“That’s the plan. For now. It depends on if we can pick up another shipment once we deliver the current cargo.” She should feel bad omitting the details of Morgual and the spiders, but she couldn’t afford too much conscience. “That would be the goal.”
“Just put in my contract that if you terminate my services, you have to keep me until you can drop me back here at Cassan.”
“Done.”
Rhysa shifted forward and stared at Cyra hard enough to see beneath her blue skin. After a long moment, Rhysa softened, and gave Cyra a slight nod. “So, when are we leaving? I have some things I need to bring over.”
“Well, that’s up to our engineer, Blaize. Also we’re waiting on fuel and food deliveries. But we could be leaving within 10 hours or by the next cycle latest.” They had to or Cyra might as well jettison the spiders herself and try for a job at the strip club.
“I’ll be ready. Have my contract when I get there.” Rhysa drained her drink.
“Done.” Doc stood. “Rhysa, is there any other name you want on the contract?
“Yeah, Tanguey.”
Cyra stood. She’d either just negotiated the best hire in history or made the worst decision of her life.
Chapter11
Cyra had barely slept.And what sleep she did get was filled with heated yellow eyes and a muscular gray man who wanted to do wicked things to her body. Despite, or maybe because of the heated, disjointed dreams, sleep appealed much more than the problems of being captain. But if she’d didn’t rise she’d miss saying goodbye to Doc. She dreaded losing him after he’d provided so much support. He’d filled in the role of mentor Auvi had always had in her life, making the loss of her captain easier to process. But once Doc was gone, there would be no safety net. Every decision she made would matter not only to her but to the women who joined her in this inadvisable endeavor.
No credits.
New captain.
Poisonous spiders. And barely enough fuel to get to the delivery planet. The urge to pull the coverlet over her head was strong.
The door chimed.
She sighed and rose. Veda stood in the corridor, her appearance perfect, if Cyra ignored the slope of her shoulders or the sadness in her eyes. “It’s time.”
“Give me five minutes and I’ll meet you on the lower deck.”
Veda nodded and shuffled down the wide corridor alone. Cyra’s heart hurt as much for her friend as herself.
The trip to the outgoing transit dock compressed them among beings who seemed resigned to their fate rather than excited about what the cycle would bring. Cyra’s own party was the worst of all. Too soon, Doc stood outside the shuttle that would take him to retirement paradise.
Veda shook with silent sobs. “I’m going to miss you so much. I won’t know what to do.”
“Yes, you do.” Doc patted the hand he held in his. “It’s time for you to spread your wings, little one. It’s time for me to find some pleasure while I still can.”
Veda sniffed. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. I loved spending my days with you, learning from you.”
“And, I loved teaching you. But you’re ready.”
Cyra couldn’t help but feel like Veda’s loss was an echo of her own. At least Veda had the chance to say goodbye to her mentor.
Veda gazed up into the eyes of her mentor. “Will you contact me sometimes?”
“Of course.” Doc gave her a reassuring smile. “You know your mother will still ask me how you are even after I remind her that I am no longer on the ship. I’ve taken care of you for so long, she’ll expect me to continue. And I will, from afar. Captain Cyra is going to be a good captain.” He patted Cyra’s arm but stayed focused on Veda. “You’ll have so many new adventures. It’s your time.” He wrapped his arms around the little bronze woman, his own bronze skin only slightly darker. Veda sobbed into his chest, clinging to him.
Cyra wiped away her own tears.
Veda held onto Doc until the shuttle staff announced the final boarding.
Doc stroked her hair. “Veda, I have to go. I’ll send a comm when I get there. Let me know how the spider delivery goes. And take good care of Dez. He has a rough future in front of him.”
“I will. I promise.” Veda hugged Doc once more and stepped back.
