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“I would feel better if I came and got you. You’re not safe,” Frank insisted.

“We’ll call you, noon tomorrow, and tell you where to find us at the zoo,” Abby reiterated.

“Fine,” Frank sighed unhappily. “That’s a good place. If you can make it there, it will be hard for the DOD to get to you without creating a scene.”

“Tomorrow then.” Hope nodded even though Frank couldn’t see her, and the transmission went silent.

“Now to get you females ready,” Aculus announced. “Let’s go to medical.”

Ashtoret tilted his head in confusion as they followed the bony warrior to the ship’s clinic. Aculus pulled an injector out and turned toward the females.

“Fuck.” “Not again,” Hope and Abby declared at once.

“This won’t hurt. It’s a tracker.” Aculus approached Hope. “If something happens, we’ll be able to locate you.”

“Except Vintor had a tracker and we’re unable to locate him,” Ashtoret countered.

“Your trackers have limited capabilities. This is Osivoire technology.” Aculus waved the injector.

“Don’t ever let Tytus hear you say that, he’d weep.” The Cadi engineer coveted and hoarded every bit of tech he could get his hands on in an attempt to make up for lost time. It was depressing to think how much Cadi sacrificed warring with themselves.

“Oh, I know,” Aculus chuckled. “I’ll help get the Cadi up to speed.” He then sobered. “I’m sorry I didn’t think to do this before you went planet-side. I assumed we wouldn’t have these problems given how undeveloped the humans are.”

“Hey!” Hope groused, not appreciating the comment.

“I meant no offense, ivory beauty.”

“Whatever.” Hope rolled her eyes. “Since I don’t want to be ghosted, where do you need to put this tracker thing?”

“In the flesh of your perfectly round backside,” Aculus replied, his gaze roaming over Hope.

“Ha! You’ve been trying to get me out of my pants from the moment I stepped onto this ship,” Hope retorted, her eyes narrowing on the bony warrior.

“This is becoming entertaining. Who do you think is going to give in first?” Abby asked him.

“Your sister seems adamant, but Aculus is also rather persistent,” he chuckled.

Hope glared at them while Aculus grinned and nodded in confirmation.

“Hope, just get over it and drop-trou.” Abby unbuttoned her jeans and exposed herself to Ashtoret.

He was so distracted by the sight he almost didn’t catch the injector Aculus tossed. He cupped the shelf of Abby’s creamy rear, enjoying the slight weight in his hands. She glanced back at him with one brow raised in amusement. He winked, squeezed a fleshy spot and injected the tracker.

“Not so bad, right? Nothing to be afraid of,” Aculus commented.

“I’m not afraid.” Hope scowled at the Osivoire. “Fine, just do it and get it over with.” Hope pulled down her pants and stuck her ass out at Aculus. “Get a good look, bonehead, cuz it’ll be your last.”

He repressed the laugh bubbling in his throat at the expression on Aculus’ face. The male stared at Hope’s behind like he was seeing the Promised Land.

“You have two seconds,” Hope informed Aculus when the bony warrior’s hand lingered on her rear a little too long.

Aculus grunted and injected her. Hope immediately pulled her pants up.

“Now it’s your turn,” Abby informed Ashtoret.

He grabbed the injector off the table, lifted his vestment and injected himself.

“Are you happy now?” he asked.