“Are flowers allowed in the command center?” Apollonia asked the security officer.

The man smiled slightly. “Normally I’d say no, but allowances could be made today. What’s your business?”

“I’m here to bother Commander Yaepanaya about something,” Apollonia said. “Important flower stuff.”

The man laughed this time. “Go on in, Specialist Nor.”

Ooh, specialist. She’d known she had that sort of title, but hearing it was nice.

Walking in, Angel wiggled even more excitedly as Apollonia put her down.

She had gotten an extendable leash and set her tablet to track the little dog so she wouldn’t lose her. Angel seemed to resent the leash and collar, side-eying Apollonia as she’d put them on her, and she had an amazing ability to find out of the way spots and get tangled around anything and everything, including herself.

She did not seem familiar with the command center, and as soon as her feet hit the deck she ran over to investigate the Captain’s chair.

From behind, Apollonia could only see boots, which looked like Jaya’s, and they jumped slightly as Angel crashed into her, tangling the leash again.

“Why is there an animal in my command center?” the woman’s voice barked imperiously.

“Ah, sorry, it’s me!” Apollonia said, hurrying over.

Jaya’s annoyance quickly melted away as she saw Apollonia, and something dangerously close to a smile appeared on her face. “Ah, I see. It’s just a bee attracted to the flower.”

“Yes!” Apollonia said, excitedly.

“An idea brought about by your time on Earth?” Jaya asked.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Yeah,” Apollonia said. “I was originally going to be Oleandra from The Last Throne. She’s a witch everyone hated and was afraid of . . .”

“I believe I have heard of this show,” Jaya said. “There is quite a bit of gratuitous violence and sex in it, as I recall.”

“Oh, yeah, tons,” Apollonia agreed. “And really, Oleandra is way hotter than me, but at least her outfit isn’t slutty. We kind of look alike, too. I mean, I’m thin and pale with dark hair, that’s kind of similar.”

She could have passed, she thought. But ultimately it had felt inappropriate. The Last Throne seemed tailored towards people with a little too much interest in blood and torture and cruelty. She’d watched it at times, but had lost her taste for it since leaving New Vitriol. It didn’t seem to fit into the same universe she found herself in now.

“I’m rather glad you went with your flower,” Jaya said. “I believe it suits you better.”

“Aww, thanks. I’m glad it matches with Angel. Angel, no, don’t pee there!”

The dog was squatting in a corner next to a computer.

Jaya let out an exasperated sigh. “This is why we do not let animals in the Command Center.” She raised her voice. “Get some drone cleaners in here,” she ordered. “And please get the bee out of here.”

Apollonia carefully picked up the dog, trying to avoid any wet spots on her underside.

“I will,” Apollonia said, studying Jaya. “But what is your costume?”

Jaya seemed to have made the most bare minimum of effort; she had some bright blueish-green metallic makeup around her eyes, and from her hair bun a handful of similar feathers stuck out, each with a strange dark spot on them.

“I am a peacock,” Jaya said, her seriousness undermining the lightheartedness.

“Oh,” Apollonia said.

Jaya sighed. “I would prefer not to wear a costume at all, but I owed the Captain a favor and he insisted I make some gesture towards it.”

Apollonia tilted her head. “You’re not a fan of the best holiday ever?”

“I do not enjoy silly costumes,” Jaya replied shortly. “Which is why I volunteered to be on command duty.”

“So the Captain is dressing up?” Apollonia asked excitedly. “Oh I can’t wait to see that!”

“Don’t get too excited,” Jaya cautioned. “He usually just dresses up as Roald Amundsen.”

Apollonia’s blank face required no question to be asked.

“He was the first to reach the South Pole in Antarctica on Earth,” Jaya clarified.

“Ohhh,” Apollonia replied, stroking Angel.

“You go on,” Jaya said. “Enjoy the parade and revelry. I will be be fine.”

“Okay,” Apollonia said. “But don’t forget that I’m showing Shark Hole 7 later!”

“I will be there,” Jaya replied gravely.

Much pleased, the sunflower and bee flitted from the command center.