Page 36 of Kranow (Brides of the Mylos #4)
Kranow flexed his jaw. The awful woman would not stop talking.
“ Tell us, Kranow, did you suspect your bride at all? How did she manage to fool you so completely? ” Jackie persisted. He refused to respond, brushing past her to complete his pre-flight check.
“ Are you checking the shuttle for possible incendiary devices? Is the Fleet concerned about possible sleeper agents working with Marley? ”
He felt his skin ripple as anger flushed his skin and brought his scales forward. He knew if he looked at her, she would see the change to his pupils. “ Please excuse me, I have a flight to make, ” he gritted out, pushing past her and her cameraman to dash up the ramp. Closing the ramp behind him, he buckled himself into his seat quickly and began turning the engines on. Activating the viewscreens, he felt a rush of satisfaction as he took in the pair ’ s shocked expressions as they scrambled away. No doubt they would complain to Gundar, but they were the ones haranguing him despite himself and the flight line chief pointing out he was departing immediately and that they needed to move away.
Once they were a safe distance and his sensors confirmed there were no further obstacles, he asked for permission to take off. That granted, he began the short journey to Earth. He relaxed. The company on the return trip promised to be pleasant as he quite enjoyed ferrying the human families up to the fleet. This time, he was to go to Fort Huachuca to pick up a newly retired soldier who had Sachuu quite excited. Sergeant First Class Neil Montgomery had completed his twenty years and was ready to use his skills for the Mylos. Former CID, Sachuu had eagerly put him forward to join his team. It was hoped that he could help offer insights that would help them close the Jackie O ’ Hannigan case.
SFC Montgomery was waiting for him at the flight line when he arrived, a military issue duffle bag at his feet. A young that Kranow gauged to be around a decade old stood at his side, chewing her lip. Several large boxes were also waiting on the tarmac, as were the civilian contracted people he recalled were referred to as ‘ movers ’ .
“ I am Kranow, your pilot and soon to be neighbor. You will have quarters next door to my mate and me, ” he greeted the male and his young.
Montgomery gave a nod. “ I ’ m Sergeant First Class Neil Montgomery and this is my eleven year old daughter, Casey. I was told we could bring up our household goods. Is there enough room on the shuttle or will they have to be shipped later? ”
Kranow surveyed the boxes. “ There is plenty of room in the cargo area. I will open the hold and supervise the loading.
“ Uh, there ’ s more on the truck over there, ” Montgomery said. “ Our living room suite, dining table, and beds and stuff. ”
Kranow nodded. “ There is enough room, provided nothing is overly bulky. ”
“ No, nothing heavy or bulky. We ’ ve always traveled light, right, kiddo? ” Casey peered at her father through her dark bangs and glanced away, nodding. Montgomery sighed. “ Sorry. She ’ s been like this for the past year and a half, ever since her mom left. I ’ m hoping the change in scenery will help. ”
“ Left, ” Casety said bitterly. “ Abandoned us, you mean. ” She turned stormy eyes to Kranow. “ She ran off with her civilian boss and has started a new family, one she ’ s not interested in sharing with me. Like I ’ m garbage or something. ”
“ Hey, now, ” her father said sharply. “ You ’ re not garbage. Your mom has her head in the wrong place right now, but I see you. You ’ re smart, intelligent, funny, and the best kid anyone could ever hope for. ”
Kranow hummed in agreement. “ Young are to be treasured, always. You will be cherished among the Mylos. ”
“ What, like, because I ’ m a kid, I ’ ll be like a princess or something? ”
“ You are a female young, which is rare among my people, but all young are considered treasures. ”
Casey gave him a tight smile. “ Huh. So, we ’ re gonna live next door to you? You got any kids? ”
“ My first young will be born later this year, ” Kranow told her proudly. He turned away and re-entered the ship, opening the hold before re-emerging. While Casey sat inside the shuttle watching a new orientation film one of the brides had made for children joining the Fleet, Neil Montgomery and Kranow assisted the movers in loading the hold.
Everything did indeed fit, with a small amount of room to spare. Casey looked up. “ We going now? ’
“ Unless there is anything else you wish to bring, ” Kranow told her. Casey ’ s lip began to wobble.
“ I wish I could have brought Fritz, ” she said, swiping at her eyes to dash away tears.
“ Fritz? ” Kranow asked, turning to regard her father.
“ Her dachshund. There was no mention of pets being allowed, so …”
Kranow looked at the disconsolate child before returning his gaze to her father. “ Is Fritz close by? ”
“ Yeah, a buddy who lives right here on post agreed to take him. He picked him this morning. ”
“ Can you contact him? We can pick up this Fritz and whatever it is he needs to live onboard ship. ”
“ Oh, Daddy, can we? ”
“ You sure it ’ s okay? ”
“ You will have to clean its filth, but yes. ”
“ Let me give him a call, okay? ” Montgomery stepped outside of the shuttle and pulled a phone out of his pocket. “ Good thing I took this along so I could copy over all my phone numbers, ” he said, selecting a name from his contacts and initiating a call. “ Hey, Jones, I hate to ask this, but would you mind if we came to get Fritz? ” Montgomery laughed. “ You and Trish did, huh? Yeah, you ’ re right. She told the Mylos officer about Fritz and he just looked at her and told me to find out if we could fetch him. Right, let Trish know I ’ ll be there as soon as I can figure out a ride. Yeah? All right. Mmhmm, that ’ s right. Thanks, man. ” He disconnected and poked his head back into the shuttle. “ Okay, we got a pup to bring home with us. ”
Kranow regarded him steadily. “ Excellent. Can you call for a taxi? ”
Montgomery grinned. “ No need, my buddy is bringing him. Be about an hour, though. ”
Kranow tilted his head to one side. “ Is that enough time to get to the Commissary? Casey was telling me of her favorite snacks and I thought my bride might enjoy them. ”
“ Uh, okay, yeah, we can catch the shuttle bus at the stop on the main road. ” He glanced at his phone. “ Should be here in less than fifteen. ”
Kranow and Casey shared a smile. “ Let ’ s go then, ” Casey said. “ The Mylos have shopping privileges, so Kranow can come in and shop with us and everything. It was on the video. ”
Montgomery sighed. “ The Commissary is never a quick trip. I best call Jones back in case we ’ re a little late. ”
“ Come on, Kraonow, the bus stop is this way, ” Casey said, tugging the large alien ’ s hand. He smiled down at her. His day had become brighter indeed, he reflected, as he allowed himself to be led along.