IGO: Save for Shardae by RaeLynn Blue

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IGO: Save for Shardae by RaeLynn Blue Cover art: Bryan Keller ISBN: 978-1-60521-465-8 Genre(s): Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi Theme(s): Interracial, Men and Women in Uniform Series: IGO Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1449

Blurb:

Charged with escorting three traitorous prisoners to the Titan Penal Outpost, Shardae Simmons doesn't have time for distraction and Zander Reyes is a big distraction. In the male dominant world of the IGO, Shardae must keep up her emotional shields during this mission -- falling in love isn't an option.
Labeled a womanizer and a troublemaker, the last thing Zander Reyes wants is to be assigned to a female sergeant. His father was a captain in the IGO; he has more than his own reputation on the line. The sexy, husky-voiced chief of security Shardae Simmons tests his self-control.
But Shardae and Zander have more than their reputations on the line because those three prisoners have no interest in going to prison quietly -- or at all.
Excerpt:

IGO: Save for Shardae


RaeLynn Blue

All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2010 RaeLynn Blue



This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.



"At ease, soldier, at ease." Commander Ashe's voice was raw enough to slice skin. "Update me on our progress. We ready to transfer the prisoners?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Shardae set her work pad against her chest. "We've got the A.I. monitoring the configurations for the force fields. We'll rotate every three minutes to avoid someone hacking them. The A.I. will monitor any attempt to access the system by both IGO staff and outsiders."



Commander Ashe nodded. "Sounds good. Did you reconfigure all the IGO fail safes? I don't want anyone overriding my command codes because some techhead forgot to purge the system."



Shardae held back the heated retort pressing against her throat. Of course she'd changed them. These bastards had been IGO. Not only that but they'd been anchored to The Discovery, the same spaceship The Explorer called home. "Yes, ma'am! I've been working on this for a month, ma'am."



"I'm sure you have," Commander Ashe replied, unsmiling. "But none of us are infallible. Check them again."



"Yes, ma'am." Shardae executed a sharp salute, and then headed toward the nearest console.



Halfway there, Commander Ashe called her back. "Simmons." The commander's face seemed distant. "I've just gotten new orders from Captain Reyes." She chewed on her bottom lip. "We're about to get a new driver for our trip to Titan."



Shardae waited silently for the other shoe to drop. Commander Ashe wouldn't speak about IGO business to just anyone -- even her security chief. Not like this --informal with a touch of anxiousness.



"Our new pilot is Zander Reyes."



Zander Reyes! Shardae struggled to keep her expression neutral. Zander was the womanizing pretty boy and spoiled brat of Captain Reyes, Ashe's boss. Having him stationed on their spacecraft meant nothing but drama. Zander being assigned to The Explorer now was horrid timing, but it wasn't a security issue, so Shardae simply nodded.



Commander Ashe's visage had become remarkably unemotional. "And he's going to report directly to you."



Like hell. Pilots were bridge personnel. Shardae battled back a scowl. Feeling the commander's cold green gaze slice through her, she willed herself not to look away.



Commander Ashe waited for her reply. An uneasy quiet rose between them. "Speak freely, Simmons."



"Thank you, ma'am." She did have one question. "Why would you pick me? You have two junior commanders who oversee pilot personnel, ma'am." She didn't have time to babysit the captain's spoiled son. Not with dangerous men to transport to the penal colony.



"Ah." The pulsating blue light on Ashe's earpiece spoke of constant waiting messages, but she ignored them. "We've known each other for a long time. You spent two years under Private Second Class Tate and Sergeant Zigler. You have a stellar record. You're already in charge of the twenty-person security team. You can handle it."



"Yes, ma'am, but it's only going to compromise my time and with the cargo we're carting to the penal colony..."



"I'm a straight shooter," Commander Ashe continued, searching the brightly lit corridor of the force field encased cell, taking in the thin memory-foam bed in each stripped down room. "You're a sharp soldier. I liked how you handled the transport of the prisoners last year. I don't have time to babysit Zander. Neither do my JCs. I'm counting on you to manage him."



Shardae knew she could handle him. She just didn't want to. "Thank you, ma'am," she replied dryly.



"You're one hell of a soldier. Keep Zander on a very close leash," Commander Ashe ordered, with steel back in her words. "Obviously, Captain Reyes saw his son's placement on my ship as something he thinks will -- help." Commander Ashe shook her head. "Just keep Zander out of my hair." Commander Ashe grinned, then caught herself and coughed. "Meet me in my office at 0600 to debrief."



Shardae released a breath. Damn. This was the last thing she needed. She'd seen images of Zander Reyes, had even brushed against him in one of the cafeterias on The Discovery. She was certain he was going to be a big distraction, whether she wanted him or not.



Commander Ashe exited the room.



"Sergeant Simmons?"



"Yes?" She turned to face the voice. Heading directly toward her was a tall, solid man in an ivory two-piece uniform. A scar lined the left side of his face. "Ah, Darryl! Uh, sorry, JC Snow!"



When he reached to shake her hand she saw the gold band on his ring finger. "Married?" she gasped. "Wow. Dr. Morgan must be a truly blushing bride as fast as that date was."



Darryl rubbed the long, jagged scar across the bottom of his left eye and nodded. "Dr. Morgan-Snow is a bride, but she says I'm the one who blushes."



Shardae hadn't believed, though she'd never tell him, that the hardened man would ever find love, let alone commit his life to someone. But he had. She shook her head. Wonders never cease.



"What?" He gave her his solemn face, the one he wore when he stared down bad wayward IGO soldiers on The Inquiry.



"Ah, nothing." She shrugged. "You seem so happy. Anyway, what's up? What brings you here to The Explorer?"



He raked his nails across his black bristled hair. His eyes darted around to the men working nearby. Inching closer, he lowered his voice to whisper, "Can we talk someplace?"



She peered at him. "Come with me." If he was here, it couldn't be good.



"Yes, ma'am."



At the end of the corridor, she headed into the turbolift and waited for Snow to join her. "A.I.: Commons 86."



Still sporting a stoic face, Snow launched into the lecture she knew he couldn't wait to unload. "Listen, we're transferring the motley over to you tomorrow at 1100..."



"I know," she snapped. "I got the orders."



"Look at me, Simmons," Darryl rumbled, "A.I.: halt!"



The lift obeyed -- hell, who wouldn't when Snow commanded?



He leaned close, making her stare at the horrid scar tissue marring his otherwise handsome face. "I'm serious, Simmons. Lee and Rojas nearly killed everyone. Everyone on my spacecraft. I used to be Alpha, so I know Ashe. I know her damn cockiness. These three are dangerous. You're rookie at security whether you want to admit that or not."



"Back off me, Snow. Let me do my job."



"I'm trying to help you."



"I don't want it." She pushed him firmly out of her personal space. "I got this."



Snow crossed his arms. "You got it all right. You need to be smart. Stay alert. Trust no one."



She snorted. "Trust no one?"



Darryl's eyes bored into hers. With slow, deliberate syllables he repeated, "No one."



"That's pretty ominous stuff."



"Alpha, like Delta, has been compromised. Ashe thinks she's got her people scared into obedience, but honestly, she's just like Taylor. He trusted too damn much too."



"Just tell me what you want." She wasn't liking the sickening pit her stomach had become.



"Ready to listen now, eh, rookie?"



"Kill that rookie shit or I'm walking."



"The mine accident happened because I put too much trust in my abilities and the people around me. This scar shows how my carelessness -- trust -- nearly slaughtered what I held dear. Now, that bullshit Lee pulled on The Inquiry got by me -- me, Simmons! -- and I've had a ton of experience."



"And now they're on my watch. You think because I'm inexperienced I'll screw this up?" She couldn't stop the squeak at the end of the question. "Darryl..."



He held up his hand. "No," he said. Then to the computer, "A.I.: Penal floor." Darryl seemed to wrestle with himself. "I don't think that you'll fail. I wanted to come over here to warn you."



He swallowed hard. It snagged Shardae's attention. She looked at him, really looked at him. Then it hit her. Guilt. He'd been in charge of security, and again he'd nearly failed.



"Simmons." His strained voice made her flinch. "Cricket could've been killed, me, my entire crew. Who knows what Lee and Rojas would've done once they got back here -- hell, if they'd come back here. I'm only telling you not to get distracted. Don't trust anyone. That mutiny didn't stop on The Inquiry. They started with the smallest spacecraft for a reason."



"Dry run," Shardae breathed. Her chest was tight with the numerous questions Darryl had stirred inside her.



He nodded. "My point exactly."


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IGO: Sudden Snow by RaeLynn Blue

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IGO: Sudden Snow by RaeLynn Blue cover art by Bryan Keller ISBN: 978-1-59596-859-3 Genre(s): Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi Theme(s): Interracial, Men and Women in Uniform Series: IGO Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1368


Blurb:

Dr. Cricket Moore is running for her life. Her coworkers murdered and her research stolen, she has no one to turn to. When she's thrust into the hands of an Intergalactic Organization officer to be transported to headquarters for interrogation, her only hope is to trust her life to a stranger.
It should have been one more assignment. Escort the last remaining research scientist to headquarters for debriefing. Sergeant Darryl Snow takes every mission seriously, but this one seems pretty routine. Cricket doesn't look all that dangerous. But she's in more trouble than even she realizes. And the instant attraction he feels for her doesn't make the situation any easier. How can he win her trust -- and her heart -- without compromising the mission?
Darryl will stop at nothing to protect Cricket from danger... even if the greatest danger he faces is losing himself in her.
Excerpt:
IGO 1: Sudden Snow
RaeLynn Blue
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 RaeLynn Blue

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

What in the name of Zeus is going on here? Darryl scanned the docking bay. Empty. Vacant. No civilian transports. No outpost shuttlepods. Nothing. Where is everyone?
"You can observe the dock on your next vacation to Io. Let's go," Officer Higgins snapped and hurried through the doors and into the outpost's inner corridors.
Climbing through the catacombs of hallways, Darryl's mind whirled. They'd come to pick up a stranded scientist, so why the secrecy? Sure, Io housed the IGO's Research and Development section, but this?
In minutes, they stopped at the metallic doors with the words "Collection" in neon yellow above them. Officer Higgins halted with military precision that would be the envy of any IGO soldier. Higgins turned to Darryl with barely contained disgust.
Yeah, the feeling's mutual, pal.
"I can lose my post because of this," he said so softly, Darryl leaned in to make sure he heard it. "I -- I hope you tell..."
"Of course," Darryl agreed with professionalism. "Your contribution will be noted and included in my report to Commander Taylor. Proceed. Time is of the essence as you are well aware."
"Yes."
Higgins pressed his palm against the scanner, leaning in simultaneously for the retina scan. The doors slid open and they rushed in. Higgins bypassed the offices and continued to the rear, but that area, too, sat vacant and empty -- just like the dock.
"Where is everyone?" Darryl asked. "It's morning, right?"
Higgins sighed in fervent annoyance. "It's nearly four a.m. here. They're asleep, drunk, or knee-deep in their respective research. This isn't like Europa Outpost or even the Moon's. We're a research facility, not an entertainment spot."
They continued on through two more areas that looked identical to the first one before they reached a bank of cages. A dozen or more force field reinforced cells stretched out in two opposite directions. Dead on center in a square, blank-walled cube, seated on a sliver of azure foam attached to the wall, was a woman.
Darryl stopped in his tracks. That's her? She's the scientist?
As the noise of their approach reached the woman, she got to her feet and crossed her arms. Almond-shaped honey-brown eyes burned with what must've been fury, and her thick lips resembled a block of annoyance as if she were afraid to open them. Dressed in a gray ribbed turtleneck, jeans and black IGO issued combat/space boots, the woman looked nothing like a scientist, but more like a cargo loader.
Darryl couldn't help but take her in. The jeans skimmed voluptuous curves, and fed into a tapered waist with grace. As if taking cue from the jeans, the turtleneck also slipped over full breasts and long, slender arms. Smooth dark ebony skin peered out and captured the harsh lights' illumination with flawless skill.
She was stunning.
Tossing her hair over her shoulder, the woman shouted, "What now, Officer Higgins? I demand to be treated according to the Intergalactic Treaty of 2380."
Higgins huffed, but held his tongue. Sweeping his hand in Darryl's direction, he gave a mock bow and stepped back from the front of the cube.
It's all me, huh, Higgins?
Darryl stepped forward, forcing himself to be a soothing presence. He seemed to even coax Higgins down to a normal level. She'd done exactly as trained by invoking the treaty.
"I'm Sergeant Snow," he said. "I'm here on orders to take possession of your research and your person at this time. Please calm yourself."
She hesitated, her lips now a slash of doubt. "What is the current safe code?" she asked.
Darryl smiled. Smart. The safety code had been given to each IGO soldier, but it rotated every six months. They'd been unable to maintain constant contact with The Discovery since receiving the orders to get to the Io Outpost. So the code might be stale. Still all security codes in hostage situations were the same -- until the IGO changed them again. He had to try.
"The security code is Hera 2309841."
"Yes, okay," she said, visibly relaxing. "ID?"
He showed her his wrist, where beneath the skin rested the IGO brand.
"Great," Higgins said with sarcasm as heavy as molasses. "Open cell 1209, authorization HFPNT 2400. This is IGO Doctor Cricket Moore."
Dr. Moore.
The force field vanished, and Dr. Moore marched out with her backpack, searching the place as if committing it to memory before stalking to the exit. Once she crossed through the silver-toned doors and out into the outpost's hallway, she sighed. With a stern expression, she turned back to Darryl and said, "Please, can we go?"
"This way to the docking bay," Darryl said almost as a reflex. He'd been taking orders for most of his life, so he'd already taken a step before he realized he'd done it. Commander Taylor had instructed him to bring her to the spacecraft, not the other way around. He was in charge, and he wasn't going to let her lead the way.
But once his eyes fell on the gentle sway of her round buttocks, his other head took over. Coughing through the lump in his throat, Darryl swore as he made a point of pinning his gaze to the back of her head. Obviously, Dr. Moore knew her way around the outpost. After all, she'd been stationed here for gods knew how long.
With his uniform shrinking below his waist, he adjusted the leg and tried to rid himself of the rather unprofessional thoughts swarming his cranium about the sensual scientist. Did they all look this good? He might consider a transfer to Io. How come none of the scientists on board The Inquiry looked as delightful as this one?
It seemed the corridors unraveled in miles upon miles of similar dark, sullen shadows of storefronts, libraries and cafes. But Darryl realized the walk back seemed so long because he couldn't stop staring at the good doctor's generous ass, and it troubled him. On The Inquiry a handful of women worked alongside him, and none of them stirred his long dormant desires like the surprising un-straight-laced woman in front of him.
She came to a halt at the entrance to docking bay 12. With an emerging coolness, she turned to him and said, "Are you going to tell me which ship is yours?"
He'd been so wrapped up in her unrestrained sexuality Darryl had been waiting behind her as if he'd been towed there. Shaking his head, he rubbed his buzzed hair and stepped forward, throwing his shoulders back as he marched ahead. "Of course," he said more sternly than he'd intended. "We're on The Inquiry."
He swept his hand in the direction where The Inquiry sat tethered to the docking bay. The cargo doors remained shut tight, and Darryl swore beneath his breath. He should've already contacted Commander Taylor. The scientist had him addled.
With a mental reprimand to be more diligent, Darryl pressed the button on his earpiece and said, "Commander Taylor. I've secured the package. Ready to deliver."
"Did you just refer to me as a package?" Dr. Moore asked, her eyes narrowing to slits. Her arms followed suit, crossing over her attractive breasts and covering them from Darryl's view. Despite this, he spied those round globes rising and falling as the doctor's breathing increased. "I'll have you know that I am a person, not some errant misplaced item."
No, ma'am, you're most certainly not some misplaced item. You're much too sexy for such a lousy label. But I've got an item I'd like to lose inside of your velvety softness.
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