This story worked better as short story than a lot of Ms. Grace's other short stories.
The time frame in which it was suppose to take place was shorter and it was in the same environment, which made the whole plot less chopped up.
Story: On an inhabitable planet lies a base surrounded by semi-hostile aliens. The leader - who sanctioned the Alliance base - dies there. The new leader, his son, comes for his father and to chase out the invaders, but only finds the female Base Commander left - a friend of his fathers.
The characters?
She (h) was very cool. I liked her personality. He (H) was more than okay, downright yummy! Though I would have wanted shown more "real emotion" from him (his father just died and she was the most upset.)
Additional?
It's a sci-fi with a Dark Elvish race, can it get any better?