Cassidy

CASSIDY

I finished cleaning out the last of the Lazamai enclosures for the day, my mind drifting as I worked. The gentle whirring of the air filters and soft rustles from the creatures blended into a soothing ambiance. Despite the repetitive tasks, I found caring for these rare beings oddly relaxing.

With a satisfied nod, I sealed the enclosure and made my way out, humming an old tune my grandmother used to sing. The Koloss's corridors echoed with my footsteps, the ship's systems thrumming with quiet energy all around me.

Rounding a corner, I nearly collided with Zylith's towering form. The rocky-skinned Novalian grunted in surprise, steadying me with one massive hand.

"Sorry about that!" I flashed an apologetic smile. "Wasn't watching where I was going."

Zylith's slit-pupiled eyes crinkled at the corners, his version of a grin. "All good. Kylari and I were just heading to the cargo bay."

Speak of the devil, Kylari emerged from a nearby hatch, tools in hand. "There you are, Zylith. Ready to go prepare for the unloading?"

"I can walk with you both if you'd like some company," I offered, falling into step beside them.

Kylari's reptilian features shifted into an amused look. "If you insist on keeping us out of trouble."

We made our way through the ship's winding passages, the pair updating me on their preparation for delivering the decoy cargo to Galadon Six. I tried to focus, but my thoughts kept drifting to the upcoming planet fall and a certain bovine captain.

The cargo bay's massive doors slid open with a pneumatic hiss, revealing the breathtaking vista beyond the force field. Galadon Six hung like a radiant jewel against the star-speckled backdrop, swirls of iridescent clouds dancing across its surface.

"Wow..." I breathed, entranced by the shimmering planet. Even through the barrier, I imagined I could smell the crisp, floral scent carried on ionized winds.

A familiar deep voice rumbled from behind me. "Impressive, isn't it?"

I turned to find Doanor approaching, his powerful form seeming even larger in the cavernous space. A jolt of excitement shot through me at his nearness.

"It's beautiful," I murmured, unable to tear my gaze away.

The corner of Doanor's mouth tilted upward, his dark eyes sparkling with unvoiced amusement. "Shall we go take a closer look?"

My heart skipped a beat at the invitation, a delighted grin spreading across my face. "I'd love that."

With a few tapped commands, the force field shimmered and parted, granting us access to the awaiting shuttle. The close proximity as we strapped in sent tingles across my skin, that addictive blend of his warm, earthy scent and the metallic undertones of the ship surrounding us.

The descent was smooth, Galadon Six rapidly filling the viewport. Doanor deftly guided us through the vibrant atmosphere, skimming over prismatic cloud banks that fractured the golden sunlight into ethereal rainbows.

The shuttle broke through the cloud layer, revealing sprawling forests and winding rivers far below. I gasped in delight at the breathtaking carpet of emerald and sapphire.

"There's a city on the western continent," Doanor rumbled, his deep voice reverberating through the cabin. "But I assume you'd rather see more of the natural wonders first?"

He glanced at me with those piercing dark eyes, and I felt my heart flutter. Was he truly asking my preference? The thought filled me with a warmth that spread through my chest.

"You'd be right," I replied, unable to suppress my grin. "As amazing as the cities must be, I can't get enough of unspoiled nature. It's so rare to find these days."

Doanor chuckled, the rich sound making my stomach flutter unexpectedly. "Then the wilderness it is. Though I should warn you, even the ‘uninhabited' regions here teem with life beyond your imagining."

"Even better!" I exclaimed, leaning forward eagerly. "Show me everything."

His lips curved in an amused smile before he turned his attention back to the controls. The shuttle banked, altering our course to skim over a vast rainforest canopy.

Up close, the foliage resolved into a kaleidoscope of shifting hues and bioluminescent blooms. Flashes of iridescent wings darted between towering trunks festooned with vines. My gaze tracked a shimmering stream carving its way through the verdant growth, tiny lifeforms frolicking along its banks.

"Incredible..." I murmured, utterly transfixed.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Doanor watching me with an unreadable expression. A flush crept up my neck as our eyes met, that familiar spark of tension crackling between us.

Swallowing hard, I forced my attention back to the wondrous vista outside. "As a kid, I dreamed of exploring undiscovered worlds teeming with bizarre alien life. But reality always finds a way to get in the way of our dreams."

Finally breaking through the cloud cover, my breath caught at the incredible landscape stretching out below us. Lush jungles of deep indigo and crimson blanketed undulating valleys, while towering crystal spires glittered in the sunlight like enormous gemstones.

"It's... I've never seen anything like it," I whispered in awe.

The shuttle settled gently on a flat expanse of vibrant emerald moss, cushioning our landing with its spongy surface. I could scarcely contain my excitement as the hatch opened, flooding the cabin with the heady floral aroma of this alien world.

"After you," Doanor gestured, the perfect gentleman.

Trying not to seem overeager, I disembarked and took my first steps on Galadon Six. The plush ground yielded beneath my boots, each footfall releasing tiny clouds of golden pollen into the air. Towering ferns swayed in the gentle breeze, their broad fronds shimmering with iridescent hues.

"This is...incredible," I murmured, slowly turning to take in the panoramic vista.

Doanor moved to stand beside me, his powerful frame dwarfed by the colossal crystal spires reaching for the heavens. "The scans showed abundant plant life, but they hardly did it justice."

"You can say that again." My gaze was drawn to a nearby copse of twisted, gnarled trees with vibrant fuchsia trunks and canopies of feathery crimson fronds. "I've never seen vegetation like this before."

Doanor nodded, his dark eyes roving over the alien landscape. "I've been to many worlds in my journeys, but each one still has the capacity to surprise me."

A sudden movement in my peripheral vision caught my attention—a small, skittering creature darting between the twisted trunks. Without thinking, I took off in pursuit, the strange fauna beckoning me like a siren's call.

", wait!" Doanor's deep voice called out behind me, but my curiosity spurred me onward.

I weaved through the dense foliage, glimpsing the peculiar creature's form as it scampered just ahead. Its sleek, sinuous body was a deep azure, with four delicate limbs tipped by dexterous digits. Rounding a massive fern, I finally cornered the elusive being.

It froze, swiveling its elongated neck to face me with large, luminous eyes. A trill of alarm escaped its narrow beak-like mouth as I approached. Up close, I could make out the intricate patterns adorning its scaly hide, shimmering with opalescent hues.

"Easy there, little guy," I crooned, squatting down to appear less threatening. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"!"

Doanor burst through the underbrush, his gaze instantly locking onto the alien creature. In a blur of motion, he positioned himself between us, one arm extended to shield me.

"Stay back," he growled, his free hand reaching for something at his belt. "That's a venomous nathrid."

"What? No, it's just--" I started to protest, but Doanor's urgent tone gave me pause.

Studying the creature more closely, I could see subtle differences from the docile forest dwellers I'd initially assumed it to be. The eyes were larger, the pupils mere slits rather than the wide, expressive orbs of the harmless tree-hoppers. And those delicate limbs ended not in soft pads, but wickedly curved talons.

Ice wrapped around my gut as the realization set in. This wasn't some curious little forager - it was an apex predator, its sinuous body perfectly adapted for stealth and striking with lethal precision.

"Doanor," I said carefully, remaining still. "How did you know?"

His dark gaze never left the nathrid, his body tense and ready to react. "The patterns, the coloration, the way it's holding itself - every instinct is screaming danger."

Keeping my voice level, I asked, "Could it be a similar species? Maybe one that's not toxic?"

A low, warning trill emanated from the nathrid's narrow jaws as it sensed our scrutiny. My breath stopped as those hypnotic coils slowly unfurled, the deadly talons extending.

"No," Doanor's deep rumble brooked no argument. "I've encountered these before on Kalath Prime. Beautiful, but incredibly deadly if provoked." His free hand slowly extended a small device towards me. "Take this stunner. On my signal, hit it with maximum charge."

I carefully accepted the compact weapon, my fingers trembling slightly as I gripped it. Up until now, everything on this journey had been wondrous and amazing - I'd never anticipated needing to defend myself.

The nathrid's coils tightened, the muscles along its sinuous length flexing as it prepared to strike. Doanor tensed beside me, his broad shoulders squared.

"Now!"

In one fluid motion, he shoved me back while simultaneously hurling a small charge at the nathrid. The bang drowned out my startled yelp as I reflexively squeezed the trigger, sending an incapacitating surge towards our would-be attacker.

Debris and smoke obscured my vision for a few agonizing seconds. Then, as the haze cleared, I could make out the nathrid's iridescent scales just visible in the distance as it ran away.

"!" Doanor was at my side in an instant, his large hands gripping my shoulders as his concerned gaze swept over me. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head mutely, still trying to process what had just occurred. My heart thundered in my ears, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"I...I'm okay," I finally managed, my voice shaky. "Just...a little shaken up."

He exhaled, the tension visibly draining from his broad shoulders. "You shouldn't have run off like that. There are dangers on this planet we know nothing about."

"But I—" My protest died on my lips as I registered the naked concern in his dark eyes. "You're right. I'm sorry, I got carried away."

Doanor studied me a moment longer before giving a curt nod. "Just...be more careful next time." His gaze drifted to a twist of vines that had snagged in my hair. "Here, let me..."

Reaching out, he gently disentangled the clinging fronds, his calloused fingers grazing my cheek. My breath hitched at the electrifying contact, that simple touch sending tingles dancing across my skin. Doanor seemed to feel it too, his hand stilling, hovering mere inches from my face.

We stood there, frozen, the world around us fading into the periphery as our eyes met and held. His earthy, masculine scent enveloped me, stoking the slow burn of desire that had been simmering since I first laid eyes on him. In that endless moment, I yearned to close that last whisper of distance between us.

The sharp trill of some unseen creature shattered the air. Doanor jerked back, dropping his hand as if scorched. He averted his gaze, the tips of his ears flushing a dusky rose.

"We should, ah, head back to the shuttle," he muttered gruffly. "I need to check in with the Koloss."

"Right. Of course." I fought to keep my voice level, giving myself a mental shake. Get a grip, . This is just a job, I reminded myself sternly. You can't afford to get attached.

But even as we retraced our steps through the alien wilderness, my eyes were drawn again and again to the impressive figure at my side. The tender concern he'd shown, the way he'd shielded me without hesitation—it was difficult to reconcile with his typically gruff demeanor.

I knew I should guard my heart, that getting involved would only lead to complications. But some deeper part of me couldn't deny the spark of connection between us, that frisson of electricity that arced across every charged interaction. As much as I tried to resist, I was falling for Doanor Ostrail, grumpy bull-man and all.

The secret would be keeping it to myself until this job was over. Surely I could make it through this...right?