Rystani Warrior 04 - The Quest Read Online Free PDF

supposed to fulfill in each other’s lives was to spend time with her, to develop a relationship with her.
    So he tried to explain his quest, a course that had driven him almost since his first moment of consciousness. “Perhaps you’ve heard of a wormhole that opened between Earth and invaders from another galaxy?”
    “The Zin? Of course, I’ve heard of the Zin.” She slammed into overdrive, and the engine purred. “Every Federation child learns in school how the Zin want to invade our galaxy, but the ancient Sentinels keep us safe.”
    The Sentinels were fantastic machines built by The Perceptive Ones, the same race that had left behind the machinery that manufactured Federation citizens’ suits. Kirek had once been inside a Sentinel and had met two Perceptive Ones, but Angel wasn’t ready to hear that story yet.
    “Captain,” said Petroy, injecting himself into the conversation, “the Kraj are closing fast. If they lock a clutch beam on your shuttle—”
    “Feel free to fire on them if they attack, but I’m hoping that if they stop to pick up their injured it will delay them long enough for our return. We’re almost in. Open bay doors.”
    “Doors open.”
    Kirek took heart that although her stripped-down shuttle was ancient, she kept it spotless, and the engine hummed with well-maintained efficiency. Deciding to come clean about his mission, he leaned forward to peer around her lovely neck to catch her expression and placed absolute conviction into his tone. “The Zin are planning another attack.”
    “Really?” Her tone remained skeptical as she dodged an asteroid with smooth skill, flew around debris as if it were second nature, and simultaneously carried on the conversation. “No one has ever even seen the Zin and yet you proclaim to know their plans.”
    “It’s my quest to stop the Zin invasion.”
    Her tone challenged him. “Because you were born in hyperspace? Because you’re an Oracle?”
    His soul might be older than his years, but he still enjoyed interacting with a woman like Angel Taylor. She could handle herself and her ship, and her independent spirit radiated through her conversation with the brightness of a star gone nova. Already he relished her banter, her skill, and her feminine profile. He’d carried on alone for so long for so many years as he’d made his way back to the Milky Way Galaxy that he’d forgotten how uplifting it could be to converse with a woman with such an individualistic spirit. But even as he recognized his attraction to Angel, he understood that preventing the Zin invasion came before any personal considerations. “I will stop the Zin … because I can.”
    “THE KRAJ HAVE recovered their people and are warming up their weapons, Captain.” Petroy greeted Angel on the bridge, gave up the command seat, and moved to his copilot’s position.
    “Ready the hyperdrive engines,” she ordered, slipping behind her console with the ease of long practice.
    “Done.”
    She nodded thanks at the ever-efficient Petroy and frowned at the vidscreen, fully aware Kirek had trailed behind her onto the bridge and was looking around with keen interest. Although all four of the crew could fit in here at one time, it only took two to run all the systems, and her tiny bridge seemed crowded with the big Rystani aboard.
    He’d told her one unusual story. She’d heard enough rumors to know it could be true … or a total fabrication. She hadn’t decided yet whether he was trustworthy. Although he’d helped save her during the Kraj attack, saving her had saved himself.
    But damn, the man could fight. He’d moved like some kind of vidscreen hero, his skill evident in his fearless attacks that took down his enemies almost faster than the eye could follow. He’d proved he was dangerous—but to whom?
    Even if she’d been so inclined, locking him up on the Raven wasn’t an option, unless she wanted to give up her quarters, and she didn’t. She figured as long as the Kraj