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

hot fire of jealousy burned in her belly, but she kept her face calm and unreadable. They told me playing cards was a waste of time, thought Kira. But her training kicked in just in time to keep her cool. She could handle a little competition if she needed to. But maybe she’d read the situation wrong. She decided to tease out a little more information.
    “Storm Squadron’s a tough gig,” said Kira. Let’s see your cards.
    “Nothing I can’t handle, though. Once I’ve set my mind on something, nothing stands in my way.”
    “I guess that’s the attitude a pilot needs,” she said. “Or any rebel. This isn’t an easy life.”
    Whether she liked the woman or not, there was no point in making an enemy of her. If Kira joined Storm, they’d be spending a lot of time together. Maybe she just wanted to reconnect with an old friend.
    “No,” said Reina. “But neither was growing up with a father in the Human Systems Alliance Senate. I had to learn how to take care of myself early on. Being a member of the Storm Squadron won’t be easy. But I can handle it.”
    It had never occurred to Kira that maybe she was the one out of line. Maybe she had judged Reina too harshly. She still didn’t trust her, but she’d try to give her the benefit of the doubt. Jealousy was a new emotion. Maybe it was throwing her off. She needed more information.
    “You know the Commander pretty well, then?” said Kira. Maybe she could learn where they stood. Kira realized she didn’t know this woman well enough to form any conclusions about her.
    The truth was that Kira had never felt for anyone the way she felt about Ja’al. And it scared her. Because if she cared about him, if she wanted something more than a brief, physical relationship with the man, she would be vulnerable. The thought terrified her.
    And maybe Reina wasn’t a bad person. It would be nice to have a friend to share the trials of the Storm Squadron with. Someone else there in the trenches, going through the same thing. Especially since Lana would be busy with her duties as an interplanetary ambassador.
    “I know him as well as anyone,” she said. “But Ja’al was never easy to read. We went through some difficult times back on Kamara. We were … friends … while he was the Prince’s attendant. We studied philosophy, history, strategy. But when they left to form the Gamma Raiders, everything changed. For all of us.”
    “I’m sorry, Reina. It’s hard to be left behind.”
    Reina smiled and tossed her hair back behind her shoulder. “Ja’al did what he thought was right. Sure, I felt abandoned. But it was the right decision. Look where we are now. Taking steps to change things, to make life better for everyone. This rebellion wouldn’t exist if Ja’al hadn’t chosen that path. I’d say that’s a good reason to leave us.”
    “Doesn’t make it any easier, though. You two were … a couple?”
    Reina looked Kira in the eyes, searching for something.
    “I wasn’t sure what to make of you when we arrived here, Kira. But you seem alright. I think we’ll get along just fine.”
    Kira noticed that she didn’t answer her question. But she didn’t want to press. “So you’re going for the Storm Squadron? Have you flown before?”
    Reina just smiled. “Not really, no.”
    Kira shot her a baffled glance.
    “There were sims back on Kamara, though. And not much else for us to kids to do with our free time. Ja’al and I used to have fierce competitions. We both got pretty good. Not that either of us thought we’d ever get the chance to fly for real. It’s funny how things work out. I’ve been training for this my whole life, even if I didn’t know it at the time.”
    Kira nodded.
    “You’re joining Storm, too, right Kira? Have you flown much?”
    “Just my freighter,” she said as she looked away. Who was she kidding? She was delusional to think she had a chance of flying with people like Reina. She was out of her depth. She didn’t have the