Heather’s fight with Reasta escalates. The Elders of Vespia step down and appoint Heather as the leader. Something they didn’t discuss with her. Something she doesn’t want. For someone who doesn’t like being in the limelight, Heather keeps finding herself there.

She wants to find all the computers she had been told about as quickly as she can. The sooner she has them, the sooner she can get rid of Reasta for good. Her excitement soars when she finds the third one. She expected him to behave the same way the other two had. He expects her to behave more like the warrior he has in his files. The two of them butt heads a lot. Heather doesn’t have time to pass his tests. She has a war to fight.

On top of this, Earth sends a contingent of Humans to help them fight the war. Heather has enough trouble keeping her powers from the rest of Vespian society, yet she knows they could use their help.

She needs to remember this will get her to the end game. Reasta gone, and Vespia free from her tyranny.

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Release Date: September 8, 2025
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance

~ A Red Satin Romance ~

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Excerpt

Chapter One

The command center bustled with activity. Heather wasn’t paying attention. She found her mind wandering back to their crazy trip through time. It had been a few months ago, but there were times when an odd memory from one of the alternate timelines reminded her that she and Storm belonged together. With the exception of one timeline, she didn’t have to worry about what Reasta would do throughout the changes. Ever since Reasta came to their planet, she had made life on Vespia difficult.

Most of Vespia was now in the caverns beneath the surface. The moment they escaped from Reasta’s ship with the elders and a few of the ancients, the woman changed her tactics and put the planet on lockdown. No one was allowed to move without her permission, so they slowly started bringing everyone underground, leaving just enough to make the towns look populated while they waited for the crops that were planted above ground to be harvested. Heather wasn’t about to let Reasta have the chance to steal those crops.

Heather hated that. The thought of anyone getting hurt because of Reasta’s desire to capture her bothered her. She looked over at the android she found several months ago.

Mac had told her there were seven computers she needed to find to beat Reasta. Since she learned that, she focused on trying to find them. Unfortunately, nothing was that easy. She had been told she would find them as she needed them so trying to force the issue wouldn’t allow her to find them faster. So far, she had found Cim and Mac. Finding the other five was paramount but not having them wasn’t going to stop her from blocking Reasta every chance she got. Clashes between Vespians and Reasta’s security kept happening as their people fought against the stifling laws. Heather wanted that to end.

She had found an out-of-the-way corner in front of a computer and sat, staring at the maps of the underground complex. Her desire to find the other computers was a palpable thing, and she worked on it every spare moment she had. Not finding what she was looking for she went looking for Mac, who was working on an assignment Heather had given her.

“You wish to speak to me?”

“Yes.” Heather loved the way the android anticipated her needs. “I wanted to ask you about the other computers. Do you know what each of them are?”

“I know what they are capable of.”

“Could the ancient ship be one of the systems I need to find?”

“My system says all the computers are on Vespia,” Mac’s feminine voice responded. “If one has been moved, I am not aware of it.”

Heather nodded. Not what she wanted to hear, but Mac had told her several times she didn’t know where the other computers were, so the computer’s answer didn’t surprise her. Walking back to her quiet corner, she continued to study the maps she had pulled up earlier. She still had another half hour on her shift and wanted to take advantage.

“My heart, you have been studying those maps for hours. Why don’t you take a break?” Storm came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“I know.” She sighed as she sat back. “This is driving me crazy. There is a lot that hasn’t been explored down here, and I think that is where I need to go to find them.”

“Didn’t Mac say you will find them as you need them?”

“She said they would make themselves known to me, but we don’t have time to wait for that.”

“So now you want to push. Do you think that will work better?”

“No.” She tilted her head back so she could look up at him. “But I feel I need to do something.”

“I know something we can do that will make you forget everything but us.” He smiled down at her.

She laughed as she turned in her chair. “But we’re still on duty.”

“Then I guess I need to just heat you up a little.” He gave her one of his bone-melting smiles. “That way you won’t forget my promise.”

She stood as she smiled back. “The last time you tried that we got in trouble.”

“Ah, but we did have fun before that happened.” He stepped close enough she could feel his breath against the skin above the collar of her uniform.

“You are incorrigible.”

“And that is why I’m your heart.”

“Do you two ever give it a break?” asked a familiar voice.

“No.” Heather and Storm turned to face the man who spoke.

“Kuarto, you know you’re happy we feel the way we do for each other.” Heather leaned against Storm.

“He sure has a funny way of showing it,” commented Storm.

“I’m here because the two of you are needed in the main hall. The elders are going to make their first appearance since coming back, and Heather, as part of that council, you need to be there.”

“Which is why I came to get you.” Storm wrapped his arms around her. “But seeing you so focused without us being intimate distracted me.”

A light blush filled her cheeks. “Let’s go.”

They changed into their proper clothing and met Anseri in the main hall of their underground complex. It was good to have her and the rest of the council back.

“Good.” She greeted them with a hug. Whispering in Heather’s ear she asked, “Are you ready for this?”

What did she mean by that? “Yes, Anseri.”

She cupped her cheek. “You’re going to do fine.”

That comment made her nervous, but before she could ask what she meant it was time for them to take their places. Heather went to where the rest of the council stood but found only three chairs. Odd. She ended up standing with Storm and Fridon off to their left.

Anseri stood, grabbing everyone’s attention.

“My children, I am happy to say we are safe and home where we belong. We thank everyone involved in our rescue.” She looked out over the sea of faces. “You have been trying hard to take back our planet without declaring war. We want to fix that. We are declaring war on Reasta. We will take our planet back.”

A shout filled the hall.

“That being said, the elder council is stepping down.”

Murmurs filled the hall. Heather grabbed Storm’s hand. She wasn’t sure what was coming next but was pretty sure she wasn’t going to like it.

“It is temporary, my children. We are a peaceful council, working for the betterment of Vespia. We have no business dealing with war. As we have done in the past, we will appoint a war council. One from the elder council and one from security, but this time we will add one more. Our choice from Security is Fridon. He has done so well when he was head of security and far exceeded what was asked of him. Our second is my son, Storm, the future leader of this planet and current head of security. The third is Heather, a member of the council and mate to the future leader of our planet. Heather’s background in Earth’s security gives her exactly what we need on this war council.”

Heather locked her feelings inside as Storm took one hand and Fridon took the other. They moved together toward the chairs. Heather wanted to fight when they turned, and she found she was in the center chair. How did this happen? She had no right to be the leader of this.

“I leave you in good hands,” said Anseri. She turned toward them and bowed. Then the sea of people did the same thing.

With Storm’s subtle signals, they all stood and bowed back before they walked behind the stage that Anseri had set up in the large cave.

The heat of her mate’s hand on the small of her back let her know he was close. She wanted to scream. No one asked her opinion on this. They decided to broadside her instead. “Why was I in the center?”

“Mother’s choice.”

“Uh huh, normally the center chair is the leader,” she spoke softly so no one would hear, but she knew her mate’s sensitive hearing would pick it up. “Anseri always sits in the middle.”

“We are all equal, my heart, but because you are on the council it was decided to put you in the center so the people will know the council has you to speak for them.”

“I could have sat anywhere, and they would have thought that.”

Storm wrapped an arm around her waist. “How about I show you where we will be working?”

He wasn’t going to explain why she was in the center. At least not right now so she nodded. “It might not look like much right now, but more will be added as we build our staff.”

“Staff?” She looked at him.

“Each of us will have nine staff members that we choose.” The doors in front of them opened, and they entered. “They will be our elite teams.”

“And the criteria?” The large room he escorted her to had nothing in it but a table and three chairs.

“Anyone who has been in Vespian security.”

“Oh, then my first choice is easy.” She smiled as she sat. “I want Latimer.”

“No.” Storm frowned at her when he heard her choice. “Choose another.”

“Did you want Latimer?” she asked Storm. When he shook his head, she turned to Fridon and asked him the same question.

“He is an interesting choice, but I had someone else in mind.”

She turned back to look at Storm, waiting for an answer.

“He’s not a good choice.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

Heather recognized his intimidation tactic, but it wasn’t going to work on her. They had worked with the man since Reasta had arrived. He and their daughter were the ones to fix the timeline Susan Harris kept trying to change so she could end up with Storm. Storm had grudgingly admitted that Skye was very good at his job, but Skye still rubbed Storm the wrong way at times. She also knew that Storm still didn’t like the fact that she had put a fake memory of her and Skye as lovers in his clone when she was a prisoner on Reasta’s ship. Heather didn’t care. Skye had skills she admired, and she knew she could trust him. “He is for me.”

Storm stood and slammed his hands on the table. “You are my mate!”

“Yes, I am.” Heather placed her hands on the table and stood as well. “Is this going to cause a problem in our relationship if I choose Skye?”

Fridon stood as if this was his cue to leave. “Excuse me for a moment.”

Heather knew he was leaving before they started to argue. At least he was used to them.

“You know how I feel about him,” Storm groused.

“I do. And you’re telling me that feeling hasn’t changed even after working with him and seeing how good he is at his job?” Storm didn’t answer her. If he thought the silent treatment was going to make her back down, he was wrong. There was only one way to handle this.

“I see.” Heather wiped her hands on her council robes before she turned toward the door.

“Where are you going?” Storm moved so he blocked the door on her.

“I need to speak to your mother.” She looked right at him, daring him to stop her.

“Why?” He frowned at her.

“I am your mate. I can’t maintain my station as your mate and fulfill the role the Elders expect me to fill.” Before she could move, she found herself pinned to the wall.

“My mother just told everyone that you were the elder’s choice to be on this council and now you’re going to tell her she made a mistake?” There was a hint of a growl in his voice.

“What am I supposed to do?” She paused, trying to pick the right words. “Shame my mate or stand up for what I think is right.”

He let her go and sighed. “As my mate, you do what is expected of you and you do it well. You have to do the same thing when you represent the elders.”

She could ask if he was going to allow her to do the job the elders wanted her to do, but knew she needed to get to the heart of the matter. “Why are you against Skye as my second?”

He looked at her. They had never kept anything from each other. With all the obstacles that wanted them apart, they didn’t want to add to the problem by keeping secrets. “He bothers me.”

“How?” She pushed.

“He stares at you a lot.”

“Storm.” She pressed her hand against his heart. “That’s because he’s afraid I’ll turn into some sort of crazy mind monster.”

“I know, and that bothers me.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “You have the kindest heart and would never do what he keeps expecting.”

“But you have been with me since this power of mine started to develop. You’ve seen what I’ve gone through because of it. He hasn’t.”

“He shared some of that process when you were captured by Reasta. He knows what you go through.”

“I frighten him and sometimes myself.”

Storm pressed his lips against hers. Gentle, sweet, and making Heather sigh. The moment she opened her mouth he took advantage and deepened the kiss. Their tongues twined together, dancing the way they always did.

Heather found her back against the wall as Storm’s lips moved to her mark. “Storm, we’re not in our rooms.”

He lifted his head and looked at her. “I know, my heart. Too bad you can’t use your mind to lock those doors.”

“That would be Skye’s area of expertise.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“His gift. I have a feeling it’s with computers.” She saw Storm’s confused look. “You know how I can touch minds? He is starting to do that with computers.”

“So soon he won’t be able to think of you as a threat if he has the same problem.” He brushed his fingers along her jaw. She watched a shadow cross his eyes.

“What?”

“You know you could have anyone you want?”

“I only want you.” She knew he meant any sex partner she wanted as she looked up into his eyes. Her words started her favorite glow in his eyes.

“My heart.” His warm lips pressed against her mark. The soft pressure felt wonderful. When he pulled the delicate skin into his mouth she sucked in her breath.

The doors opened, and Anseri stepped in. By the way she looked around, Fridon must have warned her they had been arguing. She smiled when she saw them in an embrace. “Good, you’re not busy. I have something for Heather.”

Heather touched his face then stepped away from Storm.

Storm’s father came in carrying a box. He set it on the table then stepped back.

Anseri pointed to the box. “For you, Heather.”

She stepped up to the table and opened the box. Inside she found a uniform much like the one Storm wore, but in the dove grey color of the dresses she wore when she was with the council.

“I thought wearing your council robes would be a bit cumbersome for you when you were working and this would be more comfortable yet still remind the people you represent the council when they saw you.”

“Thank you, Anseri.” The material was soft to the touch.

“Try it on, my child.”

Heather peeled off her council robes and pulled the new uniform on, but not before she saw the spark of arousal turn into a low flame in her mate’s eyes. Seeing her body, even as quick as it was always aroused him.

She swung her arms over her head then did a squat. Her new outfit was quite comfortable. She looked at Storm. She would like to see how easy it was to work out in. Without having to say a word or send a thought Storm held his hand up above his head. Heather smiled. A quick warm-up loosened her up enough to jump and side-kick his hand.

“You like it?”

“Very much.” Heather smoothed the material. When she first started working with the council, she wasn’t sure what color to wear. Anseri always wore white, and the rest of the council wore block colors of white, gray, and tan. Then one day she just decided to wear a solid color. The light gray dress was one she got a lot of compliments on and became the one she wore a lot. She still mixed it with the block colors like the rest of the council wore but had been going to the solid gray more and more. “Is gray my color?”

“It does look good on you.” Anseri looked at her son before looking back at Heather. “Have you chosen your second?”

“That was what we were discussing when you walked in.”

“And your mate wasn’t happy?”

“No Mother, I wasn’t. I also realize that I shouldn’t treat the representative of the council as my mate when we’re here.”

“I’m glad to hear that you realize your heart is here for a reason. I know your desire to protect her is strong, but she is a strong woman. That’s why we appointed her.”

“And she will do the council proud.”

“I know.” She smiled at her son. “She will do you proud, too.”

He slipped his arm around her. “She does that every day.”

“Then I shall leave you to your work.” She touched them on the cheek before she headed out the door.

Storm turned Heather in his arms. “I want to see where the seals are on this uniform.”

She laughed. “You created these suits.”

“Not this one.” He brushed his hands along her shoulders. “This was created by my mother, and she always had different ideas than I did.”

The doors opened and Fridon stepped in. Heather looked at his face and wanted to laugh. He didn’t know if he should stay or not and wasn’t sure if he should ask.

Storm grinned as he released his mate. “We can pick this back up later.”

They sat at the table. Storm looked at Fridon. “Ready to pick your second?”

“I have an idea, but I’d like to see who you two pick first.”

The intercom interrupted. “Heather, we have an incoming communiqué from Admiral Barrister.”

She looked at Storm. Why was he contacting them now? “Put him on.”

“Commander Drexel, on behalf of the UCE we received your missive and are here to help you with your war. We can’t offer much, but I have a ship filled with security officers who volunteered to help.”

“But we didn’t ask for help.” What did Earth want now? She had kept her communications to a minimum but had broken their silence months ago. She didn’t want to get Earth involved in this war.

“Our government believes in helping our allies.”

Now that sounded like a memorized speech. She knew if she questioned him, it could cause trouble. “Thank you, Admiral. I will speak to the council on your behalf.”

Once she closed the commlink, she looked at the computer. Bear was sending her data on the people he brought with him. Heather looked through the different files as she thought. Vespians didn’t allow off-worlders on the planet, and Bear knew that. Why was he here?

The council had stepped down, but as leader of the war council, she couldn’t make this decision on her own. She pressed a button and waited for Anseri to answer. “You are needed in the war room, Anseri.”

“Of course.”

Heather then pressed the button on her new uniform. “Kuarto, you are needed in the war room.”

“On my way.”

“You want your brother here?”

“We need to talk about this and will need his medical input.” She looked at her mate. “We’ve never allowed non-Vespians on our planet before, but we could use the numbers. I want as much input as we can get before we decide to let them join us or send them away.”

It took Anseri and Kuarto a few minutes to arrive. They stood when Storm’s mother entered the room.

“You wished to speak to me?”

Kuarto came in behind her. He waited until Anseri sat before he took a chair as well.

“We have been contacted by Earth. They have sent a ship filled with soldiers to help us with our war.”

“They’re already here?”

Heather nodded. “We have never allowed a non-Vespian on the planet.”

“That’s not quite true. We have allowed Bert to live here,” said Kuarto.

“True, but he is ancient. They have been on the planet before, and he doesn’t interact with the population. Just with us.” She focused on Anseri. “I want to make the right decision. I understand why you don’t want strangers here. Besides the pheromones unmated Vespians emit that affect all other races, everyone here is honest. I don’t want that to be changed by a bunch of humans, but we could use their help. It would allow us to fill out enough elite teams to do what we want and get the last of our crops so we can get all of our people underground.”

“We have found that the shots or inserts other planets have used to counteract our pheromones doesn’t last more than a few hours,” commented Anseri.

“True. Bear sent me data on some new drugs they have been trying to extend the time out. Kuarto, that’s why I wanted you here.” She handed him a pad with the data.

“I figured as much. I have toyed with the idea of coming up with something permanent, but it is rare that we are around off-worlders that much. A couple of hours at a function here and there.” He looked through the data. “Do we want to have something to dampen the pheromones or stop the reaction?”

“There are a lot more of us, and if we dampen the pheromones we could interrupt people finding their right mate.”

“I can do this. It will take me a couple of hours unless I run into trouble.”

“Let me know when you’re ready.”

He stood and left the room.

“I will leave you to make the right choice.” Anseri stood and headed out as well.

Heather looked at Fridon and Storm. “Now we need to decide whether or not to let them on Vespia. I know your instinct is to tell them to go home but spending time in Earth’s security I have seen the positive aspect of using others to help in your quest.”

“You think they will be more of a benefit than harm?” asked Storm.

“I want to know what you two think. But understand if one of you comes up with a negative reason the other two are to come up with a positive one and vice versa. If there are more negative than positive, we’ll send them back to Earth.” Heather leaned forward. “I’m going to start with the big one the reaction to our pheromones, but we’re coming up with something to fix that so neither one of you can use that again.”

“Alright. Reasta continues to clone her people, increasing her ranks. Adding the humans will allow us to build ours as well,” said Fridon.

“But our battle plans call for small teams, not a large contingency like Earth security is used to,” countered Storm.

“Earth has used both strategies to their best ability,” Heather reminded them. “If you tell them what you want, they will follow. They are soldiers and as soldiers, they are more than willing to learn if it is something that will make them better.”

“Our leaders don’t expect our people to follow blindly. We want their input.”

“Storm, humans want their soldiers to think on their feet. They are given orders designed to keep them safe but sometimes changes have to be made. They would be our guests, and this is our war, not theirs. They have been trained to follow orders. If you ask for input, they will respond.” Heather smiled. “And I think we can use that to our advantage.”

“How so?”

“We know Reasta has been trying to get a mole in our ranks, but our people are too loyal to give her what she wants. What if we give her one?”

“Use one of the humans?”

“Why not? They have a history of being traitors. She has to know that there is a ship out there waiting for our approval. What she won’t know is that we’ll be in control of that mole, so she’ll only get the information we want her to have. It might allow us to find out how she’s able to continue to clone. We’ve had to have put a dent in her supplies, yet she continues to make those stupid clones. If we can stop that we can level the playing field.”

“You think Earth’s security will go along with this idea?”

“All we have to do is ask.”

They continued to go through the pros and cons until they decided to let the humans in.

 

* * *

 

Bear loved the idea of the mole and gave her a list of people who would be good candidates to use. Now, she needed to be sure they had safe passage. Reasta had to know they were out there, and she couldn’t capture them before they had a chance to set everything up. They were getting ready to launch a ship to escort them in, but she wanted to be sure they weren’t intercepted.

“Bert? There is a ship coming from Earth. You should be picking them up on your screen. Can you make sure they land safely?” She smiled when he promised to help. “Thank you,” Heather stood. “They should be landing in fifteen minutes.”

Storm and Fridon rose and followed her out of the room. She sure hoped this worked. It would give them a leg up in their battle against Reasta.

“Why do you think he’s here?” asked Fridon.

“My guess is Earth wants to make sure their supply of our grain continues.”

Fridon nodded. “Are humans that shallow?”

“I know that’s how it looks but they need the grain, and they fear we could cut them off once we win our war if they don’t offer help but someone else does. They want to prove they are willing to get in the trenches with us and aren’t using us for the grain.”

The admiral disembarked from his ship and stopped in front of Heather. After he stepped off the ship, soldiers who had joined him on the mission came down the gangplank and started to get in line. He noticed her uniform and raised a brow. “Commander Drexel.”

She saluted him. “Admiral Barrington.”

“On behalf of the UCE we offer our help to retake your planet.”

“Thank you, Admiral.” Heather smiled. “We need to secure your ship, sir.”

“Of course.”

Heather nodded to the security team who started moving into the ship.

“Nice cave.”

“Most of Vespia has moved underground for protection.” Heather noticed there were still people streaming out of Bear’s ship.

“And the ships that greeted us about three hours ago?”

“We’re at war, sir, they are there to warn those that don’t know and protect those that want to help.”

“Is that why Latimer came aboard our ship and added something to our sensor array?”

“Yes, sir.” The people were lining up in rows of fifteen then standing at attention.

“Well, there are three more ships waiting for permission to approach.”

“Three more? Are they near our borders?”

“No. They’re waiting on Earth. Once you give permission, they’ll take flight.”

“We don’t really need the ships, Admiral.”

“When I told the members of Earth security that I needed volunteers to come here and fight I had over two thousand volunteers. I thinned the number down, but there is still six hundred more that I felt were worthy. UCE was proud to let us use these ships. They’re our new troop movers. They hold more soldiers than any of our other ships. They hold two hundred in total. Do you have room for three troop movers?”

“Three more? I need to speak to the rest of the council to see where we could fit them.” She gestured for Storm and Fridon to move off with her. Heather spoke softly so Bear couldn’t hear them. “Do you think we need that many extra people here?”

“It would allow us to build more elite squads,” said Fridon. “But you must make the decision.”

“We need to speak to Kuarto.”

They nodded.

She pressed the com in her collar. “Kuarto, they have six hundred more people who volunteered.”

“That many? Good Lord.” He was quiet for a moment. “I can replicate enough to cover everyone if you want that many people joining our ranks.”

“Thanks.” She looked at Storm and Fridon. “Thoughts?”

“Our squads are the best Vespia has to offer.” Storm looked over his shoulder. “If he took that many of those who volunteered then they can’t be the best Earth has to offer. Not all of them will qualify. What are we supposed to do with the ones that don’t?”

“I’m sure this is the best of the best and we wouldn’t put anyone in a squad who didn’t qualify.” Heather thought for a moment. Bear wouldn’t have brought people he thought would be a detriment. Storm might not understand, but she had worked with these people, and she knew they would do what was needed. She smiled. It was time to show her mate just what type of training Earth’s security had been through. “I know just what to do. Is the room available?”

“For two hours.”

“Perfect.” She turned to her commander. “Admiral, we’re honored to have your team here. I know how hard Earth’s security has trained, but the Vespians have only seen them during exhibitions. I would like to put our people through some of the toughest tests the Vespians have to create their elite squads. Show them what we’re capable of.”

“Of course. I chose only the best of the people who wanted to come. I’m sure they would like to show what they can do.”

“Wonderful.” She smiled. “Once this council has seen the quality of these men and women you can send for the rest.”

“But there is something we need to address before you start,” said Bear. “Some of these officers are higher rank than you.”

“And they understand that no matter my rank I am the liaison, and I know what the Vespians want, sir. It won’t be a problem.”

“True.” He shifted his stance to attention and the rest of Earth security did the same thing. Heather followed suit. “But I have the authority to do a field promotion. Commander Heather Drexel you are raised to the rank of captain.”

“Sir.” She saluted and he returned it.

Bear then stepped forward and shook her hand. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while.”

“Thank you, sir.”

 

* * *

 

Heather led the people from Earth to their creation room. She had used it to prepare for the rescue of the elders. Now she would use it to show how good Earth’s security was. They stood at ease in rows of twenty.

“Each Vespian who wants to be part of an elite team must score in the eighty and above percentile in order to be considered. You must score the same. In this room, I have altered the gravity and air to Earth’s. There should be no excuse.”

She loaded their first challenge into the system, scaling a rock wall. “This might look simple, but you will climb it in the dark and the hand and foot holds will shift and disappear as you scale it.”

“Row one, step up to the wall.” Heather waited until each person was ready to climb. “Computer, turn the lights on when the last person hits the top. Lights out.” She paused for a moment. “Go.”

There were a few curse words and a grunt or two, but everyone made it to the top. The lights came on and the next group prepared to climb. Once they were plunged into darkness Heather’s mind brushed against her mates. Are you watching them?

Of course, my heart. They need to be safe.

Has any of them given you cause to fear for their life?

No. They have been as agile as any Vespian but wanting to know if I was spying on them wasn’t the reason you touched my thoughts. I can sense that. What did you want, my heart?

I want to do hand-to-hand and need our troops to spar these people.

Want to show me they can fight the way a Vespian can?

Our groups work with each other all the time and know each other’s moves. I thought a fresh challenge would make all of them work a little harder for it. Can you also contact Sam, Skye, and anyone else you feel will be a good judge?

Judge?

We will be responsible for keeping tallies of the score. The one who scores five points first will end the fight.

I will make sure it gets done.

My heart.

The lights came on as the last person climbed to the top. The next group lined up and they went through it as well. Once the last group finished Heather checked the scores. “Your next challenge is hand-to-hand. We have brought in the best Vespia has to offer. They know our ways. I taught them. The first one to five points wins.”

The main doors to the lab opened and soldiers poured in. They wore their Vespian uniforms. Helmets on. Heather knew Storm told them to wear them for effect. Sam, Skye, and a few choice others came in to help judge. She paired everyone up and broke them into groups quickly.

The judges gathered around her.

“They are very good at hand-to-hand. Our goal is to see how they handle working with our soldiers. The scoring isn’t as important as the way they learn from each other. Once the matches are done, they’re going to do the two challenges again but in Vespian air and gravity. The top ten percent will be added to elite teams right away.” She gave her mate a bright smile. “I would like to give them a demonstration first.”

He smiled back. “I can arrange that.”

“I already know who I want to do the demo.”

“You and Skye?”

“In the beginning. Skye will show them how we want the match to go. Then I want you to spar me.” She saw his smile become predatory.

“And I get to show them what we don’t want to see?”

“Yes.”

He laughed. “I shall enjoy this.”

“You always do.”

They headed back to the soldiers waiting for them.

“Next is hand-to-hand. This is what I want to see.” She signaled for Skye to step up and they started to spar. Slow easy hits that became more complicated. They picked up the speed they struck to a point where some couldn’t keep up with the strikes, but they could see Heather or Skye’s reaction. Once she thought they had seen enough they stopped and shook hands.

“Now this is what I don’t want to see.” She didn’t have to signal her mate. He had already wrapped his arms around her. His hold was possessive. She smiled. Her mate was marking his territory. These soldiers knew who he was but had no idea what it would be like to fight a Vespian. The only thing they had ever seen was news feeds. “No holding. No restricting hands.”

She slipped out of his hold and turned to face him. Storm charged her and pinned her to the ground. “No charging, tripping, or pinning. You’re here to fight.”

He gave her his bone-melting smile, and she knew he wouldn’t let her up until he got a kiss from her. Her human counterparts had no idea what their real relationship was like, but now they would. She would never deny him anything.

His head dipped toward hers. Need unfurled as his lips touched hers. Her government might frown upon her behavior while in uniform, but she wasn’t on Earth or in their military now. His lips brushed softly against hers. She opened her mouth, and his tongue swooped in, searching for its mate. They danced together, heightening their desire for each other. When Storm broke the kiss, his eyes were glowing, and she was having problems stringing thoughts together.

He touched her jaw with gentle fingers before climbing off her and offering her his hand.

She took his help and gained her feet. Wiping her hands on her outfit she gathered her thoughts. “No shots to the groin.” She turned to Storm, grinned, then kicked him. “The suits Vespians wear protect their bodies so they don’t feel a thing, but the payback is hell.”

“It sure is.” Storm wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground.

“I have taught Vespian security Earth techniques.” She slid out of his arms only to find herself in another hold. “You can’t think that you’ll do something they’ve never seen.”

Storm let go and allowed her to touch the floor. She broke the soldiers into groups of five and paired them with a Vespian and a judge. “Once you’re finished have a seat against the wall.”

Watching her group, she listened to the different calls being made so she could keep track of when a judge was free.

Her group finished and she joined Skye and Fridon. Their groups had finished just before hers. “So anyone stand out?”

“Yes,” said Skye.

Heather handed him her pad. He marked the ones he recommended. Fridon took it next and marked the ones he recommended as well. She watched the rest as they sparred, marking the ones she saw something in. Once they were all done, she asked the rest of the judges to mark the ones they felt would excel.

Then she put them through it again, this time with Vespian air and gravity. Once they finished both tests Heather gathered the judges to her. They gave their input on the contestants and helped Heather decide on about twenty-five who were ready to be placed.

“Each test will advance a certain amount of you. We have our first group picked, but before I assign anyone to a Vespian team you need to understand the Vespian way. I know you’ve seen the newsfeeds that make it sound like Vespia has orgies in the streets.

“There is no truth in those newsfeeds, but their viewpoint of sex is different than the way Earth views it.” She looked at her mate. “These people have accepted me as their own. My mate helped me acclimate to their way of life. I’m going to try to do it for you in the few minutes we have. So listen closely.

“Vespian’s don’t understand why we keep our sex such a secret. They view it as a beautiful way to express their feelings for each other, even if it is just for a moment. That is why they don’t hide it. They also don’t understand the concept of rape. Why would you force someone when so many give so freely? Remember that. If I hear that any of you tried to strong-arm a Vespian into having sex with you I will personally kick you off the planet.” She paused for a moment. “Understand, the way they see sex allows them to express those feelings wherever they feel comfortable. In their society, it can be anywhere. A discreet corner, a garden. It is not to be gawked at.” She saw heads nod in understanding. Good, they understood. “Now the following people are to step forward. We have a new assignment for you.”

 

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