Neverwylde by Linda Mooney Page B

considerable damage if the two of them were reduced to hand-to-hand combat. And if it came down to an official challenge, tooth and nail was all they would be allowed to use.
                Kyber mentally assessed his physical deterioration. Had he just the deep wound in his hip to contend with, he would have given himself even odds against the older man. But with the blaster wound in his shoulder, which affected his entire arm and hand, the odds were heavily against him. He was at a disadvantage, but he couldn’t show any weakness to the D’har. He couldn’t allow the man to know how injured he was.
                With the exception of the one question, Plat continued to speak in Seneecian, deliberately keeping the Terrans in the dark about their conversation. Likewise, Kyber continued to semi-translate by responding in Terranese.
                “I am not contesting your commands, D’har. You do not understand our present circumstances. You do not understand the treaty by which we abide.”
                “I am not bound by your treaty.”
                Kyber paused. Taking a deep mental breath, he answered slowly. “Yes. You are.”
                His rebuttal sparked immediate anger from the D’har, as he expected. He watched as the man’s attention shot away from him, to land on the other three Seneecians who stood behind Kyber. The division was immediately clear who stood with whom.
                Snorting, the D’har directed his next question at Sandow, and in Terranese. “You say your commander is unfit to lead?”
                “Yes.”
                “Then who is your leader?”
                The physician automatically looked to Kyber, as did the other Seneecians. From the way the D’har narrowed his eyes, Kyber knew the challenge was about to be issued.
                “No one’s directly in charge.”
                Kyber glanced in shock as Kelen walked over and stood directly in front of the D’har.
                “Everyone’s opinion counts. It has to,” she insisted. “We are all dependent on each other. Therefore, we allow everyone to state their beliefs and disbeliefs before a plan of action is agreed upon.”
                D’har Plat reared back his head. The look of disgust on his white-furred face was unmistakable, and Kyber understood why. Females did not defy the males. Lesser ranking crew members did not correct their superiors. And worse, Terrans did not flout the authority of a Seneecian.
                “Return to your abode, female.” The command was terse. Dismissive.
                “My abode is right here, with my fellow crew members,” Kelen snapped, crossing her arms over her breasts. The action drew the D’har’s gaze to that area of her body.
                “Are you the only female?”
                “Yes.”
                On one hand, Kyber had to admire Kelen’s bravery, but he was also frightened by her audacity. She may have been taught somewhat about Seneecian protocol, but she was stepping into lethal territory with her attitude. Holding his fear in check, Kyber waited to see what Plat’s next move would be.
                The man’s gaze swept over them all. “How many of these do you service?”
                “What do you mean?” Kelen requested. A moment later, she gasped as the implication sank in.
                The D’har waved a dismissive hand in front of her face. “You must learn your place, skint.”
                Kyber didn’t miss Sandow’s astonishment, nor the doctor’s pleading look he threw his way. This unspoken standoff could not continue. The time had come when someone had to defy the D’har. Defy his leadership and his authority, including his ability to command. Knowing there was no one else who could