Page 22 of Instinct for Disaster

Cassandra kept eating and could feel Yasku staring at her. “Kiddel mentioned you have scars.”

“Yeah. That also takes me out of the running for being companion class. Sorry, Yasku. Unmarred skin is one of the factors.” She grinned and sipped some water.

Nessa snorted. “That reminds me of what happened in the transport here. Our cargo pod got jumped, and I ended up with a freaky tattoo before Overseer Yasku’s security detail found us. I literally have the image of an overseer on my back now.”

“Why?” Cassandra blinked.

“No idea. The artist said he was a seer and compelled to mark me. They left the girls alone, so nothing else was done. The seer was taken somewhere, the crew was hauled off, and we were back on one of Master Yasku’s ships.”

Yasku said, “The tattoo can’t be removed. It’s ink with a khimerion base.”

Cassandra smiled. “That stuff is hard to sort.”

More platters of food arrived, and Cassandra kept eating with the others occasionally joining her as they chatted about her habits and her classification.

Cassandra closed her eyes happily on a meat-filled pastry, and when she opened them, she began to blink rapidly. “They are here.”

Nessa nodded, and Cassandra got to her feet, walking slowly to the six Terran females and one Coybel male. The hybrid infant was held in its father’s arms.

She smiled and felt her tears streaking down. “You all made it. Together.”

The ladies laughed, and she was hugged by one at a time and occasionally two. “Have you eaten? Can you join us?”

Nessa laughed. “We will have to squish a bit.”

“I can sit on Yasku’s lap if I have to.” Cassandra smiled at the little baby, who was staring at her in fascination.

Moxie smiled. “Do you want to hold her?”

“I... if her father won’t object.”

“Of course not. Skellic, hand little Andra over to her namesake.”

Cassandra swallowed and took the tiny one. “She’s three months?”

“Two. My mate makes big, healthy babies.” Moxie smiled. “We both work in the fabrication industry.”

Cassandra looked at the dove-grey features and stroked the little face. “Aw, saddled with such a clunky name. Poor little one.”

Nessa smiled. “Well, you can all eat while she holds the baby.”

Skellic stared. “She’s not crying. She always cries at strangers.”

Moxie leaned against him and smiled. “She’s not a stranger. Andra has known Cassandra since before we even left Terra.”

Cassandra moved back to her seat, and Yasku snugged up close to her, which made the others stare before they smiled and began ordering more dishes.

The restaurant staff adapted, and things rapidly became a party.

Sally, Agatha, Kelly, Morna, Becky, and Moxie had all thrived on this world. Moxie was the eldest and, therefore, the first to find a partner at the mandatory social nights. She and Skellic had met at work, and when he had the chance to pursue herwhen she was legal, they had begun the long courtship that Yasku had dictated.

Cassandra held the little one comfortably in her lap, and Yasku stared at her with hot eyes. “What is that look?”

“You are good with infants.”

“Yes. I had a big family. There was always a baby to take care of.”

Yasku asked, “Did any of them survive?”

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