by C. M. Kane
They had remained at Velonchos for two days to give the leaving tuvarnans time to pack and board the troop transports that Radnor had arranged through Vulcan. By the second day everyone that was going was gone, and Brightmoons new crew was in place. According to Xirra and Dishon, both of whom had stayed because their greatest wish was to see more of the universe, the incoming crew looked to the remaining crew for advice on what they could and couldn’t do safely within the ship.
Tae was pleased to hear that Loki had kept his word and had warned them all that doing anything untoward to the Dreadnaught may result in their instant death, either by the Dreadnaught itself, or by him personally. His warning was taken seriously, and so far everything had gone smoothly.
It wasn’t until the third day that Tae saw Loki again. She was in the star chair, trying desperately to get Brightmoon to allow her into her conversations with Vulcan. The Dreadnaught had allowed the muscle bound God access to her Laboratory by the second day, something Tae had never been allowed access to, and she was extremely miffed. She felt as though Brightmoon was passing her over for a man she’d only just met, and after all she’d done and been through for her, she now felt like she was being pushed aside as if she were nothing. For the first time in her life, and as loathe as she was to admit it, Tae was major league jealous.
When Loki had entered the bridge, she was looking through the sensors trying to see what was going on in Brightmoons “Lab”, with no success. Apart from her jealousy she had become increasing sure that Brightmoon was up to something, and she was aching with both curiosity and annoyance. It irritated her no end to think that the Dreadnaught might have shown Vulcan and not her.
She heard Captain Settria’s respectful, ‘My Lord, welcome to the bridge, everything is running smoothly. Lieutenant Rames, you will stand when our Lord enters a room,’ she said turning to see Tae still laying with her eyes closed as if asleep. Tae opened her eyes eliciting a few muffled gasps from those who were new to what happened to her; the seven of her original bridge crew that remained just looked at them with amusement, this was after all, nothing new to them. Through the ships sensors she watched as Loki held up his hand to the Captain.
If Tae hadn’t have been sitting already she knew she sure would have been doing a quick butt plant, she was so taken aback by his appearance. Over the last couple of days he seemed to have filled out, a lot! His body seemed to be much more muscular than when she had last seen him. She wondered if muscle wastage had been a side effect of being in the sleepers so long?
Damn! She thought to herself as she silently ogled him. This definitively isn’t fair! Isn’t it enough he has those black eyes and clever mind? Do I really have to contend with muscles as well? CRAP!
‘When Lieutenant Rames is liaising with the ship she may stay exactly where she is,’ he said as he walked over to her and stared down into her swirling black and red eyes with interest. ‘Can you see me normally?’ he asked curiously.
‘No,’ said Tae. ‘I am looking at you through Brightmoons internal sensors. I see nothing through my actual eyes, if that’s what you mean.’
Loki nodded, ‘It is,’ he hesitated briefly before he continued. ‘What does it feel like when you’re joined with her?’
Tae became silent, she’d never really thought of this question before, she’d always been too busy trying to learn either about the Dreadnaught or about all of her systems. ‘Each time I sit here it feels a bit like, well, like I’m home I guess, like this is where I really belong, if you know what I mean.’
Loki nodded, he had no idea what she meant about truly belonging somewhere, the closest to that he had ever felt was when he was aboard the Fenris, his old ship, but it sounded intriguing and he envied her.
‘We will be heading to Tartarise in three hours, we are just transferring the last of Vulcan’s supplies, as well as stocking up on more food, there’s apparently not a lot of supplies for our Vampire crew members to eat, a fact pointed out by Lieutenant Tark, one of the new men Commander Brohan has bought aboard.’
Tae smiled ‘Yes I’ve met him… what the hell!’ Tae said abruptly.
‘What’s wrong?’ asked Loki his hand hovering over his swords as he came instantly on guard. The Captain looked around in alarm and stepped forward for orders. Before Tae could say anything the doors to the turbo lift flashed open and a small disk shaped object flew in, it went straight to Tae and started to scan her. Tae swore under her breath, totally forgetting everyone was looking at her with varying degrees of alarm, the Captain now had her Zap gun drawn awaiting instructions.
‘So this is what you were up to?’ Tae said angrily as she addressed Brightmoon, thus staying the Captains hand. She could now feel the smug satisfaction practically oozing from the ship. The small disc finished scanning her then took position directly above her like a small flying guard dog. Tae disengaged herself from the chair and stood up, ignoring everyone present to stare up at the vid ball that Brightmoon had now attached to her. Unlike the one she’d had on the Island back on earth, this one was flatter and slightly wider, four long thin bumps protruded from the top, bottom and sides. Tae had a nasty suspicion of what these might be. She looked from Loki to the Captain in frustration.
‘This isn’t funny,’ she said facing the vid ball again. ‘Take it away now Brightmoon,’ she ordered. The disc continued to stare at her unmoving.
Loki started to laugh in genuine amusement, ‘With all the trouble you seem to find yourself in at times, Lieutenant, I think the vid ball is an excellent idea. I’m sorry, but I happen to agree with Brightmoon, the vid ball stays for now, someone has to keep an eye on you,’ he grinned.
Tae was lived, Loki had just sided with Brightmoon over her, and that meant she would now be stuck with her little guardian, which meant she’d now have no privacy… for absolutely anything she might need to do! She glared at Loki for a moment then turned to the Captain, who was still clutching her zap gun and looking bewildered at the turn of events. ‘May I have permission to break for lunch before I’m needed when we get underway, Captain?’ she asked.
‘Permission granted, Lieutenant.’ The Captain said as she holstered her gun. Tae stalked off of the bridge with her new companion flying along just above her head.
Loki looked thoughtfully at the star seat; he was only now starting to realize the full extent that the Dreadnaught would go to keep Tae safe. He’d also seen the four protrusions that Tae had seen, and like her thought that they might be weapon ports, he just hoped this wasn’t going to turn into a problem with his own plans concerning her. He had been deliberately staying away from her for the last two and a half days while he went about trying to rebuild his wasted body as quickly as possible, and judging by the pheromone scent he had detected not long after entering the bridge, he had thought his decision was a wise one. Hopefully at the rate he was progressing, in another few days he would be back to normal, and then he would be seeing a lot more of Tae; whether she realized it or not. He smiled to himself in anticipation, and then we can let the real games begin.
***
Tae went straight to the Mess hall where she grabbed some fruit before leaving again, she ignored the curious glances given to her and her new friend from everyone she saw. First letting Vulcan see your lab and excluding me like I’m nothing, and now this, she groused to herself as she glared up at the vid ball. ‘What’s the matter; can’t even be bothered talking to me anymore so you’ve had to build something else to watch me? Well stuff you Brightmoon, go play with your boyfriend all you want, I’ve got better things to do,’ she muttered sullenly.
The vid ball continued to fly along after her silently, Tae went straight to her room and sat in silence, eating her fruit and sulking about this unwelcome turn of events. So Brightmoon wants to treat me like I’m not worthy of her time does she? So she wants to lump me with a babysitter while she’s busy with her new “friend”, as if I’m an errant child or something? Well two can play at that game! She thought angrily.
Damn it, what is wrong with me? He’s a nymph loving twerp! Why am I still lusting after him like this? I like Vesh, not Loki; I want to have sex with Vesh, not this vid ball loving dark eyed Butt-munch!
She heard one of the new pilots, a Thalien male called Ransen address the Captain. ‘Captain Settria, the ship isn’t responding, in fact I’m now locked out of all controls.’ There were several calls of agreeance from other crew members as the same thing happened to each of them.
Tae suddenly knew all eyes were now focused on her. ‘Lieutenant Rames, is this your doing or Brightmoons?’ asked Loki coming nearer.
Tae finally stood up and looked at him, he had changed into plain soft black pants that hugged him beautifully. A short sleeved black vest showed off the new larger muscles in his arms and chest extremely well to Tae’s long look of appreciation. For some reason he seemed to be sweating lightly, as if he had just come from exercising, it was by far too good a good look on him for any female on the bridge not to notice, and she had the distinct feeling he was very well aware of the effect he was having on her.
Blushing guiltily Tae forced her errant mind back to his question ‘No, My Lord, it’s Brightmoon.’ Suddenly Tae didn’t want to tell Loki why the ship was upset. She now felt churlish and mean spirited that she was jealous of Brightmoon gaining another friend. The Dreadnaught had been alone and lonely for so long, who was she to deny her someone who could converse with her on things that she couldn’t even grasp the concept of.
‘This is my fault, My Lord. I’ve made a bit of a blunder I’m afraid. I’ll talk to her immediately.’ Tae still mightn’t want the vid ball following her, but she realized she had no right to deny Brightmoon another friend.
Loki looked suspiciously like he was about to start asking her questions so she quickly sat back down and closed her eyes. Instantly Brightmoon forced her way roughly into her mind, as if she were worried she might ignore her again. I’m so sorry, sweetie, I was upset and jealous of Vulcan, and of your friendship with him. I know now that you have every right to have all the friends that you want, in fact you deserve to have more friends to talk to because you’re so smart. This was my fault, and I’m sorry. I hope you can forgive me, she thought directly to the Dreadnaught.
She felt Brightmoon hesitate as she studied the word jealousy, and then Tae’s feelings and memories at this new concept.
Don’t worry, Brightmoon, I won’t do this to you again. I’m allowed to have friends apart from you, and you’re allowed to have friends apart from me, that’s how life is supposed to be.
She felt Brightmoons immediate displeasure at this statement. Apparently Tae having friends other than it hadn’t entered its thoughts until she’d pointed it out, and now that she had, the Dreadnaught wasn’t happy with the concept of “others”.
Damn it! Tae thought, she couldn’t allow Brightmoon to dictate her friends as she had wanted to do to her. It seemed this was turning into a valuable lesson for both of them.
Think about it, she thought slowly. Your friendship with Vulcan doesn’t affect how you feel about me now does it? Well my friendships with other people don’t affect how I feel about you either. Nothing can ever change our connection, but we can both have other friends as well as each other, now can’t we?
She felt the ship relinquish control back to the bridge crew, but she knew it was still mulling over what Tae had said to her, and she saw its thoughts were firmly fixed on Vulcan at times. She had the distinct impression Brightmoon was examining “their” friendship, so Tae decided to try to reassure her a little more.
This is what relationships and friendships are all about, she thought gently. We all have different types of friends, but some are just more special than others. With great friends like us, we can feel free to share things that are exciting or bother us, because it helps us learn and grow. I guess I’m kind of learning too, but I’m glad I have you to talk with about all these new feelings, she finished.
Brightmoon seemed to come to some kind of internal peace at Tae’s words, although her vid ball still remained firmly in place above her. Tae sighed softly; it looked like she was going to be stuck with her new friend permanently.
‘Is everything all right now, Lieutenant,’ asked Loki, frowning at Tae’s soft sigh.
Tae smiled up at him. ‘Yes, My Lord, everything is settled, she will be fine from now on I think.’
Loki turned and nodded to Captain Settria, who immediately issued orders for Brightmoon to move to the portal, and from their straight onto Tartarise.
Chapter 14
Tae spent the next seven hours solid in the star chair. She told Captain Settria that she was studying Brightmoons propulsion systems, and she had vaguely heard Dolath, the communications officer; say that Tae often spent large chunks of time in the chair when she was bonding with Brightmoon. Tae was watching through the sensors and saw the Captain nod before looking at her with renewed interest. She found this boring so she went back to what she had been continuing to do for the last six hours- after she had given up any pretence of studying Brightmoons propulsion system– that is. She went back to spying on Loki, and his new and improved body.
He was getting ready to lead his Warriors down to the planet. Brohan- much to his annoyance- was staying onboard to meet up with Valaria, who would soon be returning with the new recruits she had brought with her. Brohan had even taken to discussing the subject of Loki’s leaving for the surface with an equally irate, Elite Commander Radnor, who was also staying on the ship. Tae thought it had ‘bonded’ them in some weird male way, because both seemed totally out of sorts at the thought of being left behind, and both seemed to think that the other-and themselves- were in the right in this.
In the mean time Vulcan and Brightmoon had managed to create a small containment system for the Felice bearing rocks. Each container that the men and woman carried was fitted with a small device that a small crusher could be affixed to. The idea being that they simply put the rock in the crusher which would grind it to a fine powder and then deposit the powder directly into the container, once full it would self seal. Then they simply detached the top fitting and the device was both safe and clean, each container would fit neatly into the core of a modified buzz bomb, and on detonation the fine powder would be released to wreak havoc on whatever it came into contact with for kilometers around. Luckily only a smallish amount was needed to start affecting any mechanical systems.
Loki was carrying the crushing device, and each of the thirty men and woman accompanying him carried one long fat cylinder a piece. They knew it would be slow going, but the containers were the only way to contain the Felice radiation and stop it from contaminating
the troop jumper they would take, as well as the buzz bombs they would be fitted to, not to mention Brightmoon herself, these would be dangerous times. Everyone knew the risk they would be taking, because if the containment systems were to fail, Brightmoon, along with everyone aboard, would be in serious trouble. On the other hand, if this worked as both Vulcan and Brightmoon seemed reasonably sure it would, then their chances of defeating the Titans would skyrocket.
They had picked out a landing site on the east continent close to a wide river, and what looked to be an incredibly dense forest. The initial scans done by the bridge crew found the safest route for the mining team that they could. Unfortunately, the only areas they could actually scan were the areas that weren’t contaminated by the radiation, so it really didn’t amount to much. They would, in effect, be going in blind to any dangers that may be close by and cloaked. Loki called it his little adventure, and actually seemed to be looking forward to it.
Tae sighed as she covertly watched him strapping twin swords to his hips; she knew he’d be leaving with-in the hour, and that she’d lose all contact with him for the duration. Becoming unaccountably restless at the thought she broke contact and opened her eyes.
‘Captain Settria,’ she asked as she slowly adjusted her senses back to the real world, ‘may I be allowed to take my break now?’
The Captain turned in surprise at Tae’s words, and smiled. ‘I was wondering when you’d surface, and yes, you can have your break.’
Tae returned her smile, jumped up, and went straight for the turbo lift where she pressed the number for her room level. She was deep in thought about the unknown dangers of the coming expedition when the turbo lifts doors opened at her level, and Loki stepped in.
