Page 23 of Temple

“How?” Sage grabbed the Oreos with wonder.

“Oh, I like to bake, so once I get things to taste right, I put them in preserving packs and store them.” Bailey smiled. “Have as many as you like. I have more.”

Sage grinned, opened the packet, took her first cookie, and popped it in her mouth. She moaned happily and then smiled. “Can we be friends?”

“Sugar beet, we already are. Let the slumber party begin!” She laughed, and the evening of fun and story time was underway.

* * * *

Symo stepped foot ontoZell’s station and checked the roster. He was less than eight hours behind her.

His com notified him, and he smiled, “I am on my way to meet you, brother.”

He found the command deck and saw the cringing in the officers. He tutted. “What is happening here?”

Zell growled. “They let my companion get away.”

Symo cocked his head. “She was still under contract and ran? That isn’t likely.”

Zell paused and mumbled, “Her contract ended this morning.”

“Ah. So, she was free to leave.”

Zell shouted, “No!”

Symo sighed and took his brother by the arm. “Come on, ancient one. We will discuss how this went down.”

They walked to a café, and the clientele cleared out. The staff stood attentively and a safe distance away.

Symo looked to his elder and smiled. “So, your consort got away.”

“Not consort. Companion,” Zell muttered. “Another female got her off the station before I could do anything.”

“Taller than her by a bit? Wearing body armour with stun gloves?”

Zell blinked. “Yes. Do you know her?”

“She’s my consort-to-be. She’s been running for months, but I am getting closer. It is fun. A tale to tell our children.”

Zell paused. “Wait. Terran. Kethen’s breeder is a Terran.”

“His mate. Don’t say it otherwise. These women survived the end of their world. They lost everything. Didn’t yourcompaniontell you stories?”

“Of course not. She was there for service, not for chatter. I got what I needed and returned to negotiations.”

Symo blinked. “Seriously? You didn’t get to know her?”

“She was primed for sex, didn’t require soothing beforehand, so why talk to her?”

“So, you used her for personal advancement and then walked away. I am surprised she stayed for the duration of her contract. That must have taken nerves of iron.” Symo paused. “Show me your contract.”

Zell frowned and spoke to a few ministers before a display came up. Symo read it and murmured, “You are lucky that she stayed. She didn’t have to. She could have left the moment you woke and presented yourself.”

Zell scowled. “What?”

“Yeah, it says that maintenance of you would be turned over to the more appropriate Zellic. So, she remained until the month was over to make sure that there was no reason for your people to call her back. She was assured you had other food sources.” Symo smiled. “So, since she was just a wet hole with energy output, you can go home and find the same.”

Zell growled. “No. She had no right to leave.”

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