Angela Verdenius by Angela Verdenius Page B

torn apart.  “How many inside?  Any life?”
    “Two people, both breathing but not moving otherwise.”  The controller tapped another key.  “There were three onboard. Molly’s body pattern is locked into the ship’s records.”
    Oh God .  He could almost feel the sweat pop out on his brow.  “She’s not there?”
    “No.”
    “Whoever attacked the ship has taken her.”
    “It would appear so, Sir.”
    Alsandair stared at the screen.  Oh God, Molly!   Who would have taken her?  Who would have wanted her?  How had they known she was onboard? 
    Inside himself something started to roar, fury pushing up past the panic, the possessive beast inside him, the one who had claimed Molly before Alsandair even consciously knew it, pouring up and outward, spilling his fury into the room.
    Rage beat at Alasdair’s temples, his voice a low, guttural growl.  “Get a lock on every ship within two hours of Cujo’s.”
    The controllers cast him a furtive glance before returning to their keyboards.  
    The door slid open but Alsandair didn’t look around as the Major appeared by his side.
    “Cujo’s ship.”  The Major appeared calm, the only thing giving away his concern the tightness between his eyebrows.  “I’ve sent out a rescue ship.”
    Alsandair nodded.  Saving Cujo wasn’t his primary concern right now, except that the treasure hunter might know who attacked them.
    One of the controllers sat back.  “There are only two ships within that distance to Cujo’s, Sir.”
    “Who?”
    “One of our patrol ships that has changed course to intercept Cujo’s.  The other ship is a Repulsaen.”
    Awareness pricked through Alsandair.  “Repulsaen?”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    “There was one approaching us before.  Did it make contact or land?”
    “No, Sir.  We were observing it, but it left not long after Cujo’s ship, and…” The controller’s eyes widened a fraction.  “The Repulsaens’ were the only ones within the vicinity when Cujo’s ship was attacked.”
    The Repulsaens.  Alsandair gazed unblinkingly at the picture of the Repulsaen ship.  It was ice white, lean, menacing.  “They’ve got Molly.”
    The Major shook his head.  “We don’t know for certain-”
    “They have her.”  Alsandair ignored the startled look from the Major.  “Every sign leads to them.  I can feel it.”
    “Feel it?”  The Major blinked.
    Yes, he could feel it.  Deep inside himself, he just knew they had his Molly.  “Contact the Captain of the Repulsaen ship,” Alsandair ordered.
    “Amirov-” the Major began.
    “I know they have her.”  Alsandair glared at the Major.  “And I want her back.”
    “We all want her back, but to just accuse them-”
    “They have her.  I’m getting her back.”
    Puzzled, the Major shifted his stance slightly.  “Captain-”
    “If I have to go myself, I will.”
    The sound of an incoming communication caught everyone’s attention.
      Alsandair took one look at the insignia on the Repulsaen’s closed-neck tunic and knew exactly who he faced.  “Captain Regor.”
    “Captain Amirov.  Major.”  Regor’s eyes glinted.  “To what do I owe the pleassssure?”
    Alsandair didn’t waste time.  “You have onboard a woman.”
    “A woman?”
    “My woman.”
    “Amirov!” The Major took in a deep breath.  “Captain Regor, I-”
    “I don’t know what woman you mean,” Regor said.  “The only femalessss we have on board are our priesstesss and doctor.  I-”
    “You freakin’ slimy reptiles!” A voice shrieked.  “Let me go!”
    A roaring filled Alasdair’s head as Molly’s voice, filled with fear and indignation, seared his hearing.  Palms flat on the control panel, he leaned forward to glare directly into Regor’s eyes.  “You have what is mine, and I want her back.  Now .”
    “And why, exactly, do you have her?” The Major queried, his voice controlled but anger spiking his tone. 
    Regor didn’t pretend to misunderstand.  “I am