Captives of the Kratzen (Hearts in Orbit)

by S. C. Mitchell

  “I just want to hold his hand.” She wasn’t good at lying to her friend. Just because her legs were broken didn’t mean the rest of her wasn’t working. There were a number of enticing things she’d be willing to try if she could just get a little alone time with Carter.

  Why the hell was that always such a hard thing?

  Still, a smile crept across her lips and warmth washed through her core at just the thought.

  “Ha. I don’t even need Kirtl telling on you to know that’s a lie.” Luna sat next to Tina’s bed in the sickbay, allegedly as her friend.

  Tina gave in. “Okay, you win for now.”

  “If you’re good, I’ll have Harvey put you in a hover-chair and take you to him right after lunch.”

  Damn. Harvey would be worse than Luna. The droid never disobeyed Luna’s orders.

  She’d have to take what she could get . . . for now.

  Change subjects. “So have you guys figured how we survived?”

  They’d somehow managed to take out the entire Kratzen fleet all on their own.

  “Ian set up a computer model, based on the information you and Carter gave us. He’s convinced it was because your ship was in the middle of the explosion. The waves radiated outward, for the most part, taking out one Kratzen mothership after another, but you guys stayed relatively safe at the center. Kind of like being in the eye of an Aquarian tropic storm.” Luna shrugged.

  “You don’t look convinced.” Luna was the smartest person Tina knew. What wasn’t she saying?

  “It was an explosion, not a storm. They act much differently. Ian was determined to make sense of the chaos. He ran the test multiple times, changing a few variables, until he got the results he was looking for. Most results had you blown to bits with the Kratzen. Magda’s convinced the Oracles were looking after you two. I tend to agree with her.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Carter shifted his food tray to the side and powered his bed back down a bit to ease the crick in his back. Gods he hated being back in a sickbay bed. “I might as well be a frackin’ professional patient.”

  Magda huffed. “You’ve got to stop accepting all those dangerous missions Rik keeps sending you on. But you are one of my favorite patients, studly boy.”

  He rolled his eyes. Magda had spent as much time examining his body as Tina had.

  Still, she had nursed him back to health multiple times, and he was grateful for her skills. “So when can I get out of here and back to duty?”

  Yeah, he wasn’t feeling good, but he needed to get active to feel better.

  “Two more days at least, then . . . maybe . . . I’ll let you get out of bed for a bit.”

  He huffed. She had to be kidding. “Two more days?”

  Putting her fists on her hips, she glared back at him. “Look, cutie-butt, the Oracles are done looking out for you. It’s my job now. Two. More. Days.”

  The door buzzer indicated someone wanted to enter and Magda smiled brightly. “You’ve got a visitor.”

  Gods, could it be. She was the only thing keeping him sane.

  “Hi.”

  Tina sat in a hover chair. Harvey pushed her into the room.

  “Gods, I’ve missed you.” He reached out and took her offered hand. It was all Magda would allow.

  Magda sighed. “Look, you two. You’re breaking my heart here. I know this has been hard, but you really do both need your rest. There was a lot of internal damage and too much activity could really set you both back. I’m going to give in and let you share a room, but you gotta promise me . . . hands off. Seriously.”

  Beds, side-by-side would make it better, but certainly harder as well. The next two days were going to be rough no matter what. At least he’d have Tina to talk to.

  Tina’s bed was brought in and set up.

  He and Tina both insisted they be close enough to at least hold hands.

  Somehow, that connection had come to mean the world to him. The soft warmth of her hand in his meant she was still here. They’d both survived.

  They shouldn’t have, he knew that. He’d prompted Magda to tell him more about her Oracles and the mystic religion she followed. He needed something now. He’d walked too close to death too many times.

  Once Tina was tucked in beside him, he reached over to take her hand. Yes. Now maybe he’d be able to make it through this recovery.

  The door buzzed again and Quatrain sauntered in carrying two Virtua Comptab headsets. “Hi, guys. Captain said, as long as you’re going to be laid up for a bit, you might like the use these simulation programs to work on some new skills.”

  Carter grabbed one of the headsets and threw it on.

  Life aboard a starship. What the hell. What could he possibly learn from this simulation?

  Quatrain cleared his throat. “Captain Mazar also suggested you load modification 69B for a more far ranging lesson.”

  Rik didn’t even play Comptab games. This had to be all Quatrain. What was the little scamp up to?

  From the bed next to him he heard Tina. “Oh, oh. I get it now. Yeah, Carter, load that modification.”

  ~ ~ ~

  The virtual rendering of Carter in the game world left little to the imagination. It wasn’t real, but it wasn’t bad. “Yeah, that could be good. We need to try that.”

  The game offered a way for them to spend time together without getting out of bed, and they’d spent hours exploring many of the game options.

  “There. Oh yeah, and there.” Carter’s avatar pointed.

  Tina saw some real possibilities. “Noted.”

  She heard the door open and Magda shuffling in to check on them. “My, you two seem engrossed. What are you doing in that game?”

  Tina’s cheeks heated. “I’m picking up some new navigation techniques.”

  Well, it was the truth.

  Carter somehow managed to keep from chuckling, though his voice did quaver a bit. “I’m working on my docking maneuvers.”

  Chapter 37

  Tina clasped Carter’s hand as the elevator ascended to the bridge of The Starboard Mist. At last, a duty station. She never thought she’d miss work so much.

  No, this wasn’t work. It was family. This was home. Where she belonged.

  “I can’t wait to see my new weaponry console.” He squeezed her hand and she could feel his pent up energy through the connection. He was as excited about this as she was.

  After being released from sickbay the day before, she’d spent some time going through her things and packing them up. Because they’d decided to live together, she and Carter qualified for one of the bigger suites.

  Living with someone was a big step, but hey, this was Carter, and if last night was any indication, things were going to be great.

  The elevator door slid open and they found the whole bridge crew on its feet applauding.

  “Welcome back, guys.” Captain Mazar strode forward.

  Carter went stiff and saluted. Always the proper Fleet soldier. “Reporting for duty, Captain.”

  Tina smiled and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, me too.”

  Rik nodded, his eyes twinkling. “You’re just in time. We’ve got a new mission.”

  Releasing Carter’s hand, she strode to her navigation station. “Really? Where are we going?”

  Gods it felt good. She brought up her display, and readied her starcharts.

  Home.

  Rik slid into the captain’s chair. “First stop, Dzlozia. We’re picking up a new crew member. This will be a joint mission.”

  “Sending you a course file to the wormhole, Captain.” Tina slid the file into the captain’s folder on her display, then started plotting the course from Star Base One to Dzlozia.

  A Dzlozian in the crew? She wondered if it would b
e someone she knew.

  ~ ~ ~

  Carter slid into his chair, and brought up the weaponry display. Upgraded turbo proton canons and two additional lower hull blasters. With the three new photon torpedo tubes, the firepower of The Starboard Mist had effectively doubled.

  “A dangerous mission, Captain Mazar?” The ship had received some serious upgrades while he and Tina had languished in sickbay.

  Quatrain chuckled. “I hope so. I can’t wait to try out all this shit.”

  Rik shook his head. “Just a precaution, Mr. Arcturus. We’re heading into the unknown. Explore and map the unknown reaches of Andromeda. The Dzlozians report bug activity has dropped to almost nil. We’ll never have a better opportunity to search and discover.”

  This could be really fun. “That could take years, Captain.”

  Rik nodded. “We’ve been given five.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Course laid in, Tina rose and made her way over to Carter’s station. Coming up behind him, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and planted a kiss on the back of his neck. “Looks like you’re stuck with me for five years.”

  He chuckled. “Looks like you’re stuck with me forever.”

  He spun in his seat to steal a kiss in front of the whole crew, without seeming to care. The proper Fleet marine was starting to crack.

  Luna’s sigh floated across the bridge, cloaked in a few chuckles.

  Across the control panel, Quatrain groaned. “You are still going to have time for Comptab games, right? Women can really mess with your game time, if you let ‘em.”

  Carter raised an eyebrow at him. “And you know this how?”

  Quatrain smirked but remained quiet for a change.

  With a shrug of his shoulders, Carter cocked a smug smile right back at the boy. “By the time we’re done with this mission, I’ll be better than you.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Dream on.”

  Tina chuckled. “We’ll see. And by the way, thanks for the use of those Comptabs. They really helped pass the time in sickbay.”

  Quatrain cocked his head. “I’m going to need them back, you know.”

  Carter stiffened. “I’ll buy you a new one.”

  They were still having a lot of fun with the game program. So much to explore.

  The smile that broke across Quatrain’s face spoke volumes.

  Tina sighed. “Scamp. That was your plan all along.”

  The kid shrugged. “Have you seen what the new model is capable of?”

  Carter groaned. “I don’t even want to know.”

  ~ ~ ~

  The second shift took over the bridge just as The starboard Mist entered orbit around Dzlozia. Tina grabbed Carter’s hand as they entered the bridge elevator to return to the lower decks. The connection felt so right.

  Alone in the small space, Carter pulled her in closer and wrapped his arms around her. “I can’t wait to get back to our apartment.”

  Thrills radiated throughout her core as he pulled her in for a passionate kiss.

  She couldn’t wait either.

  Still.

  She broke the kiss. “Aren’t you the least bit curious?”

  He sighed. “I suppose we could make a short side trip.”

  A shuttle was on its way up from the surface with the new crew member. Rik hadn’t furnished a name, and they’d both speculated on who it would be. They had the closest connection to the Dzlozians, and probably should be there to greet the newcomer.

  Carter nuzzled her ear. “Short. We still have a lot of catching up to do.” His hot breath sent ripples of pleasure cascading across her neck, causing her to clench.

  Yes. Short would be good.

  In the docking bay a small group had already gathered to welcome their new crew member. Rik and Luna stood front and center at the base of the ramp as the shuttle hatch opened.

  Kirtl stood beside them. The little Blarmling was all smiles. Obviously he already knew who was about to exit.

  Tina recognized the tall, good-looking Dzlozian immediately. “Bal Flitzlin.”

  The medic who’d taken care of Carter when he got food poisoning.

  After a short formal greeting and introduction, Rik invited Bal to meet the available crew members. The medic offered the Dzlozian wave to all and also accepted handshakes as Rik introduced him.

  When he got to Carter and Tina, Bal smiled broadly. His translator would be working overtime for a while. “Carter and Tina, it is so good to have friends among this wonderful crew.”

  Carter executed the Dzlozian wave. “We look forward to exploring this galaxy with you, Medic Flitzlin.”

  Shuffling up to them, Magda huffed. “The way you two keep getting hurt, the top brass decided we needed to beef up our medical staff.”

  She tucked her arm through Bal’s. “Come on, handsome, let’s get you settled in sickbay.”

  Bal bowed to Tina and Carter. “I will see you later then.”

  “Yes. Call on us anytime, if you need something,” Tina added, but she hoped the Dzlozian wouldn’t need anything in the next few hours. She had other plans.

  She held Carter’s hand all the way back to their apartment. Once inside he pulled her in for a passionate hug and kiss. Even through the thick fabric of their shipsuits, she felt his bold, pulsing erection. It was so good when their plans meshed.

  Desire flared, but she refused to rush things. They finally had some time.

  Tease, taunt. She pulled back from him, cocking her head. “A five-year mission to search and explore.”

  Refusing to be detoured, Carter’s eyes flared as he tugged on the front zipper of her shipsuit. “And I know just where I intend to start.”

  Also by S.C. Mitchell and Soul Mate Publishing:

  THE BLARMLING DILEMMA

  (HEARTS IN ORBIT BOOK 1)

  “They’re not animals. They’re people!”

  Phoebe Callista’s pleas fall on deaf ears and she’s forced to rescue two helpless Blarmlings from certain death. Fleeing across a backwater sector of the galaxy, with Galactic Marshals in hot pursuit, Phoebe falls into the hands of a handsome but determined bounty hunter.

  Rigel Antares has captured wanted criminals throughout the galaxy rim, but he’s never come across anything like Phoebe Callista. The gorgeous blonde is playing the innocent, and something deep inside wants to believe her, but Rigel has problems of his own—a ship that’s falling apart and an unscrupulous Galactic Marshal looking for any excuse to send him back to the prison planets of the Theiler System.

  An intergalactic circus, vicious space pirates, and a planet full of backtechers cross their paths as two hearts go into orbit to save a pair of adorable Blarmlings.

  HEARTS IN ORBIT BOOK 1: THE BLARMLING DILEMMA is a science fiction romance set in the far-flung space traveling future, and sets a new course across the galaxy that leads to love and adventure.

  Available from Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/n9wl28v

  PIRATES OF THE DARK NEBULAR

  (HEARTS IN ORBIT BOOK 2)

  It can’t fall into the wrong hands.

  Luna Callista holds the key to a galaxy-changing new technology. Captured by a ruthless band of deep-space pirates, she’s rescued by a man filled with dark secrets of his own. Who is Rik Mazar?

  Galactic protector or rogue pirate?

  After three years undercover among the Brotherhood of the Dark Nebula, Rik Mazar isn’t sure what side of the law he’s walking. In a world of murder and betrayal, his life goes on the line every day. But, protecting Luna Callista means putting his heart in as much danger as his hide.

  A rusting service droid, a Ferang fortuneteller, and a ship full of back-water refugees are their only allies, as two hearts go into orbit to save a galaxy in peril.


  HEARTS IN ORBIT: VOLUME 2 – PIRATES OF THE DARK NEBULA is a science fiction romance set in the far-flung space-traveling future, continuing the series’ course across a galaxy filled with love and adventure.

  Available from Amazon http://tinyurl.com/h7ckwv6

  SON OF THUNDER

  (HEAVENLY WAR SERIES BOOK 1)

  The man looked like a god. Then again, he was one . . .

  Jord Thorson was a god–the son of Thor, the Norse God of Thunder. In his search to find his missing father, Jord seeks out the mortal, Meghan Larson, who is in possession of his only clue–Megingjörð, Thor’s magical belt of power.

  But when the belt decides to take matters into its own hands, locking itself around Meghan’s waist, Jord and Meghan are plunged into the middle of a massive conflict that rages across the heavens.

  Giants, magical artifacts, and a golden city in the clouds weren’t exactly what Meghan Larson expected when that amazing belt arrived at her museum. Now Megingjörð is stuck around her waist and talking to her in her head. She’s got to be dreaming, but with the wonders around her and hunky Jord Thorson at her side, Meghan’s not sure she wants to wake up.

  Available from Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/qfaej46

  DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS

  (HEAVENLY WARS SERIES BOOK 2)

  “It wouldn’t be the first time I’d been kicked out of heaven.”

  After a thousand years in exile, the goddess Nott learned to live without interaction with the other Norse Gods. Hidden away amidst the devastation of a dead heaven, and working to aid the besieged mortals of Midgaard, Nott found peace. The night is her realm, and darkness her best friend. But war finds her. And her grandfather, Loki, wants her at his side, when he conquers Asgaard.