Collateral Trade by Candace Smith Page B

knowledge until they were led to the shuttle.”
    Danilo felt pride in his son’s protective outrage. The bonding was not going as well with the Casiquas. Of course, some had not even become visible yet. “I am aware of this. Perhaps I should have told the Chairman to prepare the mates, but I figured they would know to do so. This deception makes sense, considering their alternate plan to dispose of them.” Danilo stared at the small alien vessel through the viewport. “We are deciding if the women can adjust without our involvement. The bonding is strong and I am optimistic with your choice.”
    Chaya explained his mate’s distress over leaving her friend, and Danilo nodded to the other dark fathers. Apparently, the other reports they heard were not exaggerated. The mates seemed to have a measure of light twin compassion. He wondered if Officer Metzer considered them weak and that was why she selected them. For Actana, this was a healthy sign for the female in a family hierarchy. It was a surprise to find the trait among this species, considering the primitives could turn this emotion off for selfish survival of a few.
    “Their communications are not sophisticated enough to accomplish transmissions like this and I’ll not risk sending them back to their ship. Perhaps she can send a message. We can transfer letters with the trade supplies and insist the recipients return a note to initiate closure,” Danilo suggested.
    “If that is the best we can do,” Chaya agreed, with the stipulation he could see this friend and assure her Sharell would be safe with him. Other twins agreed with the reassurance of personally handling the crisis, and their anger subsided. The dark fathers found themselves walking an uncomfortable and unusual course, realizing the importance of the men providing this first step of protection for their mates.
    Chaya returned to their quarters, satisfied he provided as much as he could to ease his mate’s sorrow. Taking care of a mate was a complicated business, and Chaya was relieved to have Tian’s support to keep her calm while he struggled to set up the family’s hierarchy.
    Tian scrambled around the room, looking for a writing stick. Their mate insisted she did not want to send a computer printout. She wanted her goodbye to be personal, and tears smeared the vellum.
    ‘… It might not be too bad. They really do seem to be trying, and it’s not like I can hop into my pickup and drive back. I know it’s selfish, but I wish you were here. I’m so scared, and I keep trying to tell myself it will be okay.
    At least you guys will have the stuff you need to make it to Adam One. I know you’d rather go back home, but I guess that was never under consideration. Please take care of yourself, and if you get the chance, spit in King Poopah’s meal pack. That bitch from Security, too. Love you to pieces, Sharell.’
    She folded the note and handed it to Chaya.He had been patiently waiting with his huge arms crossed over his chest. By his expression, it was obvious he was taking her request seriously. “Can she answer?”
    Tian stared into her watery green eyes and put his arm around her shoulders again. She did not try to push him away, and he was relieved and proud to feel her calm acceptance, even if the sachan was partially responsible. Chaya?
    Chaya straightened, still balancing the uncertainty of his control over this crisis. He smiled at the desperate hope on her face and caressed her jawline with his thumb. “I insisted on it. Your leaders will realize we are on to their deceit, and they will not dare to refuse the request.” His dark eyes glittered with conspiracy. “The fuel has not been transported yet.”
    Once more, Sharell was surprised by his intensity in defending her. He hardly knows me, why should he be so concerned? It’s not like I can leave.
    Chaya left for almost an hour. The sachan made Sharell tired and she curled up on the sofa. Several times she caught herself drifting