“Spend time with Cincin if she chooses to remain here for the day. She often likes to come with me to Command, but at times that can prove problematic.”
I fought a smile. “She tries to sit on people, doesn’t she?”
“Indeed. She also sleeps on consoles, which makes it difficult for us to work efficiently.”
“If she comes with you, you can ping me when she finally moves from your shoulders and I will come get her.”
“That will work.” Monqilcolnen stood, and Cincin barely shifted, clearly accustomed to lying on him while he was in motion. He moved in front of me, and I had to look up at him. I was short for a drakcol, much below average, and Monqilcolnen was on the taller side. “I know this work is beneath your talents, but it was this or work with Doctor Qinlin in the medbay. She mentioned some issues you have with blood and medical procedures.”
“Issues” was a delicate way to phrase it. I fainted. Every seeker was required to do a stint in the medbay as well as receive basic training in the academy, regardless of if we were planning on doing something medical, much like all warrior souls received more physical training to help their aggression issues and had rotations in security. Creator souls had rotations caring for all of the plants. No such plan existed for spiritual souls—they were too rare. I’d barely made it through my medical courses at the academy. It was a blessing the doctor in charge of my unit hadtaken pity on me and placed me on tasks far away from any patient.
“I will,” he continued, “try to find things that use your talents, but mainly, I need administrative assistance, especially as we get underway. There are always issues that need my attention, especially in regards to crew and civilians, even more so when it’s a long journey such as this one.”
“I will assist you in any way I can,” I said in a low voice, not meeting his eye.
“I know you will, Wyn.”
My tail flicked at his use of just my name. He’d never done that before.
Monqilcolnen handed me a screen. “I’ve given you complete access to my system.”
I paused, hand hovering in the air. “What?”
That was a show of trust I didn’t deserve. Logging into other people’s systems was personal. As I understood it, families would allow each other access, but Monqilcolnen and I were strangers.
“It will be more efficient this way. Now you don’t have to upload things from your own system to NAID or have the computer transfer the work to mine. You can work in my system, and that is that.”
It was far too personal, though I would never take advantage of him or pry into his private files.
He must have sensed my hesitation, because he asked, “Is there a problem? I can revoke it if you are uncomfortable with the familiarity.”
“No,” I said, struggling to keep my voice even. “It’s fine.” It wasn’t fine. It wasn’t even close to fine. What was he thinking? I could steal his money. I could read all of his logs, notes, and private correspondence. I literally had access to everything of his.
“Excellent. I’m needed on Command. I shall return later.” He strode out with Cincin on his shoulders.
I clutched the screen in my claws for several seconds before I pushed past it. I had a job to do, and I would do it to the best of my abilities.
Chapter 9
Distractions.
I reviewed the latest reports as I stood next to my console, my tail peacefully swaying. It was mainly tardy notices, a few disciplinary actions, and complaints. Always so many complaints. That was the main benefit of being promoted to captain. Commanders were in charge of all personnel issues, and only if the situation merited it did the captain get involved. Once promoted, all these complaints would no longer be my problem. It would be my first officer’s, which would be Gorgownun if she remained. Then again, I’d have to deal with superiors who usually had something new to implement or complain.
Was there no freedom from it?
Cincin burrowed in closer, perfectly content draped over my shoulders. When she’d first started to do this, I’d been concerned—assuming this, in no way, could be normal behavior—but Seth and Caleb had corrected my misunderstandings. Cats were creatures as odd as humans themselves, which made sense. Cats were the humans’ gods—small house gods to be sure, but gods none the less.
Talvax touched Cincin’s nose, and my cat pushed her face against my neck, hiding. She didn’t care for many people—me and Wyn namely—though Seth was determined to become friends with her. If something happened to me, she was going to be entrusted into his and Kalvoxrencol’s care. Seth had come and sat with her a few times, and had even had me bring Cincin over to meet Lucy. Neither of them had been enthusiastic about that meeting.
“One day your little goddess will like me,” Talvax said.
“I highly doubt it, Captain.”
She flicked me with her tail, but amusement twinkled in her green eyes. Future reassignment looked good on her. Her brown scales seemed shinier than usual and gleamed with youth that belied her fifty cycles in age. Her bright orange hair was freshly trimmed into typical military fashion.
Giving me one last playful smack with her tail, Talvax took her seat at the front of Command. I was to her right, and Gorgownun, who was next in command, was on her left. Gorgownun shot Cincin a smile, her brown eyes crinkling closed. I knew she was giving Cincin that look because she didn’t really get along with anyone either. She was reserved to the extreme. She didn’t seem to even care for me, which was fine, but she did have a soft spot for cats. Gorgownun had told me she planned to acquire her own in the next cycle or two from the shrine on board. Apparently, she was becoming friends with a particularly lovely striped cat.
My gaze shifted to Talvax; her back was ramrod straight, radiating confidence. When I’d first been assigned to Talvax, I’d been nervous. She was a family friend, and I hadn’t wanted people to assume family connections had gotten me this position—they had not—but she’d made it easy. She’d become more than a mentor to me; she had become my good friend.
