I leveled her a glare, but Klirgg wasn’t fazed in the slightest.
“Come on,” I said to Urgg, pulling on their arm. It was a feat to get the large barbarus on their feet and headed toward the door.
Urgg continued to sob and cry as I led them through the crowd, many of whom turned to look at us. I ignored them, gritting my teeth and focusing on getting Urgg to the lift. They were much taller than me and weighed a substantial amountmore. It was a struggle to stay upright, let alone support a good amount of their swaying bulk.
We made it to the lift and then to the second floor where Urgg’s room was. When we were outside the door, Urgg cried, “She’s not in there. When I refused to leave, she left me!”
“No, she’s not,” I groaned, fighting the urge to just drop them. “But you need to sleep it off.”
I didn’t bother to wait for a reply, because either way, Urgg was going to their quarters and lying down. I could not support them forever.
Once inside, I literally shoved Urgg into their bed. They continued crying. Breaking Urgg and Talxax’s privacy, I went into the bathroom and snagged a cloth, wetting it, and returned.
Gently, I wiped Urgg’s face. “Captain Talvax will forgive you.”
Their face lit up. “How do you know?”
“You’re her mate. She loves you, Urgg. Give her some time. And instead of drinking yourself to distraction, perhaps see it from her point of view. Think of how much trouble she is in and how worried she is. Help her, Urgg,” I said. “She needs you more than ever. I promise you that.”
Urgg took a deep breath and thumped their chest. “I shall protect Talvax. She is the loveliest, prettiest, most amazing person in the universe.”
I shook my head. Nothing would sway Urgg from their effusive love of their mate, nor should it.
I remained with Urgg until they fell asleep. Next, I sent a note to Talvax to update her on Urgg as well as give her my idea about recruiting civilians. Hopefully, she would be amiable, but either way, I would continue to work on the problem I had created.
Then it was back to Monqilcolnen’s office. He would still be in Command, but I worked better in his office—it smelled like him—and perhaps Cincin would come snuggle. The office was empty when I arrived. No Monqilcolnen. No Cincin. I frowned indisappointment, but I moved to the couch on the right wall and grabbed my screen to begin working.
Fighting the code I had created wasn’t a simple feat. It was insidious and smart, as I had made it. Slowly but steadily, it was breaking down the systems. Very little of the ship would be salvageable if I couldn’t defeat the virus. It would infect and remain dormant in anything that held memory, spawning and destroying once again if it was placed into a new ship, which was also my design. I’d wanted to make whatever it destroyed useless.
My fingers practically flew over the screen as I worked to salvage and protect the necessary systems. We would need lifts, sensors, environments, comms, food storage, dispensers, doors, and weapons.
The door chimed, and I ignored it. This was Monqilcolnen’s office, not mine. It wasn’t my place to allow people other than me in here. I pulled out my touchstone, but it was inactive.
Someone pounded on the door before yelling, “Wyn, are you in there?”
Seth. I stood. A moment later Bobbinvoxlyn screamed. I rushed to the door, and Seth was red-faced and panting.
“Thank god,” he breathed. “I have been looking for you everywhere.”
“What’s wrong?” I glanced at Bobbinvoxlyn, but besides the fussing, the kit appeared healthy.
“Monqilcolnen.”
My soul froze as terror I’d never experienced before flooded my veins. “Where?”
“His room.”
I was out the door and racing to me and mine’s quarters without waiting for Seth.
Chapter 56
This cannot be happening.
I watched the door close as my mate left to comfort Urgg. Already, I missed him, but he was correct. He needed to check on Urgg, and I needed to report to Command. Nonetheless, I wanted Wyn to remain right by me forever. He should never be out of my sight. That wasn’t practical or healthy. Regardless, my instincts demanded it.
Ignoring the urge, I stood, and Cincin meowed, hopping off her tree to come toward me.
“Do you wish to come with me?” I asked the orange house goddess.
