Page 27 of HaL

“I have also attached an outgoing tracking signal and the coordinates to SiN. He’s still gathering evidence regarding this abduction.”

His attention shifts to Oset.

“Oset, if you will accompany me to the shuttle, I’ll connect you with Tordan. He can run you through a series of simulations aboard the shuttle without actually leaving the planet.”

He gives a slight nod toward the shuttle.

“We have found it is easier—and considerably faster—when you can experience it firsthand.”

You cannot miss the aggression in Oset’s large form. “I take it I have no say in the matter, HaL?”

“Oset, if something happens to me, you are the only one I trust to see to Troza, Dawn, and your own mate and younglings. You must be prepared to take over if I am not capable. Forgive me for not foreseeing this issue sooner.”

“Hmmm,” is all the answer I get from him.

“SCOUT, should I be worried about other probes?”

“I will monitor the area myself for the next lunar rotation. Until I give you the okay, as my SAGE would say, you need to keep the female indoors.”

“I had not planned on taking her out anyway since her delicate skin cannot tolerate these temperatures, as you well know.”

“And as you know, all information is freely shared between all the AIs. My SAGE started working on garments that will make Dawn’s life easier the moment ANDI confirmed she was going to survive.” He goes still once again. “Excuse the interruption; the Commander is yelling as usual, so Oset, if you are ready, I am a busy AI.”

Oset gives me a dirty look before following SCOUT out to the shuttle, and without thought, I find my legs moving back into the compound to the medical wing and my mate.

CHAPTER 9

HAL

Walking into the medical room, I expect to find Dawn resting, only to discover it empty. “DAWNNN!!! Troza???”

“Lord of Light, youngling, what has your fur in a twist?”

Troza walks out of one of the other rooms, followed by Eirwen, who is so large she is practically wobbling.

“Where is Dawn?”

“I am assuming still soaking in that hot water.”

I cannot help but smile at the distressed look on Troza’s face, as she has never been one who liked to immerse herself in water, hot or cold. Then Dawn’s weakness hits me.

“You left her alone?”

“HaL, she is more than capable of washing without my supervision.” She turns away from me. “Eirwen, I will see you in three risings, if this little one does not show up sooner.”

I nod in acknowledgment to Oset’s mate before my beast dismisses them as he turns me toward the refreshing room. I know I should knock or at least announce myself before I enter, but my brain does not seem to function properly when it comes to Dawn, so two steps later I am walking through the other doorway only to stop in my tracks. Dawn is upright with her back to me, trying to wrap the water-absorbent material around her small frame with one arm, while standing unsteadily in mid-thigh-deep water.

The sight of her long, fiery hair brushing the tops of her luscious bottom cheeks will follow me into the Great Beyond, as the image permanently burns itself into my brain. My cock hardens instantly, but it is what she does not do that has me hesitating in the doorway. She does not scream or yell at me to get out, as I expected. Dawn instead turns a little to the side, a small smile on her face when she sees my eyes devouring her small, curvy form. She holds the drying cloth out slightly in her hand, her arm barely hiding her ample breasts from my view. In the next heartbeat, I am by her side, lifting her out of that water before she can slip and into my arms.

“Well, hello handsome. Would you mind helping a girl out here?”

“If it requires me setting you down, then no.”

“I’m dripping water everywhere, HaL.”

“It is a refreshing chamber; it was designed to handle such matters.”

Her bright smile makes me realize she is completely bare, and my eyes devour her small, fragile form, amazed by the fine hairs rising across her arms.