Going from prison guard to an alien queen was never in her career goals, but Amylia can adapt.

Amylia has a skill that can really deaden a party. Apparently, her ability to keep folks calm is the sign of a Null. She has a talent for defusing situations and that is exactly what is needed at Janial Prison. Life as a prison guard wasn’t in her outlook for her future, but after a bit of training, she settles in rather well.

When one of her favourite prisoners is set for a court appearance, Amylia pulls strings to be at her side, and it seems things are going well until Kreatha’s family arrives to break her out of court.

Taken along with Kreatha, Amylia’s fortunes change from tortured to elevated into the position as queen of a province, with a consort in tow.

Gyrion has been Kreatha’s brother-in-law for years, but he never imagined her bringing a queen to his quiet province. He is honoured to serve in every way she requests.

Excerpt:

Amylia Caxton listened to the offer that the recruiter was extolling. It seemed that her ability to stop folks from fighting wasn’t just a skill; it was a talent. A measurable, psychic talent. She radiated a specific frequency that dampened activity of brains in her area until they were calm and reasonable.

“So, you can understand our eagerness to invite you into a position in law enforcement.” Norz steepled his slender, grey fingers together.

“I am not cut out for law enforcement.” She sighed and crossed her arms.

“Well, you would be involved in crowd suppression. The trainers will give you the necessary instruction, and you will not have to engage in any punitive actions.”

Amylia blinked. “Trainers?”

“They are already on the way.”

She leaned back and smiled. “You were counting on me to say yes.”

The alien shrugged in a very human gesture. “Yes. We have been running the Volunteer program for a decade, and you will be one of our anniversary Volunteers, right next to the Champions.”

Amylia pinched her nose. “My parents would love that.”

Norz shrugged. “I know. I am not trying to pressure you, but you are the last piece of a very large puzzle.”

Amylia Caxton wrinkled her nose. “I guess I have little choice. My parents would flip if I missed the opportunity to be remembered in a grand way. They are all about the family name.”

Norz chuckled, showing shark-like teeth. “And your happiness. They have been very involved in this process, and it is good to see such support.”

Amylia smiled. “It is good to feel it, too. I wasn’t sure that there was actually anything to what I felt I could do.”

“Oh, you can do it; you just need to be honed a little. So, are you in?”

Amylia nodded. “I am in.”

The contract was signed, and her life went into high gear.

She spoke in front of the United Nations and explained her reasons for wanting to go into space. When questioned, her carefully prepared words went out the window, and she had to say, “To be frank, I have always been a people person. There is a universe out there that I want to see and interact with, and I have been granted a place in it. That matters. That is huge. I may live, I may die, but I am doing something that I have always wanted to do. I am embracing this opportunity. Letting a chance pass you by without taking it is the greatest disservice that any human can engage in. If you are given a chance, take it. Thank you for the opportunity to address this assembly, and I wish you all long and prosperous lives.”

She inclined her head, and Norz nodded. Together, they left the United Nations under guard and headed for the shuttle that would take Amylia to Lunar Base. She had already said her goodbyes; now, it was time to start talking to strangers.

A woman in robes greeted her and smiled. “Amylia Caxton, I am Specialist Smith, and I am here to teach you about the joys of being a nullifier.”

The woman was human and had a cheerful expression. When Amylia reached out and shook her hand, she continued forward to the floor as her world went grey.

Amylia woke up next to Specialist Smith and looked at the other Terran woman in surprise. “What did you do?”

“That is nullification with a telekinetic push. Yours is on the electrical processes of the brain with a pheromone carrier. You will be able to do that in about a week.”

Amylia rubbed her forehead. “Oh. Um, how will I know if it is working?”

Specialist Smith smiled. “We have volunteers standing by and a healer standing by to help them if you get out of control. Your application is fairly narrow with your assignment to Janial Prison in the Nyal Imperium.”

“Assigned to a prison. How delightful.” Amylia chuckled.

“It will be fine. We also brought in a combat instructor to get you started, so you should be quite competent at defending yourself and subduing others before you leave Lunar Base.”

“Excellent. How long have you been out here?”

“I left in the first wave. I trained with one of the Champions. It was quite an honour, but she now owns a planet and is doing well, growing her family and a population of half-elves. It is a thriving post.” Specialist Smith smiled.

“Elves?”

Specialist Smith lifted a tablet and aimed it toward Amylia’s face. The light flashed, and Amylia squeaked as her brain was overloaded with information designed to travel along her ocular nerve.

The data seared into her brain and made itself at home.