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  “Isn’t she?” Spinner stood. “I better hit the shower. I’ve got to file my report and hook up with some spin-jack aficionados on the other ships.”

  “See you later then.” Calagan took over the treadmill Spinner had just abandoned. “I look forward to beating you. I seem to have a knack for the game.”

  “Dream on.” Spinner grinned, suddenly energized despite everything. She hurried toward the locker room. Amazing that Dael had agreed to a fleet-wide party. She tried to picture Dael pitching the idea to the other captains. She would’ve loved to be present for that communication.

  Chapter Twelve

  Dael stood at the far end of the section of the assault-craft bay where the crew had made a place for dancing. She had already circulated once between the different venues, even having a small glass of brandy. Surprised at how skilled whoever was making it was becoming, she’d savored the drink before swinging by the spin-jack rooms. There—of course—Spinner and her entourage were busy winning at their respective tables. A flat, emotionless expression had replaced Spinner’s normally easy-to-read demeanor as she sat slumped in her chair, her eyes carefully scanning her opponents. Dael stopped at the table long enough to see how this frustrated the other players, especially the captain of the Mugdon, who was shoving pharmo nuts into his mouth at an increasing speed as the game progressed.

  Unsurprisingly, Spinner put her cards down after placing her last one in the pile, faceup. “Spin jack,” she said, matter-of-factly, a tiny smile at the corners of her mouth.

  “Damn it, not again!” Captain Gossamay said, and frowned. “I should’ve known better.”

  “How’s that, sir?” Spinner shot him a glance as she gathered the cards and her winnings. The other three players at the table stiffened visibly, as did Dael.

  “You win a lot. You’re the local cardsharp, or so the rumor has it. How can anyone have this much luck, that’s what I want to know.”

  “What are you suggesting?” This time Spinner didn’t even bother with the “sir” as her eyes became darkened slits.

  “You tell me, Seclan.” Leaning forward on his elbows, Gossamay pulled his lower lip up. “I say it’s too much luck and warrants a certain…caution on our part.”

  “You’re accusing me of cheating? Stacking the deck? In essence stealing from my shipmates—my pilots that I trust my life with, that I’d give my life for?” Spinner’s voice was low still, but flames erupted in her eyes now.

  “Nobody’s accusing you of anything, Spinner. Are we, Captain Gossamay?” Dael stepped into the light around the table.

  Gossamay flinched; he clearly hadn’t seen her before now. “Sir,” he said, and rose.

  “As you were, Captain. Keep enjoying the game in all friendliness. Spinner? I’m sorry to drag you away from all this fun, but I need a moment of your time, as a member of the party committee.”

  “Yes, sir.” Spinner tossed the deck on the table and left her markers. “Do share the chips among yourselves. I only agreed to play in this tournament to show everybody a few techniques and strategies.”

  Dael knew Spinner well enough to detect the hurt beneath her cool tone. As they walked out into the corridor, Dael regarded her surreptitiously. “I would surmise Captain Gossamay is a bit of a sore loser.”

  “A bit.”

  “And he didn’t take too kindly to losing to a person below him in rank.”

  “True. And I’m a woman. He must be one of the last of the male chauvinists.” Shrugging, Spinner sighed. “Where are we going, by the way?”

  “Not sure. To the assault-craft bay, I think. I’m told it’s quite transformed.” Dael chuckled at the look of bewilderment on Spinner’s face. “I really didn’t need you for official business—”

  “But you wanted to get me out of there before I struck a superior officer.” Spinner finally relaxed, grinning now. “I owe you, Admiral.”

  “Dael. Remember. You’re off the clock.”

  “Dael.” Spinner shoved her hands into the pockets of her black trousers. Her blue metallic shell left her toned arms bare, and the feather-beaded necklace she wore looked exotic around her neck. Dael had always regarded Spinner as not very feminine, but this outfit emphasized her female form in a most alluring way.

  Shocked at her own thought, Dael ripped her gaze from Spinner’s body. “Here we are. Who made the playlist?”

  “Gazer and his wife. They’re accomplished amateur musicians, which came in handy.” Spinner’s cheeks were colored a faint pink as they turned the corner and entered the assault-craft bay.

  Ribbons and fabric hid most of the vessels, blinking lights set the mood, and the music pulsed enticingly. People filled the dance-floor area, swaying to the rhythm, faces aglow and smiling. Dael now knew that Darmiya was right. This was a very good idea. The crews were bonding, and she hadn’t seen such happy smiles since they left Oconodos. All hell could break out tomorrow, they all knew this, but tonight, a party was going on and the crew was having fun.

  “Do you dance, Spinner?” Dael didn’t turn her head, merely spoke out loud, hoping for an answer.

  “Um, dance? Sure, but nothing fancy.”

  “I would call this more fun than fancy. Do you want to dance?”

  “I don’t know—wait, you mean with you?” Spinner looked shocked.

  “If not me, then go ask someone else.” So awkward now, Dael felt as if someone had shoved clothes hangers into her dress. It flowed around her in pretty green waves, but Spinner’s words made her long for her starched uniform instead.

  “I’d love to dance with you, Admiral.” Spinner bowed cordially and held out her hand.

  Finally able to swallow again, Dael took it and they entered the outer perimeter of the dance floor. The fast beat of the song felt alien to Dael at first and she moved conservatively, unlike some of the very young people who spun like whirlwinds in the center of the crowd. Spinner moved lithely, no crazy moves, but flowing and way too sexily. Dael swallowed as Spinner’s shell rode up, showing her midsection very briefly as Spinner danced with her arms extended above her head.

  Gradually relaxing and allowing the music to fill her senses, Dael let her body move of its own volition. She couldn’t take her eyes off Spinner, even if she tried, and soon they were dancing closer, nearly touching.

  The music shifted, slowed to a low, pulsating beat that sent people into each other’s arms. Around Dael and Spinner, the crew and the civilians held each other tight as they swayed to the music. Before Dael even had time to realize they could leave the dance floor, Spinner’s right arm wrapped around her shoulders and her left hand cupped Dael’s waist.

  Her breath hitching, Dael couldn’t do anything else but reciprocate and mirror Spinner’s touch. They swayed slowly, not really taking any elaborate steps but merely rocking back and forth from side to side. A female voice Dael recognized but couldn’t name started singing longingly of a lost love. The words cut deeper than Dael would ever admit, but they also made her press her forehead against Spinner’s shoulder. It was a way to hide her expression, but also a way to stealthily inhale the other woman’s scent and feel her warmth.

  *

  Spinner tightened her arms around Dael. The idea of holding this elegant, stunningly beautiful woman at all, let alone in a close embrace as they swayed to the music, was almost beyond belief. When Dael had asked her to dance, Spinner was sure she’d misunderstood and was about to commit the ultimate faux pas, but when the invitation had turned out to be real, she nearly lost her nerve.

  Humming quietly to the famous song about lost love, Spinner inhaled the sweet citrus and flower scent of her dance partner. She knew better than to try to talk. Nothing she could say would make this moment any better—it was perfect as it was. Spinner could tell from the furtive glances around them that they were attracting a bit of attention, but she honestly didn’t care. If the admiral wanted to dance, surely she was allowed to do so. It was probably not the most clever of moves to dance with a person whose reputa
tion was as colorful as Spinner’s, but she didn’t bother with that notion either. This wasn’t likely to happen again, and she was damn well going to enjoy it while it lasted. That’s when it happened.

  Dael moved closer and leaned her forehead against Spinner’s shoulder, holding her closer around her waist. Spinner instantly forgot how to breathe, only to gasp for air a moment later. Dael moved her head again, now resting her left temple against Spinner, which meant her breath caressed the skin on Spinner’s neck.

  This reaction, this attraction, wasn’t something she’d confessed to before, even to herself. Always so pragmatic, and definitely not romantic, Spinner had used sex as a sort of physical stress relief more than anything else. Now, with this astonishing woman in her arms, her heart was racing past all possible limits, and all she could think was how lovely it felt and how good Dael smelled.

  It had to end. Of course it did. The music went back to a wild dance song, the beat drowning out any normal thought, which made both of them take a step back, Dael actually grimacing while gesturing to her ears. She pointed toward the assault-craft bay doors. Spinner automatically nodded and guided her away from the floor and out into the corridor. There, she remembered who she was holding onto and quickly lowered her hand.

  “That was…nice.” Dael looked slightly flustered. “I haven’t danced in a long time.”

  “Neither have I.” And Spinner knew she’d give almost any body part to do it again. With Dael.

  “It was very enjoyable,” Dael said, sounding even more formal than usual. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” She ought to be the one giving thanks. Spinner lowered her eyes to the deck before convincing herself to dare meet Dael’s gaze again. “I enjoyed it. A lot,” she whispered. “I hope this won’t cause trouble for you.”

  Frowning now, Dael tilted her head. “Trouble? How so?”

  “You saw how Captain Gossamay reacted. I tend to stir up trouble without even trying to. I wouldn’t want anything to interfere with your command—”

  “And you think my command of this fleet is so weak that a dance with one of my pilots could jeopardize it?” Her eyes growing colder by the second, Dael straightened her back.

  “What?” Spinner’s mind whirled, trying to figure out what the hell she’d done now to destroy the best moment she’d had in forever. “No, not at all. I didn’t mean that. I—I, well, I guess you just proved my point, Admiral.” She hated the tone of defeat in her voice as she tried to explain herself.

  “How do you figure that?”

  “We both enjoyed the dance, and then I seemed to destroy it with just a few words.” She made sure her lips stretched into her trademark broad grin. This way, Dael had no way of knowing just how horribly tears burned behind her eyelids at the same time.

  Instead, Dael relaxed marginally. “All you did was express concern for my sake, didn’t you? My reputation?”

  Relieved, but still upset, Spinner could only nod.

  “And I go into full ‘how dare you question me’ mode.” Dael touched Spinner’s lower arm briefly.

  A small crowd, cheering and singing, walked toward them, and Spinner gently motioned for Dael to follow her behind one of the doors leading to a storage area. The light was dim, but she could still see Dael’s surprised expression.

  “I do worry that people may unfairly criticize you for interfering when Captain Gossamay nearly accused me of cheating. And then you even danced with me, a slow dance, at that.”

  “If anyone has something to say with whom I choose to dance, or my prerogative to break up something that could’ve escalated into a very ugly event, it’ll be my extreme pleasure to set them straight.” Dael’s lips formed a predatory smile.

  “For the love of the Creator, you sound like you’d enjoy that a little too much.” Spinner smiled carefully in return. “Well, since we dodged that bullet, I’m glad you asked me to dance and I don’t harbor any regrets. Any longer.”

  “Good.” Dael kissed Spinner’s cheek, her lips barely touching flesh, but still Spinner’s knees trembled. The irony of her clichéd reaction didn’t escape her. She found her bearings quickly enough to reciprocate with a similar caress. Dael’s quick, unsteady intake of breath didn’t escape her.

  “I think I need to keep mingling in the different rooms for another hour. I know the party doesn’t end until yet another hour after that, but I want to check on Nania. She spent two hours with the other seniors, and no doubt I’m going to get an earful of how that’s too close to basket weaving.”

  “Basket weaving?” Spinner snorted. “Is that what she calls totally boring activities?”

  “Exactly,” Dael said. “Well. Thank you for the dance. Enjoy the rest of the evening, but I recommend staying away from the spin-jack tables—for tonight at least.”

  “Good advice.” Spinner planned to head for her quarters. She needed to think, to regroup from her confusing emotions.

  “Good night.”

  “Good night, Dael.”

  Dael smiled briefly and disappeared down the corridor. Spinner took a deep breath. For the first time, she wished she had a loved one with her aboard the Espies Major. She didn’t have anyone to confide in that wasn’t directly involved with Dael at one point, professionally speaking. Never much for girl-talk, she could for the first time see the benefit of having a special friend to confide in. She thought of Darmiya. Maybe one day they’d be that close, but her new friend seemed to have a bit of a crush on her. That didn’t make her a good choice as a confidante.

  Spinner found an unoccupied lift, which took her to deck seven where her quarters were located. Running into several partygoers, she smiled automatically and breathed a sigh of relief when she could finally close the door behind her. She went through her usual evening ablutions, more out of habit than anything else, and tumbled into bed. After pulling the covers over her head, she left a tiny gap next to her mouth and nose, for air to flow.

  She needed the cocooning, a remnant of her childhood when her absent mother had left her in the hands of a father who not only disliked being left to take care of two children on his own, but who also blamed said children for her leaving in the first place. When she closed her eyes, she could hear him rant at her younger brother. She saw images of him raising his hand to hit and how she leaped between them, absorbing her brother’s punishment. This punishment fell upon the two Seclan children continuously until Spinner was sixteen and legally emancipated herself from her father and took her brother with her. He tried to stop her, but she’d recorded enough evidence of the abuse for the courts to give her custody.

  Spinner squeezed her eyes shut. All these scars and memories because Pamas Seclan had left them. It hadn’t been Spinner or her brother’s fault. The blame would always fall on her mother, for leaving, and her father, for the abuse.

  Closing her eyes even tighter, Spinner used the same technique she had perfected during many years. She willed herself to sleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  **Dael Caydoc**

  **Admiral**

  **Day 134**

  **Advance mission**

  **Personal log**

  Three days ago, our long-distance sensors confirmed our hope that one of the planets in the star system we just reached has an atmosphere that can sustain human life. No animals that can prove too dangerous are registering, nor do we detect signs of any civilization. I’ve coordinated with the sister ships for teams to explore parts of the three major continents. As this is of immense importance, I’ve decided to accompany the team that will explore the southern hemisphere. The imagery we’re receiving shows luxuriant foliage and clear lakes and rivers. I cannot wait to breathe new air.

  Commander Seclan will head up the mission of mapping the planet from the air. Two hundred of the assault craft have been outfitted with cameras to perform this task, as we will need reliable maps if we are to recommend this world to our leaders on Oconodos.

  Commander Weniell isn’t happy about my going
planetside, but these days he knows better than to try to stop me. It’s also a matter of morale. If I hesitated to set foot on a new world, how could I ask any of my crew, or their loved ones for that matter, to do it?

  **End recording**

  Dael inhaled the sweet, wonderful air where she stood next to the freighter, which had landed on a meadow not far from a wide river. Flowers in all kinds of purple, pink, and white were sprinkled over the field. At the far north from their position, a dense forest stretched in a semicircle for several klicks.

  “I think we should put up our base camp farther toward the tree line, sir.” Ensign Umbahr stood at her side, his binoculars raised to eye level. “That way, we’re protected if we have bad weather.”

  “You’re expecting bad weather?” Dael looked up at the sky. Farther east, some clouds were gathering.

  “According to Espies Major’s forecast, we might have rain, or perhaps hail. Our habitats should protect us, but being too much out in the open isn’t a good idea. We have no way of knowing how strong the winds can become on this planet. Perhaps we should get you back to Espies—”

  “No. I’m staying. Have the crew put up the habitats in the location you deem best, and tell the scientists to start collecting samples. I will join the team ready to explore the forest.”

  Umbahr looked like he wanted to argue against this but clearly opted to not ignite his admiral’s wrath. Dael smiled inwardly. Smart move.

  She joined the forest team, who were arming themselves as she approached them. The leader, Lieutenant Schpay, nodded briskly as Dael started doing the same. Tucking two sidearms into her hip holster, she opted for a crossbow and draped two full belts of darts across her chest. One held tranquilizers strong enough to sedate a fully grown golo bull, and the other, darts meant to kill on impact. The modern-day crossbow didn’t have a lot in common with the ancient hunting weapon used four hundred years ago. This weapon was indeed as silent as the old-fashioned crossbow, but Dael chose it whenever possible because it could be used with a multitude of projectiles: everything from old-fashioned arrows to high-technological darts for different purposes. Dael knew some hunters used aerosol-darts able to kill several animals simultaneously without damaging the meat. You needed a special permit to use such darts as a hunter, and since that had never been an interest of hers, she had never requested one.