Humans. Sentient mammals born of the mixed biome world known as Earth. Displaced by the decimation of their homeworld, the humans cling desperately to species survival among the stars with a refugee of the parasitic Nizzkurezz, a handful of Grodrrn soldiers and military officers, and a single Zarakyssn Queen who betrayed the Horde for individuality.
The Azure Queen -the monster of nightmares within the Zarakyssn Horde- gently pets the lightly furry head of the female human infant being held by Gree’ato. It’s been a [few months] since they captured Khla’s battleship. Rather than risk the temporal drive a second time, they simply made the flight back to her homeworld.
The mother of the human infant is sitting on her knees nearby, desperately watching in fear. Humans smell foul and sour on a good day, and in fear, even worse. They are quite edible, though, as she found out with the expendable humans in the Baskylla Jardzen’s possession. Only the infant matters at all, since the human fleet willingly gave her and her mother to the Fievegal in an attempt to help them achieve their goal of breeding a new Saurmynnyka.
The Azure Queen certainly can’t allow that.
The infant known as Sarah hiccups lightly. The atmosphere on the Baskylla Jardzen’s ship is rich in oxygen and nitrogen; far more pure than normal. It’s actually empowering to the chimera queen, indicating that the blend is plenty healthy for Grodrrns, and necessary for human comfort and survival.
In her palace, the humans are lethargic and quiet. But, they’re alive.
“[Such a frail creature. Amazing such creatures could be problematic for both of our empires, yes?]”
She looks to the shackled and beaten command crew of the battleship; Baskylla Jardzen Khla and his second in command, Niolajt Jardzen Mrff. Both are brutally wounded, having served the Fievegal well in attempting not to lose their ship to the enemy.
Unfortunately, the Azure Queen and her Void Queens are not an enemy they’ve ever known.
Mmnnorrynn hisses, “[The Queen just spoke to you, wretch!]” She steps forward to strike the Baskylla Jardzen, but the Azure Queen raises a hand, “[Hold, Darling Sister. They are weary from constantly attempting to resist. We can afford them patience. After all, they must be kept alive.]”
Laurel, the human mother, whimpers, “[P-Please be careful, Y-your Majesty. Sh-She’s… her skin…]” The Azure Queen’s piercing gaze snaps to Laurel, and the puny human flinches. She bows on the floor, grovelling softly, “[I mean no disrespect, Your Majesty. Sh-She’s all I have.]”
The Azure Queen smirks. Clearly, humans are well-trained in grovelling before superior beings.
She muses menacingly, “[You think I will underestimate them. That’s why you remain silent. You believe I will bait them here to my own demise.]” She grins wickedly at Khla when his stoic expression betrays him. Mrff is more steadfast, but she doubts she missed the mark.
“[I assure you, I have already prodded them at the expense of one of my Darling sisters, whom the humans spared, thankfully. I know what they are willing to sacrifice for victory or survival. I know they are among the craftiest races the Horde or the Fievegal have ever faced. And, I know, that choosing their rockets was the best decision I ever made.]”
This causes both Jardzens to shift. Khla murmurs softly, “[You…?]”
“[Me.]”
She takes her hand away from Gree’ato, and the young Grodrrn gingerly takes a seat nearby. She is very affectionate and attentive to the infant, in spite of the species difference.
Mrff snorts, which causes him to cough from his injuries. “[You lie. Whatever connections got you inside the recon defenses told you the right things to say.]”
The Queen stares at him a moment. She nods once, and Mmnnorrynn slams him with her spear. Physical torture rarely works effectively on Grodrrns. Their tolerance for pain -all but bred into them- is beyond the threshold of death in most cases. But, it still sends the message.
“[Baskylla Jardzen Mrrf. Apologies. Niolajt Jardzen Mrrf. You lost your Myzh in the battle over Pharlanogg. Or rather, the retreat from Pharlanogg. He discovered what happens when a ship leaves the fundamental deflection bubble. I’ve seen it. I assure you, it was quick.]” She smirks wickedly at the grodrrn second in command, who is rendered speechless with a dulling of his natural color.
“[Oh? Surprised I know such a detail. Of course. The public register says your Myzh was killed in combat. That’s what most military personnel would know. But then, I am no ordinary military personnel.]”
Khla asks, “[How is this possible? No grodrrn has ever been captured by the Zarakyssns. Did they engineer you from blood spilled?]”
She scoffs. “[You flatter me. But, my creation was not intentional, I assure you. And my survival was the least desired between both of our empires.]” She waves a hand, asking, “[Do you ever wonder why blue scales were suddenly outlawed in the Fievegal? I know you, Mrrf, are old enough to remember the decree.]”
The two grodrrns are silent, but a new presence enters the room in shackles, dragged in by soldiers and tossed to the floor. They glance at him at first, but it takes a moment for them to recognize him.
Mrrf knew him personally. Khla grew up regarding him as a hero.
The Azure Queen asks facetiously, “[Oh? Do you know him? Hulma, feel free to introduce yourself. Go ahead.]”
Mrrk’lah coughs on the floor, a shell of his former self. The two grodrrn commandants are speechless.
“[The Fievegal found out what he did on that ‘heroic’ day. How he ‘brought the Chosen Queen’ low. They decided to react as the infinitely wise often do, and decided that his actions must have been the result of a trait of his genes.]” She rises, shedding her robe gently to reveal her elegant dress. “[What do you think? I think it is a rather beautiful trait.]” The Void Queens buzz happily, cheering for the Azure Queen as she shows the unique and shimmering blue scales adorning the parts of her body not armored by exoskeleton or hidden by her dress. Even her jawline has blue strips leading to a mouth full of sharp, immaculate teeth.
Mrrf asks astutely, “[Why the Saurmynnyka, then? The Fievegal is in shambles for your personal revenge.]”
“[Why? Because I could.]” She takes a seat again, lounging in her throne. “[Because I am the apex predator in a galaxy full of the weak.]”
She idly begins scratching one of her teeth with a fingernail, and she states, “[Khla. I know your Zhi is on one of the human ships. I believe she resides on the same ship as my sister. You will send her a message and tell her whatever you want. And, if you do, I will spare her life. I will even return her to one of the Fievegal’s colonies, if you desire.]”
Mrrf grunts and shakes his head at Khla, though the younger commandant is quiet.
Gree’ato adds of her own volition, “[My sister speaks the truth, noble Jardzens. She is boundlessly merciful to those who have not earned her ire.]”
Khla asks quietly, “[What of the others?]”
“[The other grodrrns? You bargain a twin’s shell, but I accept. I shall-...]”
“[No. All of them.]”
“[Mind your tone, creature,]” growls Mnnorrynn.
The Azure Queen cocks her head. “[What of them? They are inconsequential to you.]”
Khla shakes his head. “[They are not. They are valiant warriors and friends.]”
“[Oh, I’m well aware. In fact, I’m counting on it. You see, time is the enemy of Zarakyssns. It is the enemy of humans and Ryglyths, folkannyths and Nizzkurezz. But for us, it is merely time. I will find the human fleet, now or in the future. And, I am certain Neezha will be there. I will find Dzor and his surviving crew members, as well, and I will do what I want with them and whatever humans are there.]” She gestures her hand towards Gree’ato, and the young grodrrn hesitantly hands over the infant. The Azure Queen walks casually to Khla, unafraid of either grodrrn. She hands the baby to Khla, all but hissing as she says, “[Do this, and it is the only chance the humans and your friends have for survival.]”
***
Hancock inspects the upgraded gauntlet to the armor Lopez has been designing for him. He’s already getting quite used to the improved mobility, but it’s still in heavy prototype stage. At times, he feels like an armored superhero, and at others, he feels like a child in a puffy winter snow-suit. Especially when the armor runs out of power.
Lopez explains as she loads one of her experimental capacitors into his forearm, “Um… This will power the counter-force amplification rails. It’ll help absorb some of the impact from punches and blocks, but it amplifies using energy. If the force is above two hundred and forty thousand… if it’s really high, you’ll have to eject the capacitor.”
Hancock nods and chuckles. “Thanks, Doc. One point twenty one jigowatts is my point of reference.”
Lopez growls, “That’s not a real unit. But, I understand the reference, so I forgive you.”
He chuckles, “Hey, people can pronounce things differently.”
She points at his target ahead of him, asking, “If you can get a gigawatt on that screen, I’ll add in music to your helmet.”
He warmly bounces in his robotic power armor suit, replying, “Deal!” He knows she’s being sarcastic, but she just gave him permission to go all out. Hancock braces himself, and he bursts the jetpack forward as he rears his punch. He still feels his gut suck in when he does a hard burst, but it proves effective, and he hits the target as hard as he can with a loud clang that rings through his ears, even passing through the metal of his armor as it does. The target launches into the oblivion of space, never to be seen again.
Lopez approaches, her visor dark as she glares at him. She growls, “Eject.”
Hancock notices the cherry-red glow appearing on his arm, and he actually starts to feel heat within. He clenches his fist and makes the gestures she showed him, which unlocks the capacitor and forcefully throws it out of the armor. His armor hisses as the heat rapidly cools again, even in the vacuum, and Lopez says coldly as she types on her computer, “I have to make the targets too, you know.”
He asks teasingly, “How many jigowatts did I get?”
“Zero point three two.” She shows him her laptop screen, and he shakes his fist, “So cloooosssee!”
“No Breathless for you.”
“Hey, poke fun at me all you want, but picking on Mika is fighting words.”
“I… was just naming my favorite song…” She smiles at him, adding, “I’m glad you’re a man of culture, Rex.”
Chief Grey’s voice comes over the priority channel, which is the only one Lopez is not allowed to shut off. “Hey, lovebirds, if you’re done playing ‘science’, Khla’s hatchling is hatching. She wanted us to invite you.”
Lopez asks over the private channel, “Why does he do that?”
Hancock chuckles, “Be careful Chief, Doc says she’s almost finished with her anti-Chief poison, and she’s ready to use it.”
“Joke’s on her. I’m working on my next demotion as we speak. If you want to see the first grodrrn hatch, now’s the time. For obvious reasons, we’re watching on screen from the hangar.”
Lopez asks Hancock, “Because of imprinting?”
Hancock nods. He asks, “Wanna see?”
Lopez nods in reply, even as she holds her laptop in front of her face to hide her blush… behind a nearly-pitch black polarized helmet lens. Hancock replies, “We’ll be there in ten, Chief. Thanks for letting us know.”
The two gather what remains of the target, and Lopez explains as they walk, “The capacitors aren’t an exact measurement, but the more energy they expend in one discharge, the hotter they’ll get. Hitting something like you did means you have to eject right away.”
“Still, pretty nice to know it has the capability. And, you put them in the arms and legs?”
She nods. “We’re still not sure how Dzor survived his fall from orbit, but it got me thinking… And, I was scared when I thought of…” She trails off.
Hancock smiles, replying softly without teasing her, “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
She nods sheepishly.
Lopez and Hancock were transferred to the Polonia for permanent station for several reasons. Though the core of the rebels seem to have been captured, there are no guarantees that all of them have been rooted out. As such, the fleet has been slowly performing a small shakeup, moving all of the non-humans back to the Polonia and moving any who want away from non-humans to other ships. It created less of an imbalance than everyone was expecting, and a sixth starship is nearly complete to replace the Argonaut. Though, the new ship will be more focused on housing and supplies than the others.
The two find the usual group gathered in the hangar around a smaller computer monitor as the large hangar bay projector shows an even broader view of the hatching. Since the first hairline cracks have only just appeared, everyone is a little distracted at the moment.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Rena, Long, Little Bird, Melody, and Vivi are all crowded around Mina with their heads pressed to her swollen abdomen. She’s lounging, but as Hancock and Lopez approach, they can hear a strange sound being picked up by their helmets. Hancock removes his helmet, holding it under his arm as he listens.
It sounds like a chorus of birds or cicadas singing, but it’s a soft and sweet melody, and the humongous Cave Queen seems to be hovering over them with a stunned and ecstatic expression.
Hancock notices that Mina’s hair seems to have been graying recently though, and he wonders if anyone else has asked. However, he respectfully listens, and Melody and Vivi start mimicking the noise, receiving what seems to be a reply from within Mina.
Hancock kneels behind Coulson, asking softly, “Coulson? Is that… them?”
She nods. “You have no idea how it feels.”
He chuckles. “I suspect not.”
“They squirm all the time, and when they’re not squirming, they’re singing.”
She seems none too bothered by this when she says this. In fact, she seems to be quite happy, listening peacefully to the Cave Princesses within her waiting for their own turns to hatch.
Grey teases from nearby, “Thing Thirty will be on the television in just a few days, I suspect.”
Little Bird asks, “Can I watch!? Chief won’t let me watch Neezha’s baby hatch.”
Mina pets Little Bird’s head, replying, “I suppose so. None of us can be near Neezha’s baby because if the baby sees anyone else, she might think we’re her mother.”
Fisher calls out, “We have Mina for girl. Anyone else for girl? Boy? The stakes are two to one girl! Let’s go, egg’s not hatched yet. Let’s get those bets in.”
Grey shakes his head, “Idiot.”
“Come on, Chief! Nothing else on teevee!”
The grizzled chief scoffs. “Twenty on girl. Mina’s got mother’s intuition.”
“Ooo, Bold words, Chief. But a fool’s dollar spends just as well!” Fisher looks at Hancock, “Rookie! Got any action on something crazy? How about twins?”
The ensign chuckles, “Sorry, Fisher. My powers are too strong for gambling. Don’t all of you still owe me anyways?”
“Rookie’s out! Anyone else?”
Hancock chuckles, and he looks at Lopez. She’s holding back, even though he knows what she wants.
He shoves her forward, and she stumbles, whirling to glare at him. “What? They won’t bite. Truth told, I was being polite waiting. You don’t get in there, and I might have to squeeze in before the singing stops.”
He knows Lopez is blushing, even behind her helmet, and she looks away from him. She fidgets, and he offers his hands to hold her laptop and helmet. She hands over the computer and takes her helmet off, handing it to him with an indirect glare. She turns and asks sheepishly, “C-Can… Can I?”
Mina smiles and nods. “Of course. I am the real show, after all.”
Lopez blushes, kneeling beside Long. She presses her ear to Mina’s belly, and she seems to melt. She whimpers, “Th-... They’re talking…”
One of the vine-like tentacles of the Queen gingerly touches Lopez’s head, and the Queen mewls softly, “They hear voices all day and learn. They sound truly overjoyed and excited.” She chirps a cute sound that roughly means she’s whimpering, and she adds, “I am overjoyed…”
Hancock asks Mina softly, “Your hair?”
“Hmm? Oh… Uh, yeah… That…”
“Are you okay?”
“Let’s just say… I made the mistake of telling the Admiral what it is. It seems the babies are leeching additional nutrients from me; namely, vitamin B.”
“Even through their eggs?”
She nods. “We’re not sure of the mechanism yet, but given Melody and Vivi’s light tolerance, Dad and his colleagues believe the eggs are absorbing it through osmosis of some kind to protect them when they hatch.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Good for the babies. Less good for the mother. I’m pounding supplements just to keep up, and… we don’t have a lot.”
“I see.”
Mina gingerly strokes her own belly, though, adding warmly, “Not their fault, of course. Just means they’ll be extra healthy.”
Hancock nods. “Fair enough.”
He looks at the Cave Queen, asking, “Is there a reason you’re not gaining any light tolerance, Miss Cave Queen?”
The large squid-like creature softly and affectionately pets the girls listening to Mina’s babies sing. “I do not know.”
Mina replies, “If I may, Dad mentioned that she’s probably so long without the proper nutrients to develop light and sun resistance, her body no longer knows how to process them.”
Lopez murmurs, “It’s likely the proper nutrients didn’t exist on her world, even before the Zarakyssns. Perhaps those resources were extinct or scarce, or hoarded by the surface dwellers.”
Hancock thinks. “Didn’t we discuss at some point that the Cave Queens used to be carnivorous?”
The Cave Queen nods, “It was a time before me, but I do believe our kind devoured living beings. I have tried, but it causes complications.”
Lopez nods. “Vivi and Melody eat everything.”
Vivi retorts defensively, “Nuh-unh! Meemee said not to eat pwastic, so Vivi no eat pwastic!”
Long giggles, teasing, “After you ate one of my buttons, Sweetie.”
“Vivi chew safewy!”
“Yes, but it wasn’t yummy, was it?”
“No…”
Lopez smiles at the little alien, and Melody points at the screen. She’s a little softer-spoken than Vivi, but she is audible to those in the immediate group, “Look!”
The group looks at the screen, and several cheer. The shell of the egg is breaking more noticeably, now, and a reptilian muzzle is peeking through. The humans are excited, but Hancock notices the grodrrns in their own group. A few shocktroopers had been playing a simple card-like game and have since stopped, watching on pins and needles. Everyone has accepted that a solid and healthy-seeming egg came out of Khla with an embryo inside, based on scans. However, the grodrrns, specifically, are deeply invested in whether or not the hatchling is healthy. Though Hancock has much to learn, he’s picked up that the first rite of passage all grodrrns go through is hatching.
The head forces its way through the shell even more, revealing a properly formed grodrrn head. Though, the pieces of shell still hide its features.
With a few more pushes and squirms, the tiny being manages to free itself from the shell entirely, tumbling onto the blankets around it. It opens its eyes for the first time, looking around with a bright, wide expression, and it finds the camera, behind which is Khla. The baby grins with a toothless coo, reaching for the camera, and the hangar explodes with noise. The Grodrrns startle everyone when the shocktroopers and pilots leap to their feet, roaring. Some fall out of their seats, and others lift Nyonnyss up into the air as she hugs herself. The marines laugh at the display, realizing quickly that the terrifyingly loud roars are not of rage.
An even more powerful feeling just spurred the grodrrns to produce the loudest noise they’ve probably ever made.
That feeling is hope.
The culmination of a choice that they were all complicit in making; one that required treacherous desertion of their native military service, has paid off. They’ve just witnessed the first hatching of a baby grodrrn since the Saurmynnyka’s assassination almost twenty or so years ago. Some of the grodrrns even grab the nearest hapless humans not fast enough to escape to hug or hold the humans high in the air, their excitement truly palpable and seemingly out of character for the pragmatic and calculating soldiers.
Khla says from in front of the camera as she holds the newborn, “She’s a girl. Meet Dzilika (Jeeleeka), everyone.”
The grodrrns roar again, masking Fisher’s frustrated -but playful- cry of defeat.
When the noise finally dies down and many of the group approach the grodrrns to celebrate with them, Grey asks Hancock, “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
Hancock nods, “Yeah. Roughest of starts turned into a miracle.”
Grey nods. “Yep. And quiet giants have turned into boisterous fools. Funny how things work out, huh?”
Hancock and Grey are quiet for a moment, alone for the time being. Hancock asks softly, “Do you ever regret, Chief?”
“Running instead of staying?”
Hancock nods.
“No. Because, as much as I hated the crocs at the beginning…” He looks at the grodrrns. Some are kneeling on the ground in front of random humans and the Cave Queen and would likely be crying if they had such a response. “Crap like that is how I sleep at night.” He pulls out his cigar and lights it with a small blow torch, finishing, “That’s real hope. THAT is living.” He toasts his cigar to Hancock, and the young ensign smirks.
“I thought you weren’t going to commit any atrocities, Chief?”
The senior enlisted marine looks at the cigar, and then the torch in his hand. He smirks, shrugging. “Could be dead tomorrow. A miracle’s a good enough reason to break a rule.”
Grey leans back in his seat, watching as Admiral Long awkwardly cradles the baby grodrrn with one arm while trying not to give the reptilian infant leverage on her shirt. He adds dryly, “Feel bad for the other croc ladies, though. Doubt theirs will elicit such a response.”
Hancock chuckles, “Somehow, I don’t think they’re worried about it.”
***
Long demonstrates to both Khla and Dzor how to properly use the high chair with Dzilika. The baby laughs giddily, bouncing in the suspension portion that should make it particularly difficult for the baby grodrrn to escape. She scoops some of the prepared food in a spoon, offering it to the little girl as the two giants watch curiously.
Dzor asks, “This chair… Hold hatchling hostage?”
Long chuckles, “In a sense, yes. What do grodrrns normally do with infants?” Long has to hold firmly to the spoon to prevent it from being pulled from her hand just by the baby’s toothless jaws.
Dzor scratches his neck, replying “Do not know. Never had opportunity.”
Khla replies softly, “I don’t know either… I somewhat recall my Hulma leaving me in a room with my food and watching as I ate.”
Long smiles, replying, “I see. Well, this should help minimize the mess and keep her from causing trouble when you look away for a moment. Human babies try to go everywhere. All the time. Up, down, behind… Too curious for our own good sometimes, I guess.”
Dzor leans over Long, breathing deliberately on her neck. “Our hatchlings would be no match for your wisdom, Yukonja.”
She giggles lightly, blushing. Khla smiles, saying softly, “Your… ‘wedding’ was fun. If… If I choose someone, would I be able to do something similar?”
She seems to be asking both of them, from a member of the fleet and from a grodrrn. Long replies, “Of course. We have none and I will not allow any laws restricting any pairs, with some basic rules like age of maturity. Do you have someone in mind, Craw?”
“No! No, not yet. I chose Jor for Dzilika, but I only envy what you have together. I just wanted to know… if I would be allowed to choose, once I know.”
Long nods, “Of course.” She continues feeding Dzilika as the baby tries to take the spoon, growling playfully.
Dzor says softly, “You have grodrrn hatchling. No one can rightly dictate choice of partner. Now. If produce more grodrrn hatchlings… Grodrrns may yet be saved from selves.”
Khla nods, “Thank you both.”
Dzilika gets hold of the spoon, and Long struggles to pull it away. Khla leans and helps, cooing, “No! Dzilika, you’ll choke!”
Long replies as Khla takes over, managing to extract the spoon from the baby as she makes happy noises, believing it to be a game, “Sorry. She’s crafty.” She boops the infant’s nose for a warm coo.
Khla asks softly, “Forgive my asking, as my superiors, but… Have… you been intimate?”
Both Long and Dzor become silent. Long squeaks, “We… have. How did you… suspect?”
Khla smiles softly. She looks at Long first, but seems to deliberately look at Dzor. “You didn’t tell her?”
“Tell me what?” asks Long. She looks at Dzor.
He scratches his neck scales, stating hesitantly, “Is distinct smell. Easy to tell. Not fully faded yet.”
“Wait! So all the… looks I was getting from the grodrrns!?”
Dzor nods hesitantly.
“Why didn’t you tell me!?”
“Would it make difference?”
“Wh-!? Well, no, but still! I might’ve… hid in our room or something.”
Khla chuckles warmly, continuing to feed Dzilika. “Is a great sign of affection, Admiral. A bonded pair proud of bond. Is what it says to other grodrrns.”
The human in the room full of grodrrns blushes brightly, and Dzor leans down, inspecting her cheeks. “You are shamed, Yukonja?”
“No! Of course not! I’m very proud it’s you. I’m just embarrassed that coworkers know what we were doing. Doesn’t it embarrass you a little?”
Dzor shakes his head sincerely. “Is expected from bonded humans, is it not? Bonding and attempting to procreate?”
“W-Yes, but… We can’t tell just passing someone random!”
“I see… I will inform next time.”
She sighs, knowing ultimately, it’s not something they can actually hide. If she thinks too hard, she’ll wonder about their hearing…
She sinks to a seated position on the floor, and both Dzor and Khla show concern. She mumbles, “What if they think… What they heard…”
Dzor tries to reassure her, “If insult, I will correct. If no longer desire intimate, I will oblige.”
She looks at him longingly, but still distantly.
Khla states more on Long’s level, “You misunderstand, Admiral. Grodrrns are not often intimate at all, since there is minimal payoff in long term. And, our ears do not hear everything on the ship. If we paid attention to every sound, we would be unable to go near civilian berthings. I assure you, what grodrrns know is source of great pride; you chose a grodrrn, and additionally a grodrrn makes you happy. I would be proud if a human chooses me.” Khla tries to hide a small smile, murmuring, “Some… have asked… But I was afraid. I wanted to know if it would be okay.”
Dzor says sternly, “Choose bondmate honorable. Wise. Must have good wisdom to share with Dzilika.”
Khla smirks, replying, “Yes, ‘Hulma’.”
Dzor hesitates, realizing he may have overstepped. But, she bows, “Thank you, Yarjen. I do not seek a bondmate for Dzilika, though. I seek a bondmate for me. For what you and Admiral Long have.” The two look at each other, and Long smiles. Dzor points, “You must make call you Yukonja and refuse to tell what means.”
Long laughs, “Come on!” Khla smiles and laughs, replying, “Deal.”
Long bows to Khla, “Thank you, Khla, for your wisdom.”
“M-Me?”
The Admiral nods. “I can appreciate what you said… Especially since everyone apparently knows now.”
“Only grodrrns know. We would never speak of another’s business.”
Long nods. “Thank you.” She then says softly, “I should probably go check on things.” She pets Dzilika’s head, fidgeting with her hand afterwards to say goodbye.
Khla says as Long is exiting, “Admiral.”
“Hm?”
“You would honor me by continuing to be a part of Dzilika’s life.”
Long smiles sincerely, “Thank you. I would be honored as well.”
Dzor follows Long after only a moment of saying farewell, and she asks, “Didn’t you want to spend more time with your hatchling?”
Dzor states confidently, “She will live thousand years. There will be time.”
“Oh… So, you can’t afford to miss time with short-lived me?” She smiles up at him.
He retorts, “Is not what meant. Dzilika will eat and sleep soon. Hatching exhausting, from what I hear. Yukonja is not exhausted.”
Long pauses a step, asking, “Did you just flirt with me?”
“Is not correct? Now know grodrrns approve, we can attempt impossible again, yes? Just in case.”
Long covers her mouth for a laugh. “Points for effort, for sure. I want to check on Zeeannssii first, though. She’s recovered according to my last report. At least enough to speak.”
Dzor frowns. “My suggestion more pleasant.”
“True, and I’ll happily… mmm… show you off again tonight. But, I still have duties as an admiral.”
“What if now is time?”
Long chuckles and sighs, “Stop teasing me, Jor. As much as I would love it to, we both know it won’t work.”
“Humans supposed to be lunatics challenging impossible.” He gingerly tugs her left shoulder sleeve, straightening her silver cross on its patch. She deliberates quietly. Dzor’s confirmed Earth weight is 689 pounds, increasing with every month of healthier meals he eats. At full fighting weight, she suspects he was easily 750 pounds, meaning he could easily pick her up and carry her in the ship’s lower gravity. Grodrrns have many exercise routines specifically for low and zero gravity, so Dzor’s strength is very close to where he was in his days in the Fievegal. Long would be completely at his mercy if he decided to do anything, and yet, he’s gingerly fixing her sleeve on her lost arm.
She compromises softly, “Immediately after this meeting. Please?”
Dzor adjusts his jaw. She knows some part of it is still his distaste for Zarakyssns in general, but especially the highly-trained assassin. Still, he nods, and she smiles. “Thank you.”
***