Page 32 of Right on Time

Silence fell between them as they kept moving across the station’s top ring. She didn’t seem interested in what lay behind the black metal doors along the right wall. Instead, her gaze alternated between the personnel passing by and the view from the long illuminators along the left wall. A tiny section of Jupiter was now visible from the corridor.

“So,” Loe broke the silence first, “tell me more about the station. You said the Arboretum is in the center of the top ring, accessible only from certain sections of its middle level. But how many more levels and rings are there? I’m not sure how many I saw on our flight here.”

Nitiel relaxed. That, he could talk about easily. “There are six levels on this ring, and we’re now on level five. There are two more rings, much smaller than this one so they have fewer levels. The middle ring is where the maintenance personnel live and work, and the bottom ring holds additional battle stations and fighter ships. Each ring can function independently in case of an emergency.”

“And the males we see here?”

“Soldiers as well as civilians, such as scientists, doctors, and botanists, among others. Everyone has a job to do, otherwise they would be back on Gaenthia or somewhere else in the galaxy.”

“And the women? The nie-l-as?”

Nitiel smiled inwardly at Loe’s attempt to speak his language. Her pronunciation was choppy, but it was her effort that mattered. With their language implants, Gaenthians could understand and speak any Terran language, and the same device was provided to Terrans who wished to use the Gaenthian language. That meant Terrans didn’t need, and rarely tried, to learn Gaenthian. Yet another thing that made Loe stand out.

“Nielas are free to choose whether to work or not. As far as I know, the majority prefer to focus on relaxation or motherhood.”

“Oh. Right. You guys want lots of babies.”

Nitiel’s brow furrowed. Why had Loe’s tone turned flat? “Yes, offspring are very important for Gaenthia’s future. Before we found compatible species to help with our dwindling female numbers, newborn Gaenthians were only in the hundreds.”

“Yes, I know the story. I’m sorry about that. I understand where you’re coming from.”

“But?”

Loe laughed nervously. “I’m like an open book to you, aren’t I?... Well, I’m not ready to become a mother yet. Not sure when I will be. It’s my work that I want to focus on now. Developing my own business and stuff.”

“Hm.” There it was again, her mentioning her business. Her file said she was an accountant, but there clearly was more to it than that. He was about to ask, when he saw an elevator they could use.

“Please, step in here, Lady Loe.” He guided her with a wing toward the wall panel behind which the elevator lay. A press of his pinkie revealed the small spherical space, and he led her inside.

“Whoa, it’s tight in here,” she mumbled as she stood facing him, his wings on either side of her.

His thought exactly. He might not have thought this over. But there was no backing out now. “It’s a short ride two levels down, so I thought we’d use this individual elevator instead of walking all the way to the group one. You’re small enough to fit inside with me.”

One of her eyebrows shot up. “Why, Subcommander, for a moment there I thought you wanted to take advantage.”

The launch command got stuck in his throat. His wings fluttered. Had he subconsciously chosen this elevator over the bigger one further down the corridor just so he could be two feathers away from Loe?

“We’re going to level 3,” he declared, gaze on the closing elevator door.

“Um, okay. That still doesn’t answer my question.”

“What is it?” He chanced a look down at her charming face. Loe was smiling knowingly. She was so close he could feel her warm breath on his chest. Goddess, what had he been thinking, bringing her inside this elevator?

“Do you disapprove of my decision to postpone becoming a mother?”

Ah, that. He finally got the elevator moving, then replied, “It is up to you and your niel to decide, Loe. My opinion is of no importance.”

“But I would like to hear it. Please.”

Nitiel sighed. This was a sensitive topic for him, but he could deny Loe nothing. “I haven’t put much thought into becoming a father. As a clan-less male, I have no right to use the ASI’s help in locating my fated mate. That puts my chances of finding her at close to zero. And creating offspring with a female that isn't my fated mate is very difficult for a Gaenthian, unless medical assistance is used.

“Such services are quite expensive and, honestly, going beyond my comfort zone. It feels too much like going against the Goddess’ will. I would do it if my female asked it of me, but I do not have one and probably never will, so… That is my opinion.”

“Nitiel, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Her small hand rested on his chest. “Forgive me, I shouldn’t have pushed.”

Acting on instinct, he put his hand over hers. “You did not upset me. I have accepted the facts long ago.”

She shook her head. “I don’t believe you being destined to be alone is a fact. No way.”

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