23. Chapter 23

Nuor gave Ava one last hug before getting into the transport. Ebel had already entered after enduring a deluge of tears on his shoulder from Ava. It was the only time he looked to one of the Vorbax for guidance, imploring Vox with his eyes over her head to come help make her stop crying.

Vox, for his part, kept back, allowing Ava to have this moment with her friends.

Her tears continued while saying goodbye to Nuor. Nuor’s feathers draped over her as they hugged and Nuor hummed a melodic tune. Ava collected herself, hiccupping only now, eyes rimmed red.

“Ava. You will find me when this is over,” Nuor said, putting Ava’s hair back behind her ears.

“Yes. I’ll send a message however I can.” She rubbed her face, wiping her tears away, and took a deep, shuddering breath to compose herself.

Nuor nodded, then turned to Vox, her bright blue eyes narrowed. “Keep my friend safe.”

Vox nodded, keeping his head tilted down before answering solemnly, “On my life.”

Nuor mustered up the fiercest expression she could. “It better be.” Ava grinned through her hiccups. Even trying to be fierce, Nuor looked like a fairy tale creature. Vox, however, took her seriously and kept his head tilted.

After touching her feathered forehead to Ava’s in a soft press, she swept inside the transport and sat next to Ebel. The four Phor captives were already inside and buckled, staring absently out the window. Rhutg stood guard, blocking their view of Ava’s goodbyes, not that they had much interest in anything lately anyway.

“Be strong, Ava. Message when you can, I”ll scan the galactic boards looking. Put that you’re looking for a drone, I”ll understand and it won”t look out of place.” Ebel chittered softly, antennas low. Ava nodded and reached forward, stepping into the transport, and gave him one last hug. Then Nuor as well. She stepped back quickly, feet dragging over the metal opening, feeling irrationally scared the transport would close and she would be sent off with it.

Both Nuor and Ebel looked up at Ava as Vox engaged the locks to shut the door. The seals automatically engaged to pressurize the tiny ship.

The craft was small against the backdrop of the larger ship, looking inadequate for the harshness of space travel.

Ava watched from the adjourning room as the bay doors opened. Her two friends were sent out a minute later, a silent departure into the vacuum of empty space.

She stayed by the window, watching the transport leave until it was just a pinprick outside. The transport bay doors had closed automatically after the shuttle left, leaving the bay empty other than the small Haroo transports, one of which Ava would take herself in less than a cycle from now. Vox stood next to her, holding her hand, while humming. Lirell stood on her other side, now taskless after his guard duty watching the captives was over.

Ava leaned in to Vox, seeking comfort, and he put his arm around her, watching the transport disappear completely from the window looking out past the transport bay.

When it was truly gone, she collected herself and turned back to him. “I know we need to talk to that board member but I have to go down to the engine hall first.”

Vox nodded, arm still around Ava. “We have time before the check-in with Iryl. What are you needing from there?”

“The other half of my bargain with Rhutg.”

Vox frowned, flashing purple, eyes narrowed. “There was more to this bargain? Other than risking your life with us and not being safe on that transport?” He gestured out the window.

“I promised him the biologics. I want to show them to the Galactic Board member too.”

Vox returned to his normal neutral color, breathing out in relief. “Yes. I had forgotten that aspect with the planning over the last cycle. Do you think they will cooperate?”

“Maybe not as well as they did for Ebel, but I know they can feel. I am going to try at least. I know the plan is to come back to the ship after we do the rescue, but I don’t want to risk not having any with me in case that doesn’t work out. I don’t know if I would ever get the chance in another Phor ship again to take some.” Ava absently raised the hand not held by Vox and placed it against the cool window where the transport had departed, much like she usually did in the engine hall against the biologics tank.

Vox nodded sharply. “The ones here also clearly know and like you as well.”

“Yes, there’s that too.”

Vox turned to Lirell, who was passively watching their talk and mannerisms, his curious eyes on Ava and Vox’s clasped hands. “Lirell, Rhutg could use your help preparing the husks,” Vox said as he began walking out of the launch bay for the transports, still holding Ava’s hand.

Lirell nodded his understanding. “I will go assist him and continue learning.”

Vox released Ava’s hand and patted him on the shoulder as they all walked out of the small room. Ava lengthened her stride, keeping up with Vox as he led the way, mind focused on her next few steps now that her friends had departed.

The biologics, still swirling merrily, greeted them when they arrived in the engine hall. Ava stared at the tank, an arm’s length away, hesitating. She didn’t know if what she needed to ask was going to disrupt them. She would have to phrase her words carefully just in case.

“Can you let me know how they feel when I talk with them?” she asked Vox, reaching forward in a jerky movement.

Vox nodded and walked up, putting his hand on the tank.

Ava walked up too and put her hand on it next to his. She felt silly, talking to them as if they could understand, but maybe this whole time they could. She had to try.

“I . . . have a question for you,” she said in a normal tone, clearing her throat. The swirl went around where her hand met the tank in response.

“They are listening,” Vox confirmed.

“If there’s any of you who are brave, I am going away for a while. I am leaving for an adventure. I would like to take some of you with me, if there’s any that would like to join.” She watched the tank hopefully, her eyes traveling up and down its entire length.

The biologics swirled, looking divided. Ava glanced over at Vox, who frowned while keeping his hand on the tank. “They are confused.”

Ava elaborated, “I am offering a choice. You can stay here and live as you are. But if a part of you wants to join, please come to the top . . . by the hatch. It will be a long adventure. I am going to try to find more Humans like me. It might be dangerous.”

“Will be,” Vox said softly, next to Ava.

Ava faltered, voice cracking as she confirmed, “Yes. It will be dangerous. But you will also get to see something different, and explore with me. You can help light up other worlds like you did for the Phor.”

“They are deciding,” Vox said after silence fell.

Ava removed her hand and stood, fidgeting, waiting. She went into her small room while Vox kept watch, his hand still pressed to the tank. She rummaged through her things and grabbed a clear jar with a sturdy lid. It was woefully inadequate to keep a higher life form, but it was what she had.

“Ava?” Vox spoke in a measured tone while Ava wrapped cording around the jar for it to be carried. It would be safer, if any chose to come, for one of the Vorbax to carry them, but she didn’t know if they would accept that.

She came out at Vox’s words, standing again in front of the tank, looking at it curiously.

He looked over to her, and the container she carried. “Some are willing.” He flashed a deep purple while saying it, grin on his face.

Ava went over to the tank and wrapped her arms around it. She didn’t even fit across half the front with her arms spread. “Thank you.” She felt a pulse back in return and kissed the front of the glass on impulse.

She wasted no time in climbing the ladder up to their level, Vox watching on anxiously. In addition to her container, she brought up some feed to the top, and lowered the powder first into the hatch. She then took the container off her chest and dipped it into the tank. It stayed empty a minute until some of the swirling flakes flowed in. Ava left it there until the movements in and out of the container stopped and remained static. Then she picked it up, resealed the main tank, and capped her small container.

Ava hugged the jar now resting against her chest. It was easily encircled in her arms. “Thank you,” she said again. They whirled fast in response.

Ava let Vox hold the container once she got down from the top of the hatch.

“These are the brave ones, it seems,” he said, holding the jar, watching them swirl.

Ava tapped the transparent front, grinning. “Looks like we match then.”

Vox chuckled, then let the container drop on its strap back to Ava’s chest before pulling her into a hug. “Yes my brave, foolish, Human.”

Ava hugged him back, remembering the feel of him from when they woke up this morning, entwined. The day had been so long and emotional already with sending the transport off. It was at odds with how at peace she’d felt earlier in bed, waking up next to Vox. A flush ran across her skin at being back in his arms.

She wanted him again. Between her legs there was still an ache, a constant reminder of what they did before sleeping. Ava craved connection now to fill that void, the loneliness that lingered from saying goodbye to her friends. Especially as she looked down toward the control room to see no familiar blue light under the door. No Ebel would ever be there again.

Vox leaned down and slid his tongue behind her ear. She felt it tingle as it went. His hands slid down her back to cup her behind.

“I feel it too, little bird,” he murmured in her ear. “Let’s not resist it too much.”

Ava nodded, lips parting. She absently licked the bottom one as she shuddered from his words. Vox leaned over and picked Ava up. He carried her over to her curtained room in the engine hall where he filled up the space and then some, so large in her tiny room. Ava almost laughed, being back in the room she had slept alone in for so long. In her wildest dreams she could never have imagined the recent turn of events.

Vox took the container of biologics from her neck and placed it carefully on her shelf. He placed the tracking hub there as well.

Ava, meanwhile, made quick work of her jumpsuit, pulling it down to reveal her upper torso. She arched her back as she began to pull it over her hips.

Vox walked back to her, running his hands over her bare arms to pull the suit down the rest of the way. He then shed his own clothing, fast, pulling it off without Ava’s assistance. His erection was already coming out of the protective slit it lived in to present itself.

Ava leaned forward to grasp it, not hesitant like last night, but Vox pushed her back onto her pallet bed. With her leaning back, breathing fast, he wasted no time in giving attention to her breasts with his tongue.

He was firm in his movements this cycle, his actions more forceful than they were in the bedroom. Ava didn’t resist, relishing the feel of him moving over her and the tingle that followed his tongue.

She sat up and pressed him back to explore his sides and the texture of his skin. It was hot and thick compared to her own, the cords of muscles under his skin firm beneath her touch.

She then grabbed his face, pulling it to hers, and kissed him deeply, feeling him put his tongue in her mouth and the pulsing that followed.

Vox broke off the kiss, then took his fingers and placed them in her core. “Already you are ready to mate,” he said, voice low and heated. His fingers probed inside her.

Ava angled her hips up in response, tilting her head back, mouth open. “Yes,” she said, breathing faster.

Vox angled himself at her opening and pressed forward without the need to be careful like the night before. He slid in easily until he was fully seated inside her.

Ava soon forgot she was still a little sore from the morning. He paused and leaned down to give her a lingering kiss.

“I want . . . all of you,” Ava panted in his mouth. She pressed on his chest and angled her hips upward.

Vox slowly smiled. “Impatient.” But he started moving again. He came soon, Ava matching him stroke for stroke. He lit up as it happened, projecting the sensation into her mind and amplifying the ecstasy for both of them until Ava unfolded as well. He pulled out of her and held her to him. Ava, loose-limbed in his embrace, stroked down his side, satiated.

The part of her that felt lonely earlier was subdued, held by him intimately. Soon after, she began to giggle, catching sight of the biologics on the counter. She pointed at the container. “That’s already more entertainment than I think they ever saw before.”

She laughed harder, releasing all the stress she had been feeling with a deep, throaty chuckle. Vox looked at her in wonderment, cradling her head. “That sound. We do not make that. I could listen to it all day.”

Ava giggled a moment longer. I love him. She didn’t voice the thought, but he held her as if he heard it just the same. His hand fisted into her hair, twisting her long strands around his wrist.

She snuggled up next to him, limbs intertwined, eventually falling into a light sleep.

“Seeing you in person is much more illuminating,” a rotating hologram said, its light dancing off the reflective walls. The voice sounded crystal clear, as if the alien in it was standing next to her.

Ava was in the navigation room, standing tall in front of the hologram. Vox was at her side with Erox and Rhutg flanking them. Lirell stood against the wall, silently observing.

Ava had never been in a hologram call before. As a result, she was fascinated with the image and how it looked like the Vorbax they were talking to was right in the room with them. The handheld holograms she had stolen for Ebel could only replicate small body parts, not a huge area like this. She resisted the urge to walk around and examine the projection further, resolving to do so after the call to understand the technology better.

Iryl, the Vorbax they were talking with, stared unnervingly at her. He looked very similar to Rhutg in that he had a more heavy, muscular frame than both Vox and Erox.

The hologram tilted his head. “May I ask you to spin around?”

Ava did as told, separating herself from Vox and doing a slow turn. She lifted her arms up and down as she did so.

lryl addressed Rhutg when she was done, “Fascinating. I am glad you brought this to my attention. I have already sent the entire packet to Xai. There has been a lot of interest.” He looked at Ava again, a hungry gleam in his eyes. “Truly fascinating. Even here on Elyhim I haven’t seen anything close to as appealing as her.”

Vox growled slightly, angling himself in front of Ava. “I want it noted that this one is claimed.”

“Oh? I take it by yourself?”

Vox ground out, “Yes.”

“Ah.” Iryl nodded and didn’t question further, just kept looking at Ava unnervingly. “Around your chest, is that . . . ?”

Ava held up the swirling container. “Yes, like we sent in our message. These are the biologics from the Phor engine. They. . . trust me and decided to come with.”

Iryl smiled wider. “Amazing. What a find.”

The way he was staring at her felt cold and impersonal, especially in contrast to the moment she and Vox had just shared. Was this how it was at first before she got to know the four Vorbax on the ship? So much had happened since then that she didn’t get that observed, clinical feeling from the four of them anymore.

Ava scooted closer to Vox, who put his arm around her. Iryl watched the movement, his grin growing wider.

“The mission will commence in a few hours. I trust the information regarding the location of the females is still accurate?” Rhutg questioned.

Iryl tore his eyes away from Ava to answer. “Yes. I broke one of the Tuxa delegation here last cycle just to double-check. He was high up in their chain so the knowledge was fresh and accurate.”

Rhutg nodded, at ease with that answer.

“After this is done, I will have more information about the Vorbax Quorum. It was a pleasure meeting you, Ava.” Iryl tilted his head.

Ava cleared her throat. “Likewise. Thank you for helping.”

Iryl shook his head. “A benefit like this to both our people is not an imposition.” The hologram turned to Rhutg after another small, brief smile at Ava. “I’ll leave you to get prepared. The time to launch is soon.”

Rhutg nodded and the hologram winked out, darkness reigning in the room until Ava’s eyes readjusted.

Ava felt jitters, reaching out for Vox’s hand in the dark. It would not be long now.