She bit her lip. “And?”
“He had a mate. He hurt her.” In so many different ways.
Finley was silent a moment. “I haven’t known you long, Sabin, but I don’t think you’d ever hurt a woman.”
“My uncle brought shame to my family. He was weak.”
“It sounded like he needed help. Was he a warrior?”
Sabin shook his head.
“So, he didn’t have your training or control?”
“Irrelevant. I won’t risk hurting you.”
They landed, the plane pulling up at a large hangar. Sabin studied the sprawl of buildings. The admiral had told him that a large percentage of the base was underground—for security, and to keep it protected from the harsh weather.
The rest of their surroundings consisted of orange-red dirt, rocks, and a few hardy, spindly bushes. He liked the harsh landscape.
They descended the stairs of the plane and found three people waiting for them.
“Dr. Delgado, Security Commander Solann-Ath.” An older woman with white hair stepped forward. The woman looked friendly, like a favorite grandmother, but she had eyes that reflected her experience. “I’m Dr. Amelia Gregson, the head of the Woomera Range Complex. Welcome.”
“Thank you.” Finley shook the woman’s hand.
Sabin followed suit.
“This is Dr. Ian Cho. He’ll show you to your lab.”
Dr. Cho was young, and wore thick glasses over his dark eyes. His black hair flopped over his forehead, and he had a stain on his lab coat.
“It’s a real pleasure.” He pumped Finley’s hand. “I’m a huge fan of your work, Dr. Delgado.”
“That’s great.” She extricated her hand.
Dr. Cho looked at Sabin, hesitated, then offered a small wave. “Please, call me Ian. We don’t stand on too much ceremony around here.”
Dr. Gregson nodded at the final person. “And this is our head of security, Commander Kaira Chand.”
Sabin took in the small woman and raised his brows. She was very short, but she did have a fit, compact body, and wore mottled, green-brown fatigues. Her dark-brown hair was pulled back, and she had dark eyes that were almost black, and brown skin.
“A pleasure.” The woman nodded. “Security Commander, I’m guessing you’ll want to assess base security.” She had an authoritative, competent voice.
“I would,” he replied.
“I’ll be happy to show you around. And you know more about the Kantos threat than anyone. I’d like your thoughts and advice on any improvements we can make. My highest priority is to keep Dr. Delgado, and our base personnel, safe.”
Sabin nodded. He added smart to Commander Kaira Chand’s qualities. “Let’s meet after I get Dr. Delgado settled.”
“I’ll let Dr. Cho and Commander Chand show you around.” With a nod, Dr. Gregson left.
They walked inside, and cool air from the air conditioning hit his skin. The wide corridors were sparse, the decor simple. They passed a few scientists clad in casual clothes.
Ian Cho was like an excited pet, talking fast. The scientist led them down some stairs and into an elevator. They moved down several levels, and he led them down a corridor into a lab.
“This lab wasn’t being used. We moved in some equipment we thought you’d need, and I believe yours arrives today on a cargo plane.” The young man threw out an arm. “We’ll get it set up for you straightaway.”
Finley walked along the empty benches. It was underground so there were no windows. That made Sabin happy; fewer points of entry for the Kantos.
But it was also a concern. If assassins got in, Finley would be trapped.
“I’m so excited to work with you!” Ian said. “And another assistant, Dr. Gemma Neely, has been assigned to work with you to help you on your project. Gemma’s awesome and super smart.”
Finley spun. “I work alone.”
“Ah.” Ian looked awkward. “I was told that I had to assign you some people to help. That getting the StarStorm operational was top priority.”
Finley huffed out a breath. “Fine, but if you aren’t up to par, you aren’t staying.”
Sabin spun to Kaira. “Are there any emergency exits?”
The security commander shook her head.
“We need to build a safe room. Somewhere Finley can lock herself in. Just in case.”
He saw fear flash in Finley’s brown eyes. He wanted to comfort her, but instead curled his fingers into his palm.
Then she straightened. “Whatever we need to do.”
He smiled at her. He loved her toughness.
“I’ll organize it,” Kaira said.
“The lab is adequate,” Finley said. “I want to get started straight away.”
The others left, and Sabin helped Finley set up her computers. Ian had left instructions on how to access Woomera’s secure network. Sabin leaned against the bench, watching Finley work. He’d never watched someone work and enjoyed it before.
It didn’t take long for her to get lost in her work. Occasionally, she muttered to herself. It was clear she thrived on the challenge. She liked solving problems.
He pulled out his own work and started going through the code for the targeting system. But he couldn’t stop glancing her way.
She looked at him and blinked. “Why are you staring?”
“You’re easy to stare at.”
Her eyes flashed. “Come over here and take a look at this targeting information.”
“So, you do want me for more than just my muscles?”
She stilled. “Sabin, I am sorry I called you Commander Brawn. It’s clear that you’re very good at your job.”
“Hey.” He rested his hands on her shoulders. “I was teasing.”
“I’m sorry. It was rude.” She shot him a rueful smile. “I’m told I can often be rude.”
He ran a finger down her nose. “Luckily, I like it. I seem to like everything about you. Now, let’s get to work.”
Finley looked up from her computer and blinked.
Her simulations were looking good, and she smiled. They might be ready to do a ground test soon. Sabin’s input had really helped.
She looked around. The lab was empty. He’d gone to check on base security with Kaira Chand.
If the ground test worked, they could move to orbital tests.
“We’ll be ready for you, you ugly bugs.”
Finley arched her back. She’d kicked her shoes off at some stage and she looked around. She had no idea where they were. An empty packet of marshmallows sat on her desk. She didn’t even remember eating them.
She glanced at her watch. Crap. It was nine o’clock at night. Without windows, it was easy to lose track of time.
Nearby was a tray that Ian had brought for her, with the dinner that she’d picked at. It was probably time to find her quarters, but she wasn’t tired. Thanks to jetlag, she was feeling kind of wired.
She heard a noise in the hall and her heart jumped into her throat. She grabbed a wireless keyboard and lifted it. If it was another Kantos assassin, she wasn’t going down without a fight.
She crept toward the door.
It started to swing open, and her pulse spiked. She swung the keyboard.