“Do not be modest, Mate. You know it better than anyone.”
“Then I will try my best,” Wyn replied. “Besides, I would rather go with you.”
“As would I.” I kissed him again. “Let’s go.”
We stepped into the shuttle, and I took the pilot stool. Wyn sat on the stool next to me and helped me with the start up sequence. I assumed the station had attempted to ping us, but our communications were down. They should be aware of who we were and the issues we were experiencing, so us not responding shouldn’t immediately cause panic. There was also the matter of the rough shape our ship was in. We were no threat to anyone.
“I already disconnected all of the shuttles from theAdmiral Ven, so there is no risk of contamination,” Wyn commented.
I figured he had already. Wyn had already had the idea to separate the shuttles from the ship’s NAID weeks ago to prevent them from having the same issues. They were now free of most processing power, but we could fly them and use the short range communications.
It took a great deal of time to get the bay doors to open, but once they did, we slid out into the void of space. Thestation hovered in the distance. It was a cylinder with a large docking ring and upper and lower pylons. Unlike when I was in Command, I now spotted a couple of shuttles not far from our location. They were either coming to meet us or preparing for danger. While the station could defend itself, it lacked maneuverability.
“Shall we go greet them?” I asked Wyn.
His tail curled around mine, and my soul warmed. Wyn said, “We might as well. Besides, I’m hoping they have showers.”
I laughed. We’d had to conserve water, so there had been only vibration showers for the last few weeks. “That would be lovely.”
Wyn leaned closer to me. “I could fuck you in it.”
I swallowed. Voice thick, I replied, “I would like that.”
“Then let’s go.”
When we were in range, I pinged the lead shuttle. “This is Commander Monqilcolnen of theAdmiral Ven. We are in need of assistance.”
The screen on the front of my shuttle changed from distant stars to a drakcol with bright yellow scales. “Commander, we have been briefed about what is happening with theAdmiral Ven, though there is a great deal more damage than was reported.”
“Siscurras,” I answered shortly. Wyn tensed beside me, his tail squeezing mine. Neither of us wanted to speak about the incident more than we had to.
“What? A siscurras? That’s rare.”
I ignored them. “TheAdmiral Vencannot dock because of possible contamination. However, we have wounded.”
“Is your shuttle safe?”
“Yes.”
“Then dock, and I will lead you to the station’s commander.”
We followed the shuttles in, docking on the ring. I reached for Wyn the moment I stood. Even the mention of what hadhappened was enough for me to want him close. My mate didn’t deny me. He coiled his tail around mine and settled against my side. I nuzzled the top of his head.
“It will be fine, Star.”
“Of course it will, because you’re right beside me.”
Wyn pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I always will be.”
Explaining exactly what I’d done and what the risks were was as fun as it had been the first time—none at all. No one, especially with Monqilcolnen looming beside me, said anything against me, but I saw the judgement in their eyes. I had no more apologies to make, though. I kept my explanation simple while laying out the necessary precautions. The station's commander, a middle-aged drakcol with light yellow scales and deep orange hair, remained silent through my whole explanation, though he did take notes and seemed to take what I said seriously.
“I believe,” Commander Coydin said, “we should start with your wounded. They will have to be brought with stretchers, as we can’t risk any technology overlap. After that, we will begin to evacuate the civilians, then the crew.”
“I agree,” Monqilcolnen said, the tip of his tail sliding over mine in a distracting manner. “I believe the risk is too great for transporting anyone over. Shuttles, while it will take longer, would be safer.”
“I concur.” He looked between us before saying, “As long as Captain Talvax agrees, I think you and Lieutenant Wyn should remain on the station to oversee settling your people here.”
I wanted to smirk, but I didn’t. The commander had noticed we were mates and had extended the invite to me as well.Monqilcolnen would never leave me behind, even though I would be perfectly safe. At least this way, it spared a fight.
