And right now, he was making a very evident play for Vardox. Damn and blast!
Simmering fury rose in Starblade as he strode forward.
—The Tentacular Tales of Captain Starblade,Ch. 170
River
Dockingat an intergalactic space station is by far one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced, and quite frankly, I’m now worried that no Christmas Eve will ever be able to live up to, let alone top, this one.
I’m vibrating with so much excitement that my energy levels are about the equivalent of having downed about three super-charged energy drinks back-to-back. Sure, I try to rein myself in a little bit, but who are we kidding? That’s probably going to be a failed effort.
“Oh, my freaking gods,” I squeal as I stare out the window of our suite and clutch Kai’s arm. “Gene Roddenberry would be so envious right about now.”
He snickers. “How does the real thing compare to your belovedStar Trek?”
I consider this. “Hmm. I haven’t been able to blink yet because I’m trying to take it all in, so give me a hot minute on that one. Let’s just say it so far surpasses even my wildest dreams. And believe me, my dreams are epically cool.”
He leans down and kisses my forehead with a fond look in his eyes. “Indeed, I know that very well, my love. It’s one of the many things I adore about you.”
I preen at his words. “Damn straight. I’m fucking fabulous.” I lean into his side, and he wraps an arm and a tentacle around me.
“You know what I’m looking forward to?” he asks.
“What?”
“Being able to have my tentacles out and touch you with them whenever and wherever I want.”
My eyes widen in realization. “OMG, you’re right. You can have your tentacles all over me the whole time we’re here.”
Kai gives me a slow, devastatingly sexy grin that makes me want to drag him back to our suite’s bathroom for a quickie. The tub in there is rather tempting… but I also don’t want to be the one to break it in when it’s basically part of Nirblob’s future sex pad. I can’t do him dirty like that. I’m a solid and loyal friend.
“That’s right, and I’m going to take full advantage of it,” he purrs.
Not gonna lie, I shiver with anticipation. This is going to be the most out-of-this-world—pun intended—experience of my life.
Nirblob chooses that moment to open the door and glide into the room on his roller skates, Lord Vardox-inspired cloakbillowing around him. “We have successfully docked at the station. Let’s go, our fun times await.”
He doesn’t have to tell me twice! I’ve been ready and waiting for the last thirty minutes.
Naturally, I’m the first in our tiny line as we get off the ship and enter the screening area of the intergalactic space station’s docking bay. I can’t stop myself from staring slack-jawed at the equivalent of an intergalactic parking garage for spaceships. It’s freaking massive compared to our Valley of Fire Base on Earth.
At least a dozen other vessels of varying size are also in the docking bay, and all manner of alien species mill around, some of them clearly guests at the station while others sport some kind of a holographic lanyard that seems to indicate they are employees.
“How is your neural translator holding up?” Kai whispers to me.
“So far, so good,” I say as I hear messages coming over a loudspeaker, not unlike an airport.
Nirblob nods. “At most space stations, all announcements and formal information is presented in Intergalactic Standard One, the most common language across several galaxies. I am fluent in it as well, but there are other versions too. Intergalactic Standard Four, for instance, I find quite tricky and must use my neural translator for.”
I stare at him wide-eyed. “How many languages do you know or speak?”
He tilts his enormous head to the side, considering. “I can speak six but understand, at an intermediate level, ten more.”
“Holy fucking hell,” I whisper. Nirblob is next-level mega genius!
I whistle. “That’s really impressive, my friend.”
He waves a tiny, gloved hand dismissively. “At one time in my youth, I thought I might like to be an intergalacticambassador, so I took it upon myself to study a variety of different cultures and languages. It was enjoyable, but then I discovered the delightful popular culture and fascinating stories of Earthlings, and all of my attention was instantly diverted.” He shakes his head. “That’s when I found my true calling, which led me to you and Team ANAL. Now I couldn’t be happier!” He holds his arms out wide, gesturing toward the large docking bay. “Look where we’re at, heading to Tentacular Tales Con for several days of fun, fan-filled shenanigans. What more could a Zelitine like me want?”
