Neal James is a space station navigator whose lover, Dylan Teague, left him for a starmapping mission. But when Dylan radios in a distant signal one night, Neal discovers that he hasn't managed to put the relationship behind him in the two months they've been apart. When he's one of the crew members sent to investigate the signal, he finds that his ex-lover feels the same.<br><br>The source of the signal is a lost colony ship. Only a handful of the original colonists remain, survivors of a deadly disease that killed most of their fellow shipmates twenty years ago. To keep the threat of disease to a minimum, the colony adheres to strict laws, including the prohibition of same-sex relationships.<br><br>When the same fatal virus seems to appear again, Neal and Dylan find themselves in the midst of an irrational panic and hate that threatens to destroy everything the colonists have worked so hard to attain.

Operation Starseed

dilating, let me know.” Shanley hands over another hypodermic


needle, still wrapped in plastic, and a package of lancets. “When


you’re done with the shot, I want blood samples from all those who


Ellington nods again, clasps the medical


supplies in tight fists as he leaves the med lab. “I’ll go with


you,” Parker offers, following the older man. I think this room’s


Once they’re gone, Shanley pricks Marie’s


finger with a lancet. “I have to run some tests, doll,” he tells


her, “just to see what we’re dealing with here.” A bead of bright


blood fills the tiny needle, and he presses a small square of gauze


into her hand, which curls into a fist to staunch the wound. “How


“Tired,” Marie admits. To emphasize


her point, she yawns, lying back against the pillow. Conlan


smoothes the hair away from her damp brow and frowns down at her.


Seeing the concern in his eyes, she tells him, “I’m not


Chapter 108