Desperate Times by K. McLaughlin

Kim’s attained her dream job, but it wasn’t what she was hoping. Commanding a spaceship ought to have been the pinnacle of her career, but all she could do was hope her next assignment would be more interesting. Boring picket duty at the edge of Earth’s solar system wasn’t what she had in mind when she signed up. She wanted to explore space, to meet the myriad life that the galaxy was teeming with. More than anything else she was hoping for a little excitement.

Be careful what you wish for!

Bran had just seen his homeworld destroyed, his entire people wiped out by the alien scourge his people called the Skree. His damaged ship arrived too late to fling itself into the battle. All he and his men could do was watch helplessly as everyone they knew died. He’d ordered the ship to jump away, fleeing in shame and desperation. The Cymtarran Empire was no more. Hell, the continuation of the Cymtarran race was in question.

Vengeance was the last thing he and his crew had left to them. They ran to a backwater system, hoping to evade pursuit long enough to repair their warship and avenge their fallen. But the Skree were more cunning than he had given them credit for. They followed Bran’s ship. They’ve arrived at Earth, and unless Kim and Bran can find a way for their people to bond together, Kim’s homeworld will be the next planet they destroy.