Chapter 1

"Amnesty? For the rebels? But sir--"

Captain Rulik held up a hand, silencing Behrin's protests. "I understand your reservations, lieutenant, but believe me, we have our reasons."

Behrin stared at Rulik across the antique wooden desk in his office. He looked much the same as when Behrin had served under him on the Borivoy, only more serious, his blue eyes now wary and troubled. His responsibilities as the senior Ziganese military liaison to Mhajav must be weighing heavily on his shoulders.

"Indeed, we have," said Arpana Toryl, a Mhajavi diplomat and Rulik's wife. "I wish we could explain the details to you, but Mhajavi security is involved and the less you know, the better. At least for the moment."

The dark-haired beauty was as lovely as Behrin remembered from her time on board the Borivoy, but he sensed a coolness between Rulik and his beautiful bride that hadn't been apparent before. He hoped the barely month-old alliance between their two worlds wasn't falling apart already.

"The joint patrols are working, sir. Attacks on merchant ships are down significantly."

"No one is questioning the effectiveness of the patrols," Arpana said. "Our respective fleets have worked well together. The Mhajavi governing council is very pleased."

"As is King Ormin," Rulik added. "However, new information of concern has come to light."

Behrin's head was spinning. He'd been surprised to be ordered to the Ziganese embassy when the Borivoy docked above Mahdesh City. The ship had stopped only to take on supplies, and Captain Cheslav had refused leave to the crew.

"What does all that have to do with me?" he asked.

Rulik leaned forward, elbows on his desk. "We need your help. Mhajav is sending an envoy to rendezvous with the space raiders and offer amnesty. The king is adamant that he be accompanied by a representative of our government as well. And I can't think of anyone I trust more."

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate your trust, but amnesty? For Ludosh?"

"Not for Ludosh," Rulik said. "The Mhajavi are offering a general amnesty to all rebels, including resettlement in sparsely-populated areas of their planet. That includes Ludosh's followers, but he must surrender himself to us for trial. That's where you come in."

Behrin stared at his former captain and son of the king Ludosh had tried to overthrow. He couldn't believe he was being asked to negotiate with Ludosh, the rebel leader who was known for his persuasive powers. "I hardly think I'm qualified, sir. I'm no diplomat."

"I believe you will find Ludosh more receptive than you expect, Lieutenant," Arpana said. "There are good reasons why he and his followers should comply."

"I see," Behrin murmured, recalling the fleet of Mhajavi warships he'd seen orbiting the planet. Their allies must be planning some kind of offensive against the raiders.

"The situation has taken on some urgency," Arpana added. "We have actionable intelligence about Havir's intentions. Ludosh and his supporters are not our enemies, but they are in the way."

"I see," Behrin repeated. Havir must be planning to attack the planet, unless the Mhajavi acted first. That meant they'd discovered the raiders' lair. "When would I have to leave?"

"Early tomorrow," Rulik said. "I'll have your belongings transferred from the Borivoy. I doubt she'll be in port when you return."

"Then what?" Behrin asked.

"Carry this mission out successfully, and you'll have a ship of your own to command."

* * * *

Behrin stared out the window of the conference room at the Mhajavi capital while he waited for the mission briefing to begin. The downtown area of Mahdesh City was more beautiful than he'd imagined, situated on a group of small islands connected by bridges and ferries. The tropical breeze blew the tops of the trees and bright sunlight glinted off the water. However, on his way here from the space port, he'd seen evidence of poverty in the outlying areas.

He'd hoped to have some time to really experience the city, maybe even find a willing sex partner. From what he'd heard, that shouldn't be too difficult as the Mhajavi were said to be largely bisexual. Unlike his own world. For too long now he'd hidden his preference for men, certain the knowledge would stop his career in its tracks. Though he hadn't had much of a career so far.

A command of his own. The thought of his dream finally becoming a reality had his mind reeling. All he had to do was bring in the notorious rebel Ludosh to stand trial. It sounded so easy, in theory, at least. But he'd been in the fleet long enough to know missions seldom went as planned. And in this case, he didn't even know what all the variables were.

"Beautiful, is it not?"

Behrin spun around to see who had spoken and saw a Mhajavi man had entered the room. One of the most handsome Mhajavi men Behrin had ever seen. Several inches shorter than Behrin, he had a narrow face, short, straight black hair and brown, almond-shaped eyes. He wore a white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows and khaki pants on his slender frame. Like most of his countrymen, he wore sandals. His wide mouth with full lips spoke of sensuality, but his brooding look said stay away. That was the last thing Behrin wanted to do.

©2008 by Lyndi Lamont

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

© 2008 by Lyndi Lamont

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED