Chapter Twenty-Four
Getting Permission
Pax absolutely loved feeling Vivra’s skin on his. It was like hugging a cool pillow that never overheated him and had a fresh, alluring scent. Sweet bliss. He had no problem with picturing her in his bed every night and waking to her every morning.
And after the vigorous night they’d had, he hoped that Vivra felt the same way. She had mated him, but Bolarks didn’t mate for life. They did so for a time, and if the relationship went sour, the couple would separate.
His Minky screen alerted him that it was time to get up. He moved off the bed, careful not to disturb Viv. She could get a few more minutes of sleep while he showered. Seeing her clothes on the floor, he thoughtfully picked them up and admired the soft material. It wasn’t the standard Federation threads, and he wondered if he could get something like it.
Picking up his own clothes, he rolled both together into a ball and tossed them into the washing machine, added the soap, and pressed start.
Then he got into the shower.
Fifteen minutes later, he stepped out with a towel around his waist, the washing machine open and not running, and Vivra gone. He checked the machine. She had taken her clothes out.
Her clothes would have been soaked. Pax couldn’t imagine her walking the halls dripping wet. But maybe he was wrong. Either way, he decided to video call on his Minky.
Three rings passed with no answer.
After a few minutes, he ended the connection, planning to call her after he’d dressed.
Five minutes later, he was braiding the top of his hair and making another call. Still no answer. He finished dressing, left the room, and headed to the galley, noticing it was packed with a lot of non-federation people. Some were sitting, and some were standing in big pockets since there wasn’t enough room for all of them.
Two males, the first two Pax had picked up from Eldon, were walking around, passing out rations, chatting, and then resuming their efforts. When one saw Pax, he called out to the other survivor, and they both approached him with their big tins of rations.
“Commander,” the first male said. “I heard what happened to Eldon. Sassen and I just want to thank you for coming down and saving us from being burned to death.”
“Yeah,” Sassen said emphatically. “We really appreciate it. Ekhav and I were only there on vacation, and then the epidemic hit and everything went to hell. You have no idea how much getting off that planet in one piece changed our lives.”
That was why they were helping out. Pax could respect that. “My job,” was all he could say. Because thinking about all the others that had been killed would darken his mood.
Pointing at the nutrient bar, he asked, “Can I have one?”
Ekhav handed him a bar. “I don’t think you understand. Sassen and I really want to thank you and everyone for what you did. We’d like to help out. If there is anything we can do, we’ll do it.”
Pax shrugged, “I’m pretty sure you’re doing it. Any more help, and you’d have to be Federation.”
Sassen lowered the tin. “That’s what we’re talking about. We want to help others the way you helped us. We want to stay on the ship and be a part of those missions.”
Technically…that wasn’t Garna’s directive. But it was a ship that was built to settle planet-sized issues. Pax was about to tell the males that they should live their lives and just enjoy being alive when he remembered living through what he’d endured on Angny and how much he’d needed to become a force to help others. To never let anything like that happen to anyone again.
Then another thought hit him. Vivra still had to get tanks for the ship. She might…think to go down to another planet where she could get kidnapped again. She also did all the check-ins for the transfers where people got mouthy.
He didn’t like that.
So, he pulled out his Minky pad, found the FAVII forms, and handed it to Ekhav. “Both of you, fill out these forms for logistics. When you’re done, submit them and bring me back the Minky pad. I’m in weapons and tactical response, next to hydro and aquaponics on level three. I will talk to the captain about signing off on your forms so you can start today.”
Ekhav’s eyes sparkled with unspoken gratitude. Sassen, on the other hand, set aside his tin and wrapped his arms around Pax. He lightly tapped the male on the shoulder.
Ekhav chuckled. “He’s a hugger.”
“I see that,” Pax said back.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, that was too much,” Sassen said nervously. The male picked the tin back up and started passing out more rations.
“Thank you for believing us and giving us a chance to help. We’ve been thinking about doing something important for a while but could never settle on something we both agreed on,” Ekhav said solemnly. Then he picked up a water packet and handed it to Pax. “That crap tastes horrible, you’re going to need this.”
The male was not wrong. Pax didn’t like the taste of the bars, but he preferred food over no food, so he didn’t ever talk about it.
Ekhav set his tin on the ground and began entering information into the form. Pax left him to it and headed to his office. He checked in logistics to see if Vivra was around. She wasn’t.
In his office, he was able to receive a message from the captain, calling him into his conference room. Pax shoved the water packet into his pocket and opened the nutrient bar as he headed to the elevator.
***
On the side Minky screen was Admiral Armsono. Pax knew that Rannn must have realized he arrived, but the captain didn’t acknowledge him.
“….the Cerebral was not to be used in such a capacity. He was given clemency to participate as a spouse. Nothing further. He was not supposed to have access to the onboard system or other ships. I see here,”—Armsono pointed at something off screen—“that he has been on ships leaving Garna on multiple occasions. Or have I been misinformed, Captain?”
Pax didn’t know who was feeding the admiral these things, but he planned to find out. He’d have a nice long, long talk with them.
“No, you haven’t been misinformed,” Rannn said casually. “In fact, you have it perfectly right.”
Admiral Armsono either didn’t expect the captain to agree, or he was not pleased that Rannn didn’t fight him. Either way, Armsono sneered. “From now on, he will not leave the Garna ship. His access to the on-ship system will be withdrawn, and you will ensure that everyone on the ship wears their cerebral blocker.”
Rannn didn’t speak, just kept his arms behind his back, his eyes forward, his expression intent but relaxed.
Armsono continued, “I will note this in your file as a corrective action. I expect that you will contain the OutWorlder better. If not, I will have you court martialed, and you can be very sure that when I recommend someone for removal, I will have all the documentation to do so,” the pale-skinned male said passionately.
“Well, then, make sure you document that Sci’s spouse is our primary pilot, and per orders, any spouse may remain with their primary Federation family member no matter where their duty station is. Which, by the way, is not defined as Garna but where the spouse is serving. Sci was simply following Sasha as she piloted a transporter to Eldon to pick up survivors and then transported the W&T team to Brica. Not once was Sci away from his spouse,” Rannn clarified.
Armsono’s sneer dropped. “You think that will hold up in court? It won’t.”
Rannn activated his Minky table and brought up said documents, highlighting the signatures. “Is this not your signature, Admiral?”
Armsono’s nose flared. Pax loved meeting with Rannn. He was always so…theatrical. Moving his arms behind his back and spreading his legs to get more comfortable, he enjoyed the show.
“Do not change topics, Captain.”
“I’m not. I admitted to those accusations. Do what you will with that. But now I’m addressing your mistake.” Rannn pulled up another document. “You sent this letter to your sister three years ago and told her she was banished from Yunkin. Said you would never claim her as family ever again, and that you would never help her, no matter what. Which, conveniently, is exactly what you did for Eldon. Nothing.”
Armsono sat forward, pressing one hand against his table. “How dare you go through my private messages, Captain? I don’t know how you did it, but be sure that when I find out, I will remove you and your dishonorable counterpart.”
Rannn let his arms drop to his sides. “I invite you to re-listen to this call and hear my words again. I showed honor in taking responsibility for my crew and my actions. I didn’t say one word about your little spy here on my ship, nor do I care to look for them because I am not hiding anything. I’m transparent.” Taking a step forward, he lowered his voice. “I look forward to the court martial that I have no doubt you already put in for me. Until then, I have work to do.” Rannn reached up and ended the call.
Pax was about to say “well done” when Rannn turned to him. “I know he did it, I just have to prove it. And the best way to smoke out a hidden skeleton is to scare them into revealing the closet.”
A metaphor? Sure…
Pax spun the back of the chair around so he could take a seat. “Before I forget, can you approve the two people who just signed up to become FAVIIs for logistics?”
“Sure.” Rannn touched the screen, activated his request, read through the forms, and said, “They still need to take the entrance exam, but once they do that, they can start. I’ll sign off on it now, but you make sure they get that done today.”
“Will do.”
Then Rannn touched the screen again and placed a quantum video call to Admiral Orin. Pax assumed that the captain was going to give a verbal report to the admiral about Brica, the slaves, the bombs in their heads, and the chips Ansel inserted in the Flourgs to see if there was indeed a trafficking ring on Marnak.
But no one accepted the call.
Rannn sat back on the table and held up three fingers. By the time he ticked them all off and pointed at the screen, the call was returned. Rannn accepted the call, but Pax noticed the outline of the screen looked odd. The screen was outlined in green. Private, unrecorded, and would disappear the second the call was terminated. Pax had only heard about unrecorded calls, he’d never seen one live.
Shaking his head, Orin held up his Minky pad. “Armsono is blowing up my pad. Why did you threaten him, cousin?”
Cousin? Cousin!
“He’s a tarq. And he murdered an entire planet!” Rannn said, pulling out the cerebral blocker from his pocket. He held it in his hand and flipped it over and under his fingers. “And he has little minions on my ship.”
“You have a Cerebral, how hard is it to find the one who’s feeding him the information?” Orin said casually as if he were okay with Sci and his abilities. He probably was, considering that he had been the one to write up the order to let Sci stay with Sasha as a spouse.
“That would be dishonorable.”
Orin chuckled. “I think you have very specific ideas on what honor means to you. Although I doubt everyone has your same mental rulebook.”
“The point of my call is for you to keep an eye out for Armsono’s orders to remove me. I’d like to know when it’s issued, so I’m prepared.”
“Okay, I will look for that order and give you a heads up if it’s brought to the council.”
“Can he get it approved without the council’s approval?”
“We would need to have a plan in place for your replacement. With Yon’s background, he would not be eligible for captain.” Orin shrugged. “And not that we’ve talked about it, but I did go back and turn in that I failed to update the files. Just in case you didn’t notice.”
Rannn smiled. “I didn’t have to check. I know you better than that. You’re honorable. Just irritating, at times.”
“You do know I outrank you and that I’m older, right?” Orin pointed at his own chest.
“You are, but I’m Auntie’s favorite, so you can’t really do anything to me without suffering your momma’s wrath.”
Jaw dropped slightly, Orin responded, “She’s my mom, and you are not her favorite.”
Chuckling, Rannn hovered his hand over the termination button. “Cousin, I’m everyone’s favorite.” He terminated the call before Orin could answer.
Pax couldn’t keep quiet another second. “You’re my favorite,” he said with a wink.
“Oh, I know.” And then the male walked to the side of the room, opened a concealed shelf, and revealed two bottles of jubriaan and two bottles of whiskey.
Pax pressed a hand over his heart. “Captain…you are forever my favorite.”
Rannn sat down at the table and brought up the planet Marnak. “I got the waiver to follow the Flourgs no matter where they go. If they do. Admiral Dern was not happy with my suspicions and said he wants to be told immediately if and when we have reason to believe they are being transported off-planet.” Rannn turned a whiskey bottle with his fingers, the container easily fitting in his large hand. “I want to think highly of Admiral Aeon and believe he is not allowing trafficking on his planet, but…”
Pax knew the but. But, if he was wrong, it would give them access to Jaccy.
***
Pax walked into logistics on his way back to his office. Vivra was at her circular desk. She didn’t greet him when he walked in, and it was impossible that she missed his entrance. That irritated him.
“Called you this morning.”
She didn’t respond.
Pax was now annoyed. She was upset with him about something and saying nothing? That wouldn’t fly, not after what they’d gone through and after last night, damnit. “Never figured you for a silent angry person.”
“I’m not,” she said, not taking her eyes off the screen.
Okay, this was going from annoying to a walk-out-the-room annoyed and deal with her attitude later kind of moment. “Well, when you get over whatever it is you’re pissed about and what to talk like adults, let me know.”
He turned, even though he heard a female hiss.
“If you wait until I’m finished doing this order for fish for the tanks, I will talk to you.”
Good enough for him. He turned around and waited. After ten minutes, he sat down, still waiting.
An hour later, she stepped out from behind her desk and held up her finger, pointing at her other hand. “First, don’t ever touch my clothes. I pay a lot of money for quality clothing, and I don’t want you just tossing them into the washing machine and letting them get ripped up—which is exactly what happened to my blouse.”
Pax scratched the side of his head, not sure if he was really mated to a female who had gone the whole morning not talking to him because he was trying to be thoughtful and washed her shirt.
No way would Pax put up with it—if that was truly the reason.
“And second,”—she touched two fingers to her opposite palm—“I saw the two FAVIIs you accepted on my behalf for logistics.” She dropped both hands from the air and hooked them on her hips. “This is my division, I run logistics. I review and accept the transfers for my division, and I will not have this conversation with you again. Do you understand?”
Did she understand that he outranked her? Did she realize that he was doing her a favor? Had she become a totally different person in the last few hours?
Sadly, no, she was just back to being a green gurk.
He thought it instead of speaking it. And because Vivra had said she didn’t want to have the conversation again, he changed topics. “Where were you this morning? I stopped by to see you, and you weren’t here.”
“Really? You’re going to change topics?”
Pax had had enough. He stood, towering over her. “You told me you didn’t want to have the conversation again, I was obliging you,” he said sharply.
“Were you? Because I don’t feel obliged.”
Pax needed to leave. Having this conversation with his female was driving him insane. Because he seriously wanted to strangle her…and then he fantasized doing it playfully while driving deep inside her. But that was for another time when he wasn’t so pissed.
Pax turned to the door.
“You’re just going to leave? What happened to our adult conversation?”
Eyes to the ceiling, he prayed to Seth that she would just shut up.
“Anyways, I was on Brica, picking up the water tanks.”
Pax felt the crack in his composure, felt the heat in his body, and knew his eyes had turned red, the one thing besides their skin that gave his species their name.
He was not calm. But he moved slowly, like a predator. “You went back down to Brica,” he repeated.
She looked him over. She must have seen his eyes, but the insane female didn’t bother to mask her feelings.
She smirked. “Why are your eyes so red? Is something bothering you?”
He moved closer, so close he could feel her body against his. She didn’t step back. Foolish female. “You went back to the planet that you almost died on, and you didn’t think to tell me?”
“I don’t have to tell you anything. You’re not my commander.” Absolutely no fear in her eyes.
He’d never had someone so totally unafraid of him. The experience was oddly distracting. And the gleam in Vivra’s eye was also confounding. So much so, that his cock was hard and pressing uncomfortably against his pants.
Feeling the rage still inside him, he didn’t want to chance taking her too savagely.
But then Vivra decided to say, “Now, tell me you’re sorry and that you’re going to buy me a new shirt for the one you ruined. And promise never to get involved with my division again.”
Like hell, he would.
But the time for words was over. Pax grabbed the back of her head, pulled her mouth to his, and pressed down…hard.
Her nails at the back of his head pulling him closer and her legs around his waist was all the insane approval he needed. With one hand holding her, he ripped the front of her blouse with the other.
A deep growl emanated between Vivra’s teeth. “Three blouses. You owe me three blouses you bloody bastard.”
“I’ll buy you replacements. Hell, I’ll buy you as many as you want.” He made his way to the closest wall and pressed her up against it. Dropping his mouth from hers, he whispered, “Ever leave this ship without me again, and I will spank your hot little ass raw.”
She bit his lip, her sharp, little teeth making him bleed. “I’ll do what I want, when I want.”
He kissed her back while removing her pants. “Viv.” A warning.
“You’re my mate, not my boss.”
The fact that she’d verbally claimed him, untwisted a piece of his heart and made his blood surge. He freed himself from his pants, and lining himself up with her entrance, he thrust in as hard as he could. Her grunt filled him with warmth. He spoke in her ear. “You’re my mate, and I need to know where you are, so I don’t go crazy.”
He pulled out slowly, kissed the side of her neck, and then rammed inside her tight walls again.
“You’re already crazy. You have to be to want to mate me.”
He pulled out again, and pushed in slower, repeating until she tried to take over and pull him in faster, harder. But if he didn’t go slow, she would warm to him, and he’d get off before she did.
He was, after all, a Red Demon. He had a reputation.
“Pax. Stop playing around.”
He wasn’t. But he didn’t explain as he continued controlling the pressure, the rhythm, and the consistency. When he felt Vivra try to reach for her orgasm, he pushed in and then used his pelvis to rub against her clit.
Her eyes widened. “Oh.”
Yeah, oh. Pax took her mouth and continued applying pressure, then he pulled out completely and used his cock, thrusting between her folds to finish her off. Once he heard the soft intake of breath followed by the harsh exhale, he knew he’d gotten her there.
He slammed back inside her and ruthlessly took pleasure in her sweet-smelling body and tight little pussy. It didn’t take long before he came, gushing inside her.