Warrior's Valor Read Free Page B

requests?”
    D’Artansis blinked, and for a second Dwyn thought she’d ignore her. Instead, D’Artansis shrugged and motioned for her to speak. “Certainly.” She strode to the back of the room and leaned against the wall.
    Dwyn rose and gazed around her. “I won’t enumerate the many reasons my mission is so important. But if my intel is correct, your planet’s future is at stake. I’m doing this for you, the people of Corma, to mitigate, as much as possible, any repercussions of a potential environmental crime. I was unaware that I needed protection of this magnitude, but it should tell you something. So, let’s get going. The faster we get out there, the sooner you can be back fighting, eh…crime, or whatever you normally do.”
    Dwyn thought she saw an appreciative gleam in two of the young men’s eyes, but perhaps they simply liked blondes. More than once, a man had told her that she looked pretty or cute, and she hated such comments. If anyone thought she would be interested in a little fondling behind the habitats, they were sorely mistaken. Hopefully they were merely relating to what she’d just said.
    â€œVery well.” D’Artansis pushed herself off the wall. “That’s what we need to know for now. Gear up, people, and pull up the hovercraft.”
    D’Artansis’s team scrambled to their feet, except a man who looked older than the rest. As he walked up to Dwyn, he extended a hand in the typical Earth greeting. “Welcome to Corma, Ms. Izontro. I’m Lieutenant Mogghy.”
    Dwyn returned the handshake. “Nice to meet you, Lieutenant.”
    â€œJust Mogghy, please.”
    â€œThen call me Dwyn.” It was a relief to be on an informal basis with someone.
    D’Artansis joined them. “Mogghy is my next in command. If, for some reason, I’m not available during this mission, this is the face you look for. Got all your gear, Ms. Izontro?”
    â€œOne bag outside in the corridor. These are my instruments and documents.” Dwyn grabbed her security carrier. “I’m ready.”
    â€œGood. Mogghy will take you to the hovercraft and make sure you’re assigned a seat behind me.”
    Clearly, D’Artansis was going to monitor her at all times and thus avoid trouble with the brass, Dwyn thought. “See you there,” she said, and followed Mogghy.
    As they stepped out into the corridor Mogghy said, “The commander is the best law enforcer in the capital. You’re lucky to have her in charge of your safety.”
    â€œYou don’t have to reassure me.” Dwyn hoisted her trunk onto her shoulder. “In fact, most of the time when I’m on a mission, I work alone, or with a local guide or two. I’m used to taking care of myself.”
    â€œApparently someone thinks the situation here on Corma is a little different, Dwyn. And it’s wise to be careful. You can’t make a difference in the world if you’re dead.”
    â€œTouché.” Dwyn grinned at the amicable man. “How long have you worked with Commander D’Artansis?”
    â€œOh, the commander graduated from the academy my first year there. After I graduated and got a chance to join her team—she was the XO then—I took it. Haven’t regretted it for a moment. We’ve been through quite a bit together.”
    â€œMust be interesting. Do you work planet-side only?”
    â€œNo, some of our missions have been in the Cormanian jurisdiction of the SC space.”
    They stepped outside, where three small hovercraft had pulled up below the stairs. With sleek lines, they sparkled in the sunlight. Each vehicle contained a driver’s seat with a double seat behind it and one additional single seat in the back. The storage hatches were still open, and Mogghy showed Dwyn where she could stow her things.
    â€œYou’ll ride in the lead vehicle with the commander. Ensign