose.
“I’m not sure there’s going to be a strike team, Kintar.”
Damn it. Perhaps if I were in Solair’s position, I would have an equal amount of reservations. But all I can think about is seeing Thrase slapped to the ground by one of the brutal Kreetu.
“Captain, please.” I stand up and come over to his side. “We have to save her. You know what kind of monsters the Project Blue Dawn officials can be.”
“I’m aware, Zander. But I’m also aware of the safety of the rest of our crew.”
I make a strangled, frustrated noise in my throat and turn away from him before I end up throwing a punch. As I said, I understand his position but I will never be able to agree with it.
“Now hold on, Solair.” Grantian crosses his arms over his massive chest. “We don’t leave our own behind. The whole point of this operation was to rescue Lokyer, after all.”
“Whom we don’t even know for certain is even in that building anymore.” Solair meets the fiery gaze of his first mate spark for spark. “And at no point have I said we will not rescue Thrase. I’m just saying maybe we should pursue other avenues rather than naked force.”
Varia puts her hand on Solair’s shoulder, and I feel instantly hopeful. I know his fated mate won’t allow one of her own Frontier refugees to be cast to the spine backs.
“Solair, there’s no negotiating with these people. They’re fanatics who think every evil they commit is justified so long as it advances the power and presence of humanity in the galaxy at large.”
Solair strokes his chin in thought, considering her words.
“If… and this is a big if…