It only took Sheph a day to find a reputable maintenance dock. The best part? They were mobile. A mobile space dock. It was pretty shocking to see a mile long metal tube float through space, even going as slow as it was. It could have gone faster, a lot faster; but, the momentum it gained would have to be countered at the end. Going slow the whole time saved wear and tear on the engines and the tube's contents.

I have never seen so many people shake their heads and sigh at the sight of a mangled ship before. The low whistles continued for the entire time Adona was floated inside. She actually started feeling a bit self-conscious about the whole thing, until I reassured the work crews that it was all superficial damage and that her main body was in perfect working condition. Once I explained about the outer shell we had covered her with to contain the weapons and deflector screens, the crew's attitude changed.

“Why didn't you say so before?” The head of the crew asked.

“I've been trying to tell you for the last half an hour.” I said, slightly exasperated. “You kept interrupting with grumbles and curses about how I could harm a ship like this.”

“Hey, it's a shame, all right?” The man said. “These older ships need tender loving care, you know.”

“Hey!” Adona said from my wrist com. “I am not an old ship!”

“Who was that?” The man asked.

“That is the ship's AI, Adona.” I said for the tenth time. “Are you all right in the head?”

“Hey! There's no need for insults.”

“I wasn't insulting you. You haven't listened to a word I've said since I got here.” I reminded him. “I don't know if I want to trust leaving such an important job to someone who can't concentrate for more that five minutes.”

The man glared at me. “You know, if you weren't a high priority client for the Bogorim Corporation, I wouldn't have come all the way out here.”

“I didn't ask you to! You're a mobile space dock and you offered to come here!” I said.

“Hunter!” Simone said and touched my shoulder. “Why don't you go inside and I'll handle the talks for the repairs.”

“I need to negotiate for...”

“I know what you want.” Simone said. “I'll take care of it.”

I opened my mouth to say that she didn't, then sighed because she did. “All right, fine.” I said and turned to give her a kiss. “See you later.” I hopped up onto the railing and jumped out into the main area as I quickly put on my gloves and helmet before I passed through the energy field holding back the atmosphere. Several people on the crew yelled at me, mostly saying 'man overboard' and 'he's doing a Dutchman', until I floated down to Adona's main hatch and went inside.

“Wow, you're really upset with these people.” Gleas said when she met me on the inside of the ship.

I nodded and took off my helmet and gloves and stored them in my bag of holding. “I'm really nervous that they are going to cut into Adona without checking everything first.”

“Thank you.” Adona said from the intercom speakers.

“The head of the crew is pretty scatterbrained and I had a hard time following his surface thoughts as they jumped all over the place.” I said and started to walk towards my room.

“That's pretty frustrating, apparently.” Gleas said with a knowing smile and I heard her thoughts.

“Yes, being around you is like a breath of fresh air.” I said and smiled back. “I've gotten used to having all of you confident and self-assured women around that it's really irritating and annoying when I meet someone and they can't measure up to your standards.”

Gleas let out a laugh and touched my arm. “You should know that we appreciate being appreciated for our brains.”

“Don't downplay your fantastic body. It's a delight to be around, too.” I said to make her laugh again.

“Uh huh.” Gleas laughed. “Get in there and get changed.” She said when we stopped walking in front of my room. “I doubt you'll be allowed out to observe the crews as they check Adona over.”

“I know.” I said sadly.

“Aww.” Gleas stepped close and gave me a hug. “If you need a cuddle buddy, you know who to call.”

“Sandy?” I asked jokingly and she laughed.

“Yes, Sandy.” Gleas let me go and rolled her eyes. “She'll probably bring a third wheel, though.”

“Hold on.” I said in a more serious tone. “I could ask her and she'll bring Beatrice along? I could get two cuddle buddies when asking for one? That's one for each arm!”

Gleas laughed and shook her head. “Go ahead and keep making jokes.” She said and started to walk away. “I'll give Hailey a call and see if she wants you to co-opt her babysitters.”

“She wouldn't mind me borrowing them.” I said.

“Uh huh.” Gleas said from down the hall. “You do know Hailey, right?”

“Um... yeah. I think I'll call you, just to be safe.” I said and she snorted a laugh and went to the cockpit. I smiled and went into my room and changed out of my flight suit. I put on some spare clothes that I didn't mind getting dirty, then got to work making more satellites. We had all agreed that we wouldn't try the mission without having both ships in proper working order, so here we were, sitting on our butts and waiting for both ships to be repaired.

Udelis had overtaxed his engines while rescuing his wife from being killed. He hadn't gone to full power like I thought. He had redlined his engines at a hundred and twenty percent to get through that last bit of atmosphere. Needless to say, he would be making a quick stop in the mobile dock for a minor overhaul of his engines and maybe get his reactor core refurbished. We'd find out when he came in for his examination later today.

Hailey was currently on another extended flight lesson with Jelly, so I didn't feel guilty about working during our down time. She hadn't taken what happened to me very well. She knew something had happened, since she could feel me wherever I was; but, for a brief moment, I had disappeared from her perception. That had scared her, more than even she thought it would, and every time she was around me, she tried to use Presence to see what happened to me.

I tried my best to tell her that I didn't remember anything happening to me and I even opened that part of my mind for her completely to show her that I wasn't hiding anything. She had been mollified by my complete openness and didn't press me too hard about it, and I tried not to draw too much attention to how that had happened after the explosion, too.

By all accounts, I should have died when my Presence was completely gone back then... and again when it was drained this time. I should have died and I didn't know why I hadn't. I didn't linger on those thoughts, though. I knew I had a mission to complete, an ultimate goal to reach, and I needed as many satellites in play as possible to achieve that goal. I worked for the rest of the day until supper time, then washed and changed into nice casual clothes to go and meet Hailey at the shuttle bay.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Hi, Honey.” I said as the shuttle's hatch opened and Hailey jumped out of it and into my arms. “Did you have fun?”

“Jelly took me to the asteroid mining fields!” Hailey said excitedly.

“Jelly's a bad girl!” I exclaimed.

Hailey giggled as I gave her the image of spanking Jelly over my knee.

“It's a valid test.” Jelly said and came out of the shuttle. “Plus, I had her stay in the main traffic lanes and didn't cross the smelter feeds or the loaders.”

“It's a test of nerves.” Hailey said. “Jelly said I passed.”

“I'm really glad you're getting all these experiences.” I said and kissed her cheek.

“I'm going to be the best pilot that exists!” Hailey said. “No one is going to keep up with me!”

I was only slightly surprised that the Presence didn't waver. “I can't wait to see that.”

“I recorded it all and it's in the main databank on the station.” Jelly said. “You can watch it whenever you want.”

I nodded. “Are you staying for supper?”

Jelly shook her head. “I've got to check the shuttle after such a good working flight.”

“That can wait, can't it?” I asked.

“Well... it does take ten hours...”

“Ten hours?” I shook my head. “No wonder you sleep in the shuttle bay.”

Jelly nodded. “I'll see you two later.”

“Bye, Aunt Jelly!” Hailey said.

“Stop being so cute.” Jelly said and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

I turned with Hailey in my arms and stuck my own cheek out to make Jelly laugh. She gave my cheek a kiss as well and went back into the shuttle. I moved back and we watched the shuttle leave the bay and the doors closed. I took Hailey upstairs and to the kitchen, then sat her on a chair by the counter.

I turned around and hit the intercom button with Presence and spoke. “I'm making supper.”

Barely a minute later, Gleas came into the kitchen and sat down beside Hailey, then Sheph came in with a huge smile on her face.

“I can't wait to get started on my first cooking lesson!” Sheph said and put on an apron. She had worn a pair of pants and a tight shirt just for this purpose.

“You've never cooked before?” I asked, surprised.

“Heating prepared meals isn't cooking, apparently.” Sheph said and looked at Hailey, who giggled.

I had to laugh at that. “There's different grades of cooking, just like there's different levels of piloting capabilities.” I explained. “Some can handle a little and be fine at flying, like Simone. Some can handle a huge ship and not blink an eye, like Gleas. Others can fly a shuttle like it's a part of their body, like Jelly.”

Sheph stood there and thought about it. “I think I get it.” She said. “I'm a passenger on those ships.”

Gleas barked a laugh and Hailey covered her mouth to stop another giggle from escaping.

I put an arm around Sheph's shoulders. “Don't worry. I'll have you okay with flying in no time.” I said as I let her shoulder go, then moved my hand down and grazed the top of her backside. “The first lesson in couples cooking is to wear appropriate clothing.”

Sheph stood on her toes and my hand went quite a bit lower than I had intended. “Why else do you think I wore pants?” She said with a grin. “I hate pants.”

Both Gleas and Hailey burst out laughing.

“I think I'm being outmanoeuvred here.” I said with a matching grin.

“You wouldn't be a man if you didn't think that.” Sheph said with a laugh. “What's the second lesson?”

“Teasing is part of the fun; but, you already knew that.”

“I did!” Sheph said. “Now, let's get to wooooork!”

We both laughed and I started the lesson. The two of us were quite shameless for the next half an hour as we cooked a very simple meal that anyone who lived alone should know how to make. It would taste good and depending on how much you made, it could last you for a while and save cooking time later.

Sheph was breathing a little heavy as she looked down at the completed meals in front of her. “That was the best cooking lesson I have ever had.” She said. “I actually cooked real food.”

“It's even edible.” I said and waved to them. “Would you do the honors of serving our audience?”

“That would be the real test, right?” Sheph said and took a deep breath, then picked up two of the plates and turned to serve them to Gleas and Hailey. She turned back and grabbed another plate and gave it to Simone, who had come in during the lesson, then Sheph grabbed the last two plates and put them on the counter at two empty spots. I waved for her to sit down first and I sat down last. We all tried it at the same time and Sheph was the first to react.

“It's delicious!” Sheph exclaimed. “I cooked delicious food!”

Everyone agreed that it was and she was extremely happy about that. We all ate the meal on Sheph's emotional high and we all enjoyed it as much as she did. When we were finished, no one wanted to move and ruin the contentment we felt from Sheph. Even Gleas and Hailey could feel it, thanks to Simone and I sharing it.

“Opina says your show is coming on soon.” Adona said over the intercom speakers.

Sheph sighed, now that the spell was broken, and she stood. “Hunter, thank you for teaching me how to cook.”

I smiled and took her hand. “There's a lot more to cooking than just one lesson.”

Sheph blinked her eyes for a moment, then she smiled. “We can do this again sometime?”

“I don't see why not.” I said. “You pretty much put us into a food coma.”

Sheph laughed and looked at the others. “You liked it that much?”

“You know we did.” Simone said and stood. “We shared it all with you.”

“That was both weird and nice.” Gleas said and stood as well, then she grabbed the plates and took them to the sink. “I thought we could only share when we're all relaxing?”

“You weren't relaxed just now?” I asked.

“Good point.” Gleas said.

“Are we all going to the living room to watch the show?” Hailey asked and stood up to climb onto my back. “It should be good tonight.”

Simone chuckled and helped her get a hold on me and wrapped her legs around my waist. “It's good every night.”

“I know.” Hailey said with a grin.

“I'm in.” Gleas said. “I'll even give up my regular spot for Sheph.”

“Wow.” I said. “Sheph, Gleas really, really liked your cooking.”

Everyone laughed and we all walked to the living room. I sat down and almost squished Hailey behind me. She laughed and pushed me out of the way and waited for me to sit down right, then climbed onto my lap. Sheph sat on my right and Simone sat on my left, then Gleas sat beside her on her left. I turned on the screen and it was already on the right channel, so we sat there and waited for the show to come on, then we relaxed for the next hour as we concentrated on the show.

“How can a show be that good?” Gleas asked rhetorically, then she stood up and stretched. “Simone, did they need any adjustments to Adona's position?”

“No, they are attaching mooring cables tomorrow and will start work as soon as Hunter apologizes.”

“Me?” I asked.

“Well, you did insult the crew chief.” Simone felt my reluctance and kissed me. “Do it for Adona.”

I sighed. “All right. I'll do it for her.”

“Thank you, Hunter.” Adona said.

“Are they going to fix her reactor core, too?” I asked.

“They wanted to cut it out and replace it.” Simone said.

Adona let an ear splitting buzz out of her speakers and we all covered our ears.

“Of course I said no!” Simone said loudly and the buzzing stopped. “It'll take longer to upgrade than to replace; but, they agreed.”

“I'll apologize in the morning.” I said and stood up. “Hailey...”

“Bath time!” Hailey said, hopped off the couch and activated Presence Run, then she disappeared.

“I shouldn't have taught her that.” I said and chased after her with the sound of Sheph's, Simone's and Gleas' laughter behind me.

In the morning, I humbly apologized and explained that I was saddened at the ship's state and didn't want it damaged any more than it already was. The crew chief pat my back and said he understood and that he and his crew would take care of everything.

Since money was no object, we discussed the reconstruction and refurbishment of the shell. It wasn't going to be a shell anymore and would be reinforced and become a full secondary hull with all of the structural supports and armor plating that required. I had tons of assault laser cannons, so the damaged ones were easily replaced, as were all the sensors and deflector screens.

It was then that I found out what the observation bubbles on the old transport were for. Tourism. They weren't for enemy detection at all. It was so a group of people could peer out at the stars without having to inconvenience the pilots in the cockpit. With that knowledge and Simone's historical searching, we scavenged a dozen of the old ship registries and had the reconstruction crew add the observation bubbles.

Of course, now that we had the hull pretty much torn apart, the first thing the crew did was upgrade Adona's reactor core to its proper standard. I also requested that they add six of my missile launchers behind hinged armor plates around the outer edge of the ship. The crew chief was stunned at the idea and refused to do it at first, until I agreed to register the patent for the ship modification and gave him one percent of any proceeds from their use.

The crew chief agreed immediately and declared he would add them for free to Adona and also added the reload magazines under the secondary hull for easy access. Like me, he knew that one percent of a billion credits was a hell of a lot of money, even if he had to wait for it. It wouldn't reach that high for years; but, once people started to realize that they could install straight-fire missile launchers under hidden panels on any ship they owned, with almost no loss of internal storage except for reloads, we both knew everyone was going to want them.

While the reconstruction crew worked on the outside of the ship, Simone and I worked on the inside. Thanks to Udelis' and Adona's help, we set her up with the same configurations as Udelis. We set the same resonance frequencies on the deflector screens and the same power ratios with the new reactor core, and duplicated as much of his setup as we could. Adona was grateful for our work, even if it didn't work when we tested it.

We all hoped it would.