Page 31 of Breaking Ties

Alyssa smiled. “Oh. So I can come with you?”

Vress nodded. “Yes.”

Aubrey looked at the other four. “Now, for you four, I haven’t seen matches yet, but if you want to figure out an occupation and work on Vress’s world, you can start over. Each of you has the potential to do whatever you are suited for, no matter how artistic or flaky. This is a new start, and human social rules are out the window.”

Vress began to describe the possibilities and the focus of his world. Wearable art was their chosen export, and while they grew their own food, everyone had an artistic leaning.

The ladies looked at each other and asked if they could have five minutes to discuss it.

Aubrey nodded. “Yup, get up and go. Alyssa can stay.”

She got looks and said, “You do not ask a Hmrain to make himself scarce.”

The ladies blinked and realized what they had done. They got up and left with the instructor. When they came back, they were all determined. “We will come.”

The instructor nodded and got contract tablets for everyone. She was shocked when it was Aubrey who bound them to her. When Aubrey was done, her guard handed her the jewel box.

Vress had come into the station with two guards and himself. He was leaving with two guards, a wardrobe, a bondmate, a bondwoman for one of his crewmen, and four random bondwomen. His shopping was very efficient.

Chapter Six

Aubrey was carried to a part of the station she barely remembered. The shuttle area. The VIP transport she had arrived in had taken her to an empty berth near medical.

Being cuddled off the station was strange. “So how long can you be away from your worlds before you feel you have to return?”

“I have been gone for decades at a time. We do have long-range communication, you know.” He smiled slightly.

“Ah. Sorry. Industrial but primitive over here. We had just sent exploratory vessels into space and managed to bring most of the pilots home alive.”

“Interesting. I will look up your world and its accomplishments.”

They settled in the Hmrain seat on the shuttle, and he eased her onto the seat next to his. The ladies were escorted to other seats.

The crew confirmed that everyone was fastened in and nodded to the pilot. Aubrey listened to the clearance request. To her surprise, the door opened again, and station staff came through to verify them all.

Vress smiled. “Your kind are being frequently stolen. They are verifying the life signs match the shuttle count.”

When the inspectors were done, they bowed low to Vress and again to Aubrey. With that done, they left the shuttle, and the crew resealed the layers that would stand between them and space.

They got the clearance, the crew settled down, and then they were dropped out of the bay and fell into a field that caught them and released them as the station rotated.

When they were clear, the engines hummed, and they saw Earth for the last time as they pulsed toward the huge warship waiting for them.

Aubrey had to know. “So the uniform your crew is wearing, is that because of your hair, eyes, and skin?”

Vress nodded. “It is.”

“Nice.”

“When you and I have arrived and I have introduced you to my people, any guards or crew or staff you have will have the same uniform with stripes of pearly white and black.”

“Classy.”

He chuckled.

“So is this the standard parking method? Bring the warship and then use a shuttle to get around?”

“Yes, many worlds only let their own vehicles land on the surface. You dock your shuttle at a station and then get to a shuttle that takes you to the surface. You coordinate to leave the same way.”