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“Inthe next tic, you are going to feel a tremor go through the ship; this is normal, so there is no need for concern.Weare coming out of hyperdrive early so that we can observe the moon and the gas giant it is revolving around before taking a smaller, dropship down to the surface.”

Theship starts to shake, andBriarsqueaks before clamping her lips together.Onceagain, she has a death grip on my hand, only releasing it when the ship steadies out.

“Sorry, even though he warned me, that still scared the shit out of me.Idon’t thinkI’veever been this skittish, butIhave decidedI’dprefer not to ride in any more tin cans ifIcan keep from it.Commander, canIask you a question?”

“Proceed.”

“Ifthis moon is acceptable, how long before we can keep our feet on the ground.”

“Notas quick as you like,Ifear.”

Ibite my lip to keep from laughing when she puts her head down and literally starts whispering cuss words with every breath.

Chapter Five

LACIE

Iwas gazingout the small window next to my seat whenIheard everyone gasp at the same time.Suddenly, a huge, multicolored planet appears out of nowhere, surrounded by little dark specks.

SCOUT’sdeep voice flows back to us from his seat. “Thisbeauty in front of us is one of our major protectors for the entire solar system.Etherium’sgases not only have the potential to be harvested for energy, but its strong gravitational pull tends to lure asteroids and other matter that are floating randomly through the universe.Shehas around 68 moons circling her, with others forming constantly as larger masses get caught in her atmosphere.E-311’s atmosphere was almost overlooked; at the time we were not sure if any of the moons were habitable.

KyT, one of theCommander’ssons, informed us of an old pirate base in this area, and that information prompted me to take a closer look.WhenIwas assigned this task,Itried to find something that could be easily defended and still a good distance away from the main shipping lanes, ensuring no direct contact with other species.Thisis one of two locationsIfound acceptable, butIprefer this moon to the other planet simply dueto its atmospheric consistency.Theother planet is more radical, andIcan see a much harder existence if it was your only choice.

Earthwas considered a primitive world because of its lack of space travel, but that will no longer be the case.Thus, the laws that were established to protect your world and others like it will no longer serve as a safeguard for your race.Unfortunately, and unknown to you, many species view owning a human female as a luxury, and we must take all precautions to keep you safe.”

SCOUT’swords echo through my thoughts, andIwonder exactly where theCommander’smate came from if she was here before us, and just how many more of us are out there somewhere else.Iraise my hand like a kid in school, and theCommandernods his head.

“Sir, you said something to me earlier about your mateKira.Isshe the only one of us you found, or are there more humans around?”

“Mymate, as well as several others have been here for quite some time.However, that is a tale for another rising as it is time for us to split up.Halfof you will head down with me and the other half will go withSCOUT.Thesedropships are slightly crowded, but you will get used to them, as these will become your primary transportation from the ship to planeside until your permanent dwellings are installed.Pleasefollow me, andIwill get you settled whileSCOUTputs the ship in orbit.”

Eachrow stands up, and the small hall fills quickly.Briaronce again has a death grip on my wrist, ensuring she doesn’t get separated from me.Outof the corner of my eye,IseeErictrying to push his way toward us, soIsqueeze closer to the older coupleI’dseen earlier.Shemust’ve noticed me looking uneasy and motions for me andBriarto stand in front of her and herhusband.Iwhisper, “Thankyou,” just as theCommanderstarts signaling for us to move closer.

“JamesandRicky, gather the females around you and head to your right.Iwill be with you momentarily.Therest of you will be headed down withSCOUT, in the ship to your left.Wewill all meet up together back on the surface shortly.”

Theolder woman gently places her hand on my shoulder, signalingBriarand me to come with them.Weall take seats against the walls. “Hi,I’mLacieand this isBriar.”

“I’mCarlaand this is my husband,James.Youngman,Ididn’t catch your name earlier?”

“Ricky, ma’am.”

Ican tellCarla’sjust about to ask me something when theCommander’shuge frame seems to take up all the extra space that had been available. “Listenup, this will be your group the entire time we are on the surface, and this is your assigned drop ship.Donot separate from each other; the planet has been scanned, but that does not show us everything.James,Rickycan either of you use a weapon?”

Bothmen nod yes, butJamesis the first to answer. “Iwas a hunter for years,Commander.”

Thenhe looks over atRicky, “Son, what about you?”

“Commander,Iwas in the armed forces beforeIbecame a guard for theScientificCenter.Ifit shoots,Ican wield it.”

“Excellent, you are both going to get a crash weapons course.”

Himnot asking any of us girls rubs me the wrong way, and even thoughIdon’t really want the responsibility that comes with aweapon,I’llnot sit back quietly in this new world simply becauseI’ma girl. “Excuseme,Commander, but is there a reason you’re only arming the guys?I’vehunted with myPapawall my life.Iknow my way around a firearm.”

Briarspeaks up next, “AndIwas in the middle of taking self-defense classes when our world fell apart, soIcan handle a weapon as well.Youjust show me what end is going to hurt the worst, andI’llpoint it at the bad guy.”

“Forgiveme ladies, for not asking you as well.Itis in my nature to protect all females, and that is a hard habit to break, even whenIknow firsthand how capable you are of taking care of yourselves.MistressCarla, would you like to be armed as well?”

“Nope,Ihave all of you to keep me safe.”