Page 55 of Solar Bound
"That," Dani finally said, her voice hushed with awe, "was definitely not in any Earth physics textbook."
Solar felt something unfamiliar move through his energy field. The sensation manifested physically as a slight upward curve of his lips. "Nor in Zorveyan combat manuals."
Dani laughed, the sound vibrating pleasantly through their still-joined bodies. "I think you just fixed the gravity with an orgasm."
"A temporary solution," Solar replied, his hand moving to trace the curve of her face. "But an effective one. My energy does feel stronger than before, like I stood in sunlight for an hour."
"We should probably test it again," Dani suggested, her eyes meeting his with a warmth that created ripples through his energy field. "You know, for scientific thoroughness."
Solar considered this proposal, analyzing their position, the ship's status, and the remaining repairs. All logical considerations pointed to resuming work immediately.
"The scientific method does require multiple trials to establish validity," he agreed instead, his light brightening as she smiled.
Before she could answer, the ship's communication system activated with a harsh static burst.
"Solar! Dani!" Gary's voice echoed through the engine room. "Emergency transmission incoming from the surface. Report to the command center immediately."
They exchanged glances, the moment of connection shifting as duty reasserted itself.
"To be continued," Dani promised, pressing a quick kiss to his lips before reaching for her clothing that had been sprinkled around the room when the gravity came back on.
Solar nodded, already calculating the most efficient path to the command center while simultaneously processing what had just occurred between them.
Dani was, he had begun to understand, something worth fighting for… perhaps even more so than his duty to Zorveya.
Chapter
Fifteen
In the command center, Bob was frantically adjusting controls. His oversized head bobbed with stress. Gary paced behind him, wringing his hands.
"What is the nature of the emergency?" Solar demanded.
“We established a transmission link from the surface," Gary explained, gesturing to a display showing a fragmented signal pattern. "Encrypted using Galaxy Brides protocols, but the signal is weak."
"Origin point?" Solar moved to the console, analyzing the data with practiced efficiency.
"Here. We originated it,” Bob said.
“I mean on Earth. Who are you talking to?” Solar said.
“It is connected to the northwestern region of the designated North American continent," Bob replied, his usual incompetence momentarily suppressed by the situation's gravity. "But precise coordinates are unclear due to signal degradation."
“How can they be unclear? You did it.” Solar accessed the communications array, making rapid adjustments to boost reception. The fragmented pattern gradually stabilized, resolving into a recognizable encryption sequence.
“You look different somehow,” Gary said, eyeing him and then Dani. A strange look crossed his face, and Solar swore the alien was smiling.
"It's Lunar," Solar announced, ignoring Gary. "They think Milano has captured Eclipse."
Dani moved to his side, her expression grim. "When?"
"During Rowan and my escape from the caves. He hasn’t resurfaced." Solar translated the message that continued to form on the display. "They’re hiding in a cabin.”
"Fuck," Dani whispered. "Do they know where they took him?"
Solar continued to decipher the message as it scrolled across the screen. "They don’t know. They want us to look for his energy signatures from our location to see if we can track him.”
Dani’s hand found Solar's arm. "There must be something we can do."
