Taking Command by KyAnn Waters & Grad Stone

destroy his research, why he had to protect BioOne from becoming a weapon but also give her, the living ship, the right to exist.
    “You and the others. Fools. The Tri’Neith are detaining them for information.” The Tri’Neith would torture them for information, determined to ferret out all those with knowledge of BioOne’s true design. “They demand your execution. As reward for my service, that privilege falls to me.”
    “I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not that easy to kill.”
    “Easy? Fuck! You were supposed to die in the explosion on Gyron. Months of planning. Not only did you destroy all of my research—”
    “My research.”
    “BioOne is mine!” he raged. “I needed you to create her, but the ship is my vision. My genius. You were nothing more than a means to achieving my goals.” He inhaled, flaring his nostrils. “I won’t give you another chance to interfere. That was why I had to send Shon. I knew you couldn’t resist her.”
    “I came for the story,” she interrupted. “I found one. Government corruption, murder, galactic espionage. You won’t get away with this.”
    “I already have. I’m aboard BioOne. I have two government ships at my command. Tarik is contained.” His mouth softened. “And I have you to thank. Tonight, I’ll show you my appreciation.”
    Tarik would see Darcolm dead first.
    “I told you not to trust anyone,” Darcolm said as he holstered his weapon. Obviously he no longer considered Tarik a threat. He narrowed his gaze on Tarik. “I told you that you would see me soon. Sooner than you expected.” He chuckled. “Sooner than I expected.” He strode around the room, acting as if he were now in command. “But not without some adjustments to the plan.” He tsked at Shon. “You nearly blew the mission, but when you made contact, I knew nothing would stop me from acquiring BioOne.”
    “I trusted you,” Tarik said. With his life, with BioOne. They had been friends, fought for the same cause, both suffered losses. But the truth sat like a heavy lead weight in his gut. His long-time friend, the one man he trusted, hadn’t just betrayed him and Shon, but he’d betrayed everything they’d ever stood for. He didn’t need any more information.
    The question of why was answered. BioOne. The ship was a temptation. An absolute power capable of turning good men bad. Tarik risked his life to keep the ship from falling into the wrong hands, from becoming the weapon she was never designed to be. Morry had been at Tarik’s side from the beginning, had helped in the design and was there to watch the birth of something they’d only imagined.
    But the Morry he’d known was gone.
    Darcolm approached, running his fingers along the captain’s chair. “I hope you enjoyed the charms of our little whore. Consider it your farewell fuck. But don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her and the ship.” He banded his fingers around Shon’s arm. “It’s time for you to leave my bridge while I deal with our good friend.” He jerked her away from Tarik. “Take her,” he said to one of his men.
    “Get your hands off me.” She wrenched from his grasp, tearing the fabric of her shirt.
    Tarik clenched his fist and lunged. Darcolm pulled his blaster from his hip and leveled it at Tarik’s head. “I’ll drop you where you stand,” he seethed.
    Shon gripped the blaster strapped to her thigh.
    “No,” Tarik demanded of her. “Don’t blast him until we get the information we need.” Once he made his move, Tarik needed to be sure they could make their escape.
    Darcolm laughed. “Blast me? Tarik, I give you credit. Ever the optimist.”
    With slow subtle movement, Tarik rested his hand on the console, communicating his intent with BioOne. Once he made his move, he had to know they could outrun the mammoth government ships. Darcolm and these men weren’t a concern. He would deal with Darcolm. But the waiting battle ships could obliterate BioOne into space dust and