“It could be.”
Idris called the hangar’s Control Room. The StarBase Commander instantly answered, locking his sapphire eyes to his. The atmosphere behind him was lively, his operators working frantically at their stations.
“Prince Idris, I was about to contact you,” Commander Ajexk said, his deep bass voice cutting through the noise around him. “A single human fighter has appeared. I await your orders on how to proceed.”
“Have you tried hailing them?”
“Not yet, Sire.” He held his hand up, gesturing for the room to fall silent. “What do you suggest we do?”
“Erlyn has pointed out that this could be a trap. I want you to deploy a set of drones and try hailing them. Keep scanning the star system for any incoming warp signatures. I do not want to be caught unprepared.”
Commander Ajexk nodded and pointed to someone off-screen. “Deploy the drones.” He turned to a pair of operators behind him. “I want you two to search for anything suspicious.” He returned his gaze to Idris. “Should I hail them? Or do you want to do the honors?”
“You do it. I am going to prepare the welcoming party and wait for them to arrive at the hangar,” Idris replied. “I will not allow any hostility displayed toward the fighter. There must be a reason why a single vessel was sent here, and I do not want to be responsible for any misunderstandings. Do you understand me?”
A chorus of affirmatives answered him.
“I leave the rest to you to handle as you see fit, Commander. Update Erlyn with any changes. Donotfail me,” he hissed, snapping his tail behind him.
The whole control room saluted him before he ended the call.
Idris waved his hand across his display, closing all the reports and video feeds before turning toward his assistant.
Erlyn was already standing, tablet in hand, and ready for orders.
“You gave me credit,” Erlyn murmured, meeting his gaze. “Why?”
“Because you deserve it,” Idris replied, confused. “Sometimes, I can’t take all of the glory, and I wanted to make sure your colleagues know that you are doing your job. We both know that sometimes assistants are treated as props.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Plus, it will show that I don’t have you around as some pleasure toy.” Idris smirked, walking toward the office door. “Don’t think I haven’t heard the rumors that we are together.”
Erlyn coughed. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“You are my assistant, and it angers me that others believe I may be abusing my position of power to force you into my bed.” Idris shot him a look. “Now isn’t the time for this conversation, but I wanted to make sure the starbase knows I haven’t kept you by my side all these years because you warm my bed.”
“Thank you, Sire.”
Idris studied him before exiting his office.
The gentle male was his best friend and had never failed him. They had been through so much together. It angered him that ever since they came to the starbase, rumors had surfaced. Though they didn’t bother him, Idris had a feeling that they bothered Erlyn. Life as a prince was lonely, and as his assistant, Erlyn was forced to have a similar lifestyle. His secrets were also Erlyn’s, and Idris understood that they caused him to keep his distance from others.
When—if—life calmed down, he needed to settle the debt he owed Erlyn. The male never took any time off to himself. He needed to be rewarded for all his service.
They swiftly exited his office and took the lift down to the hangar bay.
Surprisingly, the grounds crew were staying out of the security team’s way as they started to line up around the docking bay.
Idris found the obsidian-scaled commander pacing nearby, barking orders at his team. Quickly, they stood at attention, prepared for instructions.
“Did they respond to your hailing?” Idris asked, even though judging by the commotion, he could already figure out the answer.
“That is a negative, Sire.” Commander Ajexk shot a glance at the slowly incoming fighter through the hangar bay’s magnetic shield. “There was no sign of communication. We tried all frequencies.”
Idris followed his gaze. “How did they react to your drones?”
“Not how I would expect.” He pointed at faint outlines along the sides of the vessel. “The pilot treated them as if they were guiding them to the starbase.”
