Chapter Thirty-Eight
Kael
The bridge was never truly quiet. Even at its calmest, there were vibrations through the deck, crew moving between stations, and low conversations murmured over monitors. Consoles flickered with star maps and telemetry, energy outputs, and vital readings.
I stood at the central display, hands braced on the edge of the holo-table as data streamed past. A new pilot always meant increased oversight, and while I trusted the training, trust did not negate responsibility, even in a relatively safe area of Zeyd.
I felt Serenya before I saw her. The separation pain was a persistent ache in my chest, a pressure in my head, but it eased the closer she drew.
Motion at the doorway made me turn my head. She hesitated beyond the edge of the bridge, as if she wasn’t sure she was allowed to enter. There was a ripple of uncertainty and the soft edge of fear in the link between us.
I turned toward her, meeting her pale eyes as I held out my hand.
She stepped over the threshold, hands clasped in front of her, gaze flicking over the crew and consoles before landing on me again. Her kethra brightened with her anxiety, but she was getting better at keeping it from being erratic.
I didn’t like that she felt unwelcome. While the bridge was off limits to most of the crew as well as any guests, that rule didn’t apply to her.
She was my korravai.
“Come here, veyrari.”
Her shoulders loosened and relief washed through our connection as she crossed the deck, careful to stay out of the crew’s way. A few glances cut towards her, but none lingered. No one challenged her presence. Mates were one, and she would never be banned from seeking her alpha.
I sat on the chair I rarely used, pulling the display lower so I could still reach.
When she made it to me I tugged her between my knees, settling her onto my lap.
She let out a quiet breath as I wrapped one arm around her waist, tail curling around her calves to anchor her in place as I tucked her head beneath my chin.
The separation pain disappeared with the touch of our flesh.
She rested her cheek against my chest, pulse slowing as she adjusted to the noise and motion of the bridge. Her tension bled away, replaced by a sense of belonging that made my heart clench with its intensity.
This was home. Her scent, her presence… it was all I needed.
I returned my attention to the displays, one hand resting on Serenya’s hip so she knew she was welcome to stay as I worked, but the crew had to see me being responsible.
“Torvakai.”
The voice came from the navigation pit, edged with urgency as it cut through the moment. I straightened, senses sharpening, and pulled up a view of his screen.
“Dradel.”
The display shifted, the star map compressing to show a distant sector near the outer edges of our patrols. A blinking marker pulsed red as the other half of my screen showed an incoming call from one of the vessels in that sector.
“Zeydskorr has an urgent message for you,” the officer said, but I was already accepting the connection.
Zeydakai Rindel’s face filled the screen, the pulsing of his green kethra warning me it was bad news.
“We’ve found a Skarashk ship, Torvakai. Long-range sensors confirmed colony configuration and energy signature. It’s slowing from interstellar speed, heading towards multiple planetary systems.”
The hum of the Zeydrassk’s engines seemed to grow louder, blocking out any other sound as I checked the star chart.
Serenya had stiffened against me, but I tightened my arm around her to keep her in place.
Both her and others needed to grow familiar with her presence wherever I was, even in urgent situations.
“How long since detection?”
“Three shyrn, but we’ve extrapolated its path back three drazh. The ship altered course once since beginning deceleration. We’re tracking it, but its trajectory remains uncertain.”
Skarashk colony ships were never aimless. They had a target.
I exhaled, eyes locked on the projection of its possible routes. A colony ship meant thousands of Skarashk. It was an invasion fleet, directed toward a planet with resources they meant to devour.
“Transmit all data to my console.”
The information flowed in. Overlays detailing mass, speed, and estimated capacity. It was too large to ignore, yet too far from the bulk of my fleet. It was in the same sector as Halcyon, the Human colony we were tasked to defend, but there was a chance its target was a different planet.
“If they continue on their current trajectory, they’ll pass near three uninhabited systems. Any could be their goal.”
“Near,” I repeated. “But if they correct course after the first, they will be on a direct path to Halcyon.”
“Yes, Torvakai. We are watching for speed and course adjustments.”
I felt Serenya shift, her fingers curling into my korrvek. My Zeydakai had spoken Morraki, but she understood enough from my words to know there was a threat, and her concern bled into me.
“Keep me informed the moment there’s a change. I must convene with the UEC.”
Zeydakai Rendel’s head bowed before the screen went black.
It chimed a moment later as I connected to another ship. Rath’s face appeared in the holo, eyes sharp, expression tight and annoyed.
“A single drazh and you’re already—”
“A Skarashk colony ship has been located,” I cut in. “Sector Theven’Var. Possibly enroute to Halcyon.”
The change in him was immediate. His irritation vanished, replaced by a focus that reminded me how he’d earned his rank and why I’d spared him.
“Coordinates?”
Rath studied the data in silence, eyes flicking back and forth as his mind worked through the same possibilities I’d gone over. When he looked up again, he was the Torashden I needed.
“Colony ships don’t wander. Halcyon has the most resources.”
“I agree.”
“Zeydveyr can provide support for the Zeydskorr in two drazh. Changing course now. A third ship would even the odds, if the Zeydvorrash can be spared.”
I held his gaze through the holo.
“Do it.”
A hint of satisfaction crossed his features. Not pleasure, but purpose. It was something all warriors needed.
“I’ll inform the Zeydakai.”
The channel closed and I let out a quiet sigh. Rath with an enemy to focus on was Rath at his best. Disciplined, relentless, I trusted his loyalty to purpose even if his loyalty to me was questionable.
Serenya trembled in my lap, and I ran a hand down her back as I sent another message through the ship’s systems. My attention returned to the star map, trying to determine if there were more likely targets, but I wasn’t aware of any inhabited planets in that sector besides Halcyon.
It wasn’t long before another presence neared the entrance to the bridge, and I turned my head to approve entry.
“Saed, thank you for coming.”
He stalked into the command center, pale feathers smooth, large eyes reflecting the stars on the chart showing on the main screen. Although not Morrak, he might have information that would help determine our course of action, so allowing him access was necessary.
I gestured toward the display, indicating the red dot and the path showing where it came from.
“A Skarashk colony ship has been found. Can you guess the likely target?”
Saed stepped closer, head tilting as he studied the projection. His gaze lingered on the path longer than I expected before raising a finger to tap Halcyon.
“It is likely they will go for the planet with the highest concentration of food, although there are others with better concentrations non-biologic resources.”
I shifted Serenya slightly, ensuring she was comfortable before speaking again.
“Are there other inhabited worlds in that sector that we aren’t aware of?”
Saed’s feathers fluffed faintly as he tipped his head the opposite direction.
“There are others with emerging species. Worlds unsuitable for Morraki or Human physiology, but viable for others. Skarashk biology is… adaptable, so it is possible they could choose one of those instead.”
I grimaced. I didn’t like having more possibilities that needed to be watched.
“I will update your star chart, marking all planets with lifeforms.”
Saed’s gaze flicked briefly to Serenya, then back to me.
“I will also inspect your clinic and provide your Kethral with information on Humans, as well as advanced care techniques to help any wounded during confrontations.”
It was more than I’d expected him to offer. Even if he gave us nothing more than the formula for the salve he’d used on me, it would save countless lives.
“Is there anything else you can do to help us? The Colony ships are not without defenses and weaponry.”
“We do not provide troops or weaponry. You know that.”
I bit back my sigh. I couldn’t help asking even if I’d expected his answer.
“Could you assess our defenses then? Shields? Help us strengthen them?”
He cocked his head before dipping it.
“I will bring it up to the Avaehlorin. We will determine whether further defensive help is permissible.”
I inclined my head. It was as much as I could ask for.
“Knowledge is negotiable, but the application would be monitored.”
I nodded again. I had never expected them to give us what we asked for without being certain of how we used it.
Serenya shifted again, lifting her head.
“Saed?”
He turned his attention to her, his cheek feathers fluffing.
“Yes, Serenya?”
“If the Skarashk are targeting Halcyon, will there be time to save the colonists?”
The bridge stilled. My people already knew the answer, but they were waiting to see if Saed contradicted it.
“As long as Morraki vessels can intercept and defeat it before it reaches orbit around Halcyon, the colonists will survive. The colony ships carry thousands, so if the Skarashk reach Halcyon, it will be too late. The best course of action is what Kael has begun, to intercept with sufficient force. There is a sixty-three percent chance the Skarashk will not reach Halcyon if that is their goal.”