The Morcai Battalion: The Pursuit. Diana Palmer

my ancestors knew only one form of combat—charging straight at the enemy. Perhaps I’m like that, as well.”

      “It can be an effective strategy. Unless your opponent is equally minded.”

      “Noted.” He moved his captured pieces back onto the board. “Do you have time for another game?”

      “One more,” he replied. “Then it will be time to escort Jasmine to the holoroom. I thought perhaps she might enjoy the fauna and flora on Eridanus Six,” he added. “It has exotic wildlife, as well.”

      “Oh dear,” the other man began.

      Mekashe chuckled. “I’m quite familiar with the tech used in Tri-D reproductions,” he said. “In fact, I know the engineer on board who programs these. He is a Rojok, and a friend of long acquaintance. The wildlife will not be dangerous. There are protocols written into the biological software to prevent any injury. Nevertheless, I promise you that I will let nothing harm her.”

      “You know, even humans are familiar with the Holconcom and its reputation for fearlessness,” Dupont replied. “I assume that most Cehn-Tahr males are equally competent at self-defense. Even diplomats.” His eyebrows rose.

      He was insinuating that Mekashe was involved in diplomatic service. It was amusing that he mentioned the Holconcom, to which Mekashe had belonged before his appointment as captain of the emperor’s Imperial Guard. The human could have no idea of that, of course, because the roster of Cehn-Tahr military units was never disclosed. It was an odd sort of coincidence, just the same.

      “I can assure you that I have no fear of native wildlife on any planet, and that I would defend Jasmine with my life.”

      The ambassador seemed to relax as he rearranged his chess pieces.

      * * *

      JASMINE WAS ALMOST dancing with joy as they entered the holoroom. “I can’t wait!” she exclaimed. “It’s truly a reproduction of a real alien planet, with alien life-forms?” she asked.

      Mekashe chuckled. “It truly is.”

      She hesitated. “No cats?” she asked worriedly.

      His heart skipped a beat. “Why do you ask?”

      She grimaced. “It’s just, well, a friend of Daddy’s kept big cats as pets on Terravega.” She didn’t notice Mekashe’s expression of concern, quickly concealed. “One of them scratched me rather badly. I’ve been afraid of them ever since.”

      He paused and turned toward her, his eyes a solemn blue. “I can assure you that most felines are friendly. Few ever attack humans.”

      “Well, galots do, don’t they?”

      His eyebrows arched.

      She laughed self-consciously. “I’ve been reading about them, on the Nexus. I couldn’t find any vid captures... Why are you laughing?” she added curiously.

      “Of all felines, those are by far the most dangerous. There are no vid captures because researchers are terrified to go near Eridanus Three.”

      “Why?”

      “Galots eat them.”

      Her face paled. “Really? They really eat people?”

      He grimaced. “Only those who trespass,” he amended. “I know one who is quite fond of humans. He frequently visits the emperor’s son and his bonded mate.”

      “I see.” She wasn’t smiling. In fact, she wrapped her arms around her slender body and hesitated. “There aren’t any galots in there...?” she asked, indicating the glorious tropical forest that lay ahead of them on a stone walkway.

      He turned to her. “Jasmine, I would never let anything harm you. Anything!”

      She looked up at him with her heart in her eyes. He was already dear to her. “I’m sorry. I’m behaving like a child, I know. It’s just...I’ve never seen alien creatures. There were holozoos on Terravega, but I never liked the idea of seeing creatures in cages, not even virtual ones.”

      He smiled. “Nor I.”

      “It’s only cats,” she added, wondering silently why he seemed so perturbed at her fear of felines. “I don’t mind other animals. Well, I’m scared of snakes, too.” She hesitated. “Lots of people are nervous around cats,” she added. She shivered. “I overheard Daddy talking to another professor, several years ago, about your government’s commando force, the Hol...Hol...” She searched for the word.

      “Holconcom,” he finished for her.

      “Yes. That. Anyway, the professor said that they had a terrifying reputation. That your emperor once led them, and that they conquered other species by—” she swallowed, hard “—eating their enemies.”

      He seemed to pale, just a little. Her revulsion was truly unexpected, as was her fear of cats. Both could have grave consequences, down the road.

      “I’m sorry,” she said, noticing his consternation. “I don’t mean to give offense. I’m just repeating what I heard.” She hesitated. “Is it true?”

      He managed a stiff smile. “Jasmine, I’m not permitted to discuss intimate characteristics of my people with outworlders. Even charming outworlders.”

      “Oh.” She flushed. “I’m sorry. I just open my mouth and blurt out things. You aren’t angry?” she added worriedly.

      Angry, no. Uneasy, yes. He saw his dreams of a future with her going up in smoke, and he didn’t know what to do about it. Her fear of cats was going to cause problems, especially if and when she learned the truth about the shape-shifting Cehn-Tahr and their true form.

      “I’m not angry,” he assured her.

      “But I’ve made you sad,” she said, frowning. She winced. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to spoil the afternoon...!”

      “You haven’t,” he said convincingly. He studied her beautiful face and the sadness passed. There would be obstacles, certainly. But she could overcome her fear. She’d get to know him, get to care for him, and the differences wouldn’t matter. He was certain of it.

      She went close. One small hand touched the center of his chest and lingered there. “You must tell me if I give offense,” she said softly, her pale blue eyes probing his. “I wouldn’t hurt you for anything in the world.”

      “Nor would I hurt you,” he said huskily.

      She reached up and touched his hard mouth curiously. “I’ve never met anyone like you,” she whispered. “You’re so different. And yet I feel as if I’ve known you all my life.”

      He framed her face in his big hands. “I feel exactly the same.”