Page 1 of Pooch Planet

Chapter One

Antoine glanced over his morning reports as he reclined in his anti-gravity space chair aboard the Bastille. The ship was his home base, and as the Commander of the G-Force Federation Military Police Division, he occupied one of the luxury apartments on the officer’s level. He took a sip of the energy brew he’d whipped up before turning his focus to one of the cases that had resulted in an arrest the day before.

They’d managed to locate X-337, the leader of the terrorist faction of slug shifters who had been targeting the snail shifters on the other side of their mollusk shifter planet. Most of the slugs were a friendly, peaceful race who kept to themselves, but the extremist of the bunch had created a nightmare the Federation had been battling for several years.

When the Federation had acted on a tip from Megiddo regarding another case—this one involving a serial killer—they’d inadvertently discovered the brutal leader creating a ruckus at one of the Blackjack tables. The apprehension had resulted in the casualties of three officers and one bystander—but at least they’d removed a serious threat to the populace of the Federation protected galaxies.

Before he’d had the opportunity to set down his platinum drink vessel, the comm beep sounded. Antoine gave the instrument the side-eye before answering. He’d left explicit instructions that he not be disturbed. With the amount of violent crime as of late that had come under the Federation’s jurisdiction, he didn’t need any unwarranted distractions.

Tully, his lead homicide detective, appeared on the screen. “Commander Dubois, we need you in the chapter hall immediately. There’s been an unsettling development that requires your immediate attention.”

Antoine’s gut clenched. “In our missing killer case?” He hoped like hell that no one else had been slaughtered.

“Yes, sir. We have reliable intel that whatever this thing is, it’s now on Pooch Planet.”

“What?” Antoine groaned. “That place is filled with so much woodland and mountains, that predator will be impossible to find. Please tell me it hasn’t slain anyone yet.”

Tully’s features fell, and Antoine already had his answer. “Sir, I’ve taken the liberty to assemble our team in the chapter hall.”

Antoine pressed his lips together and nodded. “On my way.”

After draining his brew in one final gulp, he yanked on his boots and combed back his hair before gathering it in a leather thong. He donned his officer’s black jacket with the badge that indicated his rank. Along with Commander Ward, who headed the Federation on the mother ship the Notre Dame, and the Federation Admirals such as Goliath from the Raganon Clan, Antoine was considered to be at the top level of the Federation Military Police Force. As a group, they all answered to President Karina Haven, their Commander-in-Chief on Old Earth.

Once Antoine had determined that he was in perfect order, he hurried to the elevator that would take him to the main level of the ship where the conference room was located. As soon as he rounded the corner at the far end of the cloisters, he spotted Tully passing through the archway of the meeting room.

“Tully!” He called out.

Tully stopped, turning his way. “Sir?”

Antoine gestured with his hand for him to come closer. He kept his voice low. “Have you seen Pierre?”

A headache already threatened at the thought of more lives being lost, ones he hadn’t prevented because the killer still eluded him. But having to deal with the mate he’d been promised yet never asked for—was not something he cared to deal with at the moment. However, he had the feeling Pierre might be making an appearance, since Antoine had been ignoring the barrage of messages Pierre had been leaving.

Tully winced and Antoine sighed. He hoped the detective never gambled on Megiddo, because he would surely lose.

“He arrived this morning.” Tully rubbed the back of his neck. “He wanted to know if you were onboard.”

Antoine crossed his arms. “And?”

Tully shrugged. “What was I supposed to do? He’d find out eventually then come back and whip me with his tail for lying to him.” He cleared his throat. “And anyway. Won’t you be leaving for Pooch Planet now that the killer has been spotted there?”

Antoine regarded the panther shifter. “That depends on what I’m about to find out in our meeting.” He shook his head in aggravation. “All right, let’s get started. The last thing I want is for there to be more victims while I drag my heels.”

Antoine followed Tully into the expansive room, took a quick inventory of the attendees and noted that his entire upper rank of police officers were present. Excellent. He took pride in the fact that his team was well-trained and operated at the highest level of efficiency. Unlike the Federation warriors, his purview involved investigating and identifying those offenders who presented a threat on a galactic level, then bring them to the attention of the Federation. As a collective, the best course of action would then be determined. However, local authorities on the planets that fell under G-Force protection maintained their own police force.

“Good morning, everyone. I thank you for being here promptly. We don’t have any time to waste, so I’m going to ask detective Tully to proceed with—”

“Hi, gorgeous!”

Everyone—including Antoine’s—head whipped around at the voice coming from the doorway. Antoine frowned before he could stop himself. He hadn’t bothered closing the door since the level they were on was only for those with the proper security clearance. His promised omega was waving and grinning as if barging in on a military meeting was completely acceptable.

“Excuse me, everyone.” He gave a quick nod. “I’ll just be a moment.”

Whispers, and at least one or two snickers, could be heard as he approached Pierre.

“Hello, my love.” The smaller and much younger gargoyle peered up at him, a ridiculous grin plastered across his face. “I know you’re busy, so I’ll only be a moment.” He dragged his palms up Antoine’s chest. “I couldn’t wait until later.” He continued rubbing Antoine’s frame as if he were trying to wipe his hands clean. “Couldn’t wait to get my claws on your stunning, rock hard bod.”

Antoine gently pried Pierre’s fingers from his torso. “I’m a gargoyle. Our bodies are rock hard. It’s part of the gig.” Tully struggled in Antoine’s grasp as if attempting to molest him some more. “This is not appropriate behavior, Pierre. You’re on a restricted level. And anyway, I thought you were staying on Old Earth.”