“Wait, Levi,” Jaeyoung said, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. “What did you say earlier about us being seduced?”
Levi rolled his eyes. “Ugh, that. The admiral went on this tirade about how being seduced by other life forms was worse than hostility or violence. He thought it was the worst-case scenario because the crew would be ‘brainwashed’ and lost forever.” He paused, eyes going wide. “Oh. I see.”
Paz cackled. “Wait, are we seriously telling the admiral that we all fell in love with Maeleons and won’t be going back?”
The idea seemed to amuse him, but he didn’t sound opposed to it. I recalled the way Paz had stood on the edge of the village, as if waiting for someone’s return. Did his heart know the truth even if his mind didn’t?
“That’s the thing. The admiral won’twantus back if he thinks we’ve been seduced,” Levi told him. “He’ll assume we’re a lost cause.”
Jaeyoung nodded along. “And therefore, won’t risk resources trying to retrieve us. It’s perfect.”
“I don’t want to namedrop the Maeleons, though,” Levi said. “This planet wasn’t on the GPS, remember? Nobody knows about it except us and the people who live here. I want to keep it that way.”
“That’s fair,” Jaeyoung said.
Paz perked up. “So, we’re doing it? We’re all pretending to be lovestruck, pregnant himbos with no more space-military usefulness?”
“You seem strangely eager about this,” Levi remarked.
“Hell yeah, I am! Who doesn’t love lying to their soon-to-be-ex-boss with no consequences?”
Jaeyoung sighed and pulled out the device from earlier. “No better time than the present. Are we all ready?”
“Ready,” the other two agreed.
“What should I do, Levi?” I asked.
He frowned thoughtfully. “I don’t want you to be in the shot... at least not your face.”
“Won’t it be more believable if the admiral sees Zat’tor’s chest or something? He doesn’t exactly look human, so it’d make our story more plausible.” Paz grinned. “Especially with how he’s always feeling you up.”
Levi bit his lip, glancing up at me with concern.
“Do not worry about me,” I said, stroking his cheek. “I would do anything to ease your stress, Levi. If this puts an end to your anxieties, I’d be glad to assist.”
He sighed. “Fine. Let’s get this over with. Call him.”
Jaeyoung nodded, then pressed a button on the device. Within seconds, the same translucent screen popped up. The man they called Admiral glared at Jaeyoung for no discernible reason.
“What?” he demanded.
“Sir, I’ve gathered Levi and Paz,” Jaeyoung said. He panned the screen so the man could see them.
The admiral’s veins nearly popped out of his head. “There you are! Where have you been? Status report!” He stopped suddenly, narrowing his eyes at the screen. “Levi, what in the hell is that behind you?”
Levi hesitated, but Paz seized the opportunity with ease.
“Oh, Admiral! That’s our sexy new overlord!” he crooned, pitching his voice higher.
The man grunted. He seemed taken aback by Paz’s random shift in behavior. “What?”
“Mm, isn’t he so hot?” Paz said, batting his eyelashes at me. I assumed this was part of their ploy.
The admiral sputtered. “W-what’s gotten into you?”
Paz licked his lips. “Mm, nothing but long, hard, thickalien—”
“Enough!” the admiral shouted. “Captain, control your underling!”
