Page 54 of Across The Stars
“I thought you’d want to discuss this in private.” Immediately, I got the feeling she didn’t want to talk about the gek. “Perhaps having the female present was stifling your honesty. A surge is no small situation. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes, but I was under the impression that the gek’tal were more important. They attacked a human ship and destroyed an entire shipment of scientific materials.”
“Yes, and I’ve just received a response from the mayor himself. The Nexus is increasing security and will be recruiting more pilots within the week. We’re going to have a virtual meeting on the matter to discuss things in more detail, but all parties understand the situation now. They’re unwilling to send out any ships until the travel routs are secure and right now, we think the gek may have hacked the clearance codes for our relays. Technicians are working on reinforcing them as we speak.”
“We might want to station valerian ships near the Nexus, then. If they lose more of their people, our relationship with them could be put in jeopardy. I can take the Irlos to—”
“You will stay here. At least for a while. The Nexus is on edge and I don’t blame them. So, until we can organize an exchange, the two humans are your responsibility. You and Solukh brought them here.”
That was both an appealing and irritating prospect. To be forced to be around Innifer when I was struggling as it was to keep my hands off of her would be torture. And I could already imagine Salukh’s response to having to babysit Sam for a while. He was already growing short with the little human.
“And what will happen while we’re grounded and taking care of the humans?” I asked. “Destroying vital materials and attacking cargo freighters is an act of war. I am a ship captain. I’m needed now more than ever. Is this not why I was pulled from stasis? Surging with a human is—"
“A breakthrough,” she finished. “It proves we’re compatible and that means you’re too valuable to lose in some battle against the gek. Let your fellow soldiers patrol and organize fleets. You, of all people, know how important this is. You’ve beentransporting human specimens and samples for many cycles. You’ve watched our research try and fail time and time again and now that you’ve reacted to a human woman, you wish to ignore it. I am sorry it is you, Vahko. I understand where you think your responsibilities lie, but this is bigger than that.”
“With all due respect, I was extracted from stasis because our scientists were certain I would not recover from the effects of the Thinning,” I said in a low tone. “I’ve dedicated my life to my crew, the Irlos, and helping our species in whatever ways I can. It’s been my sole purpose. Being forced into shore leave with two human women is not—”
“Stop,” she said, raising a hand but not her voice. “You were taken out of stasis with a high percent suspicion that you were sterile. It turns out you may not be. If you’re so dedicated to helping your people, then do this for them. Stay here, observe your interactions with the woman, and be thankful youcanfeel again.”
There was a hint of sorrow in those last few words and it caused me pain to hear them. Her words were heavy but true. The valerians had been attempting to reverse the Thinning for many cycles and finally, something had proven to be promising, and I was in denial. Innifer and I were compatible which meant other humans and valerians could be, too. It was great news, just not for me. Not at the time. Not when I’d spent so many cycles coping with the idea that I would never be mated. It was never in my cards and it had destroyed me at a time. It caused me to find and fully commit to something else. Now I was being told to abandon that duty.
My mind could scarcely comprehend it, but I knew something about the situation had to yield a positive outcome. If not for me, then for my people.
Sighing with defeat, I said, “I request to be updated about anything having to do with the gek. In return, I’ll take note ofmy time with Innifer and when this calms down, I will volunteer myself for study.”
“Then you’ll mate with her?”
I hesitated. I hadn’t really gotten that far yet.
“I’ll… consider it after these conflicts are resolved. That is, if Innifer will even accept the prospect. The shock of being on a new planet combined with the effects of the surge have put her under stress.”
I didn’t want to answer that question one way or another, but my cock was trying to answer for me. The mere thought made me ache for the woman.
It was all a mess.
“I commend you, captain,” Kasiri said. “It truly is a shame that you were the one to surge with a human. Your sense of obligation is unyielding. I only hope you can adjust to new ones. For now, at least. The two specimens we just received seem promising, but I assure you that what’s happening between you and that human is more so. Perhaps, in your time with her, you can convince her to volunteer for study as well? I’ve chosen not to tell the mayor of this development yet. But if it comes down to it, I would not be opposed to negotiating terms to send her to the labs on Valer.”
I hated the thought of Innifer’s choices being taken away. In fact, it made my muscles tense with aggression to even imagine her being hauled away like one of the specimens in those pods. Like a thing and not a woman.
“If I am to be grounded, Innifer will be under my protection,” I said. “She won’t be taken anywhere against her will.”
Kasiri regarded me with narrowed eyes. Despite the defiance in my tone, she didn’t argue. Rather, she cocked her head with intrigue.
“Then attend to her however she needs,” she sighed. “Humans seem high maintenance and fragile.”
She waved her hand to dismiss me like she was late for something. I was sure she had plenty of meetings to attend. Communications were saturated with distress calls, information, panic, and instruction. I should have been a part of it, but I was shackled to my new “duties” now.
Bitter and curious at the same time, I turned and walked out of the council chamber to see Salukh quickly stepping away from the door when I exited. The man had been listening in on the conversation the whole time and was doing a poor job of pretending he wasn’t. I cleared my throat and started walking down the corridor.
“So, we’re keeping them?” Salukh said as if talking about a stray animal we’d picked up in the jungle.
“For now.”
“And you’re going to mate with the female?”
I hissed. “No. I’m going to feed her. How is the other one doing?”
“Better. She drank her weight in water and she’s up and about. Fever passed. For now, at least. The doctors gave her something that should keep her from being contagious, if whatever she has is even transmittable. They’re testing her blood samples now.”
