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Grulen was pleased to see all the human females looking healthy and hearty after the poisoning a week ago.

He boarded the shuttle after them and stopped by the cockpit to greet Gal’n Kalix and Brestov Xoriv, two security team pilots.

As the Invictus needed to resupply at Theron, a space station, before continuing on its way to Costonia, Commander Durek assigned a group of warriors to provide protection for the females so they could shop and see more than the space cruiser.

It is an honor to be part of this detail.

Lieutenant Devik Tolvex, the head security officer, along with Durek, Wurvez, Rivezt, and Brauvix were already onboard. Previv and their supply master, Leriv Volax, joined them to purchase the needed supplies.

At Theron, Grulen bit the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning at the females’ wonder and awe as they took in their first alien space station.

He almost laughed at Lady Rachel’s unfettered joy in the weapons shop.

Watching her train the others daily in self-defense has been illuminating. She is a true warrior at heart.

His tail swayed as he watched Durek and Lady Talia interact. Earlier Grulen noted traces of the commander’s scent on Lady Talia. They appear to be bonding over a hair comb. I wonder if they are becoming closer than others realize.

Then they entered a spice shop and Lady Ava chattered with the four-armed purple owner.

She and Previv ordered a lot of items to be delivered to the shuttle.

The fabric shop interested all the humans, but Lady Natasha ordered additional items beyond cloth.

Lady Emmy had much to ask in the tech shop.

While Grulen liked all of the females, none of them ignited any emotion beyond friendship and camaraderie within him.

Listening to them as they debated pros and cons of different items or laughed at each other’s observations reminded him of his sisters.

He rubbed his chest. It’s been too long since I’ve felt this type of contentment.

Lady Lin asked if they could look at stalls for a bit.

Observing Tolvex’s discreet hand gestures, Grulen remained with him, Rivezt, and Ladies Lin, Emmy, and Natasha as the group split up to wander.

Their group stopped at a fabric stall, while everyone else except Durek and Lady Talia discussed food at another stall.

Those two looked at jewelry. Hmm. More adornments.

And Tolvex seems very protective of Lady Emmy.

Interesting. Are the senior officers pairing off with the females?

Grulen’s head whipped up and his hand went to one of his knives when he heard Lady Talia scream. A Durelian had her over his shoulder and she was pounding on his back with her fist. Five additional Durelians trailed the pair.

Then more of the orange aliens attacked their group. He yelled for the females to get behind the warriors. When one grabbed Lady Emmy’s wrist, he struck the male and knocked him out. He and the other warriors continued to fight off their assailants to keep the humans safe.

When it was quiet again, Wurvez ordered them to the shuttle. He joined the other males in surrounding the females while they rushed back to the docking area. On the shuttle’s lowered ramp, Xoriv was standing with a blaster. Loaded maglevs were at the bottom.

As they approached, Xoriv said, “Kalix has the shuttle started. I stopped loading the supplies when I heard the Commander’s orders.”

Wurvez said, “Ladies, please go in and get ready to leave. Rivezt, go with them and heal the females. Tolvex and Jevax, keep watch with Xoriv. The rest of us will load the shuttle quickly.” He looked at Xoriv. “Are we expecting any more deliveries?”

Drawing his blaster from its holster, Grulen took a ready stance at the bottom of the loading ramp and scanned the area. Tolvex did the same.

Shaking his head, shaved except for a center strip of braided hair, Xoriv said, “Not that I’m aware. Previv and Volax would know better.”

“I’ll go check what’s already loaded for food stores,” Previv said.

Volax was running toward the shuttle. “I got here as fast as I could, Lieutenant.”

“Determine whether all the deliveries were made. If not, arrange for them to be delivered in an hour and a half. I’ll have the Invictus send another shuttle to pick anything up, so we can get the females back to the cruiser now.” Karid nodded at Volax.

“As you will, Lieutenant.” Volax jogged toward the cargo bay.

Wurvez ordered them into the shuttle as soon as he received confirmation that anything purchased had been delivered or rescheduled. Grulen’s nostrils flared when the acrid scent of the females’ residual fear surrounded him.

“It was us or them, Emmy. It was necessary,” Lady Rachel said.

“I know, but it doesn’t make the feelings go away.”

“At least you did something. I was terrified and useless.”

“Lady Lin. You did as we instructed, even if you were scared. That helped,” Grulen said gently.

The tiny female scoffed.

“Jevax tells the truth. And you warned us when there were more Durelians behind us,” Rivezt said with a smile.

“How does me following instructions help you?”

Rachel said, “Because they knew where you were at all times, Lin. They did not have to worry about inadvertently hurting you as they fought. They did not have to split their focus. And they had confidence that if they needed you to move, run or whatever else, they could expect you to do so. When you are guarding someone, being able to predict their movements is gold.”

All the Svesti nodded.

“Lady Rachel explains it well,” said Grulen. He leaned back and closed his eyes. He listened to the conversations and the updates that Durek was following Lady Talia. I almost feel sorry for those Durelians. When the commander catches up with them, his anger will know no bounds.