The Kahlea is book four in my sci-fi series. The people on Shakazhan have decided to explore their planet inside and out. They discovered some time ago that the planet of Shakazhan is an artificial construct, like a living ship—a space age, psychotic Noah’s Ark, full of creatures, which are the results of experiments by The Maker. Knowing they need allies from the folk below, Wil sends an exploratory force. Unfortunately, they run across something that makes them act completely out of character for a bunch of grown men and women, most of whom are Galactic Marines.

Kindred scanner skittered across the stone, sliding out of sight. Kaz started to rise, going slowly toward his device, but Mitch jumped after it, holding it out of Kaz’s reach. Cold fury filled Kaz. Keeping a tenuous rein on his temper, he stood clenching his fists. Above all else, Kaz was a professional…