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"That's true," Slek said, with no humility whatsoever. "Just an old engineer's trick."
"Does that mean you're an old engineer?" I teased.
"Ouch," he laughed. "I'm just a boy. Not as young as Danec, of course."
Danec looked annoyed. "I'm not that young."
Slek leaned over to slap him on the shoulder. "No, I just hope you're old enough to deal with it when Edie chooses me."
"Who said I'm choosing you?" I asked.
Slek's confidence didn't slip an iota. "You will. Why wouldn't you, I'm adorable."
"Danec is pretty cute too," I said.
Danec looked embarrassed, but pleased. "You think I'm cute?" He shot Slek a triumphant look.
"You are cute," Slek said. "So are kittens. Edie needs a wildcat to keep up with her." He made a gesture with his hand, like a cat batting the air.
The pod slid through the second set of doors and landed in the pod bay with a bump which might have thrown me off my seat if not for the harness.
Slek grabbed the seat in front of him to stay in place.
"Sorry," Brinley called over her shoulder.
"At least we're alive," Slek said.
"Yes, everyone out," J'avet ordered. "The IF will want to look over the pod. Engineer, stay with the pod. They'll be sure to have questions."
Slek looked disappointed, but nodded. Before I could step toward the door, he grabbed me to his firm body and planted a searing kiss on my mouth. His tongue split and one side slid over my lips, while the other slipped inside my mouth.
I melted a little before he pulled away.
"Just something to keep you warm for a while." He gave Danec a challenging glance which clearly said, 'game on' before he pushed me gently toward the door.
I stepped outside and gasped. The outside of the pod really did look like it had been chewed.
Chunks of metal were gouged here and there. In more than one place, it seemed so thin I don't know how it hadn't ruptured.
"I didn't realise how close we came," I said in a whisper.
"Too close," Danec agreed. His eyes were huge.
"Oh my goodness." Brinley stood beside us. Her face was pale with exhaustion and horror. "I'm not sure I want to fly a pod again." After a pause, she added, "At least not today."
I smiled softly and gave her a quick hug. "I'm glad you did fly us. You did an amazing job."
"Awww, thank you." She looked pleased. "I need to find where I can clock my hours. They all count toward my qualifications."
"Ah, the intrepid pod crew." A door at the end of the bay slid open and Commander Zarex stepped through, followed by a contingent of security and a couple of engineers.
Zarex's gaze scanned us all. I probably imagined his eyes lingered on me for a moment longer.
"J'avet, I'm sure this will be an interesting debriefing," Zarex said.
"I would imagine so," J'avet agreed. "We should start by sending pods to rescue the other refugees from Calig." His voice lowered and he and Zarex stepped slowly around the pod, talking with their heads close together.
"I suppose we're dismissed," Danec said uncertainly.
