The Russians arrive the next day, and Svetlana hasn’t lost any of her snarky spunk. I’m sure it’s playful toward Katie, but to me it’s demeaning and rude.

“I was not expecting this many Americans, bunny. I do not like surprises.”

“Then you are going to hate Astoria. Perhaps you should reconsider your plans if you are so squeamish.” I try not to snarl, but I doubt I succeeded

“I do not like this posturing, Penny.”

“Svetlana, I get it. You want to be important but it’s hard for you not to try to cut down powerful women. Fucking stop it. We’re not in competition. If Katie wants you, she can have you, but make no mistake, you are hers, not the other way around. You are either her equal, or you surrender, there is no other option with Katie.

“If we’re done with that, the Joint Chiefs want to talk business.” I want to throw a damned tantrum right now, but there are hundreds of Sailors that would see me and Judge me for it.

Katie, I fucking miss you babe. >P] Please come home. I love you. [<

>K] <3 [<

I don’t think it would be safe for anyone if Katie got hurt. I have erased a moon, I can figure out how to murder a planet if necessary.

Tessa, do we have orbital link?

No, Penny. We are still blocked from global networks, but the Bikini Ansible is still reading out to 100km. Do you wish me to give you coordinates to the incoming Russian Flotilla.

“Nah, just exclude them from the shield and arrange comms-based entry.” She chuckles in my mind. I erected a tier 2 shield that covers the whole atoll to 10km outside the ring of islands. Fuck everyone I don’t like.

/Admiral, do you have a minute? This is DeGurgis./

/You calling as LT or Jenna?/ I don’t have time for personal crisis, but I can’t afford to cut her out.

/Admiral, stop flirting with your security officer, we have a situation./

/Then report Camacho./

/Not my report to give, Admiral/

/Then four extra comms just wasted my time. LT, shoot./

/Incoming heavy cruiser, 1 mill km, just out of warp./

/Whatever sensor you were using, use IFF, report to gearing stations while IFF is returned./ I order the crew. /Report other warp related activities from this vessel./

/Copy Admiral./

Tessa, I need your finger on an order and cold drop of weapons.

The Exchange will not deliver ordinance during a high alert situation.

Fuck it, fine, Tessa, pilot the shuttle for eyes-on and evasive maneuvers.

They are not actively changing position, recommend prudence.

>K]Penny, we’re in system, but the Copernicus crew has an aether dependence and their mutations are . . . extensive. Some are very unstable.[<

>P] They need more aether than the enhanced rooms aboard Alaris? [<

>K] Rooms? The room I have some in is good enough, but it’s not big enough.[<

>P] There are forward and aft break rooms and the medical ward can be converted[<

>K] The medical ward will be perfect. Thanks honey. [<

>P] Still need the extra bodies?[< She pings me in the affirmative.

Tessa, disregard previous, pick up security team and transfer them to the Alaris.

/When you finish gearing, report aboard Indulgence for transfer to Alaris. Report to Acting Captain O’Connell upon arrival for further tasking./

/Copy that, Ma’am/

I hope Petra and Ivanka are alive, but from what Katie said, they may not be themselves anymore. My murder impulses are rising and I’m going to make Morris pay for this. I can’t understand what would drive a person to not only risk the lives of the whole crew, again, but to then mis-treat them so horrendously. I suppose I don’t have to understand, as long as I can prevent it. Do I need to find Melissa to deal with another communications-based User, or can Katie and Alaris handle it? Lemoore didn’t seem to have any luck with getting a hold of Melissa, so that’s probably a no go.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Indulgence has been received by Alaris and after the prisoners are transferred to the med bay and the other aether break room, Katie intends to return to Earth.

Andromeda, I can’t wait to see her. I hope she’s doing okay, but it can’t be easy after what she’s seen. I have some hugs and smooches to welcome her home.

“Admiral, we have a message from the Gerald Ford.” Saving me from my thoughts. Thanks Captain.

“Is it a small Russian Floatilla?” I ask.

“It is, and they are broadcasting a message demanding the US to vacate an Island for their use.”

“Alright, let me go put on my EVA suit and we can fly over to the carrier. Are any of the Chiefs over there?”

“The CNO and the Chief of Energy are over there, yes Ma’am.”

They get in their metal boat with inflated rubber sides and I fly over. I’m greeted by a small contingent of Sailors that all salute me and the coming aboard bells echo throughout the ship.

“Astorian Admiral, Arriving.” Well, they’re taking me seriously, I wonder what this is all about.

They lead me to the officer’s mess, where many, many officers are waiting.

“Did you invite the Russians here?”

“Hello Jim, hello Rich. Great to see you today, how are you enjoying my Islands?”

“Yes, thank you for your hospitality. What is this about.” Jim accuses.

“A Russian syndicate has shown interest in emigrating to my planets and I asked if they were willing to help the US to re-acquire your interests. Other than those, I have made no other promises.”

“How could you even consider allying with those criminals?” The ship’s CO asks.

“Skipper,” I insult, “You are not my people, but about 150 of those gangsters are about to be citizens of mine. Additionally, I have it on good authority that they specialize in Power that the US is currently weak against: like networks and soft, evasive structure, but with a powerful presence. I invited them to talk.”

“We will not capitulate to their demands!”

“Listen, Commander, I don’t care who you are, but everyone should understand that I set who will do what in my Atoll. If I want you to leave, I can make you. If I want the Russians to die, I will kill them, but do not presume that you have a choice other than obey me if you choose to stay.” I turn to the Admirals, “If you decide not to meet with these mercenaries, that’s wasting a resource TBH. I intend to allow their lead ship anchor in the harbor.”

Indulgence is within Ansible radius Penny.

Time to wrap this up then. “Alright, I have other meetings today I’m going to the bridge to make a call.” I walk out of the room and close the door. I teleport when I don’t see anyone.

The door to the bridge is open.

“Lieutenant, I need to use ship to ship to contact the lead Russian vessel.”

The OOD just hands me the radio and diles a common frequency. “This is Admiral Astoria, transmitting from the Gerald Ford. I would speak with Svetlana Fedorov.”

“This is Fedorov.”

“Svetlana, I have given you permission for one ship to anchor in my waters. I will not be evacuating an island for you, so that’s a no go. So why don’t you pull in, grab some lunch and a beer until Katie gets back in a few hours.”

“I require liberty spaces for my crew.”

“There are racks and mess space available for everyone. I can’t guarantee that Russian rooms are separate from American rooms. If you can play nice until Katie arrives, I won’t sink the rest of your ships. And if you actually need something from me, use my ansible port ID and text my brain like a normal person. Astoria out.”

I hand the radio mic back to the Officer of the Deck and thank him for allowing me to use it. I walk out toward the port lookout and jump off the side of the ship and fly toward the northern Islands I’d just land-filed and remodeled.

Holy cow did these two islands get bigger, or at least they seems so. The width that was added gives the whole side more visual weight.

It also has the benefit of barely being above background radiation now. You really should look into doing this to all of the Islands should you wish to continue having them occupied.

Yeah, true, what’s a few thousand CE between friends.

You have more than 2 million left, and will continue to accumulate them as your civilization develops.

Ugh, I know. It’s just that I’ve burned through most of my “Welcome Humans!” bonus and I’m scared. Though, I suppose I can just try and use my AE for every available opportunity. I have quite a lot of those, though it only comes out around 20k CE worth. Okay, now it makes sense why your tone is so bratty. Integration seems to be going well.

It has been paused since we entered the system. Morris’ blocking field is focusing more on Alaris now that we are in his sensor ranges.

I really need to do something about that guy. I only have a few minutes to think about potential assassination plans when a pressure wave nudges me from the right. I see the characteristic royal purple of the Indulgence a few kilometers distant and starts heading toward me.

I feel a buzz of excitement to see my Katie. It’s only been a few weeks, but I don’t like it. Plus, if the whole crew is aether starved, what is she eating?! Come get your juice box honey. Wait, ew. That’s all kinds of wrong.

I jump out of my EVA suit and pay the fee to have it transported back to my quarters—it’s too bulky for a proper hug. I see the hatch to the side of the cockpit open and see her slide out and land with barely a crouch. I run towards her with a grin on my face and pull her into a big hug and a grateful kiss.

“I missed you.” I tell her.

She smiles a rare full-smile as she looks down. “Greeting me in a Bikini, no less. I approve.”

I see her stare linger at my neck. “Do you need a bite babe?”

She actually flushes and looks away, but nods anyway.

“Then come on, have a sip. Just leave enough so you can have another sip later.” I waggle my eyebrows for the last part. My beautiful ginger vampire is so fucking sexy, even in a jumpsuit.

She pulls me close and starts licking and kissing my neck. She no longer needs t turn me on before I welcome her fangs, but it does distract from the stab. She moans into me as my blood is drawn, lapping it up hungrily. I have to bite my lip to keep from making sounds as Katie peruses my body with her hands while she’s latched on.

A minute or so in, I start pushing her hips away. She whimpers and latches on tighter but when I pinch her ear she recoils enough to realize she should stop.

“Fuck, Penny, you’re intoxicating. You’re essence is so much more heady than before.” She giggles. “I love you, and you’re tasty in several ways. I’m glad you’re mine again.”

“Katie. I love you too, and you are totally drunk.”

She giggles and starts kissing me again, “Yeah, you’re so much more potent now. I think I forgot that in my hunger. Hehe, I really like touching you, and your eyes are really pretty.”

I chuckle at that. “I knew you were secretly mushy and adorable.”

Katie growls into our next kiss, “If you tell anyone, I will make sure all the civics and planning questions come through you.”

“Not the kind of dirty talk I want now Hon,” even though I’m laughing at how adorable she is.