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  “Then I'll come back as soon as I can.”

  Matt tried to give the creature the most sincere look as she could, hoping her eyes and face would show the desire she felt inside to help them and eradicate the Beltine in the area before she left with Trey.

  “You won't find me objecting to dealing with the Beltine,” Trey whispered a few seconds later. She shot him a grin, seeing the look of amusement in his face.

  “Didn't realize you spoke Salisoid, too.”

  “Not as well as you. And let’s face it, of all of us, you're the most diplomatic. I'd have promised them we'd shoot down those frelling things. All this parading you in front of dignitaries and using you for marketing is making you more careful with your words.”

  “Thanks... I think,” Matt replied as they exited the cave and hurried back to Contessa.

  Trey had meant it as a compliment, but she wasn't sure how she felt about it. She didn't like pandering to the needs of others, or being a political pawn—one of the big reasons she'd told Simon where to shove their relationship—but she knew right now it was needed. And the task wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

  Xander stood in the hangar bay, ready to shut the door as soon as they were on board. A second later Matt felt the ship jerk up from the planet, Tyra's eagerness to get the security guard back for medical treatment making her less gentle with their Lady. Xander caught her arm and steadied her before the movement could make her fall.

  “Thanks,” she said, meeting his gaze and seeing the grim determination there. It seems he had an idea what she was going to ask already, but she didn't waste any time telling him everything she knew as she worked herself out of the suit.

  She'd have to take this one hurdle at a time. First persuade him her plan was a good idea, and then the woman in charge of the research base. No pressure.

  Chapter 7

  For what was probably more than then tenth time that day, Xander considered telling Matt exactly what was at stake with this mission, and exactly what kind of a pig Simon Dantos was being, but when he saw the way she took another deep breath, squared her shoulders and lifted her head to stride off the Contessa, he couldn't do it.

  The young woman had enough pressure on her shoulders and it was important he didn't muddy the waters right now. At the moment she was helping the alien race they'd encountered because it was the right thing to do. Because she hated the Beltine more than perhaps anyone did, and because she was an amazing person.

  If she knew how much she needed this to work in her favor, she might make the wrong decision and later regret it. This way, if she made the wrong decision she'd know it was for the right reasons. She'd know she did what she did because she cared, not because she felt she needed to, or had no choice. No, he had to keep this secret just a little longer. For her sake, even if it might make him feel exactly the burden he was protecting her from.

  Trey and he carried the stretcher with the security guard off the ship. Drew and the Lentarin had removed his suit again, but a breathing mask was still over the poor man's face and he still lay unconscious, his life signs weak but currently stable. Drew and Matt acted as their escorts, ensuring they were taken to the medical center immediately.

  At first Xander wondered if the security personnel were going to kick up some kind of stink, or pretend they didn't know the man on the stretcher, especially since none of them had even divulged that he was missing, but instead they remained professional, falling into the same formation as before around the group.

  Thankfully, the medical center was also significantly closer to the hangar than Livingston's office. His team were strong and they trained regularly, but the gravity on the planet was a little over and above that on Netera and the man wasn't light.

  Someone must have radioed ahead, because the doctor was already prepping a bed for the man. She waved them right over, already intent on reading the vitals and getting an update. Drew handled the relay of information, letting the doctor know the composition of the atmosphere the security guard had been exposed to, but they had no idea for how long.

  “We'll do what we can,” the doctor said once her patient was totally under her care, picking the stethoscope up from around her shoulders and lifting it past her brown hair without disturbing a strand of it along the way, a practiced motion that made Xander feel that little bit more comfortable about her capabilities.

  “Let us know how he does, please,” Matt asked as the guards tried to usher them away. The doctor gave her a curt nod, and they left.

  “I'd like to see Dr. Livingston and give her our report personally,” Matt said to the guards before Xander could do so. He briefly considered pulling her up short for giving a command without running it by him first, but, in truth, he'd have said the same thing, and he'd already decided to let her negotiate all this. Not only did the woman in charge focus more on Matt in their first meeting, but Matt had the more leverage than any of them to get what she wanted. More Adamanta research.

  It felt strange to hang back and let Matt call the shots, but he knew he needed her to know he trusted her, and he needed his actions to match his words. His ego would have to get over how others might perceive something like that.

  Once again, it felt like it took forever to walk all the way to the office, but this time when they arrived the door stood open and they were welcomed with open arms.

  “I hoped you would all come up here,” she said, not noticing Matt open and then close her mouth. “I want to thank you for rescuing Roger. We assumed he was dead, but it's wonderful to be wrong. His family have already been informed of his situation. With any luck Doctor Harrison will restore him to duty. And full health, of course.”

  “I very much hope he'll recover,” Matt replied. “He's evidently been through quite an adventure, and a happy ending is always preferred.”

  Xander tried to hide his frown at the bite to Matt's words, but failed. Now was not a good time for her to lose her cool.

  “I have every faith in Doctor Harrison. Now, I can assume there's more to his return than a happy accident?”

  “Yes. A whole lot more. Perhaps we should talk about it.” Matt took a deliberate step towards the desk and one of the chairs on this side of it, but didn't sit down. “I'd like to ensure we proceed with everyone under the same understanding.”

  “That sounds very wise. Please, sit and tell me everything,” the woman said as she swept over to her side of the desk and sank into the significantly more comfortable-looking leather chair.

  It took half an hour for Matt to diplomatically phrase everything that had happened since the last time they'd sat in the office, and almost the same length of time again for the questions and real negotiating to go back and forth.

  “Obviously it's a very wonderful thing to make contact with a new alien race and begin an alliance. Such an achievement is going to hold great weight with our investors,” the woman said, making it clear she intended to take credit for the introductions. A year ago this would have made Matt so angry she'd have snapped some kind of aggressive retort, but it was evident she was much more in control now. She smiled and nodded.

  “Of course. I'm sure having someone like myself around, keeping a low profile and regularly spending my own time here, would help ensure the continued progress of this alliance.”

  “Of course.” The woman echoed Matt's smile, though it never reached either of their eyes.

  “Naturally I'd need something to keep me coming back here from a military point of view. Something like a research project on Adamanta usage that would be of mutual benefit to yourselves and the military.”

  “I'd be willing to suggest something like that to our investors. I know they'd be more inclined to back something like this if they could see its need. I believe further proof of finding Beltine in the area and... dealing with them effectively would be the final piece of motivation they'd need to see the value of setting up a branch of research into Adamanta and its continued benefits.”

  “Oh, I'm su
re that won't be an issue,” Matt replied. “I'm well practiced at using Adamanta to deal with the Beltine. But I'd be very grateful to anyone allowing me to continue my parents’ research, especially if a reasonable-sized training area was included. Any new discoveries would naturally need to be tested and implemented into any defense strategy against the Beltine.”

  “Naturally.”

  As one, both women rose, still smiling. They shook hands.

  “You may also be interested to know we already have a small research team looking into the applications of a particular device you've tested before. I believe a young military employee by the name of Atum came up with it, a device that does some interesting things with Adamanta and brain waves.”

  Matt raised her eyebrows as she halted, the rest of the team now standing around her, waiting for her to lead them out.

  “I'm sure any person who displays both a thorough understanding of Adamanta as well as a propensity for discretion and cooperation would make an excellent consultant on such a project.”

  For a moment Matt said nothing, their eyes locked on each other.

  “I'm sure they would,” she replied, her voice just a fraction colder. “We'll return when the Beltine threat to the sector is taken care off and we have relayed the need for regular presence at the base to our superiors.”

  The conversation was over, and Xander felt his blood run cold. Matt had offered a lot in return for a research facility here, and he knew it might have ramifications even she didn't understand. He could only hope it was worth it, and that she wouldn't have cause to regret the negotiation one day. Although, with a Beltine hive still to deal with, they might have a reason to regret it sooner rather than later. Without checking it was acceptable to her own commander, she'd promised to neutralize a hive.

  The Lady Contessa was going to wade into battle once more, and hope she survived.

  Xander kept quiet as they were escorted back to the ship, not wanting the guards to see the problems this caused his team. He wanted to present a united front and not run the risk of undoing Matt's political gains, but he knew he couldn't pretend to be all right with what Matt had done after that.

  “Matt, a word,” he said as soon as the team were alone aboard his ship. He didn't try to hide the anger he felt. It wasn't all at her. A healthy proportion of it was directed at Simon for putting her in this position, but she'd gone a step further than he'd expected.

  She gave a curt nod, her eyes already showing her understanding of what had gone wrong as Xander led her to the small cabins they called their own.

  Once inside his, he shut the door, aware it was the closest any of them got to privacy on this small ship.

  “Sorry, sir,” she said before he could attempt to speak the jumble of thoughts crashing around his brain. “I know I've promised stuff I shouldn't have. I just didn't know what else to do. It seemed the best way to keep my parents’ research going for sure while also protecting the aliens we encountered.”

  Xander sighed and sat down on the end of the bed, her evident concern for the vulnerable lives they'd left in that cave taking the anger right out of him.

  “Be careful what you're willing to sacrifice for short-term gains, Matt,” he said eventually. “You've given up the credit for making an amazing first impression on an alien race to keep your parents’ research going. And we don't know a lot about the people here. They might not make good bedfellows.”

  “I know.” It was her turn to sigh. “I've never wanted to be in the limelight. But I do want to give our race hope. And I do want to beat the Beltine. As long as the human race is moving forward because of my actions, I think I can be content with the role I'm playing.”

  “You and me both.” He stood up again, instinctively wanting to give her a hug but managing to restrain himself. It wouldn't be appropriate. “Now, let's get this ship battle-ready and take out some more Beltine before they do anyone any more harm.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  Chapter 8

  Sat in the co-pilot chair, Matt had a front-row seat as the Contessa eased towards the last known location of the Beltine hive. Already they'd detected the smaller ship that must have been their new friends’. It was hanging in space, not too far from a small moon. The Beltine didn't appear to be interested in it, but as they grew closer, they saw the telltale signs of a ransacked ship.

  A crude hole had been cut in the side, which meant the small vessel was open to the vacuum of space. The hive was still off radar and off screen, but a planet hung to one side, matching the description the creatures had given her. The Beltine should be around here somewhere.

  “Ease around the planet, but let’s keep our distance and go slow,” Xander said from behind, announcing his presence as he did.

  “Yes, boss,” Tyra replied, already pulling on the control stick to ease Contessa to one side. They weren't moving quickly but the engines were prepped and ready for an increase of speed. Without thinking, Matt drummed her fingers on the dashboard, eager to get into some kind of action situation. Eager to solve this problem and head back to Netera.

  Another long hour drifted by, and still nothing.

  “Take a break, Matt. You'll know as soon as we find something.” Tyra gave her a pointed look. She nodded, already aware she was beginning to annoy her Lentarin friend.

  With a sigh, she wandered back to her cabin, glimpsing Xander, Drew and Trey all sitting in the dining area, a board game between them. For a moment she considered watching, but she didn't feel like being social. Instead she went to her cabin, taking her pack with her by hand. For now she needed to rest her mind. A battle would be coming and she might need every ounce of concentration and strength she had.

  Picking up her data pad, she flopped down onto her bed. Maybe catching up with her messages would help while away the time until she was needed again. It would at least provide a distraction from all the thoughts that second-guessed her actions and words over the last few hours.

  A smile slowly formed on her face as she read her fan mail. Soldiers and civilians telling her how much hope and courage she was inspiring in others. The one upside of being the face of the military's Adamanta campaign.

  The next email wiped the smile off her face and made her sit up. Simon had made yet another move, pulling the funding from yet more projects, this time through someone evidently under the playboy’s control, or thrall. Matt couldn't always tell.

  What felt like a thousand different emotions filled Matt as she kept reading the message. Simon had pulled the funding from the final Adamanta project she had left under her influence, the lab and dojo the Cordaks had made her on Corda-Mara. With it, the funding had disappeared for continued research on Rokku-Sai.

  Her vision blurred with tears as her fists clenched with anger. This was a step too far. This was evidently meant to do one thing. Hurt her. But it would also hurt others. The amount of soldiers she'd trained, and others had trained, since on Corda-Mara was phenomenal. Some of the best and brightest had been shot forward by personal tuition with her. Matt could barely believe Simon had the clout and influence to cut such a program, especially given how eager the Cordaks would have been for it to continue.

  Wiping the wetness from her face, Matt clutched he data pad, grabbed her pack with her mind and hurried out to the dining area. News of this wouldn't have reached her without reaching others.

  “Did you know?” she demanded as she shoved the message in front of Xander.

  He sighed and nodded. “Yes, I did.”

  His eyes met hers, the sadness evident. It only made her feel angrier. She didn't want sympathy. This wasn't her fault and she'd not let this volley go unanswered. While she glared at her commanding officer, Drew and Trey picked up the pieces of their board game and made a hurried exit.

  “Did they know, as well?”

  “No, I don't think so.”

  “When were you going to tell me?”

  “After we were done here.” The reply was hesitant, awkward, as if Xander
wasn't sure he meant it. Matt screamed her fury, and turned away from him before she did something she'd regret.

  For ages neither of them spoke as she contemplated banging her fists on the metal wall in front of her. She wanted to make noise, to move, to vent the fury making her body shake, but she was rooted to the spot, almost choking on the tears that threatened to follow.

  Even when she heard Xander's chair scrape on the metal floor, she didn't move. Only when his steps came to her and his hands gently grasped her shoulders to turn her did she allow her body to move, letting him fold her into an embrace, her head buried against his chest.

  “I wanted you to be able to handle this mission with a clear head, without the pressure of needing to impress the people here,” Xander said, his words soft and unfazed by the anger she'd displayed. “You've already done everything you can to keep your parents’ research going. And you did a good job. Hang on to that. Keep moving forward knowing you're doing everything you can, and you're doing a bloody good job at that.”

  The warmth that spread through her, partially at his words and partially at the gentle strength in the way he held her helped calm her emotions. Her tears dried up and her shakes subsided until she felt like she could pull away and lift her head.

  “Don't focus on Simon and what he's done.”

  “Doing...” she corrected, knowing it wasn't likely to be the final attack on her. “But thank you. And I'm sorry.”

  “Don't apologize for being angry about this. Just promise me you'll channel it into doing the right thing.” Xander studied her face. She nodded, making sure her eyes didn't dip away from his. He was right. It was the only way to respond to such dirty tactics. To keep being the best version of herself, and use the anger he induced as fuel.

  “Thank you,” she said as she felt her head clearing. “I'm not sure I'd have had the patience or been as gentle with the aliens we encountered if I'd known what was at stake.”

  “You probably would have been. It's you. But now you know you did the right thing for the right reasons.”