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The crewmen were moving around them, checking on the intimate repairs that most of the ladies required. Sam sighed as her treatment concluded and the two STIs she had been gifted were treated.

When she left, the next lady went in for the same treatment. Sam was brought to a sort of barracks arranged for them in one of the holds. There was clean bedding, fresh clothing waiting, and a food dispenser against a wall.

Ryutha came by. “An assessor is coming by to check and double-check our classifications. Oddly enough, the mining office wasn’t reliable.”

“Ya think?”

Sam lay back on her bed and sighed. “Well, this was an unexpected turn of events.”

“The rescue?”

“The Hebor. They are a match for about fourteen of us. The rest can settle on Arro.”

“Oh. You are heading to Hebor?”

“Yes, but Riley is asking for us to meet candidates before we are asked to lock into a contract.”

“Why does she have that pull?”

“She’s about to become Rath’s partner. Companion or consort, it’s a powerful position.”

Ryutha sat and scratched her lavender ear. “You mean that someone was stupid enough to kidnap a consort?”

“Yeah. I am guessing they aren’t walking around anymore.”

“No kidding. Wow.” She smiled. “I am on the Hebor list as well.”

“Yay. We can shop together.”

“You think that it will be a possibility?”

“From what I heard, it is a nice setup. One of my kind is consort there, so it should be okay. Well, I hope so.” Sam chuckled.

* * * *

Riley felt pretty goodconsidering she had been in cold sleep for three months. Rath walked her through the halls to his quarters.

“I think this is better done in private.”

He sat at the desk, dialled up the coordinates, and pulled her onto his lap.

Ranna’s face filled the screen, and she screamed in joy. “Riley!”

Riley saw the relief from terror on Ranna’s face. “Hey, Lady Ranna. Deep breaths. Nice and slow.”

Ranna stared at her and then burst into sobbing laughter. She sobered. “Riley, are you all right?”

“I was in cold storage. I woke up yesterday.”

Rath murmured, “And she immediately helped an uprising and rode a mech into battle.”

Ranna smiled. “That sounds like her. You are really all right?”

“I am. Thank you for sending the clothing with your father.”

“Horib grabbed your favourite blanket, two outfits, your favourite shoes and some other stuff. We both wanted you to be as comfortable as possible, as quickly as possible.”

Rath whispered in her ear, “I wished that for you as well.”