The one who closely resembled him called, “Don’t judge us by their standards. We aren’t like them.”
Janwar smiled. “If we were, they wouldn’t have placed a sizable dead-or-alive bounty on our heads.”
She tilted her head to one side and eyed him curiously. “You would share such information with a stranger?”
“With other strangers? No. With you? Yes.”
“What makes you think I won’t do to you what I did to the Gathendiens and claim both the bounty and this ship for myself?”
He grinned. “Lisa would be… how did she put it?” He thought a moment. “Pissed. Lisa would be pissed if you did.”
The big one nodded with a smile. “She likes us.”
And damned if she wasn’t starting to believe them.
Truth be told, Simone wanted to believe them. Rather desperately. She’d been alone for a long time and could also benefit from a trip to their medical bay. But Akselis were notoriously deceptive. And she didn’t know how many other warriors occupied this ship or how extensive a fight she would have on her hands if she relaxed her guard and they tried to screw her over.
What if Gathendiens weren’t the only ones attempting to get their hands on Earthlings? Weren’t Akselis known for hiring themselves out as mercenaries to the highest bidders? Didn’t they all favor money over morality? Who was to say the Gathendiens hadn’t hired these guys to hunt down all survivors of the Kandovar and hand them over?
The fact that Janwar and his crew just happened to show up when she was almost finished kicking the Gathendiens’ asses was a little suspect. For all she knew, they were responding to a distress call the panicking reptiles had managed to send them.
“Why don’t we sort this out later,” she suggested. “Right now, there’s a Gathendien ship I need to claim.”
Janwar glanced at the transport. “How do you plan to get there?”
Simone motioned to the mangled craft with one sword. “This craft will do.” She had just about figured out how to restart the engine when Janwar captured it with his acquisition beam.
His look turned doubtful. “Have you ever flown one of those before?”
“No. But unlike most of my brethren, I’m mechanically and technologically inclined.” Hunting and slaying psychotic vampires night after night left Immortal Guardians—many of whom were hundreds or thousands of years old—little time to explore humanity’s various and assorted technological advances. Some of her immortal friends didn’t even know how to download audiobooks onto their cell phones. “I’ve always had an insatiable curiosity about the world around me and the inventions of man.” Exploring new tech had been one of the ways she’d staved off boredom and loneliness over the centuries.
“And the inventions of Gathendien bastards?”
She laughed. “Just so.”
“Why don’t we board their ship together?” He gestured toward the impressive variety of gleaming craft the bay housed. “If we take one of these, you won’t have to don your suit and can travel in comfort.”
And leave myself vulnerable? Simone shook her head. “That’s not their ship anymore. It’s mine. And I’m fully capable of ejecting the refuse on my own.”
“You didn’t kill everyone,” he said. “According to our scans, several life forms remain.”
“I’m aware. I left them alive so I could interrogate them.”
He smiled. “Which is exactly what we came here to do.” He clapped his hands. “Excellent. Then we can work together.”
Not while she was still uncertain she could trust them.
Her eyes narrowed.
Janwar sighed. “I see you’ll require proof that we aren’t full of bura.” Turning, he called to the fellow in the distance, “Krigara! Bring me a datapad.”
Krigara rounded the console and strolled toward them with a datapad the size of an iPad that resembled a clear piece of glass in one hand. He flashed Simone a friendly smile as he drew even with Janwar.
The commander jerked a thumb toward him. “This is my cousin, Krigara.” He motioned to the giant. “Soval.” Big Blue dipped his head with a grin. “S’Roka.” The cat man nodded with a smile. “Kova.” The scarred man dipped his head. “And Elchan.” The Segonian gave her a cocky salute.
All watched her expectantly. “Simone,” she murmured at last.
Janwar removed his weapons and handed them to Soval, then took the datapad from Krigara and approached her slowly. Stopping before her, he extended his right hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Simone.”
He stood close enough for her to begin to glean hints of his emotions.
Studying him a long moment, Simone failed to pick up any deception vibes.
She dropped her eyes to the large, callused hand he held out to her, palm up. Sheathing one of the katanas, she extended her hand, more interested in getting a better feel for his emotions than because she wished to greet him.
His smile broadening, he clasped her hand with his and pumped it up and down. “I believe Lisa said this is how Earthlings commonly greet each other.”
A spark of hope flared to life. The soldiers and crew on the Kandovar hadn’t known about handshakes until she and the others from Earth had shown them. Aliens tended to greet each other by clasping forearms instead. And Janwar had said Lisa rather than Princess Lisa, something she knew her friend preferred even though the Lasarans and Yona persisted in using her title or addressing her as Your Highness.
Did this man really know her friend?
The spark of hope brightened as his emotions flowed into her via her gift, much stronger now that they touched. Simone found nothing negative, only friendliness, admiration, respect, and… attraction?
Her hand tingled as her pulse picked up. Unnerved, she released his hand and took a step back.
Janwar glanced down at the datapad he held and began tapping its surface. “Lisa worried that some of you might be reluctant to trust and would require proof that we’re—as she put it—good guys.” He seemed either surprised or amused that anyone would classify them as such.
In the next instant, he turned the datapad to face her.
She gasped.
Lisa stared out at her, a smile on her pretty face. She stood beside Taelon on what appeared to be a very sleek ship’s bridge with Abby in her arms. Behind them, Janwar lounged in the commander’s chair while the other men occupied seats at various stations.
“Hi, all!” Lisa said cheerfully. “If you’re viewing this, then Janwar and the guys must have managed to track you down. I hope they found you safe and well. If not, the Tangata has a fabulous Medical Bay. I mean, it is incredible. I doubt there are many wounds or illnesses they can’t heal in there.”
Taelon wrapped an arm around her. “If you suffer from any they can’t address, Janwar can put you in a cryopod that will prevent all health issues from worsening while he brings you to Lasara, where our best healers will be waiting to aid you.”
Lisa leaned into his side, looking pensive. “I’m not sure where or under what conditions they found you but thought you might be feeling anxious or uncertain that you can trust them. I just wanted to let you know that you can. Janwar and his crew are great. They’re our friends.”