Free Crisis Management by Viola Grace Page B

slowly. My skin only becomes impenetrable at higher speeds.”
    Helsin nodded. He rolled up her sleeve and sterilized the crook of her elbow. As he slipped in the needle, he glanced up at her, his yellow eyes attentive to any signs of distress.
    “It’s fine, Helsin. Or should I call you doctor?”
    “Helsin is fine. May I take a skin sample?”
    “Of course. I am in this for keeps. Take what you need.”
    He closed his eyes for a moment, as if her words sparked something in him. “I will take what is necessary, but I can tell you that your body is exceptional, and you are accepted into the Citadel at Lowel.”
    She blinked. “That easily?”
    “Your body just supported more weight than fifteen average men could carry. That type of strength is welcome in service to the Alliance.” He paused. “Do you have any objections to military missions?”
    “Um. I had not thought about it, but I suppose that that would be where I was most suited to be. Certainly. Military missions would be fine.”
    His grin showed her teeth that were as sharp as they were white. “That is most excellent, most excellent indeed.”
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
    Devani cleared out her desk at work and packed her small apartment all in the same day. It was a little disappointing that human resources had taken a deep sigh of relief when she announced her immediate resignation. Tish hauled her out for drinks on the first day, but two days after she had gone to the convention centre, she was on her way off Bahi for the first and last time.
    The Sector Guard shuttle was sleek and fast. It cut through the atmosphere effortlessly.
    “Why are there no other Bahi candidates on this shuttle?” Dev was seated next to Helsin.
    He grinned, “The five other candidates were sent to other Citadels. Udell is a battle base, and we need those who can fight and survive. You will learn how to manage your strength in combat situations, learn to fight hand to hand and use as many weapons familiar to the Alliance as possible.”
    “Udell? I thought I was going to the Citadel at Lowel.”
    He scratched his chin, “Well, it isn’t built quite yet. It is still in the construction phases. All the Lowel Citadel, members are being given quarters at Udell for the time being.”
    She grew suspicious. “How many members are there?”
    He gave her an innocent look, “So far, there is one.”
    She clapped her hand to her face. “So you lied.”
    “I did not lie. You are the first member of the Lowel Citadel. You will be trained at Udell, but it comes under the heading of financial matters. You can be a member of the Citadel and we can pay the Citadel for your services as a sub-contractor.”
    “So, I am a member of the Citadel who will do their training at Udell base while waiting for the Lowel Citadel to not only be constructed but populated.” Devani sighed. “That is indeed something thought up by an accountant.”
    “You sound familiar with it.”
    She chuckled “Of course I am. I am an accountant.”
    Helsin grinned. “Excellent. You may have to trot out your expertise at a later time.”
    Dev smiled. “I look forward to it. Data is my happy place. I enjoy working through numbers and running calculations. It is meditative.”
    He shuddered. “For you perhaps. I prefer the living body to the land of numbers and calculations.”
    “How many races are represented at Udell base?” Dev bit her lip when he looked at her curiously.
    “Over ninety at this time.”
    “You are familiar with them all?”
    “Relatively. Their files have baselines for their species, and we make allowances for any psychic or physical talent. I can’t have complete knowledge of each species, but I do a fair job.” He cleared his throat. “The Bahi are a fascinating species.”
    Dev rubbed the back of her neck. “Yes. They are.”
    “I noticed on your scan that you had an abdominal navel.”
    Dev winced. “I am a Brought child rather than a Decanted one. Yes. My mother