Rystani Warrior 04 - The Quest by Susan Kearney Read Free Book Online Page B

her chest.
    “I have hunches—like when I believed the Kraj would return.”
    “What else?”
    “I seem to break down time into smaller pieces than you might do.”
    “Yeah, and you’re good at math. But there are lots of brainy people in the Federation—and lots of them are right on the edge of crazy.” Her tone suggested she was including him in that group. “Give me something concrete,” she said in challenge.
    “You can’t pick up my body on your sensor scans unless I want you to.”
    She nodded and moved to her console and ran several tests. Her eyes watched the readings, giving him an opportunity to study her. Her skin tone looked pale, and yet her cheeks flushed pink with excitement. “The first scan says I’m alone.”
    “Run another test. This time your sensors will see me.”
    Her nostrils flared. Her eyes widened. “Hide yourself again.”
    After he did as she asked, she ran a computer diagnostic. “Sensors are all functioning properly.”
    “So do you believe me?” he asked, knowing that she didn’t, not yet.
    “Who are you?”
    He grinned, hoping to lighten the moment. “I’m the man who’s come to make you rich.”
    “Get me killed by the Kraj sounds much more likely.”
    “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
    “Like you did from my cat?”
    He chuckled. “Aren’t you still safe?”
    “I was never in danger,” she protested, “but if I accept your crazy offer … ”
    He shrugged as if her agreement didn’t matter, as if his heart weren’t pounding in his chest. He didn’t expect her to answer right away. After all, they barely knew one another. But he understood her better than she realized. They were both explorers, travelers, and he was betting she wouldn’t want to miss out on the fun.
    That he intended to have fun with her—he kept to himself.
     

Chapter Four
    ANGEL STARED AT the Rystani who took up more than his share of available space in the central cabin the crew used for meetings. He was larger than any Terran she’d ever met, but his size and warrior abilities only served to remind her that he was suggesting she go on a dangerous mission. While the ultimate prize might be worth the risk, while every cell in her body vibrated at the excitement of the adventure, eight years as captain on the Raven had taught her that offers that appeared too good to be true often were exactly that—too good to be true.
    So she’d called her crew and Kirek to a meeting in the only cabin big enough to hold everyone. She’d explained the situation to Frie, Leval, and Petroy, and then Kirek answered their questions before departing for the dining area—leaving her alone with her crew in the lounge.
    Frie, an even-tempered engineer from a Terran colony, gazed at her husband, Leval, who served as copilot when she and Petroy slept. The husband-and-wife team had been with her since the beginning. Most captains were reluctant to take on a married couple, fearing that a marital spat could hurt ship efficiency. Angel had found the opposite to be true.
    The couple had been married for years and often seemed to read one another’s minds. Frie, tiny and chunky, with a round face and big brown eyes, seemed a perfect match for Leval. Leval wasn’t much taller than his wife, and he’d gone bald years ago and made up for the lack of hair on his head with a bushy mustache.
    Petroy, the Juvanian pessimist in her group, never spoke about his home world. Angel had yet to comprehend how one creature could be so full of contradictions. Although he always pointed out every problem, he was often the most gung-ho member of her crew, and he’d saved her life twice.
    “So, what do you think?” Angel asked Frie and Leval.
    Frie took her husband’s hand. “This could be the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.”
    “Or it could get us killed.” Petroy frowned. “Kirek intends to go after the Zin, the most dangerous foe known to the Federation—single-handedly. According to him, even the