Page 42 of Grulen

“A new variant of Earth’s measles disease began showing up on different worlds.About a month ago, the Svesti developed a vaccine that protects most species in this region of space.While they believe Svesti are immune, they recommend all be inoculated, just in case.Lezon said you can go to the med bay any time to receive it.”

“I’ll talk with him more about it.”

“Crax, show Stalad the weapons stations and our capabilities.”Makai sat in the captain’s chair.

Crax lifted Kara as he rose.He kissed her on her forehead after he placed her back on the seat where he had been sitting.Definitely a lax atmosphere on the bridge, but everyone seems competent.I think I like it here.

Chapter 12

Morganenjoyedexperimentingwithalien foods and hummed while she prepared dinner.Tonight, she tried a combination of chopped vegetables with meat in a stew.Using a spoon, she tasted her concoction.Hmm, needs more salt and something savory.Good thing we’re headed to Arona.Our stash of crusty bread rolls is running out.They’ll go great with this meal.

Rummaging in the spice compartment, she found what she needed.She let it all simmer as she rolled out a pastry dough and made mini fruit pies.I’m really glad that vendor on Nulorn allowed me to taste samples.This drisima from Ladorta tastes like apples.

Taking liberties with the ingredients and using a sugar found on Pellotia, she added some homemade caramel.Its scent combined with the cinnamon took her thoughts back to Stalad.She only saw him briefly during the day.The Jalaxians kept him busy in the training area discovering what the Svesti remembered.It’s gotta be weird to not know who you are or remember how you know things.

After she put the pies in the oven, she fanned her face as she pictured how he looked while he sparred.Clad only in tight pants that hugged his legs, his muscles tensed and released with his surprisingly graceful maneuvers.His tail fascinated her.He exhibited superior control of his when he sparred.Yet sometimes his emotional state showed itself in his tail’s movements.Rivulets of sweat ran down his taut abs and she licked her lips.Her cheeks flushed and she rubbed her thighs together.Shit.It’s been three years since I’ve truly been horny.I need to think of something else before everyone else shows up.

“Do you need any help?”

Morgan turned sharply with a hand on her chest at Stalad’s question.

“You startled me.”

“My apologies.”His brown eyes twinkled.

“Dinner, uh, evening meal won’t be ready for another half hour or so.”She pushed some strands of hair back from her forehead.“How was your day?”

“I’m enjoying theFortitude.Everyone is friendly and I’m discovering how much I have retained from before the accident.”He leaned back on the counter.

“Anything in particular stand out?”She wiped her hands on a towel and picked up a water pouch.“Would you like one?”

“Not at this time, thank you.”His head tilted slightly, and his eyes grew hazy as he thought.“The sparring feels very familiar.So far, there hasn’t been anything specific that I haven’t known.Generalized knowledge about species and worlds seems intact, although I’m not sure how I know as much as I do about humans as I do.According to Makai, your race isn’t widely known to be in space.”

“Makai’s correct.Although I have a feeling that will be changing.”Morgan sipped some water.

“How so?”

“I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to say.”She wrinkled her nose.“I guess no one told me I couldn’t talk about it.”

His tail swayed.

“If you believe you’ll betray a confidence, you don’t have to explain.”

She smiled at him.

“That’s nice of you.”Morgan inhaled deeply.“Before the Wing Raiders rescued me from a Zuvgran lab, I spent a year on Costonia.”

His tail snapped behind him.

“The Zuvgran experimented on you?”

She placed a hand on his tense forearm.

“I’m fine now.”

“It should not have happened.”

“No, no one should have to go through what we did.”

---