Kahlia has fought a few battles for the survival of innocents on Allishan 9, but her primary concern is her life as a designer. On one of the school trips that her sister badgered her into chaperoning, she meets her destiny, and her doom. Rupture is a member of the Sector Guard and he has his eyes on the woman stepping out of the battle suit. With the holes in the exterior and interior, she was either inside the suit or a helluva magician. Either way, he is going to bring her back to Udell base, by any means necessary. He sets his personality to charm, but it is the facts that draw her attention…and agreement.

Excerpt:

Being summoned to the commanding officer’s office was an unusual occurrence on Sector Guard Station Udell. They were an autonomous group that only banded together for large assignments. Guardian normally briefed them during sparring sessions. This meeting was for Fenn’s ears alone.

Fenn was curious, “You are certain?”

Guardian tented his fingers in front of his face and smiled slightly. “No, but Commander is and that is good enough for me.”

Fenn’s heart beat a little faster as it always did when he thought about his true mate. As an Admaryn descendant, he was concerned with keeping his bloodline going.

“What is her talent?” He leaned forward eagerly.

“She animates technology.”

He furrowed his brow. “Like Tech does?”

“No…she gives it its own soul. It operates on its own. We don’t know how yet, but we are willing to learn.” Guardian leaned back and rubbed his ridged silver skull with one hand. “I have no idea if she is a willing recruit or not. Charming her into coming with you is your job.”

Fenn flexed his fingers eagerly. “When can I leave?”

“The ship is ready and waiting. Fixer has even provided some toys for your lady, as well as a concealing mask, she is fairly well known to her people. See you when you get back from Allishan 9.”

* * * *

Kahlia Morning huddled with her sister and three of the students from her sister’s class while weapons fire blasted past the marble pillar that shielded them.

Shora cried, “What do they want?”

“I believe that they want to kill us, Shora. Your children’s day out seemed to have ruined their plan to heist the weapons exhibit here at the museum.” Kal was looking at her options.

The tank would be effective, but it had the wrong sort of aura for her purposes. It wouldn’t do any good for the children and Shora to be run over by the treads. The battle suit was much better, but it wanted her to be inside it when it moved.

The children screamed as another volley of fire was aimed at their hiding place and Kal made up her mind. “Keep them all here. Don’t move a muscle.”

“Kal, what are you doing?”

“Hopefully, the right thing.” Kahlia used the statue to hide her and waited until the spray of weapons fire was on the far side of the marble.

A shout rang out as she sprinted the ten metres to the battle suit. In seconds, she was up, on the foot pedals and the cheerful suit was folding in around her. It was pleased that she had chosen it—it was a defence module and wanted to be useful.

In front of her eyes, the display showed the location of the attackers as the suit powered up. Five bodies with weaponry were facing her and the suit expressed anticipation as its weapons warmed up.

The attackers gave up on the teacher and her class in favour of the battle suit that took a hesitant step toward them.