Chapter Five
Hannah had changed into her dark green uniform, happy to realize it only further emphasized her eyes and the curves of her body. I wonder if Liam will find this more appropriate?
She laughed as she stepped off the elevator, causing a civilian woman in gray robes to cast her a curious glance. Keep it together, Hannah. Remember, when you’re out of your room, you’re the third in command. Duty first. You’ve been born and bred for this.
The eye scanner on the bridge approved her entrance and she strode through the deck, sweeping the busy crew in one gaze. Two people sat at the communications’ console. Five sat at control panels facing the huge window staring out at the wide blackness of open space and the many, many smaller ships that drifted around them. Four other people faced control panels lining the walls.
This is one fine ship. The two men at the communications console looked up at her. One stood up and strode toward her. She had a minute to appreciate him as he crossed the deck. He was incredibly handsome, his hair a deep, dark blue that was almost black. As he got closer, she saw that he had silver eyes, ringed by blue. He was tall, but not nearly as muscular as Liam.
“May I help you?” His voice was rich and filled with strength.
“I’m Lieutenant Commander Stowe, reporting to Captain Vernan.”
He smiled, flashing a row of even teeth. “I’m Kaden Surleii, Head of Communications.”
His gaze met and held hers, and suddenly the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. He made her uneasy, even though she detected no malice from him.
“Nice to meet you.”
He reached out and took her hand, sending a strange tingle racing through her body. “I can take you to the captain, if you’d like.”
She nodded, trying not to snatch her hand back too quickly as he let go. “I’d appreciate it.”
Kaden led her to the right to a door that opened as they approached. Inside, a small, empty hallway greeted them. He took her to the end of the hall to the only door. The eye scanner ran over him, and the doors opened.
The room inside was far larger and far different than she expected. It was like stepping into her father’s study on Earth. Lush carpets covered the floor. A big oaken desk dominated the space, and a wall of windows stared out at space.
A bald man with dark eyes looked up as they entered, the captain. The years had been kind to him. Even though he had far more wrinkles, and a particularly angry vein visible across his forehead, he had changed little. A little more weight around his belly, but he still looked as strong and sharp as ever.
Another, unfamiliar, man turned in his chair. Immediately, she recognized that he was some mix of Vuret and another species. His face was that of a bull, but only a slight dusting of blond hair covered his pale skin. Emotions raced through her body. She’d developed a slight fear of the creatures since stepping into Ahmed Zhou’s dream years before, but she had tried to fight against it. Usually she worked harder to be friendly when she met one of them. But this man…he disturbed her in a way that was hard to identify.
“Hannah Stowe, it’s been a long time.” Captain Vernan stood, drawing her attention back to him. He came around his desk, opening his arms.
She smiled and crossed the space between them, folding into his hug. Closing her eyes, she took comfort from his embrace. She’d met the older man many times as a young girl. He’d always been kind, patient, and more than willing to teach the curious child. But she hadn’t been sure she’d made as great an impression on him as he had on her.
It was nice to be wrong.
He drew back from her. “Let me look at you.” His eyes held warmth. “Even after all the praises your captain sang of you, I half expected to greet a little girl again.”
She smiled. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
He laughed, a wonderful sound that came from deep in his belly. “You always were the charmer.”
Then, his gaze went to Kaden. “Thank you for bringing her here. Dismissed.”
The head of communications tilted his head in acknowledgment and stepped out.
“This is Euery Lang, my schedule coordinator.”
Captain Vernan stepped aside and the thin male rose from his seat.
“A pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant Commander.”
Shake his hand! It took all her effort to reach forward.
He curled his sweaty hand around hers and gave a smile that made her gut churn. “I’m sure we’ll enjoy working together.”
Please let that be true.
“Euery, you’re dismissed,” the captain said, giving Hannah a reason to hastily snatch her hand back.
She focused on the wall as he moved slowly out the door. Only then did she breathe a huge sigh of relief.
“Sit,” Captain Vernan said, indicating one of the chairs in front of his desk.
She complied, then waited for him to take his seat behind the desk. For some reason she was nervous. It was normal for a captain to want to speak to his new lieutenant, right? So why did she feel such a sense of unease?
“I wish we had time for small talk, Hannah, but the truth is that it was hard to carve out even this time with you.”
She nodded, folding her hands in her lap. “I appreciate it, sir.”
He rubbed at his face, looking even older and more tired. “I’m not so sure you will in a moment.”
“Sir?”
His gaze met hers. Emotions swam in his deep eyes, but namely, reluctance.
“Before I gave you this position, I met with both the president and the fleet admiral. They shared classified information with me about you and your abilities.”
Her mouth dropped open. Never before had anyone been told about what she could do, outside of her parents and the president. How was it that none of them thought to include her in the decision?
“I know this likely comes as a fairly big surprise for you. But the truth is, I was told because the reward was greater than the risk for them.” He leaned back in his chair, pressing his fingers together in front of him. “We believe all the required pieces have finally lined up to catch Ahmed Zhou.”
Just the mention of the alien who’d hurt her and tried to rape her in his dream sent goose bumps erupting on her arms. Without Liam’s comfort, her nightmares had roared back to life after that night. Unfortunately, Ahmed made regular appearances in them.
“But…” She froze, unsure of how she should discuss such a personal topic with her superior officer.
“Go on,” he encouraged, his mouth turning up in a slight smile.
“Even when we rescued…uh…even when we caught Ahmed red-handed with women within one of his ships, he still managed to go free. What could possibly help us this time?”
The thought twisted her gut every time she thought about it. Ahmed had managed to pin everything on the captain of his ship, The Magic Spicery, claiming complete innocence. And before the captain could be questioned, he was found dead in his cell.
Ahmed had covered his ass so seamlessly it sickened her.
His smile widened. “They told me about how you managed to save the president’s daughter and her friends by Dream Jumping into that monster’s head. Good work there.” He tilted his head, studying her. “The difference is that two of Ahmed’s associates, Lord Dry-fen and Ambassador Eupher, will be joining us for our maiden voyage.”
She almost jumped out of her seat. “On this ship?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “We believe that with them here, and you able to regularly enter their dreams, it may be the key to finally putting that sex-trafficking piece of shit where he belongs.”
Her stomach twisted. A part of her had always known that one day she would have to tangle with Ahmed again. A part of her wanted to. Once you catch him, you’ll be free from his grasp. He won’t be able to haunt you. A soft voice whispered, and you won’t have to think about the other girls who weren’t so lucky to escape him.
“I’m here to serve in any way I can, sir.”
/> He was quiet for a moment, studying her, his face unreadable. “This is going to be dangerous, Hannah. These two men are some of the biggest bastards alive, and the hope is that they’ll lead us right to Ahmed. Are you sure you’re up for this?”
She didn’t hesitate. “It’s my duty.”
“No,” he responded, too quickly, “it’s not. Your duty is to serve on this ship as a lieutenant. Walking into the minds of criminals is going above and beyond. That’s why I’m asking you, instead of ordering you.”
His concern for her was surprising, but unnecessary. “I’ve been doing this since I was a child.”
“I was given most of your files. Hannah, to say that I was disturbed was an understatement.” His eyes narrowed. “Off the record, I would understand if you refused this assignment. Even though we need you desperately.”
If only. If only I could.
Images flashed in her mind, and she shuddered. Just over the past two years alone, she’d jumped into the dreams of over a dozen people. Sometimes the dreams were nothing more than exhausting and inconvenient. Other times, she saw things she could never forget. Even though I’ve been careful not to get physically injured since Ahmed’s dream, there’s more than one way to be hurt.
But she’d also saved countless lives.
“I can handle the job.”
He stared a moment longer, then nodded. “Off the record, I disagree with this, but that call isn’t mine to make.” His eyes searched her for a moment. “The information will be delivered to your in-room communicator in a classified, encrypted document. Through reading your files, I’ve determined that they’ve often misused you by sending you to Dream Jump unprepared. This will not happen under my command. You will take the time to study these men and their habits, to speak to them, and whatever else you need to do. And that is an order, do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir,” she responded, although she was utterly confused. Her own parents hadn’t showed this amount of concern about the dangerousness of her ability and what they asked her to do with it. Was the captain overly cautious or were her parents not cautious enough?
“And, Hannah?”
She startled out of her thoughts. “Yes?”
“If you need more time to rest or recover after this extra work, you will be given the time. Do not hesitate to ask.”
“Yes, sir.”
He turned to the screen positioned on his desk and tapped, his fingers flying over the screen. “I’m glad we were able to have this conversation.”
She rose, but hesitated.
“Was there something else?”
The question came before she could stop it. “Are you doing all of this because you knew me as a child?”
His gaze left the screen. “Doing all of what?”
She felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. “Being so protective.”
He frowned. “If you were strictly under my command, I would not allow another officer to take advantage of you the way they have. This has nothing to do with our history and everything to do with what I consider right and wrong.”
“You’re a good man,” she said, again the words leaving her lips before she could stop him.
His smile gentled for a brief moment. “You’re dismissed.”
She left his office, her thoughts a turbulent mess. Her meeting with the captain hadn’t gone at all the way she had planned. In fact, there had been one shock after another. A new person had been included in her secret world. She was going to have to Jump into the dreams of two dangerous sons of bitches, rather than focus on her new career. But more than that, Captain Vernan’s reaction to her situation had made her wonder for the first time if she had more choices that she’d ever considered before.
Maybe one day I can refuse to Dream Jump, and just be a captain. Would that be possible? Could I have some semblance of a normal life?
Because if I could, maybe I’d have time for someone else.
To Challenge a Warrior: An Alien Rogue Romance (Starflight Academy Graduates Book 1) Page 6