Crystals Three Chosen Mates Read Free

burgeon into a full-scale conflict, she could very likely see field action soon.
    “Since the OAS’s initial attacks two moon cycles ago, they’ve adopted methods of non-violent resistance,” the Major continued, “and they’ve recruited a large support base in the First Quadrant.”
    Crystal took a shallow breath as she waited for the Major to tell her exactly what her new role would be. She sensed Fisher’s tension in his stance next to her as he too waited.
    “A work stoppage has been particularly effective, and the military has been ordered to take over most of the daily operations of First Quadrant.”
    “Where are they sending us, sir?” Crystal asked, hoping it wasn’t solid waste recycling.
    “With all of manufacturing slowed, First Quadrant is at risk for widespread starvation when their supply of nutrishakes runs out. We’ll be bringing in food production from Fourth Quadrant as emergency relief. Therefore, we need your expertise, Corporal Crystal, to deliver whole food meals to the populace.”
    “Yes, sir.” Crystal finally took a deep breath, swallowing the disappointment that she was still going to be stuck in the kitchen.
    “And me, sir?” Fisher asked.
    “You will assist Corporal Crystal. You will be what I believe is called her sous-chef .”
    Crystal clamped down on the chortle that threatened to burst free. The Bad Boy of their military class was going to tie on an apron to be her second-in-command in the kitchen.
    Oh! How she was going to enjoy this—as long as he didn’t ruin her food with his bitter disposition.
    “Is that it, sir?” A touch of resentment shadowed Fisher’s words.
    It appeared Corporal Hot Shot wasn’t too pleased with his new assignment.
    “No, Corporal. There’s more,” the Major confirmed.
    Crystal stiffened as she waited. Could this be more than another cooking job?
    “You’ve both shown aptitude for undercover work, so you are going into the field to collect information on the OAS for the Council. Working as Food Preparation Specialists is your cover. You will have the opportunity to interact with the entire population of sector one to gather intel.”
    “Sir, if the populace knows it’s the military who has taken over the jobs, how are we going to get any OAS members to trust us?”
    “Rumors are coming out of First Quadrant that several high-ranking military officers are working with the OAS to overthrow the Council. You will act as sympathizers to their movement. You will do whatever is necessary to gain access to their core leadership.”
    Excitement brewed in Crystal’s chest. This undercover assignment was the perfect fit. She could use her abilities in food preparation and her field training, and the best part was having Fisher assigned as her sous-chef. After her failure in good judgment, she couldn’t wait to boss him around in the kitchen.
    * * * *
    On the long runabout flight from Fourth Quadrant to First Quadrant, Crystal considered another benefit of this assignment. She would have the chance to reestablish her relationship with Stepho and Henri, two refugees from the First Quadrant she’d met shortly after the first terrorist attacks.
    When Fisher stepped out of the runabout cockpit to take a bio-break, Crystal let autopilot fly the craft while she daydreamed about the day she met the scientists nearly two moon cycles ago.
    Crystal had looked up from the chopping board to find two shell-shocked men entering her mess hall. The first man was shorter and had a head of dark, thick, silky hair brushed back from his olive-toned forehead. His First Quadrant intelligentsia uniform emphasized his broad shoulders and flat stomach, and even though he had the discombobulated look of a displaced person, he still walked with an air of authority.
    The taller, brown-skinned man with him was even more slender; his uniform overlapped in pleats where it was clinched in his trousers. Both men sported unshaven jaws and looked like they’d been living