Shielder — A new Science Fiction Romance (Book 1, Shielder Series) by Catherine Spangler Page B

Let's get you something to eat."
    "But my supplies—"
    "Either you eat with me, or you don't eat at
all," he interrupted firmly. "And if you'll cooperate, I'll do
something for you." He stepped behind her, urging her toward the
panel.
    "What?" She stumbled slightly, then regained
her balance. He noticed her limp appeared more pronounced
today.
    "I've decided to let you use the computer.
But—" Chase held up his hand as she gasped and whirled around,
pleased amazement shining on her face. "But only for reading and
games, to keep you occupied for the rest of the trip. Nothing
else."
    "Oh," she breathed, her eyes glowing with
excitement. "Will I be able to link to Information Access Retrieval
files?"
    Her childlike joy cemented his decision. "I
don't mind if you want to delve into IAR. Maybe you could do
research for me."
    "I would! Oh, I would. Can I use the
computer right now?"
    "Meal first." He grasped her shoulders,
turning her and moving them through the panel.
    A few minutes later, watching her eager
expression as she nibbled at her meal, more guilt nagged him. He
had the knowledge to make her life easier. She didn't need to
suffer seizures. Within a very short time, he could research her
disorder and compound the appropriate preventive.
    Panic raced through him. Spirit, anything
but the lab. Until now, he'd successfully avoided it, and for the
most part, the memories it dredged up. Until Nessa had boarded his
ship. Until her seizures had forced him into the lab, once again
facing his failures.
    Stop it! he told himself sharply.
Drawing a deep breath, he reeled in his emotions. Three seasons
stretched between him and the demons, three empty seasons…he should
be able to control his reactions by now.
    Formulating a medication didn't require any
great skill. He could do it easily. Besides, if he halted Nessa's
seizures, then he wouldn't have to enter the lab again.
    He would do it, immediately after the meal.
Decided, he sat back in his chair. Oblivious to his inner turmoil
or his covert observation, Nessa slipped the rest of her bread into
her pocket.
    Shaking his head, Chase repressed a smile.
Odd, but he suddenly felt more lighthearted than he had in three
seasons.
     

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    Chase strapped a stunner and a gun onto his
utility belt. He appeared oblivious to Nessa's presence as he
reached into the weapon vault for a pair of gloves and a visored
helmet. Pulling those on, he closed the vault and strode toward the
hatch. His actions confirmed her suspicion that he'd traveled to
Saron to pursue a criminal.
    Fingering the vial of capsules in her
pocket, she followed him to the hatch. He'd offered them one ship
cycle ago, claiming they would help prevent her seizures. While she
knew better than to cling to false hopes, she had accepted the
vial. She didn't truly believe anything could eradicate her
affliction, yet she hadn't been able to resist taking a capsule
this morning.
    Right now, however, her attention focused on
the fact they'd just landed on Saron, with Chase preparing to leave
the ship. Panic edged her thoughts, raising her apprehension at
this delay in reaching Santerra.
    She halted beside Chase as he snapped open
the portal cover. "Captain McKnight."
    "Yes?" His voice was flat and he appeared
distant, withdrawn.
    Nessa recognized that withdrawal. She had
seen it many times before, in Shielders preparing to go into battle
against the Controllers or the Anteks. A shadower stalking a wanted
criminal would need the same emotional distance. This was no game
McKnight engaged in. The hunt could readily become a matter of
life—or death.
    "How long will you be gone?"
    He looked at her then, his eyes cold and
expressionless. "As long as it takes."
    Her breath froze in her chest. How could she
possibly have allowed her perception of this man to soften? Shadower ! He was a shadower. She must remember that, in
spite of his surprising compassion and assistance. The Controller
mind indoctrination he had undergone