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The only sound on the bridge was that of the instrumentation panels.
And the rattled breathing of my other soldiers.
His glare reminded me of the human’s, his eyes full of as much rage as I felt. Then I could tell he lost control. “You will regret this. Your people will turn against you. You will kill us all.” He pointed his finger, his challenge one he knew was likely to be his last. While his traitorous behavior should surprise me, in truth it didn’t. Our entire population was on edge, uncertain of what was happening.
“Then I will deal with them as well. Get out, Lieutenant Barto,” I told him.
His eyes opened wide. “You can’t mean that. I earned this command.”
“I mean everything I say. Out. Now. You are relieved of duty pending an investigation. When I have the time.” I pointed toward the door then turned my head toward another soldier. “Lieutenant Pakar, you are now in control of this bridge and the weaponry systems. You will not fire without my authorization. Is that clear?” I had to put some controls in place. It was apparent a mutiny was possible. “Let the Tantians know we are here.” Which meant allowing them to see we were ready for war. If the creatures were bucking for a fight, they’d get one. I was finished with playing games, exhausted from the time in space.
“Yes, Commander,” the lieutenant said without hesitation, issuing several orders to those he was now placed in charge of. But I could hear the reservation in his voice, the uncertainty that could work against me.
Very slowly, I turned my head, studying Lieutenant Barto. He finally realized I was serious, storming off the bridge.
But not before shaking his head, his eyes now haunted. I hated being at odds, but the choice was clear. My mate had become the most important creature in my life.
Fuck. It was still a long way back to Vektor.
I backed away, folding my arms across my chest, returning to one of the consoles. Contacting her father was dicey at best. But the information he could provide might prove more useful than anything else.
Then I noticed some heat-related activity coming from the Earth Station. I shifted my hand over the screen, realizing the humans were prepared to fire on the Tantian ships. That was a rash reaction, which could mean her father had gotten wind of the fact she was missing.
“Has there been any communication from the Earth Station to the Tantian commander?” I asked.
Lieutenant Pakar gave me a wary look before moving toward his place in front of his console, rolling his fingers across the illuminated screen. “None that I can see, sire.”
“If the humans fire, block the shot.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Several Earth minutes passed, and the lieutenant seemed even more agitated. “What is it?”
“It’s the humans. They’ve requested a full communication.”
I laughed softly, rubbing my jaw. Then I moved in front of the teleprompter. Her father had known all along that I was on a Vektorian ship. “Then so be it. Make the connection.”
As images flashed onto the screen, I wasn’t surprised her father had made the request. He stood in full battle uniform, at least six of his men standing behind him. While there were no weapons, no obvious sign of threat, his uniform alone meant war was implied.
He stood with his arms behind him. “I am Commander Donald Fields of the Earth Station Sixty-Nine. It is my understanding that you have my daughter as your prisoner of war. She is to be released immediately.”
I’d become a very observant man. I also had a gift of knowing when people were hiding something. Her father was… saving face with his soldiers. In other words, he was holding a secret he didn’t want his people to learn. If he’d sold off his daughter to another species, his people would certainly bring him before the parliament for possible punitive measures.
“And I am Commander Zatan Soltar of the planet Vektor. But you already know that. Don’t you, Commander?”
His eyes flashed but he remained quiet. It wasn’t the time to confront him with an audience on both sides; I would do so when we were in private.
“Very well,” I continued. “Your daughter has become an important part of our future, Commander.”
I could tell by his stoic expression that he was also nervous, concerned for his daughter but also for himself and his moon planet. He hadn’t anticipated the Tantian arrival. “Whatever business you have on this Earth Station and with the Tantians is of no concern to our people. I am allowing you to leave this solar system by your own free will if you release my daughter.”
“I’m afraid that cannot happen. However, she will not be harmed.”
He moved closer, pointing his finger. “Then you will face our wrath.” In truth, his eyes were imploring, sadness overtaking his practiced anger. He wanted me to see his level of anxiety.
“Commander, the Earth Station has full intentions of firing their main weaponry on the Tantian ships. The Tantians are aware of the Earth Station’s intentions. They have armed their secondary weapons.”
That meant it was possible they were yet to be made aware I had the female. I was basing this on my instinct and nothing else, but there were far too many coincidences at this point. I moved closer to the main reflection unit, glaring out at the Earth Station. What I’d learned about Sunny’s father told me the man wasn’t stupid. What was his intent in engaging in possible conflict? Commander Fields had been involved in several world wars in his career, engaging in countless combats.
