stake a legal claim on Earth’s moon. The astronaut was told to leave and make sure no one from Earth ever landed on our moon again.”
“Oh my God, that would have been during the Apollo 17 mission. Everyone knows something happened, but no one is willing to admit what really took place.” She shook her head with a distracted smile. “The conspiracy junkies would have a field day with this story.” Her gaze cleared and she looked into his eyes. “Rodymia owns the moon? That’s too funny.”
Relieved that she saw the humor in it, he began to relax. “Hostilities back home escalated and the outpost was closed about ten years later. Resources were needed elsewhere. Still, our ownership has remained unchallenged for more than forty years, which only strengthens our claim. Even if one of Earth’s governments objected to our being there now, I doubt there is anything they could do about it. We have every right to occupy our property.”
She fell silent for a moment, clearly lost in thought. “This is cruel and you know it. You’ve told me just enough to make me really curious about the rest.”
Which had been his intention from the start. He was close to success, he could sense it. Careful to keep his tone light, he said, “We’re only asking for six months and your discretion. In return, you’ll have access to a wealth of knowledge far beyond anything you’ve ever dreamed possible. What do you have to lose?”
She hesitated again, so he didn’t push her. She’d either agree or he’d have to let her go. There was nothing more he could tell her, at least nothing she was ready to hear. He knew where she lived and she would be well guarded until curiosity changed her mind.
“What happens if I have the protein marker?”
He knew she had the marker, knew because biological compatibility was the only logical explanation for his undeniable need to claim her. He’d known females more beautiful than Raina, yet none of them had filled him with this primal hunger. He chose his words carefully, not wanting to lose the ground he’d gained over the last ten minutes. “Then all of this becomes personal. You won’t just be advocating for human females. You’ll be a potential mate for one of the battle born.”
She sucked in a breath then released it slowly through her mouth, but her expression was too conflicted to decipher. “I’m not good with surprises. How do we find out one way or the other?”
He could just tell her what he sensed, but she was a scientist. She wouldn’t believe him until she saw empirical evidence. “Simple blood test.” He activated a comlink to the infirmary.
“Miss me already?” Irron asked in Rodyte.
Raina couldn’t hear the doctor so Kotto responded verbally as well as mentally. “Do you have time to check Raina for the protein marker? She’d like to eliminate the unknown.”
“I’ll be right up.” The infirmary was one level down, so it shouldn’t take Irron long to arrive.
“Were you still talking to me?” She looked bewildered and Kotto realized he must have been speaking Rodyte. “I didn’t understand any of that.”
“Sorry. I just asked Dr. Irron if he had time to test your blood. He’s on his way.”
She nodded in response to his statement then asked, “Are all the battle born telepathic?”
“Some are true telepaths, but most, like me, have communication implants. Sort of like your cell phone only we don’t have to worry about running off without them.”
“And how many of the battle born are single?”
It was a logical question, considering the situation and still he found it annoying. The only potential mate she needed to think about was him. That wasn’t fair. She had no idea how any of this worked or that he was intensely attracted to her. He forced back the possessive impulse and provided the information. “A few have found mates among other cultures, but most Rodyte females will not bond with a mixed-blood male. Even though we’re
“Oh my God, that would have been during the Apollo 17 mission. Everyone knows something happened, but no one is willing to admit what really took place.” She shook her head with a distracted smile. “The conspiracy junkies would have a field day with this story.” Her gaze cleared and she looked into his eyes. “Rodymia owns the moon? That’s too funny.”
Relieved that she saw the humor in it, he began to relax. “Hostilities back home escalated and the outpost was closed about ten years later. Resources were needed elsewhere. Still, our ownership has remained unchallenged for more than forty years, which only strengthens our claim. Even if one of Earth’s governments objected to our being there now, I doubt there is anything they could do about it. We have every right to occupy our property.”
She fell silent for a moment, clearly lost in thought. “This is cruel and you know it. You’ve told me just enough to make me really curious about the rest.”
Which had been his intention from the start. He was close to success, he could sense it. Careful to keep his tone light, he said, “We’re only asking for six months and your discretion. In return, you’ll have access to a wealth of knowledge far beyond anything you’ve ever dreamed possible. What do you have to lose?”
She hesitated again, so he didn’t push her. She’d either agree or he’d have to let her go. There was nothing more he could tell her, at least nothing she was ready to hear. He knew where she lived and she would be well guarded until curiosity changed her mind.
“What happens if I have the protein marker?”
He knew she had the marker, knew because biological compatibility was the only logical explanation for his undeniable need to claim her. He’d known females more beautiful than Raina, yet none of them had filled him with this primal hunger. He chose his words carefully, not wanting to lose the ground he’d gained over the last ten minutes. “Then all of this becomes personal. You won’t just be advocating for human females. You’ll be a potential mate for one of the battle born.”
She sucked in a breath then released it slowly through her mouth, but her expression was too conflicted to decipher. “I’m not good with surprises. How do we find out one way or the other?”
He could just tell her what he sensed, but she was a scientist. She wouldn’t believe him until she saw empirical evidence. “Simple blood test.” He activated a comlink to the infirmary.
“Miss me already?” Irron asked in Rodyte.
Raina couldn’t hear the doctor so Kotto responded verbally as well as mentally. “Do you have time to check Raina for the protein marker? She’d like to eliminate the unknown.”
“I’ll be right up.” The infirmary was one level down, so it shouldn’t take Irron long to arrive.
“Were you still talking to me?” She looked bewildered and Kotto realized he must have been speaking Rodyte. “I didn’t understand any of that.”
“Sorry. I just asked Dr. Irron if he had time to test your blood. He’s on his way.”
She nodded in response to his statement then asked, “Are all the battle born telepathic?”
“Some are true telepaths, but most, like me, have communication implants. Sort of like your cell phone only we don’t have to worry about running off without them.”
“And how many of the battle born are single?”
It was a logical question, considering the situation and still he found it annoying. The only potential mate she needed to think about was him. That wasn’t fair. She had no idea how any of this worked or that he was intensely attracted to her. He forced back the possessive impulse and provided the information. “A few have found mates among other cultures, but most Rodyte females will not bond with a mixed-blood male. Even though we’re
Similar Books
