I tuck an arm behind Edie, moving her closer as her presence calms me, as I listen to her talk to DaR.
“Commander, I’m not saying no if that’s what you’re wondering. I would just like to come back and forth here occasionally, but I also want to see Mam and the others again, so this sounds like a win-win to me. Will his brothers be able to obtain positions on this new station if they want?”
It takes DaR a moment to answer Edie, as I can tell he is thinking about her question thoroughly.
“As long as they realize that Falon is the one in charge and they respect the protocols that Falon and SCOUT set up. I have no issues with that at all, especially since I know they are also mated to human females who may want to come here from time to time. This station will take orbital rotations before it becomes inhabitable, and an appropriate area still needs to be determined, but I wanted to ensure your assistance before we pursue this endeavor further. I am sure we will spend many a rising discussing it further.”
Edie’s small hand lands on my leg, squeezing affectionately.
“Sweetie, as long as we’re together, I really don’t care where we sleep each night. I like the idea of going back and forth, and I know that when you jumped ship, you never dreamed you’d never see your family again.”
“Nothing mattered but you. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”
Before I can say anything else, DaR’s mate comes in with another tray for them. “Well, you kids still won’t be leaving for a while, so we need to get you settled until you head off to your next adventure. I have a feeling Vedece’s pod, located a little farther into the Timbers, will be available in a few days and should suit your needs for now. I’ll get you a holopad in a bit so you can order the interior furniture and log any upgrades you’d like. Hopefully, we’ll have most of it here or coming on the next cargo ship.
“Edie, my dear, what’s your superpower, something that you like to do?”
“Ughh, Kira … talk about putting a girl on the spot. I’ve been in survival mode for so long, I can’t truly say. I tend to jump inwhere help is needed, but nothing really calls out my name if you catch my meaning.”
DaR scoots over, motioning for his mate to settle next to him. She lowers the tray onto his lap but never stops speaking to my Edie.
“Let me think ... several of the girls here want to start a boutique since clothing is always needed. Vedece will need help in the medical ward once it’s repaired. DaR, my love, remind me to talk to you about that later. Most meals are now prepared by the replicators, so that chore has been taken over until we get fresh produce from the fields. We do need a general store and someone to manage it. MeK and Lacie, along with BuK and Briar, plan to stay here full-time, but we need more than just those two to help with repairs or expansions, especially if MeK is working on new designs or other projects. There are fields that need planting, and of course, more guards are needed for the perimeter wall. SAGE usually handles ordering the daily necessities, but they always need to be organized and distributed when the cargo ships land. I’m sure there’s a lot more, I just can’t think of them right now.
I sit here, trying each of these little bite-sized layers of sustenance, watching the females talk animatedly. Edie turns to me quickly.
“Speaking of SAGE … Falon, I can’t wait for you to meet her. She was called away or would be here with us now. She’s another little floaty person like ANDI and Destiny. I’m in love with these little people. She was just darling.”
I cannot stop the smile that graces my face when she turns just as quickly away to talk to Kira. DaR simply shakes his headbefore grabbing another piece of sustenance from his tray as we both just sit here watching them interact.
“Kira, now that you’ve got me thinking about it, Tracy will probably volunteer for any medical role since she was studying it before being taken. In her mind, Kristen is the group’s supervisor, so I would ask her about the general store. Laura is always digging in the dirt and that woman has a knack with plants. I’m not too shy with a needle, and I used to make all of us girls’ clothes. So, I’m leaning more toward the boutique or helping with organizing. I’m sure the big guy here wouldn’t mind guard duty, as long as I can tag along sometimes.
Kira’s laugh surrounds us, “I have a feeling several of the guards will have helpers before long, as I don’t like being away from DaR either, and I often find myself walking along the perimeter wall just to spend a few minutes together. I’m so happy we have a plan now, that always helps. Now you two eat up, then we’ll show you around. I believe DaR has guard duty this afternoon. Falon, if you’d like to join him, Edie and I will spend that time getting you both settled in the guest quarters in the back of the communal tent until I can get an answer on that dwelling pod.”
I nod my head at her in acceptance and then look over at DaR, who has been watching the interactions around him. His comm unit goes off and he gets up, walking into the other room, only to come back a little later, obviously concerned. Instantly, his little mate is next to him.
“What is it, dear?”
“That was MeK. He and BuK just left KyT’s ship, but Vedece is not with them. Apparently, KyT is stuck in hibernation, and his ship is refusing to let her leave. I may have to go out there if KyT does not contact me soon.”
“DaR, I have seen the way those two are when they’re together. I’m sure there is more to it than that. Was Vedece in distress?”
“No, MeK said she wanted to stay.”
“Well then, we’ll check in on them after we talk to Ricky and Ginger. Relax and enjoy the new additions to our family.”
I cannot help but smile when he sits down almost immediately. It seems the big Commander is not the only one easily managed by his female. Leaning back, I let myself relax as the conversation turns to different subjects. All of us learn something from each other, but with shockingly open minds. Just as the darkness is upon us, DaR takes me on a tour of the Virulent. After that, we walk Edie and Kira to the tent in which we will be staying. Then I head out with him on guard duty.
Surprisingly, DaR proves to be easy to talk to and wise in his choice of words. We spend half the darkness discussing the other species behind the Veil, the ones born there and the ones hiding. The rest of the time, we simply get to know each other better, and it is nice to realize that even though he is one of the most powerful males in this part of the universe, he still has the same wants as most others and has worked hard to keep this part of his world safe and structured. It does not take long for me to relax and then realize how lucky I am to be part of his very large family circle.
I know that eventually I will meet all his other sons, but I do not feel as untethered right now. SCOUT is thankfully going to help me send a message to Bikar, and I was pleased to hear that a ship with supplies is already on its way to them, along with a large enough shuttle to accommodate everyone if needed.
I may have acted irrationally when I chased my mate across the stars, but things have worked out for us all. For the first time in my life, I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds.
CHAPTER 6
GINGER
I’m up and out of my seat the moment the shuttle lands. Laughter and excitement fills the air all around me as the girls eagerly await our new home.
