Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
MURGUL
I do not know why we cannot go down to the planet. After all, we are the weapons specialist. What if there is something down there that needs killing?
For the last time, Slavic stated this is a reconnaissance trip only.
Since Bikar’s scans have resulted in zero life found, he wants to take a look planet side, scout the area for clues, and come right back.
This is not a war mission, Vrog. For Ruk’s sake, this was a refugee village, not an insurgency. There is not to be any killing!
More’s the pity.
Vrog fades to the back of my mind, his disgust and displeasure radiating through our shared consciousness.
He’s been grumbling since the moment we woke this rotation, and Slavic, ever the dutiful one, informed us over the fast-breaking meal of what comes next—after Bikar reported finding nothing useful, of course.
I can tell that his inability to find something, anything, is weighing heavily on him.
He is sitting across the room at his station, flipping through screens, analyzing gods know what data as he sulks.
Looks like I am not the only one who is displeased with being left behind.
Glaring across the room, I watch Slavic stomp out of the helm room to meet Einar and Ruarc in the cargo bay, where the shuttles are housed.
Stalking over to my station, I slide down into my seat, flicking my tail out of the way as my fingers dance across the screens, activating the weapons systems. Thanks to the talents the frackin fairies forced upon us as younglings, the Zenith is no longer an ordinary ship.
The weapons system is something one would find on a far more advanced ship, as are the tech and mechanical components. Even though this is supposed to be a simple in-and-out trip, the universe is unpredictable, and nothing is guaranteed.
Nothing.
I refuse to allow anything to happen to my brothers.
Not if it is within my ability to stop. Technically, Slavic told me to keep an eye on the radar to make sure no one tries to sneak up on us while half the crew is off ship, but he did not explicitly say I could not be weapons hot while he was gone.
Yesssssss. Details matter. Perhaps some being will be stupid enough to come within range, and we can blow them up!
Chuckling a bit at the deluded excitement Vrog feels at that possibility, I shove him to the side and refocus on my schematics.
A ping tells me that one of the shuttles just passed through the defense shield and is officially outside the protection of the Zenith.
Tics go by as I watch the dot moving on my screen, waiting for the shuttle to break Deapra’s atmosphere before landing.
The sound of the door whisking open and then closed is the precursor to my mate’s delicate scent as she enters the room.
Without turning, I slide into her thoughts. Curling a lip at Bikar as he smirks at me from his side of the room.
“What are you doing, bright one?”
Bikar speaks aloud before she can reply.
“They have reached the surface of the plant. Whatever is in the atmosphere around Deapra is causing some interference between the shuttle and the Zenith. I still have readings on all of their vitals, but the comms appear to be fracturing. Thankfully, this is not going to be a lengthy foray, and I can discuss this with Slavic as soon as they return. If the shuttle is having problems, then once they leave it, their personal comms will more than likely be nonfunctional.”
Concern fills me at that, and Bikar shoots me a pointed look.
If the planet has a component that interferes with tech, this will pose a significant problem going forward.
If something were to go wrong and the comms failed, Bikar and I would essentially be flying blind above Deapra.
Weapon trajectory is an exact science and does not allow for any margin of error.
Fear of killing my brothers would prevent me from firing upon the planet if air support were needed.
Leaning back in my chair, I snarl in frustration, baring my teeth at the ceiling above.
Frack!
Quiet steps move closer until I feel gentle, questioning fingers slide through my hair, lightly scratching my scalp. Tranquility fills me, and my frustration at the situation fades as my mate pets my hair in rhythmic motions, silently soothing me until I’ve relaxed back into my chair.
“They’ll be okay, Murgul.”
“Thank you. Your touch… it does more for me than you will ever know.”
Moving around to stand in front of me, she cups my face between her hands and smiles at me, warmth etched into her luminescent face.
“Touching you is no hardship.”
“I do not know how that could be. I own a reflective looking glass.”
“Hush. None of that. You will not degrade yourself, not to me. Do you understand?”
I nod begrudgingly.
“It will be as you say.”
“Good, I’m glad we got that cleared up. Now, show me what this fancy-looking stuff on these screens is. What exactly are you doing?”
Bikar is gawking. I can feel his eyes boring holes into the side of my head because Gwendolyn is talking to me as if we were having a running conversation… which we are. Just not out loud.
Did not think that all the way through, did you, fool?
Mentally smacking Vrog, I shove him back into his cage and refocus on my mate.
Our mate.
To my surprise and delight, she sits in my lap, wiggling around until she is comfortable, and I have to muffle my groan as her pert arse rubs against my seam.
A secretive smile tilts the corner of her lush lips as she teases me a tic longer before settling against me.
My tail slips up and wraps around her waist, pulling her tighter to me as I begin explaining what my duties on the Zenith consist of, and the current mission at hand.