She really must be coming down with something.
Finley lifted her chin and glared at the Eon warrior, then she turned away.
So far, Sabin didn’t see much about Earth to excite him.
He did appreciate the green vegetation, the clear, blue sky, and the fresh air. The sunlight was warm on his skin. He took a second to absorb it all. It made a nice change to being aboard a warship.
His helian symbiont, housed snugly in the thick band on his wrist, pulsed. The buildings in the city appeared to be an irregular mix of different construction.
Ahead, a crowd waited for them.
“Well, warriors, this is our home for the foreseeable future,” Security Commander Rade Vann-Felis said. The warrior was from the science ship, the Solent. The other warrior, Gadon Harann-Jad was a scientist from the Eon planet Ath.
Sabin scanned the area, taking in the partly destroyed building. His jaw tightened. That would have been from the recent attack. They had to stop the Kantos, or they’d annihilate Earth, then go after the Eon.
Several Space Corps officers, wearing navy-blue uniforms, stepped forward to greet them. But Sabin looked past them and spotted a tall woman in a white coat. She was staring at him boldly. The coat draped her magnificent figure.
Dr. Finley Delgado. He perused the woman he’d be working with, then she gave him another bold look before she looked away.
His pulse spiked.
“Welcome, I’m Admiral Linda Barber.”
Sabin focused on the woman in front of him and shook hands with the admiral. She looked to be several decades older than Sabin, her ash-colored hair in a sleek cut to her jaw line. Her brown gaze was direct and steady.
“Admiral, I’m Security Commander Sabin Solann-Ath of the Rengard.”
“A pleasure, Security Commander. Ambassador Thann-Eon has kept us updated on all the assistance you, your war commander, and your ship have been giving us. Thank you.”
He inclined his head. This woman was more welcoming than her scientist. “The Kantos are our shared enemy. We will do whatever is necessary to stop them.”
“Thank you. We hope your stay here is beneficial and fruitful.”
Another man moved up beside the general. He was maybe ten years older than Sabin. “I’m Dr. Eli Kemp, head of Space Corps Projects. Allow me to introduce you to the scientist in charge of the StarStorm Project, who you’ll be paired with for your time here.”
“Thank you.” Sabin noted the other warriors had been led away by other Space Corps officers. Dr. Kemp led Sabin toward Finley Delgado.
“Security Commander, meet Dr. Delgado. Finley, this is—”
“Security Commander Sabin Solann-Ath.” She held out her hand, her gaze direct. “I read the report.”
He shook it, wrapping his fingers around hers and saw the faintest flush in her cheeks. Her hand squeezed his. Her hair was golden, several shades lighter than it had appeared on their call.
Unlike some other Terran women, who were downright tiny, she was tall and strong. Her scent hit him—subtle, with a mix of spicy and sweet notes.
“I’ll leave you to it.” With a nod, Kemp left them.
“I look forward to working with you on the StarStorm weapons system,” Sabin said.
Dr. Delgado sniffed. “Security Commander, as I told you, I don’t need help.”
He cocked his head. “My species is technologically advanced compared to yours.”
Her brown eyes flashed. “I know, but we understand our planet better than you do. I would like access to your technology, but not to have you—” her gaze drifted across his chest “—poking around in my research and slowing me down.”
A spurt of anger, amplified by his helian, made Sabin grit his teeth. “Perhaps I could speed up your work.”
“I doubt that.”
“You’re very arrogant,” he said.
Her eyes widened, her voice a low hiss. “I’m the renowned expert on Terran laser weapons systems. Just because I don’t like people dictating who I work with and who gets access to my project, doesn’t mean I’m arrogant. I simply state facts, and I’m direct. I don’t—” she blew out a breath “—know how to play polite games.”
Hmm, he was starting to see another side to the scientist. Sabin didn’t mind it when people were direct and said what they meant. “I don’t like games, either.”
“I’m glad to hear that, Security Commander.”
“Call me Sabin. We’ll be working closely together, so we should dispense with the titles.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Fine. Finley.”
“Finley.” He liked her name.
More color touched her cheeks. “I hope you’ll stay out of my way while you’re here.”
Well, that cease-fire hadn’t lasted long. “I’ll do whatever is required to stop the Kantos.”
“I guess we have that goal in common, at least.” Her gaze shifted.
He saw her looking where some families were gathered. A sobbing woman was leaning into a man.
“Victims and families of the recent attack,” Finley said. “I won’t let more kids die.” She spun and stalked away, her long legs eating up the ground. She disappeared inside the building.
Well, the woman wasn’t pleasant, and she was opinionated, but he was told she was good at what she did.
And like she said, they shared a common goal.
He scanned the Space Corps grounds again.
His family had all called him before he’d left for Earth, thrilled at the honor given to him by the king of the Eon Empire.
They were a warrior family—his father and mother were both warriors. His two brothers were warriors. Sabin had never been given a choice. He was fit, athletic, and strategically minded. From birth, he’d been well-suited to becoming a warrior.
If he’d ever felt yearnings for…more, well, he never gave into them.
The scent of Finley taunted his senses. He savored it. It flared along his senses, along with the feel of the hot sun, the murmur of the crowd.
His chest tightened. No, he would not let distractions get in the way. He would stay focused on his task.
The sooner he got to work, the better.
“Security Commander?” A young Space Corps officer stood nearby. “Allow me to show you to your quarters.”
The man led Sabin into the main building. An elevator took them up several levels, and he was shown into some neat rooms—with a kitchenette in the corner, a living area, and an adjoining large bedroom and bathroom.
“We worked hard with our chef to provide food that will be pleasing to your Eon palate.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything else? I’m sure you want to rest after your journey.”
“Actually, I want to get to work.”
The man blinked.
“Can you tell me where to find Dr. Delgado’s lab?”
The man winced. “Devil Delgado.”
“Excuse me?” Sabin frowned.
“That’s what people call her. Dr. Delgado can be…difficult.”
“Is she good at her work?”
“A genius with weapons systems. And no one works harder.”
Sabin nodded. “That’s all I need to know.”
“Well, be warned. She doesn’t work well with others, and she hates people in her lab.”