Charlotte Boyett-Compo- WIND VERSE- Hunger's Harmattan by Unknown (best management books of all time TXT) 📗

are not the Primary Riezell Guardian and I am not the target you were sentto retrieve. I am your husband, your mate.” He pulled her close and lowered hislips to her neck, whispering against her flesh. “I am your lover.”

Chills wiggled down Shanee’s side and herknees felt weak as his lips trailed over her skin. Her hands were pressedbetween them and beneath her palm she could feel his stalwart heart beatingcalmly and steady.

“I can be a bitch,” she warned him.

“I imagine you can,” he replied, and movedhis lips to her ear where he caught the soft lobe between his teeth.

“I can be arrogant and…” She stopped as hethrust his tongue into her ear and she shuddered beneath his gentle assault.“Ailyn, don’t.”

“Why not?” he whispered. “It is my legalright to seduce you and I intend to do just that.”

She pushed him back, surprised when heallowed her to do so. She put up a hand and shook her finger at him. “Behave, ehemann.There will be time for that but right now there are things I must do before weleave Theristes.”

He shrugged as though it didn’t matter.“All right.” He looked about him. “Where is the vid-com?”

A bit disappointed that he had given in soquickly, Shanee frowned. “Over there.”

Ailyn glanced at the screen to which shewas pointing and grunted. “Things have changed since I was last on a starship.”His eyebrows drew together. “Where is the keyboard?”

“A keyboard is not required,” she said.“Vid-com on!”

The screen went from black to a pearly grayand a woman’s face appeared. “How may I help you, Colonel?”

Shanee indicated her mate. “This is myhusband Lieutenant Harmattan. He wishes to…” She turned and looked at him.“What is it you wish to do?”

Ailyn thrust his hands into the pockets ofhis black leather trousers. “I would like to catch up on what’s been happeningsince I was away.”

His wife nodded curtly. “Good idea.Vid-com, access historical data from twenty-one years earlier so the lieutenantcan view them. Provide whatever assistance he needs.”

“Understood, Colonel,” the vid-com replied.

“On standby then,” Shanee said, and thefigure on the screen froze.

“Cybot?” he inquired, staring at thescreen.

“Class 8 construct,” she answered. “Have aseat at the desk and when you’re ready, just tell her what you want to see.”

He nodded. “Okay.” When she started for thedoor he asked when she’d return.

“When I have accomplished what I need todo,” she said, and then softened the answer with a smile.

After she was gone, Ailyn went over to thedesk and leaned against it, his arms now folded over his chest. “Vid-com?” hesaid in an authoritative voice.

The woman on the screen smiled and shebecame animated again. “Aye, Lieutenant?”

“I need to know everything you have on thewreck of the Abroholos and any information on its crew, especiallyKiefer and Ailyn Harmattan. When you have pulled that up, see what you can findon Captain Jules Guerrier of the Cierzo.”

* * * * *

Shanee made her way down to engineering anddemanded the chief engineer’s attention. “Do you have metal sheeting on board?”she asked.

Chief Norris frowned. “What kind ofsheeting are you looking for, Colonel?”

“What do you have?” she countered.

“Tin, brass, copper, titanium, bronze,stainless steel,” the chief replied. “What do you want to use it for?”

“Artwork and crafts,” she said, lifting herchin to dare him to comment.

“Then I would suggest tin, copper andaluminum, Ma’am,” he responded. He scratched his cheek. “Is this for someonehere on Theristes?”

“Aye,” she snapped.

“Will he or she be needing some tools forthis artwork and crafts?”

“Why?”

“Well, I just happen to have a set ofboxwood tools sitting in storage. One of the yeomen left it behind when shetransferred off the Midian. They’re just sitting down there gatheringdust.”

Shanee looked away from the man. “Can youcut the metal into eight by ten and fourteen by sixteen sheets? I will need atleast twenty of each metal.”

“Aye, Ma’am, I can. That’s gonna be prettyheavy to tote but…”

“I’ve got that handled,” Shanee told him.“Just get that cut ASAP. I want it done before liftoff.”

“Aye, aye, Colonel,” he agreed.

Her next stop was at requisitioning and shewas annoyed that there were two people ahead of her in line. She barged pastthem. “I am in a hurry,” she stated.

The two people who had been waiting steppedback, fearful of incurring the wrath of a Riezell Guardian and an Amazeen atthat.

“Aye, aye, Colonel,” the storekeeperresponded quickly. “How may I help you?”

“I want to see your ’bot forms,” Shaneestated.

* * * * *

When the Midian took to the skies,the cybot Shanee had purchased, programmed and sent down to Theristes via thetransporter, was making its way along the streambed toward the little thatchedhut where Jules Guerrier sat in perfect amazement. He knew a ’bot when he sawit and as the LRC soared past overhead, he figured he knew from where this hadcome.

“Greetings, Jules,” the ’bot said as itcame striding forward, its arms loaded with metal sheets upon which sat a smallwooden box. “Compliments of Ailyn and Shanee.” The ’bot stopped and lookedaround. “Where may I place these, Jules?”

Getting slowly to his feet, Jules pointedto the hut.

“Very good,” the ’bot said in a jovialvoice. It disappeared into the hut then came out again and over to Jules. Itheld out its hand. “Hello. You may give me the name of your choice.”

Unable to make his scarred vocal cordswork, all he could do was think the name but apparently that was all the ’botneeded for it plucked his thoughts from the ether.

“Michelle it is,” the ’bot said. It tiltedits head to one side. “I like that name, Jules.”

He watched the ’bot sit down right next tothe spot where he’d been sitting and working on a tin punch of Shanee’sbeautiful face.

The ’bot patted the place beside it. “Comesit with me, Jules. I would like to see what you are working on.”

Though it had been many years since he’dseen a ’bot, he knew this one had to be top of the line. The artificial skincovering its arms and legs looked real and the sparkle in its blue eyes and theluster of its blonde hair was so lifelike, it was hard to imagine it wasn’tgenuine. Even down to the bright