Page 25 of Slavic

Thankfully, she settles again quickly, and this gives me time to stand back and look down at her.Ihave never seen such a beautiful creature.Thefact thatIgot to hold her in my arms is a dreamInever allowed myself to have before.Shehas no idea the power she holds over me.Ared flash on my comm unit has me glancing out the viewer.Thismust beBikarnotifying me that we are getting ready to dock.

Reluctantly,Ileave her side, asIknow we need to get in and out ofNavaleas quickly as possible, for all our sakes.Walkingdown the hall toward the helm,Iam shocked to seeRuarc.

“Ididn’t expect to see you,Ruarc.”

“NorIyou,Slavic.Kallenhas no proper coverings andIneed to rectify that issue.”

“Wasthere nothing appropriate in the crate thatFalonbrought up?”

“Nothingthose bugs touched will ever be given to my mate.Thatis the last thing she needs to be reminded of right now.”

“Ithought you were denying your mate,Ruarc?”

“Iwill not consummate the union.Shewill be free to pick another once we return her home.”

“Justplanning on dropping her off and leavingIsee.Well, once we doI’llhaveBikarwatch theVelgriddixships better, just to make sure she isn’t picked up once again.”

“Don’tpush meSlavic.”

“Iam not the one fighting the blessing given.Iplan on fully embracing the gift bestowed upon me, no matter ifIdeserve her or not.Areyou going to the market yourself?”

“Iam.”

“Seewhat you can obtain for the others on board while you are acquiring things forKallen?Thefuel we need will absorb most of our credits, but there should still be enough to buy a few comforts for the females.”

Ifeel the ship jerk slightly and power down just as the door slides open to the helm.Bikar’sfingers are flying over the control panel. “Status?”

“Slavic, so far, nothing out of the norm.TheZenithis secure, and the atmospheric membrane is activated.Wewere lucky with our timing as there are only a few ships docked right now.Ihave notified them of our fuel needs, so now we are just waiting ontheir confirmation.Oneof us may have to go down to open the hatch.Forsome reason, it is not releasing.”

“Whatof the cargo?”

“FalonandMurgulhave already opened the lower bay doors.Theyshould have most of it unloaded within half a rotation.Thereare a few itemsIam still in negotiations with for their sale, but this haul will put us back in the green on credits.Unfortunately, most of them will not hit until we are gone, as the sales are not final until the cargo is retrieved.”

“Thefemales?”

“Secured.”

“Iwill see to the fuel hatch myselfRuarc, you proceed with caution.Ifyou hear any rumors of the females, return to the ship immediately.Bikar, you are our eyes, so keep track of where everyone is at all times.Oh, and notifyEinarthat he needs to guard the ramp in case someone breaks through the outer hull locks.”

“Slavic, he hasn’t responded to a single commI’vesent him.Iam concerned that no one has seen to the health of the other females.Theyare eating, but they all have multiple wounds that need to be tended to.”

“Lethim knowIwill put his ass in a holding cell if he does not do his part.Therewill be no mercy given to anyone who will not protectALLthe females.Heis not the only one being forced away from theirStarshine.”

Bikarturns asIwalk out of the helm toward the main ramp.Myspines tremble the further awayIget from my mate, butIpush myself onward.Weneed supplies and if we don’t refuel, and thepanels fail, we would be sitting dead in space.Ifit was simply us males, that would be considered an adventure.However, that is no longer an option with the precious cargo we now have on board.

Atthe bottom of the ramp,Ilook around before heading toward the fuel hatch.Hittingmy comm unit, “Falon, the replicators need replenished with a larger selection of sustenance for the others.Canyou see to that issue after you retrieve the packages?”

“Shouldn’tbe an issue,Slavic.Murgulis offloading the last of the cargo now, so while he awaits payment,Iwill head to the lower levels.”

“Watchyour back and leave your comm on at all times.”

“Yes, sire!Iam a grown male; you do not need to tell me how to do my job.”

Shakingmy head,Ihead toward the fuel crew who are trying to get the hatch open.Seemslike it won’t be long untilIwill have to reacquaint them with the sparing chamber.Theyneed to be reminded why the oldest,Me, is the one in charge.ThemomentIduck under the hull, one of theNavale’screw approaches. “Captain, the lock has been damaged on the plate protecting the fuel cells.Wecan remove it, but we would have to fabricate another to replace it.”

“Doesthe system need the hatch?”

“Itseals the inner enclosure from exposure, and we would not advise you to depart without the proper repairs.”

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