Chapter One

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At the top of the grand marble staircase, in front of the main entrance to the Elzorian royal family’s residence, Daniella paused, closed her eyes, and sucked in a breath of cool, clean air. She did so for two reasons. First, to soak up as much fresh air as possible before embarking on the seventy-two-hour space flight home—not the most pleasant experience for a moderate claustrophobic and dedicated landlubber. And second, to calm her jagged nerves before navigating the fifty steps leading to the massive gathering of onlookers below.

Feeling a bit better after inhaling and blowing out slowly several times, she opened her eyes and looked down. Big mistake!

She swayed on weak knees, a sudden head rush making her world tilt on end. Reaching out with a trembling hand, she grabbed hold of the carved balustrade. Time to add fear of heights to her phobia list. When she swept her gaze over the crowd of thousands, each face angled up to where she stood, all eyes fixed on her, her pulse jumped, and she tacked on agoraphobia to her growing list. She averted her eyes, picking a focal point straight ahead, and tried to steady herself.

Dani had always wanted to travel, to visit all thirty-seven Intergalactic Alliance planets. So far, she’d only made it to two, including Earth. She used to blame her father and all his rules as the reason. After this trip to Elzor and her week-long stay, she realized being a space tourist wasn’t all the travel brochures and getaway infomercials made it seem.

Granted, if she had stayed home, she would have missed the beautiful landscapes and stunning vistas which made up the Dominion of Elzor. Appropriately named the Blue Planet, the color dominated every setting, from the spectacular cyan mountains in the distance, to the nearby bay with its deep-sapphire waters glistening in the morning sun, and, above it all, the azure sky laced with fingers of ice-blue feathery clouds as far as the eye could see. This majesty exemplified the reason she wanted to spread her wings and move beyond her narrow existence in her father’s Long Island suburban home.

After this trip, however, she had grave reservations of ever doing so again.

Things went awry soon after liftoff when the ship’s course took them through a meteor stream. For almost three hours, she sat strapped in her flight chair while millions of jagged boulders came hurtling at them.

Okay, millions was perhaps a slight exaggeration, but there had to have been hundreds, at least, maybe thousands. Dani thought for sure they would die as the space rocks banged and bounced off the shields—the experience like being trapped in a metal drum while someone beats on the outside with a baseball bat. While she held on with a white-knuckled grip, graphic images of her imminent demise flashed in her head. Mostly, of a giant boulder hitting one of the external fuel cells and turning them into a celestial fireball. At least it would be a quick ending. Not so fast, and what she feared more, the safety shields failing and something—either hurtling debris or a meteorite—knocking a gaping hole in the hull. She pictured herself being sucked out into the vacuum of space, gasping for breath without oxygen, and suffering a horrible, painful death when her lungs expanded and burst, or all the blood in her body vaporized.

Even now, she couldn’t keep from shuddering at the horrifying prospect.

To her relief, the shields held, and the ship didn’t go up in flames, although it sustained external damage. Nothing life-threatening, but important navigation and communication components had to be repaired before they could safely continue their journey. This resulted in a two-day layover at a nearby spaceport.

When it came time to leave, the captain himself escorted her on board. His reassurances had done little to calm her twisting, churning stomach. The three-day flight turned into five, and it had taken her another six—until yesterday—to settle nerves, and her queasiness, enough to eat.

Now, with it time to head home, she dreaded going through anything close to the same ordeal again.

As bad as the incoming flight had been, it didn’t end up being the worst part of the trip, believe it or not. In fact, the entire visit had been rather strange, and nothing had gone as planned. From the moment she arrived, she noticed wherever she went, crowds gathered, and she drew curious stares. At first, she thought her appearance turned heads because at five feet eight, she towered over the petite Elzorian women. Where they were pixyish and reed slender, Dani had curves and meat on her bones. Not overweight, she liked to eat and would never achieve a concave belly or a six-pack.

Her auburn hair stood out amidst a sea of silver and champagne blondes, as did her rosy-hued complexion because the people of Elzor had blue skin to match their planet. Not a dark shade, but a light grayish-blue, almost ashen, which Dani found eerie and corpse-like. She’d spotted other humans amid the onlookers and knew many of her kind worked and lived on Elzor. They had for decades, ever since Earth joined the Alliance in 2273. She’d also read there’d been a few interspecies marriages and some of those couples had children. They must be accustomed to seeing Earth women, so she couldn’t figure out why they seemed so fascinated with her.

What was going on didn’t become clear until midweek. Then, the news knocked her for a loop, although it became less shocking when she learned her father had a hand in it.

Initially, when she found out he had arranged for her to stay with the royal family, she’d been surprised, and a little uncomfortable, though they were gracious and welcoming. By itself, this wouldn’t have been all bad, but he had also neglected to inform her of the sole purpose of the holiday. Prince Ivar needed a wife, and she’d been sent here specifically to meet him and be considered as a potential bride.

Holy freaking crap! And dear ole dad hadn’t mentioned a word about it.

Further, if Ivar approved, she would meet the king and queen of Elzor, his parents, who would decide if she was good enough for their son, fitting to bear the title of royal princess, and, worthy of being the mother to the next heir to the throne.

It bore repeating... Ho-ly fah-reaking crap!

When the prince explained this, she had burst into laughter. A rude reaction, yet what he’d told her had to have been one of the most outlandish stories she’d ever heard. He hadn’t chuckled, cracked a smile, or given the least little twitch of his blue lips.

When she realized he was serious, she’d embarrassed herself further by getting weak in the knees, which had required his helping her to a chair or falling flat on her face. The rest of the stay had been a blur of social events with her trotted out and put through her paces—the prize mare analogy both spot-on and insulting.

“Broodmare is more like it,” she muttered to herself.

Remembering how her potential in-laws had scrutinized her all week, she wouldn’t be at all surprised if they’d gone off somewhere now to compare notes and tally up a score card.

Dani’s anger, which had been simmering under the surface the past few days, reignited. So much so, her jaw clenched while her heart thudded in her ears.

The nerve of her underhanded, dictatorial parent acting as though it was the dark ages, although she shouldn’t be shocked. He’d always been highhanded and taken charge of her life, making decisions without caring what she wanted. Telling her how to dress, where she could go, what school to attend, who her friends could and couldn’t be.

Correction! He never told her, at least not to her face. It came in a directive through one of his assistants, or barked as an order over his shoulder while he walked out the door—not once expecting her to do anything other than obey.

“Two more weeks,” she whispered under her breath. “A short time to endure before you are free for good.”

The pounding in her ears became louder all at once. It took her a moment to realize it wasn’t her thudding pulse, but rhythmic clapping from the crowd below. The next instant, it grew in volume, and raucous cheering erupted at the same time a hand came to rest on her back.

“Daniella, surely you weren’t going to leave without saying good-bye.”

Her head snapped around, and she found Prince Ivar, her husband wannabe, standing beside her. Chin tilted up—yes, up. The men of Elzor may not be pixie-sized like their women, but they were close. Only of average height, Dani had a good two inches on the prince, five if she counted her heels.

While he waited for her answer, his blond brows inched higher.

“I, um...thought we said our farewells after supper last night. I know I expressed my thanks to your parents for welcoming me into their home.” Afterward, she had avoided Ivar like he had a plague, figuring if they weren’t alone, he couldn’t ask the dreaded question, something she hoped and prayed he wouldn’t do here on the steps.

“Yes, but I planned to have a private word with you after breakfast.” His tone held unmistakable censure when he added, “A meal you skipped.”

“I wasn’t feeling well. My stomach is nervous about the upcoming flight. You understand, after the very unpleasant trip here.”

“Perhaps you should postpone your return if you’re ill.”

“No!” she blurted out, regretting her lack of finesse when a dark-blue shadow crossed his face.

Shit! It wouldn’t do to anger the man or insult the Elzorian royalty.

She rushed to cover her faux pas. “I’m sorry and appreciate your concern for my health, your highness, but I can’t stay. I have other engagements I’ve committed to and must keep to the schedule.”

His stiff expression relaxed somewhat, and she mentally sighed in relief. “I understand obligations, Daniella. As a royal princess, I dare say your calendar would be more demanding. It pleases me to hear you take your obligations seriously.”

She swallowed, not liking where this was heading at all. She’d been polite to him, but not overly approachable since she had no intention of marrying the man. And, although beautiful, Elzor wasn’t a place she wanted to live, princess or not.

“Oh, look,” she exclaimed, determined to stop any other mention of weddings, princesses, or royal engagements. Yikes! “My ride to the landing pad has arrived.”

Taking a hasty step forward, which put her up against the edge of the first stair leading down, she teetered then staggered, catching herself on the railing. Ivar hurried to assist, his arms encircling her waist to steady her.

Excited cheers and the chant of “Daniella” erupted from the avid spectators, reading much more into her stumble and Ivar’s rescue than she wanted. She tugged down her lightweight fitted jacket and smoothed the front of her skirt. Once set to rights, she thanked him and carefully turned back to the stairs.

“I have business in New York City. I’ll be making a trip there soon. While I’m there, we’ll have more time together, and more privacy. If you don’t break your neck on the descent, that is. Let me assist you.”

When he took her arm, she had no choice other than to accept. It wouldn’t do for her to make a scene by pulling away and refusing his help. With thousands watching, including a good number of photographers, anything perceived to be a snub would hit the news links and become fodder for the tabloids. It could turn into an interplanetary incident. Her father, who had business ties to Elzor, would be livid. With so much at stake, she plastered on a fake smile for Ivar and any cameras aimed her way.

Descending at a slow pace for her benefit, the prince didn’t speak further. Dani was grateful because she needed to focus on putting one foot in front of the other and not being her usual klutzy self by tumbling head over heels down the hard, unforgiving marble, landing in a broken heap at the bottom, and taking Ivar with her.

Wouldn’t that be a sight?

They crossed the landing midway without a misstep, no thanks to the butterflies dancing furiously in her stomach. Another twenty-five feet and she’d be home free. Not for the first time this week, Dani wondered why they couldn’t have a lift, or a moving staircase at the very least, like everyone else in the modernized universe.

With her heart racing, she forced her chin up, facing the thousands who had turned out to see her off today. Seeing their excitement, she felt like a fraud, though she had done nothing to concoct this farce. She would let her father break the news to Ivar, and subsequently to the people of Elzor. No way would she say yes to becoming their future princess, no matter how much Daniel Alltryp ranted and railed at her.

Still, he could make the next fourteen days until her birthday difficult. She needed to come up with a way to delay a proposal and, heaven forbid, any rush to the altar, which she wouldn’t put past her father. Once she turned twenty-five, the age of majority on Earth, she’d come into her inheritance from her grandmother, held in trust for her since birth, something he couldn’t touch.

She felt the need to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t in the middle of a crazy dream. Like most little girls, she’d fantasized about marrying a handsome prince and being whisked away to a fairy-tale castle to live happily ever after. In her dream, however, he hadn’t been blue or short, and her prince charming had fallen in love with her. And he didn’t have the entire thing arranged by a third party. Something seemed fishy, but she had yet to figure out what.

Arriving at the bottom, she took a breath and stepped off the last stair onto the thick plush red carpet. Yes, they had rolled out an actual red carpet for her, a nobody from Earth, not royalty, merely the daughter of a businessman. A very wealthy businessman—some even called him a mogul—and the one most often in the spotlight. This wasn’t for her, someone quiet and reserved, not a media whore interested in fame, fortune, and being sucked up to by the little people, like her father.

Dani didn’t have time to dwell on anything to do with him right now, or anything else other than moving the thirty feet between the stairs and the waiting vehicle. To do so, she had to run the gauntlet made up by the cheering, clamoring crowd lining the walkway.

“I will be in touch with your father, Daniella.” Ivar raised her hand to his mouth. When he pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles, his warmth surprised her, expecting icy cold.

Imagining his blue lips on hers, or his ghoulish fingers touching her body intimately, made her cringe inside. She barely managed to tamp down a shiver. Eager to get away from him, she nodded and stepped forward, her eyes on the uniformed driver who stood beside the hovering glider, hand on the latch, ready to open the door for her.

She counted down the diminishing distance, from twenty-five, to twenty, to fifteen. Just a few more feet...

“Princess Dani,” a young girl called out. She ducked under the velvet perimeter rope, her youthful agility and the crowd’s excitement making it easy to scoot away from her mother. Arriving in front of Daniella, she dropped to her knees, her skirt pooling around her as she looked up in awe.

“Not a princess yet, sweetheart,” Dani told her, cupping her upturned face.

“But you will be soon,” she replied with childlike giddiness. “You said yes to Prince Ivar, didn’t you? He is getting quite old, and we worry if he waits much longer, he might not be able to—”

“Find a bride,” her mother finished for her. She must have ducked under the ropes to retrieve her. “We’re thrilled for you and the prince, miss.” Afterward, she began hauling the little girl away.

“She didn’t answer my question, Mother. I wanted to know if she said yes.”

The people had quieted, trying to hear the exchange. Now, they looked at her with anticipation, the ones toward the back, leaning in to catch her answer, which she judiciously withheld.

“There will be a formal announcement very soon. Thank you for coming to see me off.”

Feeling more awkward and knowing her imminent decision would disappoint the child and so many others who had turned out today, she patted her on the head and moved past her, eager to get in the waiting car and be on her way.

After taking no more than a few steps, from the corner of her eye, she spied a young man drop to one knee and bow his head in a show of respect. Still unused to this reaction, Daniella inclined her head and continued past him, trying not to hurry, and seem obvious, when she really wanted to sprint as fast as her feet would take her.

To her chagrin, another man followed suit, so did another. Soon, the sea of people formed a rippling wave as they bowed to her, or knelt, the girls and women who were able, dipping into a floor-sweeping curtsy.

Oh my!

Never had she received such an outpouring of attention, and, considering the circumstances, she found it very off-putting. She decided some sort of public gift to show her gratitude for their gracious welcome would be appropriate before the news broke she’d declined Ivar’s. They might not want it afterward.

At the vehicle, when she turned in the open door to give them a farewell smile and a wave, another young girl came forward with an armful of fresh-cut flowers tied with a pink bow. A sense of regret gripped her insides—she could get used to this part of being a princess.

After accepting the bouquet, and with one final wave, her gaze collided with Ivar’s, where he stood on the second step watching her. She ducked inside, heaving a sigh of relief when the door slammed shut.

As the glider moved forward, Dani trembled with anger. All of it, directed at her father. Why had he made her come here only to go through the motions of considering the prince when he had to know she’d never wed the man? What twisted game had he come up with now? And why, when Ivar could have his choice of brides among Elzor’s women, did he want her?

So many unanswered questions. In frustration, she hit her fist against the empty seat beside her.

“You’ve had a rough week.”

The very American-sounding voice made her bolt upright, her eyes meeting those of her driver when he glanced her way. He surprised her further by twisting in his seat and hooking his arm over the back as if settling in for a chat.

She glanced at the road ahead, the one he wasn’t watching. “Uh, don’t you need to drive or something?”

“I switched on the auto-navigation. It’s a straight shot from here to the landing port. When we’re close, I’ll take back control. Until then, I’ve got twenty minutes to chat, and you sure look like you could use a good ear.” He smiled at her, his straight white teeth gleaming against his tanned face, making her welcome. Handsome, with silver at his temples, little crinkles fanning out beside his eyes, and, by her guess, in his mid-fifties, about her father’s age.

Best of all, she took comfort in his voice because he spoke English, with a distinct drawl. “Do I detect a hint of a southern accent?”

His lips tipped into a grin, increasing the crinkles. “Yes, ma’am. You’ve got an excellent ear. I’m Blake Askins. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee.”

“I’m Dani, from New York City.”

“Yeah? I might have heard a little buzz around town about you.”

“Of course,” she said, flushing hot. Unless he’d been living under a rock for the past week, he would have known of her visit. “Do you work for the royal family?”

“No, I’m employed by Alltryp Universal.”

“You’re kidding!”

“No. My wife works for the company, too, as a geologist. We moved here ten years ago when they began exploring the north region. While she digs in the dirt, I pilot shuttles and, on occasion, get assigned to chauffeur dignitaries around, or a pretty girl with sadness in her eyes.”

She glanced out the window, sorry she hadn’t done a better job at hiding her emotions. Never her strong suit.

“So, you’re not keen on becoming an Elzorian princess?”

“It shows, huh?”

“Yeah, darlin’. Did the visit not go well?”

“It was a disaster from the start, but with good reason. I have no plans of becoming Prince Ivar’s bride, and that’s what this week turned out to be all about.”

“Then why did you come?”

“Silly me. I thought my father was being nice. I’ve been bugging him about traveling and thought he’d finally caved.” What a fool she had been. When had her father done anything nice, let alone without an underlying, self-indulgent purpose?

“Daniel Alltryp is a putz.”

She blinked, her lips parting.

“No offense, but he is.”

“You aren’t telling me something I don’t know.”

“Figured as much if he sent you here for a marriage setup and didn’t clue you in.”

“He knew I’d refuse to come.”

“Smart girl. Overall, the Elzorians are nice people, a bit staid and boring, and most of them are well intended. Things can get political here, like back home. Until recently, they have been adamant about keeping to their own kind. That Ivar is considering an off-worlder for a royal bride, and the mother of the future king has rocked some of the old conservative types to their core. Though they don’t have much choice, now.”

“What do you mean?”

He shifted uncomfortable, his jaw clenching.

“I reckon if your daddy didn’t inform you of a potential engagement, he wouldn’t have told you the rest of the story, about why Ivar intends to take an Earth bride.” He paused, his blue eyes coming back to her. “In general, the Elzorians are kind, gentle, almost painfully polite people—aside from the nobility, who put those niceties aside whenever it suits them—but they aren’t the most robust species. They’re small, their immune system is weak, and they’re getting more fragile with each generation. The scientists have recommended introducing a stouter set of genes into the pool.”

“By crossbreeding.”

“Yes. And they’ve decided humans are ideal to meet their needs. There have already been a few interspecies marriages which have produced offspring.”

“I heard, though I’m shocked by the dispassionate, clinical intent behind them.”

“Arranged unions for gains not involving love and romance have existed for centuries, including on our world. Here, the first few were purely experimental. They jumped on board with the plan after the twentieth mixed-species child reached the age of ten. If commoners could successfully breed with human females, why not the royal family?”

“But why Ivar? He is the fourth son. Why not the heir to the throne, or the other two older brothers?”

“They’re shooting blanks, apparently.”

“Excuse me?”

“For a decade, neither the crown prince nor his brothers have been able to produce an heir. When the attempts to conceive the old-fashioned way failed, they turned to science. This produced a few pregnancies, yet they all ended in miscarriages when the royal princesses couldn’t carry to term for one reason or another. It goes back to the weaknesses they want to breed out. Now, the millennium old royal family line is in jeopardy, and they are desperate.”

“But I was told they are all single. What happened to their wives?”

“Dead, under suspicious circumstances.”

“Dear heaven. They had them killed? Why not simply divorce them?”

“Divorce doesn’t exist; Elzorians wed for life. And it’s a pride thing for the princes. Can’t have ex-wives talking about their prowess, or lack thereof, in the bedroom, now can we?”

Aghast, her mind fit together the next piece of the puzzle. “They killed three innocent women?”

“More like ten.”

“What?” she whispered in horror.

“There have been ten royal princesses by marriage. Four each for the two oldest sons. The third son tried, failed twice, and has now fallen ill. The king is impatient and won’t wait to see if he will recover. It has come down to the youngest son, and his biological clock is ticking. Evidently, at the age of forty, their sperm count diminishes, and the odds of fathering a child become nonexistent.”

“Ivar told me he was thirty-eight.”

“Yeah, tick-tock, tick-tock.”

“If he ends up shooting blanks, too, it would make me dead princess number eleven.”

“I’m sorry, but this is the risk you’d take by marrying the man. I’m surprised you haven’t heard the rumors. They’ve been floating around for over a year. The story goes, Ivar’s sperm is viable, and they found a compatible recipient, a young woman not of this world. It must be a bitter pill for the royal family, snobs that they are, thinking their race is far superior to any other, Earth, in particular. I’m sure they think your father is a representative of every human male.”

“Thankfully, he is not,” she replied, glad for it. One Daniel Alltryp was enough. “But if they’re so snobby, why are the people so accepting of me? Of the other interspecies marriages?”

“It seems the birth rate is on the decline.”

“The infertility affliction is spreading,” she surmised.

“Yes, so now it’s either lower their lofty standards and breed with humans, or the family line dies out and they lose the throne. Ironic, isn’t it?”

“Yes, though not everyone is in favor of interspecies breeding. Ustis, a first cousin with a mounting following, is firmly against it. He also wants to close access to outsiders and cease the constant exploration in the north region. They think the environmental changes are part of the problem. He’s been vocal about shutting your father’s research down.”

“What research?”

“You aren’t aware of his business with Elzor?”

“He doesn’t speak to me about his work.” He rarely spoke to her at all.

“It’s very secretive, but my wife, she shares. From what I know, there is buzz about a new energy source. It isn’t her area, still, she hears the talk. The north region is ripe with radioactivity, evidently. This concerns the opposition, who believe all the digging is damaging the planet and affecting the people. They want it stopped.”

“So this is about greed. If the current family is out, and this Ustis takes over, my father loses his contract and billions in a potential new energy source.”

“That’s my thinking.”

“He is sacrificing me, my womb, and perhaps my very life for money.” She frowned. “Why are you telling me this? You don’t know me, and if father finds out you said something, it will be your job, and your wife’s, no doubt.”

“The one thing not widely known is what they discovered in the north region. Most everything else is common knowledge.”

“Not to me.”

“You must be very isolated, darlin’.”

A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. He had described her life in a single word. She’d gotten a small taste of freedom during college. Since graduation two years ago, she’d lived like a hermit. Her father said there were threats and she could be targeted. About that time her security detail had doubled and contact with her friends had been curtailed. He’d been planning this, for that long. Oh my God!

“You asked why I took this risk. I have a daughter, Rebecca,” Blake told her quietly. “She’s your age. Attending college at home in Tennessee, studying to be a doctor. She’s a beauty, like you, with the same auburn hair. I couldn’t sit back and not share. I’d never be able to look my girl in the eyes again.”

“You love her.”

“Of course. She’s my baby, my only child. I love her with all my heart.”

“I wouldn’t know about that,” Dani whispered.

“Darlin’, knowing the kind of man your father is, it’s why I arranged to be your driver today. I thought someone’s daddy needed to look out for you.”

Her eyes pooled with tears until, one after another, they overflowed. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a wad of tissues. The man obviously knew women and came prepared. As he passed them to her, an alarm at the control console beeped.

“We’re almost there. Dry your tears. We can’t let on you know or that I told you.”

“Never. I owe you, Mr. Askins.”

“Blake, please. And if ever you need anything...anything at all, you call on me. Do you hear?”

Unable to speak, Dani nodded, while wiping her wet cheeks. It was all they had time for because they had arrived at the landing port, and yet another crowd awaited her. All the cheering, knowing smiles, curious gazes, and the little girl who bowed at Daniella’s knees made sense. It hadn’t been evident then, her mother quickly covering for her, but the words came flooding back.

“If he waits much longer, he might not be able to...” All the blanks filled in, the many questions answered. In another year or two, it might be too late for him. Even the girl knew who and what Dani meant to their people.

It had been a wise decision to skip breakfast because, with the way her stomach rebelled at the plotting against her by so many, she would have lost everything in it.

When Blake drew the glider to a halt and came around to open her door, she slid out, her movements sluggish as she stared at the ship which would bring her home, staffed by crew and security personnel all employed by Daniel Alltryp. How could she trust any of them?

“Be strong, darlin’,” her well-meaning informant murmured as she passed. “And watch your back.”

With a slight nod, she left him behind, wondering why fate hadn’t gifted her with a man like Blake Askins for a father. But wishing things had been different would get her nowhere. She had her own harsh reality to face. Somehow, she had to get through the next two weeks unscathed by her father’s manipulations and his unreasonable hatred.

***

For most of the two days since leaving Elzor, Dani sat motionless, staring out the window into space. Her mind whirled with tormented thoughts of how she had come to this low point in her life. What could she have done to earn her father’s ill will?

Ever since she could remember, he’d barely tolerated her presence and made great strides to avoid her company. Aside from him, she had no one. Her mother had died when Dani was two. She had no memories of her, no pictures, and her father never spoke of her. If she had relatives, she didn’t know—no one ever called or tried to contact her. It made for a lonely existence, raised by nannies, tutors, and household staff.

The only time she experienced a semblance of normalcy had been in college where she formed a few lasting friendships. Otherwise, she never had a chance to get close to anyone, including her father who preferred it that way. They had a cold, distant relationship, not from a lack of effort on her part to change things, but she had given up trying years ago.

Lost in thought and a good deal of well-deserved self-pity, Dani started when an alarm screeched and the overhead warning lights began to flash. Rising from her chair, she hurried to the door. The moment it opened, an acrid odor filled her nostrils.

Looking both ways, she saw a cloud of smoke filling the corridor and rolling her way. When it engulfed a crewman running in her direction, he crumpled to the floor where he laid motionless without so much as coughing.

“That’s not smoke,” she gasped in horror. Dani whirled. Before she could reenter her quarters, however, the cloud surrounded her. Her head swam, and the bitter gas coated her tongue. She fell to her knees with a thud. An instant later, the floor rose toward her face, but she didn’t feel the impact, blackness enveloping her instead.