New Horizon (Book 17 in Katieran Prime Series)

By KD Jones

Morinian Commander Kayley became the only female commander of the Morinian Fleet. Well, one transport ship didn’t make a fleet, but she couldn’t do anything about that situation. However, on board the Katieran transport ship the Horizon, she wasn’t the commander. She played the part of a passenger with a mission to find a new home world for her people. Everything would be fine if she didn’t have the scourge of her people hunting her down, Katieran purists trying to annihilate her species, and constantly having to fight her attraction to a Katieran commander too good-looking for his own good. What’s a female supposed to do? As her human friends would say, kick some ass, that’s what.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KD Jones
• Release date: Feb 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781943738182

KD Jones

KD Jones has been a huge fan of both romance novels and science fiction novels since she was 16 years old. Her favorite television shows growing up were Star Trek and Doctor Who. When not writing, she can usually be found curled up on the couch with a good book, working on her hobby of photography, or spending time with her family.

Book preview

New Horizon

Katieran Prime Series

Book 17

KD JONES

Copyright 2022 KD Jones

This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Blurb

Morinian Commander Kayley became the only female commander of the Morinian Fleet. Well, one transport ship didn’t make a fleet, but she couldn’t do anything about that situation. However, on board the Katieran transport ship the Horizon, she wasn’t the commander. She played the part of a passenger with a mission to find a new home world for her people. Everything would be fine if she didn’t have the scourge of her people hunting her down, Katieran purists trying to annihilate her species, and constantly having to fight her attraction to a Katieran commander too good-looking for his own good. What’s a female supposed to do?

Prologue

Kayley

It’s time to go, beautiful.

Kayley had been staring down the pathway that led to ZenIM’s home. She would again return to her search for a new home for her people. Even though a weight was lifted from her shoulders, she felt sad that things hadn’t worked out for her and ZenIM.

It was her fault, really. She entered into the relationship knowing she would resume her duty to her people, and couldn’t ask him to leave his own. Maybe she had been afraid that he would refuse. So, she ended things for both their sakes.

Did you hear me? It’s time for us to go. The shuttle is waiting to take us back up to the transport.

Should we leave the colony with an unknown enemy out there? Kayley asked.

Katiera and Kiljor have several transports on the way to add security to the colony. The prisoners admitted that their own transport would not stay in the star system long if they did not return. They were expendable. Now, we need to go, and you are wasting time, sexy.

She turned to glare at the most irritating male she had ever met. Lieutenant RikER was an acquired taste, and she had yet to want to acquire anything he offered. He was too eager, believed he knew everything, and acted out immaturely. Maybe she just felt like a tired and surly commander. She never thought she would think that about herself. She blamed it all on RikER.

Kayley!

I heard you the first time, and you will call me Commander Kayley, not beautiful, sweetness, or any other term that is inappropriate.

Whatever you say, Commander Sweet Cheeks.

She was going to kill the male. One of them would not survive this journey if he kept up his antics. Goddess, help her.

Chapter 1

VictOR

What is this about? Commander VictOR demanded.

I… I’m just showing Commander Kayley and her friends the command bridge, sir, Lieutenant RikER stammered.

VictOR was not known to be a patient or understanding male. He glared at the lieutenant for daring to breach protocol. No known enemy was allowed access to the command bridge. Granted, these people were given special permission because of their circumstances. Still, the distraction they caused and the scene the lieutenant made by flirting and acting a fool was out of line. If having females aboard his transport turned his warriors into idiots, he may have to send them back to the Colonial Planet.

He couldn’t blame the male for acting the fool. Commander Kayley was tall, athletically built, with long, flowing black hair she usually kept in a braid and dark gold eyes. She was simply—gorgeous. But she was a Morininan. Her people branched off from the Morins who were and still are the sworn enemy of his people, the Katierans.

At one time, the Morins were a related species to the Katierans. They had become obsessed with wiping out any species that was not their own. They developed a virus they unleashed on many nations, including the Katierans. The virus resulted in death for many and mutations in others. It nearly annihilated the Katierans race. Females that survived the virus birthed fewer and fewer children. Their scientists and medic had spent decades trying to reverse the effects of the virus with no genuine success.

Those with extreme mutations split from the Katieran Prime nation and developed their own worlds like Kiljor and the Colonial Planet. VictOR came from Katiera, but he had a mixed crew on board that included both the Kiljorns, the Colonists, and now a handful of Morinians—what they refer to themselves as. VictOR still did not see their differences.

Almost a year ago, an old Morin-style transport ship was discovered with people on board claiming to be Morinians. Commander Kayley and her three crew members originated from that faction. They claimed they no longer considered themselves directly related to the hated Morins. His leaders believed them after a Morin ship attacked them in mid rescue.

His people took them in first. It did not take long before protests rose insisting the Morinians leave Katiera. So they shipped them off to Kiljor, then to the Colonial Planet. However, trouble seemed to follow the Morinians, no matter where they went. It did not help that a rebel group trying to overthrow the ruling leaders used fear and hate to spread distrust of the Morinians. It had been decided that the Morinians needed to have their own separate planet to live freely.

While the Morinian’s own transport was being repaired, each of the three nations offered use of their transports and crew to assist in finding a suitable place to relocate. The Kiljorns offered first and now VictOR and his crew had been ordered to offer their assistance. Lieutenant RikER originated from Kiljor and had somehow made himself the liaison for the Morinians. Unfortunately, having the Morinians on board caused all kinds of disruptions—he would not abide by that.

I need them off the command bridge, Lieutenant. Now! he demanded.

He turned his back, so he didn’t have to look at the three females and one Morinian male, but he felt their eyes on him. Worse, he could scent her. Kayley smelled delicious and made something animalistic rise inside him. He had to hold back the growl of need that quickly grew. It was surprising and disturbing at the same time.

He was passionate with a female who brought out that desire, but he always stayed in control. This unwanted response was unnerving and unwelcome. VictOR took pride in how he had control over all situations except this one. How could he prepare himself for one small, delectable female? She just wouldn’t leave. Kitana!

Commander VictOR, may I have a word with you? Commander Kayley requested.

I do not have time. We are coming up on a minefield and will need to put all our focus on maneuvering around the risk. One false move and the whole side of our transport could be taken out.

We wouldn’t want that, she replied sarcastically.

No, we wouldn’t, he agreed.

Afterward? Will you come to my quarters to have an overdue discussion?

Images of her spread out on a bed, naked, filled his mind. He had to struggle to get those thoughts out of his head. When he answered, his voice was a little too harsh.

Fine, afterward. I’ll come by your quarters…to talk.

Thank you, Commander.

He listened as the four Morinians were escorted off the command bridge. His shoulders lowered and the strain in the air lessened. Her scent still lingered, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

You’re not going to be able to keep putting off meeting with them, Second Commander LinEN said as he took a spot next to him.

VictOR grunted his agreement. A week was too much to expect that they would give up asking for a meeting.

The Morinian commander, she seems persistent.

She does, he agreed.

Our people are completely capable of finding the Morinians a new home world. Why would Prime Leader RendEL insist that they be allowed to come?

VictOR had the same thoughts and even asked his leader. He did his best to try to dissuade their ruler, but his arguments were rebuffed. He repeated what Prime Leader RendEL told him.

The Morinians were chased across galaxies, hunted to near extinction. They have the right to decide where they will live.

Then why not just let them do it themselves without us?

Ah, that was the opinion of many of his people, including himself, in the beginning. Several reasons. First, their transport ship is still being repaired and upgraded. Second, the Morins may still be a threat to them. Third—

The three nations want to keep a tight rein on where the Morinians settle down, LinEN finished for him.

Yes. He continued explaining the situation. This is the second planet hunting trip Commander Kayley has made, but the first on this ship. There were at least two planets found on the first trip that were viable, but this female has insisted the search must continue.

Did she say why? LinEN asked.

Not that I know.

Perhaps if you actually meet with her and her people, you can get answers.

Sighing, VictOR agreed. I will meet with her as soon as we are clear of the minefield.

Do you want me to accompany you?

He snorted. I think I can handle one female.

She’s attractive.

VictOR almost growled. I believe my entire crew has noticed she is attractive. It has not escaped my attention.

Jealous that your males may have had a chance to spend time with her while you were refusing the entire time to meet with her?

This time, his growl did come out. What in Kitana was going on here? Why was he acting possessive?

Who has she been spending time with?

None that I know of specifically. Most of the crew is taking your lead.

What does that mean?

They know you are reluctant to have her on board, so most of the crew have kept their distance.

Had his crew been shunning Kayley and her people because of him. It’s not that I am reluctant to have them on board. I just do not know them.

You will have to interact with them to get to know them.

I know this, he growled.

LinEN didn’t respond to his growl, but there was a smirk on his face. Let me know what I can do to help with the Morinians. The second-in-command is cute.

VictOR pushed all other thoughts to the side. How long until we reach the edge of the minefield?

Five minutes, sir!

Have we found a path around?

Working on it, sir!

I want a path found in two minutes!

Yes, sir!

Chapter 2

Kayley

Kayley remained still as she watched the interaction between the two Katieran males on the command bridge. One was the silly Lieutenant RikER that had traveled with her team since the beginning. He insisted on staying with them when the Katierans took the mission. She would appreciate his loyalty and dedication more if he wasn’t always trying to impress her.

The lieutenant was determined to prove his worth. All he had succeeded in doing was annoying her. She wasn’t sure why he tried so hard. She never gave him any reason to believe she felt anything for him. RikER was attractive, all the Kiljorns, Katierans, and Colonists were attractive. But her last romantic entanglement fell flat. At least she finally got RikER to stop calling her inappropriate things like Hey, beautiful. She rolled her eyes at that and glanced away from RikER.

Her friend and second-in-command, Brigit, stood to her left and leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Are you impressed with Lieutenant RikER? Do you want to ravish him