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can always have him fired if it doesn’t work out.”
    The smile that he aimed at her head was comforting and amused all at the same time. “I suppose that that is true.”
    A voice from behind them rang out, “And I will go gladly, but all I wish is the chance to get to know the real you behind your shield.”
    She looked behind her to find Ben in all of his standard-issue uniformed glory. She almost drooled. “Fine. You get one week.”
    “I accept. Now let us escort the esteemed Nar of Mathi back to his shuttle.” Ben took position to escort Nar and she was left with no choice but to take point.
    She sighed heavily. “Goodbye Nar, it has been nice seeing you again. My best to Srrah.” She kissed him gently on the back of his hand, the formal goodbye of one friend to another.
    He reciprocated and then gave her a pat on her shoulder. “It will be all right, Seval.”
    “Positions, boys. Let’s go.” Opening the door to the rest of the station, she led the way to the shuttle bay. His shuttle, the Morning Guard, was primed and ready for launch to the Dawn Guardian. It was no coincidence that the two ships were named for her. She had saved Nar’s life and his virginity twice since she had met him, both of prime importance to himself and his people.
    The repulsion fields were really getting a workout this visit, but it was worth it. Nar needed to be mated to Srrah and he needed to do it intact. No possible interference could be allowed at this time. The walk was bittersweet. She had to take point on sending one of her best friends back to his home.
    The Dawn Guard was ready in all of her shining glory. It was when they were within twenty meters that Xara made her move. Fortunately, Nar of Mathi was already inside and taking off. The shuttle was moving down the ramp to the launch bay with Ben and Seval heading back up the ramp when she moved to block them. Well, him. Xara didn’t know that Seval existed.
    She was wearing a low cut gown that left not an inch of her to the imagination. “Why, Agent Vorabenik is your assignment done?”
    He stopped short and bowed formally. “This one, Ambassador. The next will start in a few hours.”
    She oozed up to him and stroked her hand down his arm. “Oh, then we don’t have much time. Well, you don’t. I have days to fill.”
    “Enjoy your time off then, Ambassador.” He was trying to be polite, but there was a strain in his voice.
    “Xara, please.”
    “I am afraid not, Ambassador.” Sweat dampened the velvet of his skin.
    Alarmed, Seval examined him closely. He was not wearing his filter. Shit! She moved forward silently and, when Xara shifted her weight, Seval struck. Her feet lashed out to knock the Ambassador down and she shoved at Ben to separate him from the Olankan. Her voice hissed, “Move,” as she pushed at her partner to get him in motion. She cranked his repulsion field up and physically hauled the stunned Azon up to Medical, leaving Xara on the floor.
    The doctor took one look at the fist-sized handful of tunic that was leading the large Agent and he began to prep his instruments. “Agent Seval, is there trouble?”
    “He has been given an enormous dose of Olankan hormones, both inhaled and via contact. Fix him.” She sat aside and waited for him to get to work.
    He took Vorabenik and put him on an examination table. “There is no cure for that.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because they do not break into his system, they ride his own hormones and intensify them. The only thing that could override them would be another set of female pheromones.” He readied a shot, “All I can do is sedate him until they wear off.”
    “You have to be kidding.”
    “No, I am not. Only another female’s hormones can override the Olankan’s. That is why she chooses men separated from their mates. They can’t fight back.”
    “And since Ben has no mate…”
    “Yet.”
    “Yes, yet. He has no way to override the pheromones.” The subject of their conversation was