Excitement and joy lit up inside her. “Those are gifts for everyone,” she announced, drawing the attention of the rest of the crew. “Myrum bought them.”
“Gifts!” Helmen squealed and rushed over to the pile. She was no longer the dignified and serious captain as she dug through the items. “What’s for me?What’s for me?”
“Ugarian’s really like gifts,” Amina said with a chuckle. She took Myrum’s hand in hers and led him over to the purchases. “Help me distribute them.”
It seemed Myrum was as excited to dole out all the purchases as her cousins were to receive them.
Watching him hand everything out made her wish their talk of marriage was real.
Myrum
“I’ve never given out gifts like that before,” Myrum said as they moved through the ship followed by a small cargo bot the station had let them borrow to carry their things. Everyone had been issued one by the Ossisos, who couldn’t do enough for them.
Myrum wondered how they’d react if they knew about the assault that took place on the pleasure ship. Probably try to gift them with a dozen Ossiso slaves.
Amina gave him a surprised look. “Really? That’s sad because giving gifts is so much fun.”
He sounded a rumble of agreement “I’ve come to realize that. I’d like to do it again.”
She patted his arm affectionately. “It’s something you can’t do too often. But we could always buy everyone a meal. Anyone who lives on the same five reconsitutor meals always enjoys a fresh meal.”
He thought about where they’d be going from here. There wouldn't be any opportunity to buy the crew meals or gifts, but perhaps once they’d left Ossiso space? No, they’d be in Hulg space, and he didn’t even want to venture back onto a Hulg station. His nose was still traumatized from the last time.
Stopping at his cabin door, he turned to grab his items off the cargo bot when Amina grabbed his arm and tugged.
“I thought, since we’re going to be married, you could move into my cabin for the rest of the trip,” she said with a teasing grin.
“I’d like that,” he agreed and followed her a few cabins further down the corridor. When she stopped them at a door and pressed on the display to open it, his eyes were suddenly assaulted by bright, colorful chaos.
Amina urged him inside. “Don’t mind the clutter. I’ve been assigned to this ship for the last five years, so it’s homebase for me. I’m saving up to buy a place for myself back home, but for now, everything is here. If you think about it, I don’t really have that much because these cabins aren’t that big.”
Conflicting emotions filled him. He adored the fact that she had created a place that made her feel comfortable and happy. However, he hated that she had limited room to acquire all the pretty things she seemed to enjoy.
“You can put your stuff over here,” she said, pointing to a bare spot on the floor. Then she indicated another place closer to the bed. “I was thinking we could put Ruby’s warmer over there.”
He nodded, and the two of them started unpacking the cargo bot. Her cabin was full but tidy, so it wasn’t long before they had everything stowed and Ruby’s warmer set up. Pulling the lizard out from under the scarf, he set her on the edge of the warmer to see if she’d like it.
“Welcome to your new temporary home,” Amina said as she leaned in close and whispered to the creature that matched her room. “If you find any bugs in here, I don’t want to know!”
Ruby looked around her new spot and then wiggled into the little home that would keep the temperature to a level she liked. He could’ve sworn he heard a sigh of contentment from the lizard.
“Aww, she likes it,” Amina said, then straightened up and faced him. “You can hang out in here, your old cabin, or the galley. Once we launch I’ll come find you, and we can spend some time together. Our trip to the outpost won’t be nearly as busy as the way here was.”
He didn’t like the idea of being without her. He had to convince her to marry him, and he had limited time to do it. “Can I help you work?”
“Uh, sure,” she answered. “But you’ll mostly be standing around while I check things.”
“I can carry your tools like I did before,” he said. “And hand you things. I was helpful, right?”
He wasn’t sure about the smile she gave him, but it seemed affectionate.
“Yes, you were.” She took his hand in hers and led him out of the room. “Let’s get started.”
After they left the room and released the cargo bots to return to their assigned spot on Tik, he thought they were headed to the storage room where they kept parts and tools. Only a few steps down the corridor, they heard voices. Amina changed directionsand led him to the personnel entrance instead of cargo loading where they’d all come in earlier.
They found everyone except Desur facing off with a bunch of Ossisos with Gis standing between the two groups.
The moment Gis saw him, the Ossiso rushed around the crew and bowed low in front of Myrum.
