Freedom is a double edged sword.

My best friend Welo went from Battle Queen to Red Empress, when she very publicly declared our independence from the Central Galactic Worlds. Our planet, Ula Nui, used to be a slaver's cesspool. She turned it into a jewel—a prize that the Central Worlds can't have.

As the head of Planetary Security, my job has only gotten harder. The influx of people to our free and independent world means we're being flooded with new faces. Normally, I'd be the first to crack a joke and make everyone feel better, but powerful forces are circling our home. Raiders, pirates, spies, and who knows what else has their eyes on us.

I've also got a persistent Rentok commander trying to worm his way into my life, or back into my pants. I'm down for the sexy times, but you keep those love cooties to yourself! We'll see how long his persistence lasts when he realises I've already got some unique males in my life. A lady's got needs after all.

(This is a fast burn Why Choose/Polyamory Romance between a modified human and other sentient space faring species, aka aliens. See Foreword for any/all TWs & CWs.)