Gamma Raiders: Storm Squadron Alpha: Scifi Alien Romance Novel by Calista Skye Read Free Book Online

a matter of time,” Ja’al cursed under his breath, his eyes following Kira as she paced nervously around the edge of the room. His thoughts still wandered to her body. Why couldn’t he have known her before? When the Raiders were little more than an unconventional band of pirates, things were … well, safe wasn’t the right word. But at least the constant threat of annihilation and all out galactic warfare wasn’t looming over them.
    “Keep an eye on them and watch for anything out of the ordinary,” he said. “We can’t stay here in Dennegar forever. But if the Kamarans keep scanning Gamma, our timeline might need to be moved up a bit.”
    “Of course, sir,” said Tyrus. “I’ll keep you updated.”
    Ja’al thumbed the side of his holocomm and the shimmering image of Tyrus vanished, leaving an empty stillness in the air. It was bad news. Unless Lana and Adaar could strike a deal with the Human Systems Alliance, their options for establishing a permanent base were severely limited.
    “Maybe it’s nothing,” said Kira. “Maybe our cloaking and encryptions will hold, and they’ll stop looking?”
    Ja’al shook his head. “Maybe. But it’s only a matter of time before the Empire ferrets us out. We need to get our defensive forces ready. So training the Storm Squadron is more important than ever. I need people I can trust flying our fighters, Kira. I need pilots I can depend on.”
    Kira looked at him, weighing his words. She seemed to understand. “You think I can handle it?” she asked. “Even after what happened in the Battery?”
    Ja’al grabbed her arm and held her steady. He ignored the wave of desire that surged through him when he touched her. “Kira Thorne, there are few pilots here that are as capable as you. I want you in my command.”
    She held herself steady under his touch, though he could tell she was wrestling with something deep inside her.
    “But the choice is yours, Kira. When the Assignment Ceremony takes place tomorrow, you’ll be able to decide for yourself. Despite what happened in the end, your performance during the rest of the test was remarkable. You can do this, Kira. You’ve got potential to be one of the best. And if you choose to join the Storm Squadron, I’ll personally make sure you get all the training you need.”
    Kira looked up at him, meeting his gaze. Despite her efforts to control it, her face betrayed her emotions.
    She still doubted herself.
    And Ja’al knew that nothing he could say would sway her. At least not now. It was a decision she had to make for herself. Just know that if you jump, I’ll catch you, he thought.
    He closed his fingers around her arm and leaned his head in to her. “Take tonight to think it over. Tomorrow, you can join me. Or not. The choice is yours.”
    He hoped she would make the right one.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
     
    Kira barely slept that night. Her mind tormented her as she tossed and turned. Every time she closed her eyes, her stomach dropped with the memory of her fighter looping around the edge of the destroyer. She saw the opening. Why did she hesitate? She saw what she needed to do. And she played it safe. The decision cost her more than a failed test. It undermined her confidence.
    Lying in bed, she mulled over the situation. She realized it wasn’t a full-blown failure. But she didn’t win, either. She let her team down when they needed her. What if she didn’t have what it took to fly for the Storm Squadron? What if she let them all down when it mattered, when the lives of her friends, and the fate of the Rebellion counted on her to make the right decision?
    She startled awake in a cold sweat. It still felt strange to wake up in the cabin without Lana across the room from her. She understood, of course. Everything was going to be different now that Lana and Adaar were married.
    Kira didn’t mind the solitude, but it would have been nice to talk to someone about the Assignment Ceremony. And about