by Tamsin Ley
Tovik’s mouth quirked into an indulgent half-smile. “Twerp, if you can talk Marlis into giving you a visual sensor, let me know. I have some ideas.”
Marlis strapped her AI onto her wrist and smiled at the young man. “It’s bad enough she butts in on everything I say. I don’t need her looking over my shoulder, too.”
Noatak chuckled, turning away to retrieve the knife he’d tossed to the deck.
Tovik tilted his head. “She’s sentient, you know. Think how much happier she’d be if she could see.”
Twerp chimed, “Thank you, Tovik. I am sentient. However, all Syndicorp sanctioned AIs are required to include programming protocols to restrict autonomy. This is to preclude an AI from intentionally harming a human being. I have long contemplated the idea of free will—”
“Enough, Twerp.” Marlis said, shaking her wrist. “You and Tovik can discuss philosophy later.”
Noatak held out a hand for her knife and she handed it over, heat flooding her again as she recalled the hilt of his weapon between her thighs. He returned both weapons to the rack. “You ready to send a message to your sister?”
“Thanks for taking care of Twerp, Tovik.” With a parting smile, she followed Noatak up the steps and down the hall. They reached the small ship’s cockpit-sized bridge. Hard to believe this closet was the command center. Noatak gestured toward the chair on the right and lowered his massive frame into the seat on the opposite side, his head nearly brushing the ceiling. A vast view screen on the wall made it feel like she was standing outside in space.
Tapping the console, Noatak pulled up the comm system. “This is the only place on the ship with access to external communications. After you’ve recorded your message, I’ll need to strip the identification coding and we can send it.”
She smiled, grateful to be able to tell her sister she was safe and had a job, and looked straight into the screen. “Hey, Attie! Good news. I got a position on a small cargo ship. We’re still near the station, waiting to rendezvous with another ship and then we’re off. Things are going well so far…” She flicked a glance at Noatak, heat creeping up her face. His expression was unreadable, and she wondered what he was thinking. Stay focused on Attie.
Leaning closer to the screen, she said, “I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Oh, and just so you know, Dad tried to sabotage me, so I’m not speaking to him at the moment. If you talk to him, tell him he’s an asshole.”
She cut the recording and looked at Noatak. He took over the comm, fingers flying over the control panel as he encoded the message and sent it.
“Thank you,” Marlis said.
He nodded, seemingly unable to meet her gaze. “You should get some rest. It’s been a long day.”
“For both of us.” Had she said or done something to upset him? All she remembered was the feel of his hands on her body. But she’d done things to offend people before without realizing it. She twisted her wristband. Now that she had Twerp back to help her understand things, it was time to talk to the doctor about the nanites fixing her memory. “You think Mek’s awake yet?”
He watched her hands, then lifted his gaze to hers. “You want to talk about the nanites?”
A twinge of heat ran through her core. Although her primary goal for the nanites was to heal her brain, the things were related to mating in Noatak’s mind. And if the cargo bay had been any indication, he was primed and ready to help her wrap things up in that department. “Do you think I should take them?”
His face twitched, and he worked his jaw as if fighting back what he really wanted to say. “What I think is irrelevant.”
“But I respect your opinion.” She tilted her head, wondering why he was being so evasive.
He stroked his beard and sighed. “One thing Mek never mentioned is that humans and Denaidans who mate appear to forge a permanent bond. You will likely be unable to pair with anyone else ever again.”
She laughed. “As in soul mates? That’s not a real thing.”
He continued to look into her eyes somberly as if daring her to doubt him again.
She quieted. “Wait, you’re serious?”
“Completely. You can talk to Joy or Lisa about it if you want to know what it’s like for a human.”
“Popular science asserts the occurrence of ‘true mates’ is merely a psychological affinity,” Twerp added. “However, several studies seem to indicate some species are capable of developing a symbiosis which ties their life forces together. While scientific theory has not yet been able to empirically measure—”
“Okay, Twerp,” Marlis said, her brain already overflowing. “Thank you.”
Noatak rose from the chair and ducked into the hallway. “If you want to come with me, I can get Mek’s data for you.”
“Thank you,” Twerp said. “I appreciate all forms of information, particularly when it may be of assistance to Marlis.”
“He was talking to me, Twerp.” Marlis pushed out of the chair and trailed after Noatak to the med bay. Why did he seem so sad? She’d think he’d be excited she might accept the nanites.
He stepped inside and retrieved a polycom. “This has all his files on the nanites.” Handing it over, he moved to the door before adding, “You’ll get to meet the rest of the crew soon. Please think carefully before you say yes. Once you’re inoculated, there’s only one way to clear your system.”
Without a backward glance at her, he disappeared around the corner.
Was he saying he wasn’t interested? They’d just gotten hot and heavy in the cargo bay, and there’d been no denying the erection she’d felt through his clothes. Maybe he wasn’t interested in forming a commitment. Not that she’d be looking, either, if this nanite thing hadn’t come up. But if she was going to have to choose someone to bond with, Noatak would be a good option. Not just good, amazing. He liked guns as much as she did and had been so understanding with her when she’d been forced to recall Pulati. She was also pretty sure he could take her in a hand-to-hand match if they actually followed the rules. Be logical, Marlis. What did he get out of a union except a ball-and-chain?
It only took her one wrong turn to find her way back to her bunk. Luckily without ending up in Tovik’s bedroom or something. Trying not to wake Emmy, she plugged Twerp into the polycom before falling into a restless sleep. What felt like moments later, Emmy’s alarm brought her wide awake.
Rolling toward the edge of the bed, Marlis watched Emmy rise and stretch. Emmy noticed she was awake. “Where’d you go last night?”
Marlis flushed with heat. She slid from the bunk to the floor, shivering as the cold deck contacted her bare feet. “Uh, sparring with Noatak.”
All traces of sleep left Emmy’s face. “Sparring, huh?” She winked. “That why you’re blushing?”
Something close to a giggle rose in Marlis’s throat. A giggle? She didn’t giggle. Not even with Attie. Maybe Twerp was right. She could use a human friend. With a small shrug, she said, “Things did get a little… personal.”
“Did you kiss him?” Emmy grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the bottom bunk, crossing her legs to face her. “Was it amazing? Who could’ve imagined aliens could be so hot?”
This time, Marlis did laugh. She pulled her legs in, mimicking Emmy’s cross-legged posture so they sat knee-to-knee. “They’re certainly not tentacle-faced Posungi.”
Emmy cocked her head, face alight. “So… are all his parts in the right places? How far’d you get?”
“Not that far.” Heat was pooling low in her abdomen as she remembered just how well he’d lined up to her ass. “Humans and Denaidans can’t have sex.”
Disappointment creased Emmy’s face. “Really? I thought Joy was married to one of the captains.”
Marlis shook her head, trying to put the pieces she remembered into sentences. Slowly, she explained about the nanites and how they were going to fix her. “But that’s not what they were meant to do. They actually have something to do with Denaidan mating, which can be deadly to humans wi
thout the nanites.”
“So your AI was right? This is a sex thing, and they brought us on board to create mates?” Emmy shrank back, her eyes wide.
“No, I don’t think Mek would’ve even told me about the nanites except for my brain damage. I think he just keeps them on hand in case people want to… you know, get together. I mean, it would be bad to not have something available, wouldn’t it?”
Emmy seemed to relax and nodded thoughtfully. “Good point.”
Twerp chimed from the top bunk. “I have completed my analysis, Marlis. Would you like me to explain?”
“That would be great, Twerp.” She rose and retrieved the wristband, strapping it back in place before settling down.
While Twerp went over the information Mek had provided earlier and Emmy asked questions, Marlis’s mind wandered back to the cargo bay. Why wouldn’t Noatak want to bond with her? They both liked guns. He seemed to want to protect people as much as she did. And they were in this resistance together, which from the sound of it was just beginning. Assuming Syndicorp didn’t discover them and shut everything down before it even had a chance to begin, they were looking at years of working together. Maybe she needed to prove herself to him first. But Mek had said time was of the essence here…
“Are you going to?” Emmy’s voice yanked her out of her thoughts.
“Going to? Oh.” She cleared her throat, realizing she hadn’t heard a word Twerp’d said. “Twerp, are they safe?”
“Nanites are not an approved medical treatment for your type of brain injury, Marlis. The procedure is purely experimental.”
“I know it’s experimental, but if there’s a chance of fixing me, I should take it.”
“It is theoretically possible for nano technology to repair damage to your central nervous system, however, previous test subjects had to be closely monitored to prevent adverse side effects. My primary function is to support your wellness. In the event you choose to accept the nanites, I will need Tovik’s assistance recalibrating my biometric sensors to continue monitoring you.”
“So you’re saying go ahead?”
“If that is your decision, I will assist any way I can.”
Emmy gaped at her. “You’re okay with… with the end part?”
Marlis shrugged, her face heating. “If it’s anything like last night with Noatak, then hell yes.”
Twerp spoke up. “Humans are notoriously promiscuous, therefore I would not theorize that every pairing would result in a symbiotic bond. I have been comparing the data Mek provided alongside other scientific studies about symbiotic life-bonds in various species. The data on human-Denaidan pairings reflects an insignificant amount of information to arrive at a statistical conclusion.”
Emmy laughed. “Okay, then.”
“Will you go with me to see Mek?” Although Marlis was used to going to appointments alone, this nanite thing was new territory. It’d be good to have someone besides Twerp to provide input. “He said there may be side effects and stuff. It’d be nice to have you there.”
“Of course!” Emmy beamed at her. “Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll ask the same thing of you. These Denaidans are pretty tempting. Even Tovik’s kinda cute.”
A knock at the door halted the conversation as Tovik’s voice came from outside. “I made you both breakfast!”
“Be right there!” Emmy called quickly, her face turning pink.
“Okay, Emmy!” Tovik’s muffled voice answered.
Pointing toward the door, Emmy silently mouthed, “Think he heard me?”
Repressing her laughter, Marlis slid out of the bunk and grabbed her pants. “I suppose breakfast would be a good idea before I talk to Mek.”
Emmy joined her, pulling off her pajama top. Once they were dressed, they headed to the galley where Tovik had attempted to make pancakes. “Lisa says these are human comfort food,” he said as he placed plates on the table. The little disks were stiff, misshapen, and required some chewing, but Marlis gulped down a bite while he hovered. “Do you like them?”
“Mmm,” Marlis replied, taking a large swig of coffee to wash it down. At least the coffee was hot and not too weak.
“You did a fine job for your first time,” Emmy said, pouring more syrup onto her plate.
“I’d be happy to make them for you again.” He sat down to his own plate and cut into one. His grin faded. “These are nothing like Lisa’s.”
“Pancakes take practice,” Emmy said.
He sighed and reached for the butter. “You’re too nice.”
After they helped clean up, Marlis led Emmy to the med bay. Mek was inside rearranging one of the cupboards. He turned and smiled, his gaze cautious. “Good morning ladies. Everything all right?”
“I’ve decided to go ahead and take the nanites.” Marlis moved into the bay. “Emmy’s here as moral support.”
“You told her?” Mek’s hands froze around the tube he was coiling.
Emmy took a spot on the opposite side of the table. “Actually, Twerp told me.”
Marlis held up her wrist. “Noatak gave me the data last night, and I fed the files to Twerp. She says I should go ahead.”
“I believe my actual response was that I will support your decision but will need to be recalibrated if I am to assist with your treatment,” Twerp said. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, doctor.”
“Likewise.” Mek raised his eyebrows. “I’m sure Tovik would be happy to help modify your programming. Having an AI monitor biometrics will be quite valuable. You understand the side effects and requirements?”
“Yes,” both Twerp and Marlis responded at once. Twerp vibrated gently against Marlis’s wrist, which Marlis always took as a form of laughter in instances like this.
Mek opened a cabinet and pulled out a vial. “You’re quite sure about this?”
Marlis nodded, her heartbeat quickening. “If there’s a chance to fix my brain, I’m all in.”
“All right,” Mek gestured to the exam table. “Lie back and I’ll begin the injection.”
Closing her eyes, Marlis waited for the magic to begin.
Chapter Ten
After his interlude with Marlis, Noatak spent a long, sleepless night thinking. He was relieved she hadn’t accepted the nanites off the cuff. He wasn’t usually the kind of guy to get his hopes up, but Marlis was one hell of a woman, and one he’d consider worth hoping for. Perhaps Mek could find a cure for his ionic heart while she considered. He’d finally fallen into a fitful sleep when the comm woke him with news the Kinship had returned.
Jaw cracking around an enormous yawn, he rose and scrubbed his face with hot water before dressing and heading to the cargo bay to meet the crew. He’d barely made it to the bottom of the cargo bay stairs when Kashatok was in his face. “You left her!”
Bowing his head, Noatak crossed his arms. He deserved this, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. “The place was getting under my skin. I needed air.”
“You guaranteed her safety!” Kashatok shoved him.
Noatak braced himself and prepared for more blows. If someone’d let his mate get hurt, he’d be pissed, too.
Joy moved in behind Kashatok, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Calm down. I told you I’m fine.”
Kashatok glowered at Noatak another moment, ionic power rolling off him in waves, then spun and stalked to a cluster of men who were helping offload supplies. Chignik, the Kinship’s main gunner, glanced toward the catwalk above Noatak’s head. “There they are!”
Taking two steps, he leaped to the catwalk, Ekwok mere seconds behind him. Noatak spun to look overhead, spotting several sets of feet on the grating.
“Hey!” Tovik’s voice echoed loud through the bay as he launched himself after them.
Then Marlis’s voice joined the mix, “Back off, assholes!”
Without using his ionic powers, Noatak raced up the stairs three at a time. “Get your asses back down to the deck before you clumsy terpaks knock our new crew members off the catwalk.”
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“I just wanted to say hi,” Chignik complained, swinging an elbow at Tovik in a less-than-friendly manner. “You guys got a head start.”
Tovik put his hands on his hips. “I’ve hardly got to talk to them at all yet.”
Ekwok sighed and trudged to the stairs, turning to look longingly over his shoulder. “Which one’s coming to our ship?”
Noatak’s chest ached at the possibility Marlis might join the other crew. Stepping aside to allow Ekwok to pass, Noatak said, “None of them if you two keep acting like idiots.”
A sharp whistle from below was followed by Captain Kashatok’s voice. “Everyone on deck for a debrief.”
Chignik grumbled but moved to the stairs. Tovik grinned triumphantly until Noatak raised his eyebrows. “That means you, too, Tovik.”
“I know,” the kid said, beckoning the women with one hand. “I’m just showing our new crew members the way.”
“You think they’re going to get lost?”
“I’m being a gentleman,” Tovik said as he passed. Next time Noatak had the kid alone, he was going to have to discuss the difference between chivalry and chauvinism.
Marlis brushed her fingertips along the top of Noatak’s hand as she passed, whether intentionally or not, he didn’t know, but his ionic senses flared to life before he could seal off the reaction. He took a deep breath and clamped down on his control. He should step out of the running. Tell her he wasn’t interested. Even Tovik was a better bet than he was. Yet his chest ached with desire at every twitch of her hips as she moved toward the group of waiting men.
Qaiyaan waited at the bottom of the stairs and clapped a hand to his shoulder. “These the only two?”
“Aye, Captain.” Noatak nodded and cut a glance toward Joy. Thank Ellam Cua she was upright and functional. “Whylon Station didn’t go as well as planned.”
“I heard.” Qaiyaan sighed. “Kashatok aborted our reconnaissance as soon as he found out.”
“How’d he find out?”
“The kid.” Qaiyaan tilted his head toward Tovik who was watching Chignik and Ekwok jostle for the spot next to Emmy. “Couldn’t you reign him in?”