Page 67 of Grulen

“I’m afraid he still sees me as a youngling.”Niksen’s dark eyes watered.“But the age difference doesn’t bother me.In fact, I prefer a mature male.Most Orkites my age are too immature to settle down.”

Morgan tentatively reached over to squeeze the Orkite’s hand.Niksen squeezed back.Her behavior makes a little bit of sense now.Still not right, but she’s floundering.I can relate.

“I’m sorry you’re going through this.I’m not sure how to help since I’ll be staying on the ship while you’re on Ladorta.”

“Please keep my secret.No one else knows.”

“Of course.It’s your private business.I do think you should tell him how you feel, though.”

“He’s not taking my hints.But sometimes I catch him looking at me as if he might be really seeing me.”

“Maybe be direct?If there’s no chance, he’ll tell you.He seems like that type of guy.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready for him to completely shatter my hopes.”Niksen sat on a stool.

“I’m no expert, but I think you should concentrate on being yourself and your duties.Let him see you as a female with something to offer.”Morgan bit her lower lip.“No offense, but the way you’ve been acting doesn’t really present yourself in the best light.”

Niksen laughed heartily.

“What a polite way to say I’ve been acting like dung.”

A smile lifted Morgan’s lips.

“I have to say, I like this version of you much better, Niksen.”

“Me, too.”Niksen’s humor faded.“I thought you worked on Delizas voluntarily.I didn’t realize that was the case.I’m sorry you went through that, and I apologize that my actions caused you pain.”

“How about we start over?”

“I’d like that.”

That went much better than I expected.Too bad she’s leaving tomorrow.I might actually get to like her.

Chapter 19

Staladwatchedthelargetransporter leave the hangar bay.After he ensured all systems operated as they should, he headed to the bridge.Crax and Kara left hours earlier for Rumaska.

As he walked, he thought about the night before.At evening meal, Morgan and Niksen talked as if they were friends.He, the Jalaxians, and the Orkites exchanged raised eyebrows, but the humans acted as if the behavior was expected.Females.I don’t think I’ll ever really understand them.Although knowing that neither female seemed upset about earlier relieved me.I would hate if Morgan continued to berate herself for her reaction.

Rain and Abby sat on the bridge quietly talking.The pilot glanced at him when he arrived.He sat at a console and checked the scans.

“We’re in orbit.Ladorta’s defensive systems are ignoring us.”

“I’m going to set an alert to notify us if that changes.”Stalad tapped the console.

“Good idea.You and I are going to have to take shifts at the helm, since neither Abby or Morgan can pilot.I’m thinking twelve-hour shifts with a four-hour overlap midday when we’re expecting comms from everyone.”

“Sounds good to me.”

They looked up as Morgan entered with a tray of food.

“Breakfast.”Morgan placed the tray on an unused console and handed out cups of a hot beverage.She went back to the tray and scooped out servings of a breakfast casserole onto plates before distributing them to everyone.

“Thanks, Morgan.”Abby sipped at her cup.“I really wish we could find an acceptable substitute for coffee.I really miss it.”

“This is the closest I’ve been able to find so far,” Morgan said.“It’s some sort of blend of seeds from Praxis.Not easy to obtain.”

“It’s more tea-like than coffee-ish.”Rain smiled.“But at least it has a caffeine hit to it.”

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