“Yes, I need to know you can defend yourself against the aliens.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ve blown up eleven alien ships and I’m still breathing. That should be proof enough and I don’t want to hurt you.”
General Jones grinned. “You won’t hurt me.”
“Yeah, she will,” Uncle Ben warned.
Giving my uncle the stink eye, General Jones ordered, “Punch me.”
With a shrug, I hit him with my right hook.
His head snapped back and down the general went.
“Well, hell!” I knelt and patted his face. “You, okay?”
The general groaned.
“You did warn him,” Uncle Ben said.
Testosterone made men do such stupid stuff. “Yep.”
“That’s quite a punch,” General Jones commented and sat up.
“Yes, sir. It never fails to stop the Tai-Kok.” I glanced around. “Where is my father?”
“He tried to kill your uncle and had to be restrained.” General Jones got to his feet. “Let’s get you outfitted.”
Huh? If I hadn’t been so freaked out, I would have noticed Uncle Ben’s black eye. “Yes, sir.”
Chapter Three
Coletti Royalty…
My new spacesuit was made of Kevlar and aramid fiber. It was easy to maneuver in. The helmet had an integrated communications system and camera. I was curious to see if it worked in the Tai-Kok ships.
Besides my bombs, the general had given me some thermite grenades and a cool new weapons belt. I glanced over my shoulder as Dad checked over my oxygen tank. He was still beyond pissed. “I’ll be okay. Really.”
“Ben was supposed to keep you safe.”
“And he has.”
Dad punched the wall. “Like hell! He’s been porting you into Tai-Kok ships filled with hungry monsters.”
“And I’ve blown up every one of them.”
“You could have been killed,” Dad snarled.
I hugged him. “Our world is under attack, and all of us have to do our part.”
“You are so much like your mother.” Dad gently brushed the hair off my face. “Fearless, deadly and reckless. But what can I expect, when you have the blood of the most dangerous warrior in the galaxy flowing through your veins.”
“That wouldn’t happen to be a guy named Zarek, would it?”
“Yep. God help me, you’re Coletti royalty.”
I gaped at him. “Seriously? You think I’m related to the Overlord?”
“Zarek is your uncle, and if you ever meet him, promise me you’ll be on your best behavior.”
