Chapter Twenty-One Zann
“Honestly, that was a little anticlimatic,” Curran says with a chuckle.
“Oh fuck you,” Corrina says with a laugh. She falls back into her chair with a sigh. “I finally feel like I can breathe again,” she murmurs.
“You have had trouble breathing?” I ask. Corrina glances at me and laughs again. It is a different sound from our own laughter, but the sound is pleasing.
“Just another expression,” she replies. “Sit, sit,” she says, gesturing at me and my brood brothers. “I know it’s not the same kind of justice that Lianov got, but I hope you are at least somewhat satisfied with the outcome.”
“If the others will be punished, it is acceptable,” I reply, seating myself on the floor. Krish sits beside me while Davix settles into one of the chairs. “What happens now?” I ask.
Corrina leans back in her chair. “I suppose it doesn’t hurt to tell you – it will soon be news all over the station. In addition to his implication in Lianov’s illegal activity, Vertage is connected to another unpleasant matter involving threatening the younger brother of one of our soldiers.”
I straighten immediately. “They hurt a child?” I hiss.
“Not physically, no. And really, it’s Wilkes who is more traumatized by the events. But the child is safe now.” I relax at Corrina’s reassurance.
“And have you decided on Wilkes’ fate yet?” Curran asks.
“I’m getting there,” Corrina replies. “For now, I just want to make sure that they are and will remain safe for the immediate future. Luckily, Vertage lacks much of the discretion and planning of his late collaborator. And the thug he hired to threaten Wilkes and his brother is very happy to name names if he thinks it will make things easier for him.”
Davix snorts, and I watch him sign something to me rapidly. I nod in agreement. “This person sounds as if he is completely without honor or loyalty. But he will receive lesser punishment because of it?”
“Not exactly,” Corrina replies with a smile.
There is a mischievous twinkle in her eyes as she glances at Curran.
“I’m recommending that Almensen hear the case.
” Curran laughs loudly in response. “Almensen is particular unforgiving to those involved in crimes affecting children,” Corrina explains with a grin.
“Anyway, you three don’t need to hide out in your chambers anymore,” Corrina concludes.
“And you can be friendly and visit with us and take us to see the station now?” Krish asks eagerly. I share his excitement at being able to spend time with Corrina again.
“Why not?” she replies. “I’ve probably earned a day off.”
“Hell yeah, you have.” Curran grumbles.
“I am going to the exercise chamber,” Davix signs as he stands up.
“Yes,” Krish replies. “But I will stop and collect Wenschel or Ryder first so they can measure our strength.” He frowns. “Hopefully the other female will not be present.”
“What other female?” Curran asks.
“The one that wishes to breed with us,” Krish replies. Curran and Corrina stare at us with wide eyes and open mouths. “It is okay,” Krish says quickly. “We are not interested in breeding with humans.”
“That, that’s good to know,” Corrina finally croaks. I move to follow the others when Corrina calls my name. “Zann,” she says. “Would you stay and talk to me for a moment?”
“Do you need me?” Curran asks. Corrina shakes her head, and he follows my brood brothers out of the office.
“What is it you need?” I ask, settling myself onto a chair.
It is less comfortable than the floor due to my size, but it allows me to be able to look more directly at Corrina’s face when she is seated.
As I have gotten more used to humans, I realize that my initial assessment of breasts being the primary contributor to a female’s attractiveness was incorrect.
Though Corrina’s breasts are large compared to some other females, I find the symmetry of her face and the variety of expressions she uses somehow more captivating than other aspects of her shape.
“I wanted to talk to you privately about something else that I found in Lianov’s systems,” she says quietly.
Her expression, which had been open and exuberant a moment ago, is serious now.
“Zann,” she says, “we found the coordinates of your home planet Gyria. If you want, we might be able to get you back home.”
I lean back in surprise. I had not expected to ever see our home world again. It is something Davix and Krish and I have discussed many times – our sadness over losing our home. And yet, the thought of returning does not fill me with excitement like I would expect.
“It’s fully within my authority to return you to your home,” Corrina is continuing. “Though it would probably take weeks before I could arrange for transport.”
“You wish for us to leave?” I ask. The idea of leaving fills me with an uncomfortable and unfamiliar sensation.
“I wish for you to have a chance for the life you might have had before Lianov stole it from you,” she replies.
I nod. There was a time when all I wanted was to return to Gyria and live out our days.
But now, I am not sure. I may not share Krish’s optimism and interest in new adventures, but there have been many new and exciting experiences since arriving on this station.
And there is still much of it that we have not explored. And Corrina is here.
“What if we did not want to return?” I ask carefully. “What if we wanted to stay here?”
“Here at the base?” Corrina asks.
“Or on Azaris,” I reply.
Corrina looks surprised. “I honestly hadn’t thought about that possibility,” she says.
“In theory, you could go through skills assessment and testing for IPC though you’re older than most new recruits.
” She taps a single finger to her lips and thinks for a moment.
“Or we could see about getting you jobs elsewhere on the station, and you could find a place to live there.”
“I will speak with the others,” I say, “but I think we would like to be somewhere close to you and the other friends we have made here.”
She stares at me for a moment. “You really don’t want to go home?” she asks finally.
“On Gyria, we lived in isolation from others. It is the way for older males like us who can no longer produce offspring. Here, we are together as brood brothers but not completely isolated.”
“There is no one or nothing on your home planet that you miss?”
I shake my head. “Our young all reached maturity years ago, and we do not form attachments with our females. It is only Davix and Krish and me.”
Corrina tilts her head and looks at me. “That sounds a little lonely,” she says softly.
“I have never needed the company of others besides Krish and Davix before,” I say honestly. “It is only recently that I have come to enjoy being around others.” I fix Corrina with an earnest look. “I enjoy being around you,” I tell her.
“I, thank you,” she says. “I enjoy being around you as well.”
I nod. “Is there anything else you wish to discuss?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Not right now. Talk to Davix and Krish and let me know what you want to do. I’ll look into options for you being able to stay here.”