Arby and the other RB units quickly used the materials we’d recovered. Over the next two days, they repaired our decaying critical systems. The damaged shield emitters were replaced. Life support was overhauled, and one of the power plants was rebuilt. I’d ordered another batch of RB units to be built bringing my total up to twenty. Bob wanted more security bots so I approved more of those as well bringing the total SB units to twelve.

Arby’s team of repair bots fixed up the operational shuttle and salvage ship, bringing both back to full readiness. I had him return to the irradiated zone for more materials after that. He was on his way back to the ship at the moment. I was on the bridge showing Athena around now that she was back on her feet. She was much improved with only a little bit of soreness after the nanobot treatment.

“The view is incredible,” Athena said as she stared out at the world below.

She was looking at a screen but the detail was so incredible it was impossible to tell it wasn’t a window. The view was impressive. I’d been in space before, even traveled to another planet near Radon and back, but looking down on a planet never got old.

“Yeah. I’ve always wanted to own a ship and travel the stars, it’s my dream.” Talking to Athena helped with the loneliness. She got me. We’d talked a lot in the last few days. Mostly it was her listening to me vent and her talking about her mother and the war. I avoided Moonbeam and Sal like the plague, only checking in on them once a day to make sure they were getting the basic necessities.

“So you’ve said,” Athena said, grinning. “It’s still crazy to me that there are whole worlds out there with thriving civilizations. And aliens? Still can’t believe that one!” She laughed.

I was about to respond when Bob interrupted, using the overhead speakers so both of us could hear. “Captain, Rider just woke up.”

“Good. I was starting to worry. Tell him we are on the way,” I said.

“What about his brother?” Athena asked.

“Have an SB unit escort Viper, we’ll meet him there,” I ordered.

The ship was 112 meters in length, with a beam of 22 meters, and five floors at its tallest. The cargo hold, hangar, and engineering department spanned multiple floors cutting into the floor plans. It only took a few minutes to walk the length of the ship.

Rider was sitting up on the medical bed looking around in confusion. “Where are we?” he asked. “Athena! What… How? You’re okay?”

“You were only out for three days,” I said by way of greeting.

“What?”

“It’s magic!” Athena said, her eyes sparkling.

We laughed at his expression and his brother walked in about then.

“Rider!”

“Hey, bro. What did I miss?”

“A lot. Let me tell you.”

I stood aside as they brought him up to speed. Rider kept glancing over at me as they recounted the tail as if waiting for me to contradict them and tell him it was all a big joke.

“We’re in space?” he asked for what must have been the fifth time.

Athena laughed. “Wait till you see the view from the bridge!”

“You’ve been on the bridge?” Viper asked.

She nodded. “It’s incredible.”

“Bob, bring our other guests in. They’re probably worried about their friend.”

“Bob?” Rider asked.

“He’s the ship’s AI,” Athena said. “Artificial Intelligence. How cool is that!”

Moonbeam’s reunion with Rider was a teary one on her part and a bewildering one for Rider. The guy has no clue she’s in love with him.

“I’m fine,” he reassured her for the third time.

She finally settled down and resumed her lifelong mission of attempting to create spontaneous combustion through the power of glaring at someone. It would have been amusing but that someone was me.

At one point I heard her ask, “Has she been treating you as bad as she does me? She locked me in a room with nothing to do and fed me only some kind of awful protein drink.”

“That’s what I’ve got too,” Salamander said.

“Can it, Sal,” Viper said. “You too, Moon. We all are eating that shit.”

Athena nodded. “Same.”

“You know I don’t like small spaces,” Moonbeam hissed. “I feel like the walls are closing in.”

“It’s a spaceship, Moon, there is limited room.”

“You could have at least given me a window,” she grumbled.

I was beyond caring what the girl thought, or about hurting her feelings. Still, pointless torture wasn’t my thing. It was too late now. That does explain the grudge she has against me I guess. I’d had no idea when I’d locked her in the bathroom.

I cut in, tired of listening to her complain. “Now that you’re all healed, I’ll be putting you back where you belong. Rider, you and Viper can help me find a spot that is remote enough not to draw attention when I drop you off, and close enough to wherever it is you want to get. Athena… you’re welcome to stay if you like.”

“Whoa, really?” she asked in astonishment.

“I’m so jealous,” Salamander grumbled.

Athena shook her head. “I… thanks, but I don’t know what I’d do if I stayed. My mom and all my friends are here and it doesn’t sound like you’ll be sticking around for long.”

“No, just long enough to make repairs.”

“I… I think I’ll stay here then. Maybe… if there wasn’t a war on I’d go with you?”

I shrugged like it was no big deal, but was saddened by her answer.

“I understand,” I said, though I kinda sort of didn’t. Not fully, that’s for sure. Who wanted to stay in an occupied country or stay trapped in the middle of a war?

“Does that offer extend to anyone else?” Rider asked.

I shook my head. “No. I don’t trust most of you. I don’t need to be looking over my shoulder every second.”

“Don’t bother asking her to help us. She won’t,” Viper said, crossing his arms.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

Athena chewed her lip as she watched the other’s faces darken.

Rider finally spoke. “How close can you get us to the town we met in?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll have Bob run some simulations and—”

“There is a location in a valley nine miles from the town we could reach during the night,” Bob answered over the ship's speakers. He continued in my ear mic so only I could hear. “A cloaking device could be fitted on the shuttle. That would take sixty-four hours to build and install, give or take a few hours.”

“I think we should review that valley, and see if it meets with your approval,” I said, answering Bob’s unspoken question as well as addressing the others. A cloaking device would be awesome though. I was definitely going to pursue that later.

Rider stood and stretched. We moved to a conference room and the SB units took up position by the door, then we looked over the options. The landing zone Bob had found was close to the town but the terrain was rough. It would be a real hassle to walk to the town from there. After an hour we settled on a clearing in a field surrounded by trees that was ten miles away instead. Then we all united in fortifying our minds in preparation for what came next. Lunch.

* * *

Aboard the Shadow Hunter:

Viper looked across the room at his brother. “That was a close one, Gary.”

“Yeah. Too close. Saved by the bell, eh, Tom?” Rider replied.

Tom snorted. “You mean the hot Captain with the starship.”

“Her wardrobe does reveal a lot about her. Can’t say starship captain came to mind though.”

“Yeah, I wish we could get her on our side though,” Tom replied.

Tom Holden had always been close with his brother, even when they didn’t see eye to eye, they had always had each other's backs. No matter what. When the war came, that only emphasized that bond more. Tom knew his brother would free him if he got the chance but assurances in war were rare. You never knew what was going to happen. All you could do was your best.

“I almost blew it,” Tom admitted. “Moon and Sal were both ready to take her hostage and I nearly went along with them.”

“Why didn’t you?” Rider asked. “I would have.”

“I know. You always were the dumb one,” Tom joked.

Gary snorted. “I got you out, didn’t I?”

“Thanks for that by the way, but just so you know, her security droids are no joke.”

“They can’t be that tough…” Gary said.

“You didn’t see what I saw. One of those things could wipe out a platoon of soldiers. It took three rounds to the chest at point-blank range and there wasn’t a mark on it. Then it crushed Salmanader's rifle like it was folding paper. You could see where its fingers left mark indentations on the barrel. It had a cannon on its shoulder too and looked like it could fire a 20mm grenade from it. I didn’t see a hopper for ammo though so I’m guessing it was some kind of energy weapon. You mentioned she had a laser pistol?”

Gary frowned as he absorbed the new information. “Yeah… Well, they sound impressive. You’re right though. If you’d joined then, you’d have really blown it. Maybe you can work on her. Win her over.”

“I doubt she’d change her mind,” Tom asked.

“I kind of wish we were staying longer now,” Rider said.

“Why is that,” Tom asked.

“Well, as you said, she’s kinda hot.”

The brothers shared a laugh. “I tried. She’s a loner.”

“Everyone needs someone,” Rider said.

“She doesn’t even have a family.”

“Friends?”

Tom shook his head. “Not that she’s mentioned. Athena might qualify.”

“Too bad she’s not a guy,” Rider said with a chuckle.

Tom grinned. “As I said, I already tried that.”

Gary raised an eyebrow. “Do tell.”

“Well, I was working out, so I had my shirt off. You know what I’m talking about. She was pretty embarrassed when I caught her staring.” Tom chuckled. “Offered to help her make a family but she wasn’t amused.”

“Seriously? Isn’t that a little… tactless?”

“It was a joke I told her earlier, never mind. As I was saying, I doubt that would work, even though she does find me attractive.”

“Are you sure you’re not just flattering your ego?” Gary asked.

Tom shrugged. He didn’t think he was. The woman had definitely been checking him out. It wasn’t the first look he’d seen her giving him either. She didn’t quite have the perfect figure in his opinion, her hips and bust were just a bit too small. And her freckles, while cute, weren’t his favorite. Her eyes were striking though. He liked her eyes. She was a solid 9.5 and way better looking than he’d ever dreamed of wooing.

Tom nodded. “She has a very pretty blush.”

Gary rolled his eyes but he was smiling. “Well, we’ve got a day.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Tom smiled back.

“I was thinking something less direct. She gets on well with Athena. We can use that.”

Tom scowled. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that.”

“You want to see Corinth occupied?” There was a pause. “I didn’t think so.”

Tom drew in a deep breath. “What’s the plan then?”

Gary stared at the wall for a bit. “Athena’s mother. She’s sick right?”

“I think so. She doesn’t like to talk about it. Cancer or something. Pretty bad I think.”

“Okay, that’s perfect. Here is what we’re going to do…”

* * *

Tom Holden walked into the galley. Ginny and Athena were both there. He’d been granted permission to move around the ship as long as he didn’t mind having a security bot follow him around. Athena didn’t have that restriction. A telling sign that Ginny trusted her. Tom tried flirting a bit more with the hot Captain but it didn’t go anywhere.

Ginny looked up from her wrist computer and then went back to her work. Tom took a seat and started talking about the war. It was bound to make her uncomfortable talking about the fighting and the people they lost. He felt bad for making Athena sad, but it was for a good cause.

Sure enough after ten minutes Ginny excused herself and Tom watched her leave. The one-piece suit was sexy and tight in all the right places. He hoped they became a thing back home, but he doubted it would happen. He let out a whistle and she glanced back and glared.

He grinned at her and chuckled. Once she was gone he turned to Athena. It was time to plant the seed. Gary and Tom had both agreed Athena wouldn’t help them, not if she was aware of the plan anyway, so they planned around that. She didn’t need to know she was playing a role in their plan. It cost them nothing to try, they didn’t have much left to lose. Ginny already didn’t trust them.

“How is your mom doing?” he asked.

“Oh, she’s hanging in there,” Athena said.

“Cancer right?”

The girl nodded.

“Your friend Ginny might be able to help her. Have you asked her?”

Athena’s mouth fell open. It was clear she hadn’t even thought about asking. “I… don’t know. Do you think the nanobots could help her?”

“Worked on my brother’s concussion, your bruises, and all the gunshot wounds. Worth a shot right?”

Athena bit her lip and nodded absently. Tom didn’t push it. He just rapped the table and stood, leaving her with her thoughts. Worth a shot. Now if Rider can just make contact with the cell we’ll be all set.

* * *

Gary took a deep breath and cleared his throat. He stood at the threshold of the bridge. Ginny, Captain of the amazing starship sat with her feet propped up as she reclined in the command chair. She turned her head at the sound and seemed to brace herself, much the same way he had.

“Captain, may I enter the bridge?” Gary asked.

“Sure Rider. What do you want?”

“Thank you. It’s a beautiful view,” he said.

“It is, but that’s not why you’re here so please just tell me.”

He cleared his throat. “I want to contact my people. Your improvement to the encryptions makes it so it can’t be traced, right?”

“Or decrypted. So?”

“Then there is no chance the enemy could intercept it?”

“Not after I work my magic,” she said with a smile.

He cringed. “I’m not so sure, but I wanted to arrange for someone to meet up nearby to pick us up. It might be better to pick a location further away from the town too. It would be safer for you and lower the chance of discovery. If we had someone to pick us up, the distance wouldn’t be a problem, but I’m worried the enemy could break the encryption and be waiting for us.”

“No way!” she said. “If I encrypt something it stays encrypted. Even experts on Radon, my homeworld, would spend months trying to unscramble my encryptions. These guys? They would be better off trying to use monkeys to unravel the DNA blockchain!”

“Well, that’s a relief… Do you have a comm I can use from space?”

“Sure, no problem. Let’s pick a new landing sight first. Do you want the others’ input?” Ginny asked.

Gary shook his head. “I already ran it past my brother.”

A few minutes later she handed him a comm. “Thanks. I’ll get it back to you. They don’t always pick up right away.”

“Keep it until we land, just in case you need to change something,” she said.

Gary enjoyed the view as she walked out in her black skin-tight ship suit. It was a variation of the attractive blue one she’d worn on the planet; only this one was even tighter and really hot.