“And you did tell me that you all helped some stranded travelers when their ship broke down.”
Luna smiles. “Those sweet folks going to that convention were delightful. We still keep in touch with a few of them.”
“Right. Well, since we’re planning to continue our nomadic wandering around the universe, what if we became an emergency response vessel that helps folks in distress?” I count off on my fingers. “Those who are stranded due to mechanical failures, you and Khephren can undoubtedly get back up and running. Felix can help with injured or abandoned animals, as I’m sure folks traveling the universe often bring their pets with them or take in ones they find in their travels.”
Luna bounces on the bed, tentacles flapping. “Totally.”
I sit up straighter, barely able to contain my own excitement. “And I could provide emergency medical treatment to anyone who’s ill or injured.”
Luna inhales sharply. “Galactic gods, that’s fucking brilliant. I love this idea!”
I can’t resist. “Do you think the others would be on board? No pun intended.”
She snorts with laughter. “I love you so fucking hard. And yes, I think they would.” She cracks her knuckles and narrows her eyes. “Or I’ll convince them that they do.”
I whistle. “So damn hot.”
“You know it, gorgeous.”
I take a deep breath and continue with the one part I’m less certain about. “Today taught me that if we’re going to do this, I’m going to need some intensive training and education related to different extraterrestrial species and how to treat them. I got lucky with Phee. Her species is fairly similar to humans in terms of cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and her grandmother was able to answer my questions. But the same probably can’t be said for a lot of other species.” I shake my head. “Shit, I wouldn’t even know how to treat certain health issues thatyoumight have because I’ve never worked on someone with three freaking hearts. Don’t get me wrong, that’s something super cool about Dravethians—in addition to your phenomenal tentacles, of course—but I need to learn how to treat you and keep you hale and hearty, as well as the other Dravethians on this ship.” I grin. “The humans I’ve got covered.”
Luna ponders what I’ve said, her expression completely serious.
She takes my breath away like no one ever has.
“What you’re saying makes complete and total sense,” Luna says. “I do know that the Intergalactic Alliance has a medical school of some kind. It’s housed at their space station headquarters. We could investigate options for you to undergo training and coursework and if they’re willing to admit you, which I can’t see why they wouldn’t, especially if we pitch this in connection with your bigger plan. There’s a desperate need for what you’re proposing. While there are some Intergalactic Alliance vessels that scout the universe and respond to distress calls, they can’t be in all places at once, and the universe is a really big fucking place. The more help the Alliance can get, the better.”
“Aren’t you in their bad books for two abductions at this point?”
“Friendly abductions,” she corrects me. “We did tick off that officer at the outpost on Earth, but she never reported us. All’s good on that front.”
“That’s a relief.”
I perk up at her previous comment about a medical school where I could receive the training I need. I’ve always loved to learn and don’t have any reservations about building upon my already existing medical knowledge. If it can better help me save lives across this universe, then I’m all for it. Plus, to my knowledge, I’d be the first human to ever do this. In other words, I could become a history-making trailblazer—and I really like the sound of that.
Unable to fight back a yawn, I pull the covers up from the bottom of the bed and Luna and I lie back down, cuddling under them. Now that I’ve formulated a plan of action, my body has decided it’s ready to rest and recharge.
As if to illustrate this point, I give a jaw-cracking yawn.
“Let’s get some sleep, love,” Luna says softly. “It’s been a wild ride of a day.” She waggles her eyebrows. “No pun intended.”
I giggle. She got me with that one, and I freaking love it.
“Tomorrow is Let’s Get This Plan Started Day, and I’ll be right by your side, supporting you the whole way.” She kisses me gently. “I love you, Gemma Taylor, to the Gamma Stella Quadrant and back.”
“Ditto, my love.”
CHAPTER 18
Gemma:There’s something I’m curious about.
Luna:Your curiosity is delightful. Ask away, beautiful. I’m an open book.
Gemma:What made you become a ship’s engineer and mechanic?
Luna:Let me satisfy your curiosity. *winky face emoji* Ever since I was a kid, I loved taking things apart and figuring out how they worked. It drove my parents nuts. There wasn’t a gadget or device in the house that I didn’t dismantle and put back together again. It was a no-brainer when I went to college that I’d study mechanical engineering. Then, when Kheph began creating blueprints for a ship he wanted to build, I knew I wanted to design and construct the engine for it. The rest, as they say, is history.
Gemma:That’s so cool.
