Warrior's Valor by Gun Brooke

it’ll take us even longer to get back since we can’t very well travel along known paths.”
    Grudgingly, she had to concede that Dwyn had a point. Still, it worried her that it would be twice as hard to keep Dwyn safe during this new mission. She had no idea how many criminals were aboard the crashed ship or how many of them had survived and were still able to fight. She saw that Dwyn planned to say something more and held up her hand to forestall her. “All right. You’re coming with us, but only because you’re right. It is too dangerous for you to turn back with only two junior officers to protect you. But I want you to stay even closer to me unless I tell you differently. No heroics on your own, all right?”
    Dwyn brightened. “Got it. I’ll carry out my own assignment as inconspicuously as possible.”
    She obviously hadn’t grasped the seriousness of the incident. Emeron resigned herself to the fact and turned to Oches instead. “Has the intel downloaded yet?”
    â€œAll set, ma’am.” Oches handed over a small handheld device.
    Reading through the information, Emeron knew the situation was even worse than she first thought. No matter how she looked at it, the outcome would be disastrous whether the kidnappers managed to break Dahlia Jacelon or not. The list of criminals aboard the downed ship included mercenaries that any thug with money could hire.
    The thug in this case apparently was the infamous Ambassador M’Ekar. Everyone within SC space knew who he was. Many people on Corma blamed him for the escalation of the conflict with the Onotharian Empire. Emeron realized there was more behind the impending war with Onotharat, but if Ambassador M’Ekar had been on board the crashed spaceship, she fully intended to apprehend him before he could cause any more trouble. She closed the intelligence document and tucked the device into her own back-strap carrier. She suspected she would receive several more reports soon.
    â€œListen up.” She waited a few seconds until she had everyone’s attention. “We’ll head due north, and Ensign Oches and I will take the lead. Mogghy, you bring up the rear.” She nodded at Dwyn. “Stay near, all right?”
    â€œAll right.” Dwyn shrugged.
    â€œYou have your weapon?” Emeron spoke pointedly. She recognized the stubborn look on Dwyn’s face.
    As Dwyn hoisted her carrier onto her back, she patted a pocket on the side of her pants. “Yes, I’m all set.”
    â€œKeep a low profile and take your cue from me. From now on, we can expect the bots to attack and will have to engage the enemy when we locate the space vessel.”
    Dwyn buckled her carrier and it conformed to her slight frame with a buzz. “I understand.” She produced a long-bladed laser knife and stuck it into her right boot. “I’m ready.”
    â€œI hope so. I can’t promise that I’ll be able to babysit you—”
    â€œDon’t even try to start that old tune again.” Dwyn stepped up to her. “Remember who rescued whom yesterday.”
    She shrugged. “Keep close to me,” she said, pretending she didn’t hear Dwyn snarl. She did hear Dwyn sigh as she stepped in behind her and they began to make their way through the undergrowth. Emeron knew this mission would be dangerous, but part of her was excited. After all, law enforcement was her job.

    *

    The mission room seemed unusually quiet as the four individuals stood at the main screen. Kellen studied the other three. Rae was exasperated, and rightfully so, as she tried to communicate with the infuriating Cormanian official. Ewan Jacelon appeared stricken, and though he could still be forceful, he seemed content to let Rae take the lead. Alex de Vies stood next to Rae and seemed every bit as annoyed with the man on the screen as Rae did.
    Kellen clasped her hands behind her back, a familiar gesture that