“Phares is busy assessing damage to his ship. Olmed is still off-station,” Erzo updated her.
“How far is his world?”
“With the warp tunnel, it’s not far. A couple of days’ travel to the Kantenan home world.”
She nodded, looking relieved at his reassurance that they would return soon. “So, what’s our plan for today?”
Erzo contemplated. “More station tours?”
Her smile was polite, but lacked enthusiasm. “I feel like we’ve seen it all.”
He chuckled softly. “Not quite everything.” Their exploration had been thorough, but there was still one experience he was eager to share with her. “There’s one activity left that I think you’ll find intriguing—a bubble tour.”
Her interest piqued. “A bubble tour? That does sound interesting.”
“We’ll head out after breakfast,” Erzo said, pleased with her reaction.
His communicator buzzed, breaking the morning calm.
“Do you need to take that?” Polly asked, pouting.
“It’s important,” Erzo said, moving towards the entrance for privacy because the call was from Breal.
“You need to be ready. They’re coming,” Breal warned.
“Who’s coming?”
“Both elders,” Breal said, her voice heavy with implication.
Since Breal wasn’t being specific, he guessed she meant both his father and hers. “Timeline?”
“Soon.”
“Thanks, Breal.”
His heart sank—trouble was brewing, and it was closing in fast. Ending the call, Erzo turned to find Polly standing there, her arms crossed.
“Who was that?” Polly demanded, her voice sharper than he’d ever heard.
“Breal,” Erzo replied, trying to gauge her reaction. He considered the chance that her change in mood was triggered by hearing a snippet of Breal's voice on the call, resulting in some far-fetched conclusions.
“Your girlfriend?” Polly shot back, her eyes narrowing.
Erzo hesitated. “It’s complicated, but you could say that.”
“Complicated? Really?” Polly yelled, launching herself at him in a flurry of fury. She landed a couple of hard hits on the side of his arm. “How could you? You dumb, giant Hulk! How could you do that to me? I’m supposed to be your mate, and you’re running around talking to other women?—”
Erzo blocked her swings. “Wait, stop.”
Trying to calm the situation, Erzo caught her in his tail, but Polly was having none of it.
“Let me go!” Polly struggled fiercely, biting at him in her frustration.
“Polly, listen to me!” Erzo pleaded, trying to maintain his composure, but she was a whirlwind of emotion, kicking and screaming. “We need to talk.”
“Oh, brilliant deduction, Sherlock!” Polly snarked, struggling against his grip. She leaned down and gave his tail a good chomp.
Erzo winced, his teeth clenching. “Ease back, fierceness! This tail isn’t a chew toy!”
