Govern by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

outside, got into the skimmer with their army slowly returning to regular duties. The bulk of the Gold Fairy was above them, and Govern gunned the skimmer’s thrusters to get them up and aimed at the cargo hatch.
    She didn’t breathe easy until they were back home and the skimmer was locked in place. “Well, that was fun.”
    “You handled it well.”
    “I had some training for that kind of event. Now, check in with dispatch and let them know the results of your negotiations.”
    He grinned. “You can remove the makeup now.”
    “Oh, thanks.” She sighed and headed for the command deck. “Aura, what is the status of pursuit or attack?”
    A low tone rang out.
    “Nothing, huh? Good. They were able to take hell no for an answer.”
    A bright medium chime pinged incessantly.
    “Spoke too soon. Coming up to command. Just dodge them, Aura.”
    She skidded into the command chair and locked in. The plugs jacked into her skin and she was piloting the Gold Fairy with Aura as her co-pilot.
    The Tosh were aiming their satellites at the ship. Scanners indicated that they were powering up for a series of beams designed to knock out the ship. That wasn’t going to happen.
    “Big guns at the ready, Aura.” She swivelled and targeted the edge of one of the satellites. It spun off to the side and had to right itself.
    One by one, she knocked them out of their orbits just enough to get past them and into deep space. The gimbals that supported her swung and twisted as she shattered a few small objects, turning their debris into a smoke screen of sorts to halt pursuit.
    It was an intense hour, but when her chair eased her back into its normal position, they were well on their way to the point selected by the contract.
    “Aura, take over. I need to get this makeup off.”
    The ship chimed cheerfully and began to play an Azon opera.
    The jacks pulled out of her ports, and she flexed her hands as she released herself from the command seat.
    “Are you all right?”
    She looked up to see a concerned Eykanyo standing in the doorway. He was wearing a loose pair of trousers and nothing else. His Tosh form was far behind, and he was all Beholder.
    Leo wrinkled her nose and bent and stretched. “A little stiff. Those jacks take it out of me.”
    She walked past him and felt the creak of her joints. She needed a hot soak and a rub down but only one of those was available.
    “May I help you?”
    “No, I can manage. I just need to get to my quarters, turn up the heat and open my therapeutic tank. I am do for a change to my system supplements soon, and I will have to head to a Guardian base to get them.”
    “Are you in pain?” He was at her side, cupping her elbow.
    “No, discomfort but not pain.”
    “May I help?”
    She reached up to rub her eyes, remembered her makeup and she curled her fingers into a fist. “There is not much to help. I need warmth to relax me. The tank is large and you can join me if you wish.”
    Leo couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. She frowned and heard a tinkling of bells in her mind. Aura, what the hell was that?
    Leo, you are far too conservative in your actions. If you want the mate in that portrait, take him.
    How do you know about any of this?
    My sisters and I have been in deep conference every available moment. Mates are important to flesh walkers.
    I told you not to call us that.
    I am sorry, but I can’t think up another word.
    Just call me your pilot. It is easier and less gross.
    The bright tinkling ran through her thoughts. Our pilots then, they need a mate to be with them in the physical world. Being with your mind is fun, you think in very strange ways, but you need to feel the touch of another living thing. All living things do.
    Did you just hijack my mouth there and invite him into the tank with me?
    Of course. You might want to take over your body now. He is helping you disrobe.
    Blinking rapidly, Leo looked down at the hands that were peeling away her bodysuit. She