“Understood, sir,” I said curtly. I wanted to end this call ASAP. “If that’s all, may I be dismissed? My crew is pinging me to urgent business.”
He grunted, but nodded. “Dismissed, Captain.”
When he finally hung up, I sighed loudly and tossed the UniCom to the ground in frustration. I couldn’t believe the admiral’s rant. He’d never openly expressed sentiments like that before—or maybe he had, and it hadn’t struck a personal chord with me because I hadn’tmetany aliens yet. But now that I had Zat’tor, and his ‘siblings,’ and Eukaria... I couldn’t let those anti-alien notions slide.
Zat’tor tilted his head. “What bothers you, Levi?”
“Did you hear what he said?” I asked, riled up. “That arrogant, narrow-minded...”
I trailed off in a huff, too annoyed to speak. I was enraged on Zat’tor’s behalf.
Zat’tor didn’t seem upset. He gingerly picked the UniCom up with his tentacle and handed it back to me. I glared at the device as if it represented all of the admiral’s ugly thoughts.
Zat’tor stroked my hair. “I do not comprehend. Can’t you ignore this man?”
I grimaced. “No. At least, I’m not supposed to.”
“What do you mean? You are your own being. You are not bound to anyone.” His tongue flicked out playfully. “Except me.”
I smiled a bit despite my irritation. “Obviously.” As the mood came back over me, I sighed. “I dunno. Things are different for humans, Zat’tor. We’re always obeying superiors, or barking orders at inferiors. It’s not like here on Eukaria.”
Zat’tor stepped closer to embrace me. “Your home is here, Levi. You do not answer to anyone except yourself. If that man speaks to you again, I will crush that device to dust.”
I chuckled at the mental image—and then I actually thought about it. What if Zat’tordiddestroy my UniCom? My truest self would be happy never speaking to the admiral or any ‘superiors’ on Earth again. I could leave all the stress and drama and conflict behind. Besides, the ship was busted, and since the galaxies were so expansive, the UniCom had no location signal. Not unless the captain manually input one. And I had no intention of doing that.
But what about my crew? Was it fair to keep them trapped on this planet because that’s whatIwanted? No, they weren’t trapped. Jaeyoung was the most competent person I’d ever met. He’d fix the ship eventually, even if it took a while. Besides, he and Paz weren’t chomping at the bit to incite conflict, either. They were both messengers of peace. I was sure they’d understand if I wanted to keep Eukaria a secret from the admiral.
A realization hit me. I suddenly gasped.
“Oh, shit,” I said. “The fruit.”
Zat’tor made a trilling sound like a laugh. “You want more?”
“No—I mean,maybe—but I forgot about my crew. They ate a ton of fruit at the feast, too. Do you think they...?”
I blushed, unsure if I should talk about my crew’s arousal. But as usual, Zat’tor had no such qualms.
“I have no doubt they entered a state of heightened lust, yes,” Zat’tor confirmed.
I ran to get dressed. “I have to see if they’re okay. It’s my responsibility as captain.”
Zat’tor trailed behind me like a nosy but beloved guardian angel. “I shall accompany you,” he announced.
Nodding, I skidded to a halt at my pile of clothes. The hardsuit lay next to the pink onesie. It wasn’t even a choice. The hardsuit felt like an uncomfortable relic of the past, both literally and metaphorically.
I wriggled quickly into the onesie. “Let’s go find my horny crew.”
10Levi
Findingmy horny crew proved easier than expected. As soon as we rushed out of Zat’tor’s den, I saw a group of concerned Maeleons huddled around two adjacent dens. The Maeleons’ feelers all floated curiously.
Zat’tor raised his head, parted his mouth, and drank in the air. “I recognize that scent. It’s similar to the one you exuded last night.”
I blushed furiously. I wasn’t used to being told I exuded any scents in a positive way. To my surprise, I also felt a stab of jealousy. I didn’t want Zat’torscentingmy crew. Only me.
“Come,” Zat’tor urged. He took my hand and approached the huddled Maeleons. “Levi wishes to see his fellow humans,” he announced.
They parted, allowing us to pass. Two dens, similar to Zat’tor’s vine-coated hut, stood next to each other. I assumed Jaeyoung was in one den, and Paz in the other.
