Page 159 of Trove’s Purpose

“What?” Trove asked.

“I don’t know. Just… objectively a weird statement. Don’t forget to ask permission from dad before killing, I guess.”

Trove laughed as he left the room, still carrying her.

Chapter 55

Trove

Rinnicks was now, and would forevermore be remembered, as the heroic company leader that stayed behind, making sure all her workers escaped the burning mines of her asteroid. She was there on routine inspection, just in time for a freak explosion to damage the bottom of the mines. Which, in turn, set off a chain reaction of fire, implosions, and destruction.

By pure, happy coincidence, and of course good emergency planning, it collapsed and burned in such a controlled way that all the workers were able to escape. A lot of them were injured, but no one had died.

Except for Rinnicks, who had gone back at the last moment to make sure everyone had made it out safely.

Such a tragedy.

Not even her bones had been recovered because of that last, terrible, destructive explosion.

Luckily, however, the crew of the Humble Delivery Company had been there. They worked with Rinnicks in the past and had been hired to transport her fur collection. They stopped at the asteroid to bring her one of her favorites – as they were a company that prided themselves on serving their clients desires, even if it was for a single coat out of many others.

Because they were there, they were able to help the evacuation of the workers. It was a case of being lucky enough to be nearby and willing enough to help.

In that way, they were also heroes.

“This is the biggest load of steaming shit I’ve ever read in my life,” Vytln said as he looked over the official news report.

“I think it makes us sound rather dashing,” Trove said, grinning over his shoulder at the holodisplay of the written news article. “Hyde is good, I’ll admit. He’s damn good.”

Vytln groaned, closing out the article. Trove protested, he wanted to keep reading about their good and heroic deeds – especially since he didn’t actually know what they were.

“Tanin, did you approve this before it was released?”

Trove looked up at his captain, but Tanin wasn’t listening.

He was sitting in the corner. Jaw tight. Quills up. Angry and unmoving. His fingers were clenched tight on his knees. He was stiff and tense. He very well might slash out at anyone that got near him with those knuckle claws of his if someone got too close.

Trove couldn’t really blame him.

Garnet was in labor.

And she had banished Tanin from the healing room.

Their ship was on the way back to Holotulle. They still had work to do. All delayed thanks to their reported heroism. Now that their last job was fully cleaned up however, they could get back to work. Their hull of furs had been turned over to Rinnicks’ estate to be given to whoever they would be inherited by – or sold as the situation demanded. He didn’t really know – or care.

Since the only person who died was Rinnicks, Hyde was able and willing to spin the story and situation in such a way that they came out looking like heroes. Captain Ikvar, the peacekeeper, was the one who handled the situation, and it was all smoothed over so quickly, so convincingly, Trove might believe that’s what really happened if he hadn’t been there.

With that all done, it was time to get to work.

However, right after swinging into subspace, Garnet’s youngling decided that it was the perfect moment to be born, and she went into labor.

Goldie and Alred had been working together to make sure they were able to handle the birth themselves, so they didn’t need a birthing center. They had everything they needed. Garnet would be well cared for, and the youngling would be safe and healthy.

Except now, with the stress of labor, Garnet’s instincts had flared hot and harsh and she had decided that Tanin was absolutely not welcome around her. She threw things at him, demanding he leave her alone, practically terrified of him.

That was not at all unusual for s’skree females who, apparently, would give birth on their own, in total seclusion anyway. They were so protective of their younglings, they usually wouldn’t tolerate anyone at the most vulnerable time for both of them. They’d lock themselves away, give birth alone, and only welcome her mate back whenever she was ready.

Garnet had been so calm and barely affected by her s’skree pregnancy hormones, they hadn’t really expected the same from her. Human females liked their males being nearby. They also typically liked female relations – mothers or sisters as the situation provided.