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“No. Sorry.” She shook her head. “We stored them with my friends. It’s a longer walk, so we’ll have to hike there tomorrow.”

“And it gets cold at night so we can’t go now,” he mused, disappointed they couldn’t try this new idea now.

“The tides also fill the canyon,” Elena added.

“That sounds dangerous.” He frowned.

“We couldn’t easily get the stasis pods out of the canyon. They were just too heavy to haul up the ridge. Thankfully the pods protect everyone. I was there yesterday, and they’re still good. Although those reptiles had been scouting the ship debris,” she spat in disgust.

He stiffened hearing her again mention the Jurou Biljana.

“They weren’t there when I was,” she assured him. “It will also be a good chance for me to point out the base they’re constructing.”

“All right. Then we better go.”

As he tucked the disrupter into his waistband, his gaze landed on the language implant injector he’d found while packing several tools and supplies into a satchel.

“Elena, I have something for you, but only if you agree.” He joined her outside the cruiser and held up the injector.

Elena tilted her head questioningly.

“This will make it possible for you to understand me and others, without the handheld.” He nodded toward the comm strapped to his forearm. “It’s Osivoire technology so it shouldn’t hurt to assimilate.”

Elena’s eyes widened, filling with reticence as she stared at the injector.

“It’s all right if you don’t want to,” he reassured her.

All his people received a language implant when they were too young to remember, so they could communicate with off-worlders who came to Cadi to trade, but he could see how such a thing would be daunting.

“I do hate hearing your voice and then hearing that thing translate. It’s a bit odd.” Her brow furrowed. “Have the other humans you mentioned gotten it?”

“Yes.” He nodded.

“Sidi did mention something like this, although he’d learned various Earth languages since he was helping start the colony.” Elena pensively nibbled her lip then sighed. “Okay, do it before I lose my nerve.”

“Tip your head to the side.”

“Okay.” Elena complied.

Gently he brushed her hair away from her delicate ear. For a moment he was distracted by the lovely curve of her neck, his gums itching from the mating hormone lacing his saliva, but he pulled his gaze away and placed the injector just behind her ear.

“This may sting at first. Ready?”

“You’re not helping. Just do it.” She bit her lip.

Quickly, he pressed the trigger then winced at the same time she did. Gently he massaged the spot, while intently watching her eyes, and was grateful she showed no hint of further pain.

“Is that it?” she asked, her gaze searching his face.

“Yes.” He nodded as he released her.

Her eyes widened and her gaze shot to his mouth. “Say that again.”

“Yes. That’s all.” A pleased smile spread across his face.

“That’s just crazy!” She grinned. “Say something else.”

“Let me shut off my handheld first.” He smirked at the tech parroting everything he said, then swiped the screen to turn it off.