The holo flickered, and the spaceship’s bridge appeared, along with the captain, Malachi. He was dressed in the traditional Sandowin garb, a long robe draped over his shoulders, the hood covering his head. His features were shadowed, except for the tip of his nose and the deep green of his numerous eyes.
The hair on the back of Elle’s neck stood on end.
“Altonian, do you have the tenium as we discussed?” Even through the hologram, his deep voice resonated in Elle’s bones. A shiver lifted goosebumps on her arms.
She jutted her chin. “Naturally. Altonians are known for adhering to their bargains.” Unlike you, Malachi.
He chuckled, the sound low and predatory. “Very good. I’m glad to hear that.”
“I take it you have sufficient numitite crystals to complete our transaction?” She held her breath.
His green eyes darkened. “Of course. Perhaps you’d like to see for yourself.”
He snapped his fingers and the screen shifted.
A cargo hold came into focus, stacks of long tubes lining the grey metal walls. The crack of a whip filled the air.
Elle’s throat tightened.
A humanoid male stumbled into view. The tattered and torn remnants of his shirt hung loose around his shoulders. He glanced behind him. A flinch crossed his features.
Just off-screen a large shadow darkened the floor, and a deep male voice resonated through the holo. “Open one of the containers, slave.”
The male’s shoulders stiffened. His lip curled, but he did as expected. He gripped one long, white tube, the muscles in his biceps straining from the weight. As the metal hit the floor, the loud clank reverberated off the walls. He twisted the top. Even through the hologram, the rainbow sparkle of colors emanating from the crystals lit up the room.
Elle clenched her hand, but maintained her composure. Although she despised the Sandowin bastards for enslaving other species, completing this deal was her number one priority.
The image scrambled and Malachi’s cold glare reappeared on the holo. “You see we have the numitite crystals. We await you in sector three, near the Freonian system.”
The hologram blinked out.
Elle released her pent-up breath. “Adalyn, how long until we arrive?”
Adalyn scanned the stellar cartography on the display and furrowed her brow. “According to my calculations, seven galactic days, five if we push the reactors, but that cuts it close for our return trip.”
Elle’s gut tightened. Payment to release Toman was due in twelve days. “Push it. Let’s arrive early. I want to seal this deal and get home as fast as possible.”
Adalyn nodded and swiveled in her chair to face her vid-screen. A slow creak issued from the metal. “Coordinates set, ready on your command.”
“Santek. Take us there.”
A low rumble shook the floor, and Santek’s deep voice echoed through the room. “As you wish, my lady.”
CHAPTER 3
Elle crossed her legs and leaned into her captain’s chair. Through the transparent panes of the invisi-screen, the stars and planets flew by at just under the speed of light. An ache built in her back, and she adjusted herself in the seat. One armrest pressed into her ribs, jabbing her as if with malicious intent. Unwilling to take anymore, she stood.
Some days her patience was thinner than others. Today was one of those days. To let off some steam she paced the bridge, stopping by Adalyn at the navigation station then returning to Montoya at the security controls. Elle twirled the gilded ring on her thumb, a gift from her deceased mother.
“Location status.” Even to Elle’s ears, her words seemed harsh.
“Triton system. We still have a ways to go. Maybe you should consider a bath or a vibrator, just something to blow off some of that steam.” A smirk crept across Adalyn’s face.
Elle pursed her lips to hide the smile that tugged there. After their years together at the space academy, Adalyn knew when Elle’s stress level was high. “Time enough for that later, once we’re done with the Sandowins.”
She focused her attention on the see-through panel and the vastness of space.
A small flicker caught her attention. Unlike a star or planet, the light blinked and approached at an incredible speed, growing in size. “Montoya, do you see that?”
Montoya pulled her gaze from the console. “See what—”
“Santek, disengage cylinders. Stop engines.”
The ship slowed, still drifting in space from the aftermath of the propulsion. A small pod floated by in the distance.
Montoya placed her hand on Elle’s shoulder. “Garbage?”
“You know how I detest litter.” She furrowed her brow. “Adalyn. Scan for life forms.”
The clicking of Adalyn’s nails across the display was the only sound in the cabin. “One life form. Alive. Humanoid in nature, ninety-nine point eight percent compatible to Altonians, and…” she inhaled, “…male. No detection of any weapons.”
Elle clenched her fist, and the scars across her knuckles tightened. She didn’t relish the idea of bringing a man on board. Ingrained in her soul were her father’s constant “teachings,” the back of the knife against her hand a constant reminder of her failure to please him. All she ever wanted was his love, but as much as she wanted to hate her father, she couldn’t. Instead, she’d erected protective barriers around her heart. I have my ship and my crew. That’s good enough. Despite her internal pep talk, her chest ached. “Raise him on intercom.”
Adalyn’s soft voice pierced the air. “This is Paragon. Please respond.”
Silence.
“Try again.” Elle pursed her lips.
“Small pod. Do you need assistance?”
The stillness in the ship sent a shiver down Elle’s arms.
“Decision, Captain?” Montoya’s penetrating gaze bore into Elle.
The last thing she needed was a hotheaded male on board her ship, but she couldn’t abandon anyone to the deep recesses of space. “Adalyn, you said he was alive. What is the environment in the pod?”
Her nails clicked across the screen. “Temperature, a few marks above freezing. Seventy-eight percent nitrogen, twenty-one percent oxygen, and a trace of other gases. Breathable, yet depleting. Not sure how much longer the oxygen will last.”
Elle glanced from Montoya to Adalyn and back again. She wouldn’t put her crew at risk. “Tractor him in. I’ll meet his ship in the freight bay. Montoya, you have control of the bridge.”
Montoya stepped forward. “As your security officer, I will go.”
Respect for her friend washed over Elle, causing her chest to expand. “I appreciate your offer, but not this time. I need you to stay on the lookout for anything else we might come across.”
Montoya straightened in her chair. “Yes, Captain.”
Elle glanced at the lone pod. She curled her hand into a tight fist. If he was anything like her father, she’d leave him with the Sandowins.
Elle entered the small pod. The icy air brushed against her cheek, reminding her of the frigid winds on Alta. Darkness crept from all corners except for the single flickering red light on the console. She blinked, the membrane moistening the delicate lenses in her eyes. As she adjusted to the dimness, objects became clear—two chairs, multiple screens, and the form of a large male sprawled against the curved wall.