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Severalothers have already started toward the adjoining room.Theolder coupleInoticed before walks in behind me andBriarholding hands, andIrub my chest.Theodds of me ever finding someone to love like this are slim.Mostof us will end up simply settling to expand our race or die alone.Idon’t mean to listen in on their conversation, butI’mstanding too close to miss it.

“Carla, you don’t need to come with me.Ispoke toCaptainEvOearlier, and he said if all goes well, we’ll be back this afternoon.”

“AbsolutelynotJames, where you go,Igo!We’vetraveled too far through the cosmos to be separated at this point.”

“Dear,Ihave no idea what the terrain or the atmosphere is like where we’re headed.Yourhip may give you issues if it’s too rough.”

“Idon’t care,James.Thatnice doctor’s shot has helped me feel much better.Wewill manage, but you will not leave me behind.”

Theywalk away after that, andIstand there lost in thought until he enters the room.I’venever been around anyone like theCommander, a presence thatIswear feels like he controls the very air we breathe.He’snot just beautiful, and the word masculine fails to capture the aura around him, but one thing’s for sure: there’s no ignoring him.

“Thankyou all for coming.Ifyou will follow me, we will get this trip started.”

Wewalk down a long hall into another room that appears like you could walk right off the edge into space.Severalships or objects hover effortlessly above the floor.TheCommanderapproaches the closest one, touching the exterior and stepping back when a ramp begins lowering.Itsunusual shape resembles a narrow bullet.Itseems small from this perspective.I’ma bit concerned there won’t be enough room for all of us on board, andIreally don’t want to be turned away.

Hemotions for all of us to board when the ramp touches the floor.I’mabout halfway up the ramp when several others appear from a separate hall.Curious,Istop to watch as theCommanderbends down, kissing a stunning blonde.Thelook on her face when he straightens up is full of love, andIthinkIhate her.Hewalks back toward us, only to be stopped by one of the guysIremember helping with the pods earlier whenIfirst got up.Ithink his name isRicky, butI’mnot sure.Ialmost miss the blonde turning back toward theCommanderbecause she issurrounded by a few others, but when her eyes land on him … this time she looks like she’s seen a ghost.

Evensurrounded by some of the other girlsI’veseen on the ship who clearly know her, she is staring at the guy theCommanderis talking to.Suddenly,Rickystorms past me heading into the shuttle, so whatever theCommandersaid to him, he’s not happy about it.Severalpeople walk around me butIseem frozen in place asIwatch theCommanderstroll across the deck, swinging the blonde woman up into his arms; holding her as if she’s made of glass while she tucks herself into his chest.

Thegirls that were standing with her look after them with concern, but soon turn and walk back into the main ship together.Briarhas apparently gone on without me and her voice shocks me out of my wandering thoughts.

“Hey, what’re you doing?Ifyou’ve changed your mind,I’vegot no problem exiting this mini rocket and heading back to our room.”

“Sorry, something caught my attention.I’mcoming.”Ifollow her inside the ship, grateful that it seems bigger on the inside than it looked from the outside.Everyoneelse has already claimed their seats, leaving only two in the back row.

Glancingover atBriar, “Doyou want the window seat?”

“Nodamn way, it’s all yours.Ignoranceis bliss in this case.”

Islide in, only for a squeak to leave my lips when the seat starts moving all around me.Theguy theCommanderwas talking to turns around when he hears me. “Everyone’sdid that at first; it will stop when you quit squirming.”

Makingmyself sit still, it does just as he said. “Thanks.I’mLacieand this isBriar.”

“I’mRicky.Hey,I’mnot trying to be pushy or anything, but when we touch down, no matter how safe you feel, don’t wander off.Makesure you stay in sight of the shuttle the entire time.Wehave no idea what we’re heading into.”

“Thanksfor the advice.Thingshave been so crazy, andI’vebeen spacing out a lot lately, soIcould see me walking off into the horizon.”

Weseem to sit there for a bit longer thanIexpected, and just asI’mgetting ready to ask what we’re waiting for, theCommandercomes up the ramp.Hittinga button on the wall, he closes it quietly behind him as he walks past us toward the front.

“Sorryfor the delay.Thistrip will happen in three parts, andIwill notify you so that you are prepared at each interval.Pleaseremain seated until we clear theDestroyer, then you are welcome to get up and move around if you want.Also, there is a refreshing chamber in the rear of the ship for your convenience.”

Ican see there are several seats in the front of the ship, but he doesn’t take any of them.Hesimply braces himself with one hand against the wall andIcan see from the front windshield that we are slowly moving toward the blackness in front of us.WithoutthinkingIblurt out, “Whothe hell is driving?”

Hissmile takes my breath, andIalmost miss his words. “Letme introduce you all toSCOUT.Hewill be our pilot for this trip.”

Ifthe magic seat hadn’t been holding me down,IbelieveIwould’ve been hiding behind it and screaming.Becauseout of thin air, a huge ass guy simply appears in front of us.I’vewatched tons of military shows withPapaw, and still, this guy makes all the bad boys ofEarthlook like wimps.

Hishelmet retracts, andI’mshocked to see such a human face attached to all those muscles.Hemaneuvers his considerable mass easily into the oversized chair in the front andIhave to make myself release the death holdIhave on the chair arm.Iglance over atBriar, and she mouths, “Wow!”

Idon’t know ifIshould be impressed or terrified.TheCommanderhas a smirk on his face whenIglance up at him.Theasswipe knew how we were going to react, ugghhh.

“Everyone, brace for takeoff.”

Thosewords surround us, and beforeIcan blink,Ifind myself pinned to the seat.Turningmy head,Iattempt to look out the small window next to me, only to close my eyes as things streak by so quickly that my stomach lurches.Ihave to concentrate to hear the words the new guy is saying.

“Wewill be traveling at this speed for a few more tics, thenIwill navigate us into hyperdrive.Thiswill allow us to arrive at our destination in half the time, and without others noticing the bulk of theDestroyernear the area we are trying to keep secret as long as possible.Oncewe are stable, your seats will release, and you can move around.Thereis a much larger viewing area in the back of the shuttle if you would like to see the surrounding planets.”

Briarreaches over, grabbing my hand tightly in hers, “God, remind me again whyI’min this tin can?”