Martin watched from his seat in the Rover for several minutes as men and women played an assortment of sports on the courts. He smiled when one man made a slam dunk while playing a game of half-court basketball. Seemed basketball was a favorite for both players and observers. Volleyball was the next favorite. Third, a game of street hockey was allowing the more aggressive participants to let off some steam.

“It’s been twenty minutes,” James sighed, “Is there something you’re learning while watching them play?”

“Do you know what it is I’m here to oversee be built?” Martin asked, snapping a few photos.

“A new wing on the hospital,” James answered.

“Yes, but first I’m to build a recreation center,” Martin explained. “These courts are where the new wing is going, so you’ll be getting a new rec-center over there,” he pointed over his shoulder to the section of the base that was bulldozed before his arrival. “Once that’s complete, we level this area and start construction on the hospital.”

“So, this is what? Research?” James inquired.

“Partially,” Martin smiled at him with a wink.

“Okay, that’s enough,” James started the Rover and headed for the construction site.

Martin hid his amusement. He found the man’s efforts to save his comrades from his gazes admirable. Unnecessary, but admirable. Martin may be a flirt, but he wasn’t loose. Once he set his eyes on something he tended to be very single minded. Of course, that wouldn’t keep him from looking at all the delicious hot male bodies running around shirtless on those courts.

They arrived at the site rather quickly and Martin instantly disembarked the Rover as he headed for the foreman standing with several other men. As he walked, he frowned. Martin had made himself extremely familiar with the construction and the plans before he landed this morning. According to the schedule, they should be well into laying the foundation. It barely looked like they’d broken ground.

“Care to explain something to me?” Martin said, inserting himself directly into the conversation.

“Excuse me?” the foreman, Daryl Harmond, frowned at him. He held the typical hard, working man’s aura. Dark hair, skin abused by years of exposure to the elements—both natural and man-made—and pale green eyes that just screamed of arrogance. “Who are you?”

“Martin Black, your boss,” he flashed his ID and turned to look at the very empty construction site. “Now, explain to me why we’re two weeks behind? Because the last report I saw said everything was on schedule.”

“Well, I don’t know how things work up in your office,” Daryl started to say, but Martin held up his hand, silencing him.

“My job is centered on being on site,” Martin glared at him, pinning the shorter man in place. “I’ve been on dozens of construction sites, so don’t start talking to me like I’m a pencil pusher.”

“Gerald didn’t seem to mind the slight delays,” Daryl wrapped his thick arms over his chest and met Martin’s eyes directly. “Not like he was ever here to actually check. If his report said we’re on time, that’s because he never bothered to come to the base and see what was going on here. I had a five-day delay on supplies thanks to pirates and another two days we weren’t allowed on site because of military maneuvers.”

“Why weren’t the delays reported?” Martin demanded.

“I reported them to Gerald,” Daryl shrugged. “It’s not my fault if they didn’t get pushed up the ladder so he looks better on his quarterly reports.”

Martin’s temper sky rocketed. He’d been expecting to show up to a site that was running smoothly. Instead he found he had two weeks to make up. That meant the hospital construction was also going to be starting under delays. Fuck, this was not how he’d planned to start this assignment off.

“I need the reports you sent Gerald, and a list of everything needed to get back on schedule,” Martin said. “Also, I apparently need to make several calls.”

Daryl nodded, though it was obvious from his expression and posture that he wasn’t expecting much from Martin. Well the guy had a whole new reality to get used to. Martin was nothing like Gerald. This was his site now, and he was going to get it back on schedule. As soon as he got permission to bring on another crew.

Grabbing his tablet from his bag, he started running through the timetable and making the necessary adjustments. He also sent a request via mail to his firm for another crew. Martin knew he’d have to make a verbal request via video conference, but he couldn’t do that right now. He’d worry about calling his boss when he was back in his room. No matter how much he was dreading talking to that man, all things considered.

“Do we have the necessary supplies to start laying the foundation?” Martin inquired of Daryl.

“We do. At least the first half. The second supply load should be here tomorrow.”

Martin made a quick note of that, as well as to talk to the person in charge of incoming supplies. If the top brass wanted these projects done by the stipulated time, then someone was going to have to grease a couple wheels. Unfortunately, that someone was probably Martin. He hated that part of his job.

“I want the rebar laid out,” Martin instructed, “As soon as I’m done with my inspection,” he quickly added.

Daryl gave him a mock bow and motioned for Martin to go right ahead.

Yeah, this guy obviously didn’t think too highly of the architects and engineers from the main office. Too bad for him, he was stuck with Martin. Not like working out here on Genus Nine was his first choice. If it hadn’t been for that small incident he’d probably be working on getting condos put up on Venus’ moons. Looked like neither of them were going to get what they wanted out of this little partnership.

As Martin started walking around the site he noticed that James trailed his every move. He knew the man was supposed to be his escort, but he was acting more like a bodyguard. Yes, Genus Nine was on the outskirts of the known space territories, and was right beside enemy territory, but was it honestly so dangerous that he needed to be watched so thoroughly? Not that Martin was complaining. He liked having the dark-skinned man’s attention solely on him. It felt like he was monopolizing him without even trying.

* * *

James took lunch with the construction workers as Martin and Daryl continued to talk and discuss what needed done to bring the work back onto schedule. Now James was no expert, but it sounded like Gerald, the last man in charge, did a miraculous job fucking things up before he left. Martin kept cursing under his breath every time Daryl brought out another report or notice of delay.

“Think it’s true?” one man’s voice, lowered to a whisper, drew James’ attention from his charge for a second.

“Think what’s true?” another grumbled.

“That our new boss was sent here because he got caught fucking the CEO’s boyfriend,” the first man snickered.

“I heard he was the CEO’s boyfriend and they broke up,” a third added in. “He was sent here because it didn’t end on good terms.”

“I thought it was because he fucked up on another job,” someone else said.

“It has to be something,” the second man frowned. “No one from the main office just volunteers to come all the way out here.”

Looking back over to Martin, James wondered which of those theories was the truth. He knew from his own C.O. that Martin Black wasn’t here by his own choice. So, was it as these men were suspecting and this was a form of punishment? James knew the man to be a flirt, he’d already harassed him on multiple occasions and he hadn’t been on the planet for more than a few hours. Knowing that, the idea that Martin had slept with his boss, or boss’ lover, didn’t seem too farfetched.

As for the theory of him fucking up a previous job, for some reason James doubted it.

Maybe it was because of the way Martin was taking charge and trying to get things figured out already. Or perhaps it was because he seemed to honestly take his job seriously. Either way, James doubted Martin’s assignment here had anything to do with his work performance.

That only left personal reasons.

Now, if he’d fucked his boss’ lover then he’d probably have just been fired out right. That’s what James would’ve done anyway if he’d caught his lover in bed with a work associate. He’d fire the associate and leave his treacherous lover.

With that thought, the only thing that made sense was that Martin and his CEO had been dating and were no longer together. Sending the other party away due to a breakup was selfish as fuck, but it made sense.

The question was, why did they break up, if that was indeed the situation?

Horrified, James realized he’d allowed himself to get caught up in the rumors and mystery and let Martin walk off without him. Getting up, he hurried across the lot where his charge was inspecting several large stacks of rebar.

“We can start laying out the rebar as soon as lunch is finished,” Daryl was saying.

“I agree,” Martin straightened and looked over his shoulder. He smiled upon noticing James before winking at him. “I need to return to my room and get these requests and reports filed. I also need to inform the office of Gerald’s false reporting. I’ll be by toward the end of the work day to check up on you. If anything happens to delay you further, call me immediately.”

“Yes, sir,” Daryl answered

Martin, seemingly happy with the progress the two had made, turned and headed back toward the Rover. It seemed he’d also won over Daryl a little during his inspection of the site and supplies. James fell into step beside him and wondered if the man planned to work through the afternoon without eating. He hadn’t taken a lunch break with the others, and it was nearing Fifteen hundred quickly.

“Lieutenant Wright,” Martin said as they climbed into the Rover, “I need to speak with your CO as soon as possible. Can you arrange a meeting?”

“Of course,” James nodded. He was a bit confused by the man’s sudden use of formal titles. The guy had been overly familiar and lax with his words and actions since arriving. Why the change?

“Great. Now, can I please be returned to my apartment? I have two weeks of work to figure out and twelve hours to do it in.”

James said nothing to that, he just put the Rover in gear and headed back to the civilian dorms. It didn’t take more than three minutes, and soon Martin was jumping out of the Rover and going straight for the door. James managed to catch him before he went inside, and accompanied him up to his floor.

“Are you going to be following me everywhere?” Martin asked as they waited for the elevator to climb the twelve floors.

“Yes,” James nodded. “I’m to be with you from the time you leave your rooms to the time you return. I am to see you exit and enter your door each time, and you are not to leave without me in attendance.”

“So strict,” Martin laughed. “Is it that dangerous right now? Are the Xythandrians really such a threat?”

“Them, and terrorists who are against the idea of the military being present out here,” James explained.

The Xythandrians were the sole alien race of equal or superior intelligence that humanity had encountered during their exploration of space. Like humans, they were not a peaceful people in mass. Upon first contact shots were fired. Whether humans attacked first, or if it was the Xythandrians, was a moot point at this time in the war. All that mattered was neither side liked each other.

The similarities between their species ended with their mutual thirst for expansion and violence. The Xythandrians were huge, tripoidal creatures. They almost resembled a mix between a squid and a lemur. An odd combination, but certainly one that proved to work to the species’ advantage.

“Terrorists? Out here?” Martin looked startled by the news. “What in the stars could they gain by targeting this planet?”

“They’re pro-Xythand radicals,” James responded. “They believe all we need to do is talk to the enemy and we can have peace. Like we haven’t already tried that option multiple times in the past. The Xythandrians aren’t interested in a peaceful solution. Plain and simple.”

“Well, I’ll be sure not to stray too far,” Martin said as the doors opened and he stepped out. James followed him to his door where Martin paused and looked at him. “Care to join me inside?” There it was again, that lecherous undertone. Seemed the man was only being professional so long as someone else was watching.

“Call me when you’re ready to return to the site,” James said as he turned on his heel and headed back down stairs.

“Nice ass,” Martin whistled.

It took all of James’s willpower not to cover his backside as he stepped back into the elevator and pressed the first-floor button.