Military intelligence officer Lieutenant Barb Carolus is ordered to investigate Colonel Locke, a rogue officer suspected of selling military weapons on the black market. Colonel Locke is from Barb’s home planet and she knows exposing his crimes will tarnish the reputation of those rare people like her who’ve escaped the poverty and gangs of their home world to become officers. But orders are orders and she always does her duty.<br><br>For the mission she’s teamed with the unconventional -- and in Barb’s opinion, entirely unprofessional -- undercover agent Taya Borovsky. Working with Taya will test Barb’s by the book approach to the limits, especially when attraction overcomes her irritation with Taya. Bitter about upholding standards nobody else does, Barb gives in to her desires.<br><br>When the mission goes bad, Barb and Taya are on the run and outgunned. To survive, Barb must learn from Taya’s unconventional methods and improvise a solution to complete her mission and save their lives.

Loose Cannon

“I’ll sleep in the cockpit,” she said. The chairs reclined and she was a soldier. She could sleep anywhere. She headed in there, fired up her portable terminal, and settled down to read for a while. In the back of the ship, she heard Taya crashing about and swearing.


After half an hour, Taya appeared in the cockpit door. She wore a short robe, her feet were bare, and she was drinking something fizzy. Barb hoped it was not more alcohol.


“You don’t have to stay out here,” Taya said. Her voice sounded a little less slurred. “Honestly. I don’t snore or anything, even when I’m drunk.”


“Mmm.” Taya grinned. She raised her glass as if in tribute. “Damn fine.”


“Go to bed,” Barb said, looking at her terminal again.


Barb looked up, startled. At the serious look on Taya’s face and tone in her voice. “What?”


“Come to bed with me. Have some fun. You could use some fun.”


“Don’t be ridiculous. We’re on a mission here.”


Chapter 7