Turning her body into chemical weapons was not an option she was given in school.

Abitika grew up with a talent for changing the way people think. When she used that talent on behalf of her sister, it gained her five years of confinement.

The Citadel has been checking Jrinka colony for years, and Abitika was one of the most promising sightings. They pry her out of her confinement and send her to Morganti in the nick of time.

Recovering from her incarceration, Bits is shocked to find out that her talent for pheromonal manipulation also extends to her mind.

Turnari is the only one willing to take the risk of training the new specialist and teaching her what her mind was capable of. They have a true meeting of the minds but they both want more.

Excerpt:

The Citadel recruiter looked down at her clipboard. There was a name unchecked.

“Matron, where is Abitika Kenharm?”

The matron winced and closed her eyes. “I am sure it is not necessary for you to see her.”

Recruiter Ambith raised her brows when she felt the push on her mind. “As you are trying to dissuade me; I am now certain. Yes, I do want to see her. She has not been checked in the last decade, and before that, she was showing signs of developing a talent.”

The matron nodded and went to the com unit. “Reeree, please locate and send in Bits.”

There was a pause on the other side of the call. “Are you sure?”

Recruiter Ambith sat down. “I am not leaving until I see her.”

It took twenty-six minutes before the door opened and a figure in an EVA suit walked in.

The figure walked over to Ambith, and it bowed. “Greetings, Recruiter.”

“Abitika Kenharm?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Why are you in that suit?”

The reflective facemask turned toward her and then looked down. “It is my punishment, Ma’am.”

The matron looked like she would intervene, but she pressed her lips together.

“Take off your helmet.”

“It isn’t coded for me to release, Ma’am.”

“Matron, remove her helmet.”

The matron grimaced, but when Ambith applied her own mental pressure, she came over and released the helmet.

Abitika blinked at the light as her head was exposed. “Wow. That feels different.”

Ambith scowled. “How long have you been in that suit?”

Abitika looked at the matron and apparently did math in her head. “Two years, four months and six days.”