Page 13 of Stardust Paws and Alien Claws

“What was it like? Growing up on another planet, I mean.” She looked at me with those wide, earnest blue eyes. “Your parents, were they...surprised when you decided to become a cargo captain instead of something else?”

The question struck far too close to home. I knew I should deflect, maintain my typical aloof front. But something about Cassidy’s open, guileless expression made the truth want to slip out.

I set my fork down, taking a moment to organize my thoughts into words.

“My parents were scientists,” I began slowly. “Brilliant minds, devoted to the pursuit of knowledge above all else. I imagine they were...surprised when I chose a less academic path.”

I watched Cassidy carefully for her reaction, but her face remained open, receptive. Encouraging, even.

“But the truth is, they... They weren’t that disappointed.”

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. I’d never admitted that truth aloud before, let alone to a human I barely knew. But Cassidy simply nodded, seemingly understanding the significance of my admission.

“Sometimes parents just want their children to be happy, doing what feels right to them,” she said gently. “Even if it’s not what they expected.”

Her compassion disarmed me. I found myself wanting to confide in her further, an utterly foolish notion. I was Doanor, captain of the starship Koloss. Not some addlebrained youth spilling secrets to a pretty face.

Hardening my expression, I pushed my plate away and stood abruptly.

“Enough prattling. We have duties to attend to,” I said brusquely, avoiding Cassidy’s disappointed look. “I’ll see you on the bridge later for the supply inventory.”

Without waiting for her response, I turned and strode from the galley, fists clenched at my sides. Getting too close, letting down my guard - it was dangerous folly. This human, Cassidy, was a complication I couldn’t allow myself to indulge in. No matter how intriguing I found her endless optimism and warmth.

For the good of the mission, and my own sanity, I needed to keep my distance. Even if it meant burying the parts of me that Cassidy exposed so effortlessly.

I stalked through the corridors of the Koloss, my boots thudding against the metal grating with each purposeful stride. The ship’s engines thrummed around me, that familiar vibration grounding me like an anchor in a storm.

Cassidy had gotten under my skin far too easily. I couldn’t afford to be distracted, not with the importance and secrecy of this mission. Keeping my emotions locked down was crucial.

But as I neared my quarters, that damnable warmth crept back into my chest at the thought of her bright smiles and sparkling eyes. I clenched my fists, steeling myself. This was foolishness.

The door slid open with a hiss of hydraulics and I stepped inside, my gaze instantly falling on Cassidy. She sat curled up in the study’s plush chair, a datapad resting on her lap as she pored over the contents with rapt attention. A few errant strands of blonde hair had escaped her ponytail, framing her face in a way that made my hearts stutter.

Ridiculous. I was the hardened captain of the Koloss, not some lovestruck fool.

Cassidy glanced up at the sound of my entrance, her eyes widening almost imperceptibly before crinkling at the corners in a warm smile.

“There you are,” she said, setting the datapad aside. “I was starting to think you’d gotten lost on your own ship.”

“Hardly,” I rumbled, fighting to keep my tone gruff. “I was attending to business, ensuring our scheduled stop goes smoothly.”

That piqued her interest, Cassidy straightening in the chair with undisguised curiosity. “Scheduled stop? We’re going somewhere?”

“A cargo run,” I explained, moving further into the room with my hands clasped firmly behind my back. “A necessary cover to explain the Lazamai’s presence on board without rousing suspicion.”

Cassidy nodded slowly in understanding. “I guess it would look pretty strange, hauling exotic creatures around for no reason.” She cocked her head, that inquisitive spark dancing in her eyes again. “So where is this stop, exactly?”

I hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty rippling through me. Telling Cassidy the details risked growing attachments neither of us could afford. And yet, I found myself wanting to share this new experience with her all the same.

Gritting my teeth, I pushed past the warring impulses and forced the words out in as detached a tone as I could muster.

“Galadon Six. A terrestrial trading outpost, not too far from the Korizi system.” I studied her reaction carefully, watching realization and excitement bloom across her features.

“You mean...we’re going to an alien planet?” she asked, her voice hushed with awe. “Like, an actual inhabited world out there among the stars?”

I couldn’t stop the faint upturning of my lips at her childlike wonder. “Indeed. The cargo will take some time to load, so if you wish...” I trailed off, feeling uncharacteristically self-conscious. “That is, I could...show you around the settlement. For a brief period.”

Cassidy’s face lit up like a supernova, and something in my chest clenched at the radiant sight. “Are you kidding? I would love that! My first alien planet...”

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