Shielder — A new Science Fiction Romance (Book 1, Shielder Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the hue of
snowstorm clouds. No one except Jarek had made such direct eye
contact in ten seasons, and she found it unnerving.
    "No unnecessary conversation or senseless
chattering. I abhor distractions. And that creature—" He pointed at
Turi in his plexishield case. "It stays in the case at all times.
Are we clear so far?"
    His unwavering stare seemed to bore through
her very soul. Shadower . This man was a bounty hunter.
Outside of the Anteks, the Controllers' barbaric enforcers,
shadowers were the scourge of the quadrant. They willingly
underwent Controller psychic mind indoctrination for the sole
purpose of receiving permission to hunt down proclaimed criminals
and collect the rewards.
    It didn't matter whether or not the
unfortunates they captured might be innocent. Nor did it matter
that Controller prison facilities were said to be more horrible
than the Abyss. Gold was ultimately the bottom line, because once
indoctrinated, a person no longer housed even a microbe of pity or
concern. They knew only the compelling, cruel dictates of the
Controllers.
    "Answer me," McKnight demanded. "Are you
clear on these rules?"
    His harsh tone sent shivers through Nessa.
He couldn't possibly know she was a Shielder, she told herself. She
nodded again. "Yes."
    "Most important of all, I'm the captain of
this ship. I'm the absolute and final authority. My orders are to
be obeyed at all times, immediately and without question. Any
infraction of ship rules and you'll spend the trip in the brig.
Understood?"
    Even sitting, he cut an imposing figure,
filling the large flight seat, crackling with vitality and
authority. The certainty he was a shadower added more danger to an
already threatening situation.
    Nessa hoped the tension invading her body
wouldn't trigger another seizure. "I understand, Captain."
    "Then see that you follow those rules."
    He swiveled around and studied a computer
screen, punching rapidly. He appeared to have dismissed her, but
she had no idea where her quarters were. So she remained seated,
quietly studying the cockpit. Her focus settled on the computer
built into the console.
    With a shock, she realized it was an
OCIS-6000, the most advanced system in use. She'd read about the
new computers on Liron's Information Access and Retrieval link, or
IAR. They had only been available a few moon cycles, yet here was
one right in front of her. She longed to touch the keypad, to delve
into data banks reputed to retrieve information almost as fast as
light speed.
    "What are you doing?"
    The harsh question jolted her out of her
reverie. The familiar feeling of guilt, even when she had done
nothing wrong, swept through her. She turned toward him. "I was
just looking at the computer. I've never seen an OCIS-6000."
    His eyes narrowed. "Why would you be
interested in my ship's computer?"
    He obviously didn't trust her any more than
she trusted him. Desperately she wished she could access the
navigational system and reassure herself they were headed to the
nearest star base rather than a Controller prison. But she couldn't
afford to arouse McKnight's suspicions any further.
    "I had heard about the new computers and was
just curious about them. I'm sorry. I won't touch your
computer."
    "See that you don't." He rose from his seat,
towering over her. "Come on. I'll show you to your quarters."
    Nessa scrambled up awkwardly, resisting the
urge to rub her stiff leg. She started to heave the heavy case with
Turi into her arms. "I'll take that." McKnight brushed her arms
away and lifted the case easily in one muscular arm.
    She found his size and strength
intimidating, yet in an odd way, she also found it fascinating.
Shielder men, although wiry and resilient, were slighter in
stature. They relied on speed and skill in battle rather than
brawn.
    She followed McKnight down the corridor. The
cabin quarters apparently lined the wall opposite from the brig
cubicles. Nathan Long lounged near the force field of his brig,
smiling insolently.