Kiera had named the nebula their planet was in the Sunrise Nebula and it shone the brightest when the system’s star rose over Sarlassa’s northern horizon. The weather was perpetual spring with sweet smelling flowers, juicy fruits and delicious fish in the river that emptied into the planetoid’s largest lake; they swam at a different one where the water wasn’t as chilly. The planet's bees were the most docile things that Kiera had ever seen and they never once tried to sting Kida when she collected honey from them, she had even built an apiary with planets from the hydroponics bay and other flowers that they had collected.

Benjamin Uller had confirmed that Kiera’s Bird of Paradise was a female. She was introduced to Archimedes on Sarlassa, and they immediately flew off together singing to each other and playing; Mary named her Calliope. Neither Kiera nor Benjamin could stand to separate them or put them back on the ship and left both birds on the planetoid. It fit in with his need for everyone to see beauty and the crew enjoyed watching the birds fly around and make their planetoid even better. There were rumors that the Sunrise Nebula had a vortex that destroyed ships; no one wanted to test that theory and kept away from it.

Kiera’s meeting had been a long one. They went over mecha performance for the last view missions, reviewed the maintenance logs, the schedules so the special forces team could spend time with Skorv to get their own customized mecha. Since everyone could fly the Sunrise Eclipse, Skorv had suggested that everyone learn to fly the mecha, go through more involved medical training, and learn how to fight and operate in power armor using special forces tactics. His reasoning was that it made the ship the most versatile in his fleet and they were all young so learning everything would come easy. Out of everyone else, Riley picked up the mecha controls the fastest. She was the first to fly outside the simulator in the jaeger and was able to go toe to toe with Corbin in the simulators, much to his annoyance. Skorv also gave Kiera updated information about his own Virtual Network, another project he was extremely excited about. By the time her meeting was over the sun was setting. There would still be time to lounge on the beach.

She stopped by her room and put on the tiny shorts she used for a swimming suit; she would have gone nude but she didn’t really care for sand getting in places. There wasn’t anyone else in the ship when she walked through the corridors; it wasn’t unexpected and in a way the quiet was peaceful. If given her choice she would rather be in a group of people instead of being alone. Even having someone in the same room was better than being alone. She didn’t know how many hours she spent sketching or watching races while Emily knitted or studied new recipes.

The crew had built cabins near the beach and set up their normal area with permanent chairs and tables, set up a volleyball area on the beach and other creature comforts to be able to get off the ship and get to relaxing without much effort. It was quiet, the only sounds were Archimedes and Calliope calling to each other as they flew around. Kiera immediately went on alert and ejected her sword into her hand, ready to ignite it.

“Many Happy Returns!” the crew shouted as Kiera stepped onto the beach, whistles and noise makers filling the air. Kiera laughed as Emily threw her arms around Kiera and kissed her cheek.

“This is your doing, isn’t it?” Kiera said, returning the hug.

“It’s your birthday, I didn’t want you to miss it,” Emily said.

They were officially wanted by the Empire. Imperial security had scrutinized video data from the Ithycan shipyards after they determined that the Snowdens were on the very ship that left for an engine test and never returned. Gate records showed that the Satisfaction went through the same gate to the same destination, and were suspected to be compliant as there was little reason for the ship to be at a military station. Hiro was also wanted by the Empire.

They were charged with theft of military property and aiding and abetting convicted criminals, and considered an attack on the Empire. If they were captured it would mean a life sentence in a high security penal colony; Kiera’s royal status would not protect her. One of Snowden’s captains had been the one to transmit the information to them. Ever since communication with the Empire was cut off; if they needed to contact anyone they went through an intermediary.

“Have I told you that you’re the best?” Kiera asked, kissing Emily’s cheek and laying her head on her shoulder as they joined the others for the banquet that Emily had setup. Ben and Mary were in attendance, the latter quickly weaved Kiera a tastefully sexy red dress.

Mary was an arachne with glossy black hair usually worn in a bun. She looked human except for her four arms and eyes and the spinnerets at the end of each of her fingers. Mary had bright red eyes; two were as big as Kiera’s fist and the other three were normal human size. The three smaller eyes were under the two large ones arranged in a slight curve. Kiera thought it looked like a miniature smile. She was an expert seamstress, a lovely conversationalist and took great joy in making and repairing clothing. Corbin was absolutely terrified of her and Gargax was noticeably uncomfortable in her presence. Kiera found it hilarious that the large, powerful ork was scared of a sweet petite girl who was barely four feet tall. She served on Ben’s ship, but Kiera was constantly trying to steal her away.

Kiera hugged Mary, not at all afraid of her. Mary sighed in happiness and nearly melted into Kiera’s arms. The poor girl thought it wouldn’t be professional to hug Ben and the other crew wouldn’t let her touch them unless it was absolutely necessary. Kiera made it a point to hug the girl at every opportunity. Fortunately, Locke wasn’t afraid of her; Mary had a huge crush on him, but since her people usually killed their mates and ate their hearts after mating she didn’t pursue him. She was happy that he didn’t have a problem hugging her or letting her ride on his shoulders; she wasn’t a great swimmer.

“Eighteen years old,” Skorv said, approaching Kiera with a small wrapped package, “So young,” he gave her one of the smiles that were now commonplace on his face. This drone was a young, handsome man with rugged good looks and a scar on his cheek. Skorv knew too much about her type of guy.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Kiera hugged him; his body went completely rigid. He was always apologetic when his synthetic hands brushed the bare skin of any of the crew. To be hugged by a pretty girl with her cheek pressed against his seemed to overload him, but Kiera couldn’t help it; she’d told the Admiral for months it was okay and she was an affectionate person. There was no chance that she was going to have sex with a drone, no matter how life-like it was. It wasn’t any different than a sex doll in her opinion.

“You can hug back, I’ve told you a million times. I like affection, and being touched," Kiera said.

Skorv carefully returned to the hug and held her tight. She really wished there was a way to save the real person. The gift was a new energy blade so she would have one for each hand. Her PUC had also been updated to create a shield. The new sword was a shimmering gold with silver runes inscribed on it. How Skorv managed that he wouldn’t tell. The handle had eladrin filigree on it and was molded to perfectly fit in either hand, small machinery adjusted itself for the perfect fit. The gift earned Skorv another hug and a kiss on the cheek. Whatever Skorv used to make his synthetic skin it was leaps and bounds above the Dalimarian sex robots. It didn’t feel any different from a living person’s. She might have to reconsider her position on drones.

Her friends showered her with other gifts. Emily arranged for Tamariel to send her a bottle of Jinxing Xor gold label blonde, Kiera’s absolutely favorite whisky. Gargax made her a necklace from a shard of the eborsisk horn. It was a way to remind her that she got through Pantaurus which meant she could live through anything. Uller brought her a bouquet of Celestial Roses; the petals alternated between gold and silver, and there was a faint golden halo over each one of the silver stemmed flowers. Her other gifts were small things: earrings from Riley, a recording of last season’s mecha races from Corbin and Koda. Tara teased that Keira would get her present later, Locke had a romantic dinner planned and Hiro gave her a sai-tau set he had built on Mechanus.

The party lasted into the night, people disappearing into the cabins one by one or in pairs. Soon it was just her, Kinsley, and Skorv. Kiera was enjoying a nice buzz, Kinsey was nursing a small glass of the whisky. Only Skorv was sober; he was nursing a drink as well and sipping from it. Kiera idly wondered what was happening to the whisky. Its marketer would be livid to know that it wasn’t actually being consumed. He was an ass; the true brewer would only care that Skorv seemed to be enjoying it.

“I’m surprised you and Gargax didn’t disappear,” Kinsley said, “Should I go find him like last year?”

Kiera shook her head, “He and Alyxia got together after Pantarus. She wanted to be exclusive. We still can hug and hold hands, and have the occasional kiss."

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Kinsley said, catching Kiera’s hand.

Kiea smiled, “It happens, not all lovers remain active lovers. But I still love him, and I’ll have you tonight.”

Skorv chuckled, “Ah, to be young and beautiful. I remember being young. I didn’t have any boys chasing me. They were afraid of the girl who was a hybrid itorian and khelban. Afraid that I could control the robots around us like puppets, that my understanding of technology dwarfed theirs. I built the gates for the Kingdom, pioneered the nanomachines, advanced our robots beyond what the Ministry of Science could believe. A woman does not understand technology, amputating an arm to improve on prosthetics was immoral! More efficient weapons shouldn’t exist!” He shook his head, “No, you cannot create a synthetic life to fulfill your romantic desires, to cure your loneliness.”

Kiera and Kinsley exchanged a look and they each took another drink. Neither knew what was happening to their friend and admiral. Kiera didn’t want to interrupt with the thousands of questions she had. Kinsley didn’t either. He wasn’t drunk was…she?”

“Ran off my own world by your detractors, dropped those monstrosities on it to ensure no one could come or leave. Forced to sell my skills to mercenaries… until some moreau upstart wanting to be more than he was offers a Admiralty in the new guild to the reclusive shipsmith and discarded when a serrit arrives who promises him immortality. Bah. Neither know what it is like.” Skorv stood up, “Fine drink, I toast the brewer. These old bones need rest. Not as young as I was. Trapped in this cage, but at least the drink is good, strong." Skorv walked towards his ship, weaving with every step and going off course several times until he tripped over his own feet and fell to the ground. Seconds later terrible snoring came from the cyborg.

“He…She…there’s no way…” Kiera said, trying to wrap her drunk mind around what happened.

“I’m not sure,” Kinsley said, “She’s lonely. I think these past few months have been good for her. They smile more, and seem so energized. I'm glad we met them, Uller, too. Want to go to bed?”

Kiera finished her drink, “Absolutely.”

=+=

“I have a new contract for you,” Benjamin Uller said, the day after Kiera’s party. “More precisely, for the male members of the crew.”

Kiera exchanged a look with Locke, “What’s the mission, and why only our guys? I know that you and Skorv aren’t misogynists unlike the rest of the Moon.”

“It’s for the Clans, they specifically requested your ship and crew. You’ve earned their respect defending the corporation ships from them. The Muir system has come under attack from creatures they haven’t seen before. Their skalds think these creatures are a hybrid of something called a vanyr and a troll.“ Uller paused and took Kiera’s hand. “What they are doing to the women they capture is the stuff of Nightmares. Most of them have begged to be killed. When a woman has been on the battlefield they ignore everyone else to capture her and drag her to their camps. They have dragged men off, but not nearly as many. I don’t want you to risk being captured by one.”

“I can’t sit idle while Locke and the others fight monsters like that. There has to be something that we can do. Relief stations, drop off and pick up. Mecha support.” Kiera looked over at Locke again. “The ones who see what happens in the camps, how are they when they get back?”

“Probably not good,” Locke said. “That’s why they want to use mercenaries, to lose fewer of their people. Who else is involved?”

“Snowden is sending a few ships. The Scandians managed to hire a single Axtellion Legion ship as well. It’s a cavalier with mostly ground troops.”

The Axtellion Legion was another mercenary group. They were expensive to hire but they possessed highly skilled and elite individuals. There were seven divisions, but Kiera didn’t know what they were. The Red Moon had a standing contract to capture a legion ship and bring it back to Sanguine Luna so its technology could be studied. Ben had told them when they joined the Red Moon not to consider going after that contract. The Legion was too well organized and powerful, everything Lupin wanted for the Red Moon.

“We’re going to provide support. We can help evacuate villages where these monsters are headed, tend to the wounded and the people who encountered their camps,” Kiera said. “You get the whole ship, Ben, not just parts of it. We’ll leave the ground fighting to the boys, even if our mecha would probably be better.”

Uller stared at Kiera for a moment before slowly shaking his head. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”