Page 34 of Shielded in the Shadows

“Sounds delightful,” Keela said dryly, her lovely green eyes sparkling in a way that made my hearts feel light despite our grim situation. “Jakora might be in danger of losing its reputation as everyone’s top vacation destination. Siber, anything else about Forval IX that might be helpful?”

“I will make the full file available for you to access on shipboard monitors and datapads, Captain,” the AI replied. “One item of note is that within the last decade, the planet was the site of a notorious failed attempt at terraforming for the purposes of colonization.”

“Why is that notable?” I asked. “That’s not an uncommon occurrence.”

“Several organized crime syndicates were involved in the project,” Siber replied. “Their goal was rumored to be the establishment of gladiatorial arenas that would operate extralegally, without oversight from either the Alliance or the Barons Guild.”

The color drained from Keela’s face. She swayed.

Instantly, I went to my knees in front of my mate. I took her mug of tea before it slipped from her fingers and set it aside.

My coo rose in my chest without me needing to consciously reach for it. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and tail and comfort her, but I had no right to touch her without permission. So instead I cooed for her, folded my wings around her chair, and stayed close to offer what comfort and support I could.

Apparently oblivious to Keela’s distress, the AI continued, “According to records⁠—”

“Siber,” Keela interrupted, her voice rough. “That’s enough for now. Please compile whatever information you have on that project. I’ll review the file later.”

“Understood, Captain.”

Keela stared at me in almost a daze. A little of her color was coming back, but her breathing was shallower than it should be. I checked her pulse at her wrist and found it was thready.

“You should lie down,” I said in my medic’s voice. “We can continue once you’ve rested.”

“I’m fine,” she said automatically, as if by saying so she could make it true.

“You need sleep,” I countered. “You are exhausted and still recovering.”

Her chin lifted stubbornly. “I slept in the medpod.”

“Unconsciousness is not the same as sleep, and I’m sure you know that,” I countered. “You need to be at your best if we’re to continue this investigation. We’re likely to have more encounters like the ones on Ghira Station. Your survival and mine depends on you making the correct, logical choices about how you treat your body and mind.”

She scowled.

“We are currently—” I glanced at the navigational display “—a little over five hours from Hidria. I’d also benefit from some sleep.”

“You didn’t sleep while I was in the medbay?”

I shook my head. “I found it impossible to rest while you were undergoing treatment and so much needed to be done on the ship. So as a medic, I prescribe sleep for us both.”

“Captain, my scans support Jarrix’s recommendations,” Siber interjected. “You both require rest.”

“Fine.” Keela rubbed her forehead. “But ground rule number three is there will be no ganging up on me. And rule number four is I sleep when I decide I need sleep, and after today, no one mentions it again.”

I was starting to notice a theme with these ground rules. “Of course, Captain.”

She gave me a flat look as if she suspected I was mocking her.

“You are the captain, and I am your…crew,” I said, swallowing the words I really wanted to say: your mate. “Therefore, I respect your rules and boundaries. Siber, will you rouse us once the ship reaches orbit around Hidria?”

“I will do so if Captain Wren requests it,” the AI said, reminding me that I had no authority aboard the ship. “However, I suggest the captain requires more than five hours of sleep to fully function.”

“I don’t require as much sleep as you,” I told Keela. “Siber can wake me when we arrive. You can take as much time as you need to be clear-headed.”

My mate looked actually pained by the thought of getting adequate rest but she sighed and didn’t argue. “Siber, wake Jarrix when we get to Hidria,” she said. “I’ll try to get some sleep.” After a hesitation, she added, “Make the file on Forval IX available to him as well. And grant him access to the cockpit, but lock out comms and navigation, as well as weapons and shields.”

“Understood,” Siber said.

I started to rise, but Keela stopped me with a hand on my arm. The light touch sent a rush of warmth through me. “We’re temporary allies,” she said. “Nothing more.”