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motioned to the incu-unit closest to her instrument cart.
    He lowered the girl into the unit then straightened. His intent was to leave and head to the communication center. Someone needed to speak to the officers there, make sure they monitored Earth transmissions concerning unidentified flying objects. If they were lucky, they’d gotten away with nothing more than a few citizens transmitting news of some small, strange craft in the night sky. It was for that very reason the much smaller crew shuttle had been used as a landing unit.
    Just as he was about to turn, something made him glance down. He hesitated then froze in place. Air actually left his lungs when he got his first good look at the woman whose life they’d saved.
    There hadn’t been enough time, nor enough distance from nearby homes and businesses to properly illuminate the clearing and get a closer look at a planet considered off limits. Nor had there been time for close scrutiny of anything other than who might or might not be breathing. Now, with pressure off, he took stock of the situation.
    If anyone on the bridge needed him, they’d call. That part of him that
wasn’t
on duty—the part below his waist—stirred at the sight of sudden, breathtaking loveliness. That first good look of the rescued victim was the very thing that froze him to the deck.
    If a fusion bomb went off next to the ship, he’d have a hard time distinguishing between his response to that, or to this creature lying so still and pale in the incu-unit.
    “She’s exquisite,” he murmured as Gemma and several of her assistants bustled and moved equipment.
    Their injured Earthling had blood spattered over her clothing, neck, and face. Parts of her uniform were in shreds. All that notwithstanding, her skin was perfect, like the lovely smooth and white lunar stones of his home world. Her pinned-up hair was a soft brown color; golden lights shimmered within the strands. Her features were evenly aligned and delicate. Soft brows gently arched over each eye. Her very slightly upturned nose and high cheeks bore a small spattering of freckles. He noted she was more finely bred than half the debutantes his world presented for his perusal. Her body looked lean and toned. She’d probably be tall and athletic if she were standing. And
unlike
many spoiled and selfish beauties his family shoved at him ad nauseum, this woman had dared face a creature many times more powerful, one who’d killed on numerous worlds and who’d been chased to this end of the galaxy before finally being incarcerated.
    Sadly, she hadn’t been privy to that information but she’d bravely faced Goll down even as her comrades fell.
    He leaned closer; curiosity over the color of her eyes gripped him.
    “Shame,” he softly murmured.
    “Commander?” Gemma prompted as she readied her equipment.
    “I … I was just thinking that it’s a shame such a beautiful creature might die.”
    Gemma looked up from her work then briefly studied her patient. “My … she
is
attractive, isn’t she? Even all that blood doesn’t hide her attributes. For such a small waist and hips, her breasts appear generously ample. Wouldn’t you say so?” she teased.
    He straightened and cleared his throat. Now wasn’t the time to indulge in flights of sensual fancy. Certainly not over an injured Earther.
    “What news of her condition?” he gruffly asked.
    “According to the data being correlated by the incu-unit, she has a good chance to recover. I’ll need to close her off now so the zerion mist can do its job.”
    He backed slightly away and watched as Gemma flipped switches that automatically closed the lid to the box-like, silver unit. He stood in silence as the magnetic field modulators were affixed and attuned.
    Gemma knew her job. There was no good reason for him to stand there gawking. For the life of him, he simply couldn’t make his booted feet turn and leave the medical facility. But when the staff stared at him, as if his