Page 8

Chapter 8

Yorix

I proudly guided my Bride down the ramp, basking in the admiring and often envious glances from my fellow warriors. A casual worker strode up, asking if there was cargo to be unloaded and I directed him to the pilot who was bringing down the two rolling cases, giving him our new quarters designation.

“Ah! Yes, a load just came through for there from ships’ stores,” he said. “I’ll head on over and see if they need any extra help getting everything ready faster.”

“That would be much appreciated.”

“Welcome to the Fleet,” he said, glancing at Lynn before hurrying off to claim her two cases.

“Thank you!” Lynn called after him and I frowned, disliking her attention to him, even though I knew my irritability was hormone based. Once she was thoroughly claimed, this would settle. I looked forward to this, not only because she would then be one hundred percent mine as far as Mylos biological imperative drives were concerned, but because I hated being irrational like this. These warriors were my brothers in arms and had no intention of trying to take her from me, and in fact, could not, as she wasn’t their match. This irrationality no doubt was a blip handed down from one of my non Mylos ancestors, possibly my grandmother’s as she came from a species who, like the humans, could choose their mates at will and produce offspring with them. Males would compete for female attention, which is what I was trying to squash the feeling of right now. Her people, the Mirit, were also why my physique was less bulky musculature wise. I had a leaner build, but I was no less strong than my brothers, which I would demonstrate one day, soon after I invited Lynn to come watch me spar during hand to hand combat training.

“How do you tell the corridors and rooms apart?” she asked me, glancing around as we left the shuttle bay.

“In addition to the signs, the doors are color coded,” I explained, “as are the different decks.”

She laughed. “Like parking at the mall or in a multi-story car park. Gotcha. Are there lessons where I can learn to read Mylos?”

“Yes. I’m certain that the first part of your course will have you learning that and Galactic Standard before advancing further.”

“Oh! I guess I hadn’t thought about that, but I suppose you’re right. I’ll need to be able to read instructions and warnings and such on scientific equipment and what have you.”

I stopped in front of an elevator and palmed the call sensor. It lit up as the doors slid open, a transport pod already waiting there.

“Xeranos, the entertainment deck, please.”

“Got it,” he replied, the doors closing. The pod began to move sideways.

“That feels weird,” Lynn giggled softly. “Elevators on Earth do not move from side to side.”

As if her words reminded it how elevators were supposed to act, it paused, then began traveling downward for two floors before stopping.

“Have fun!” Xeranos said cheerfully before opening the doors to let us out.

Unlike the largest ships among the Fleet, this one was midsized. This meant there wasn’t a central green space here, with grass and large trees. There were potted flowers and vines growing up supports, however, adding vibrancy to the area while adding to the ship’s oxygen. Small shops and eateries dotted the space. One caught Lynn’s eye, and she came to a stop.

“Can we eat there?” she asked me, pointing to a place called Poutine-a-tics. “I’ve always wanted to try poutine.”

I smile down at her. “If that is what you wish, then that is what you shall have.”

With my hand on her lower back, we entered the small eatery.

We both ordered traditional poutine and decided we liked it. It was simple but hearty fare and soon gone.

“I hadn’t realized how famished I was,” she confessed, blushing.

“A hearty appetite is a sign of good health,” I told her. “And we will need the fuel for later.” My eyes raked her form, settling on her ample bosom.

She blushed an even deeper shade of pink, looking so cute as she did so that I resolved to make her blush a lot more often.

“Our quarters are not yet ready,” I observed. “Shall we go see what leisure activities they have available?”

Her face lit up, her blush fading as she radiated pure joy. I quickly decided this was an even better look, and one I should see about causing even more often than those blushes.

“Yes, let’s!”

I stood up, moving to pull her chair back for her to stand. As we left to go see what we could find to distract us for a time, I hoped that we’d be able to go to our new home soon. Walking with her smelling and looking so delectable was not helping my raging hard on.

“Do you think we can find a bathroom?” she asked me.

“You wish to bathe?” The thought of her naked and wet set my blood aflame once more, and the itching along my jaw flared up.

I scratch it idly as she blushed adorably once more. “No,” she whispered. “I need to pee. You know, um, empty my bladder.”

“Ah!” I tapped my kunnarskyn to activate it. “Xeranos, where is the nearest elimination chamber?”

“Two shops in front of you, there is a small walkway, do you see it?” came the Ai’s response.

“I do.”

“Turn down there. It’s behind Panda-monium.”

“Ohhh, I know where I want to eat at for supper!” she said, eyes glued to what the patrons were eating as we turned to go past Panda-monium. “The Chinese food there looks amazing!”

“Then that is where we shall go.” It was an easy request to grant, and if it made her happy, one worth giving.

“Okay, um, wait here, will you?”she asked, stopping in front of the elimination facility door.

“I find I must pee as well,” I informed her.

“But it’s the ladies’ room!”

I pointed to the door, which merely had a symbol depicting water drops. “The elimination and hand washing facilities are for everyone.”

“I hope there are stalls,” she murmured, as I pushed open the door. “Oh goody! There are!”

I chuckled. Surely she did not think we would all eliminate in front of each other? Only prisoners were allowed no privacy, for safety reasons.

“Don’t laugh at me,” she said, swatting my arm before ducking into a cubicle. “This is all new to me! We don’t have unisex bathrooms like this where I live. I’ve heard of them but never actually seen one.”

I took the next cubicle, two doors down. My mate was correct. She had a lot to learn about life within Galactic society in general and within the Fleet in particular, but I also had much to learn. She was a puzzle I got to solve until I knew her inside and out.