Page 17 of Rebel Fates

CONFESSIONS OF A SHIP

SERRAT

“Serrat, what are we going to do with the human slave?” Rok’s voice is placid, but I know he’s irritated with the turn of events. I can’t blame him. But as the leader, I need to make a rational decision on what to do.

“First, catch me up. Where are we? Where are we going? How long was I out?” I ask in rapid succession. I frexing hate being out of control like this.

“You were knocked out for a day. I set a course for the Gian sector. It appears to be the most secluded area, according to all recorded flight paths.”

“Did you scan for rogue ships?” I know he would have, but I need to check. “It’s not like the Syndicate reports their smuggling trips.”

His eyes narrow at my questioning of his competency. “None detected. I think it’s about as good as it’s going to get for us.”

I take a moment to assess my wellbeing. I feelwrong. “How are you both…feeling?” I study both of them. Perhaps the electrocution has exacerbated my shift or delayed it. I don’t know what’s going on with me. But it doesn’t feel normal.

Rok shrugs. “I’m alright.”

“Zeek?” I watch him for signs of the change.

“I want her.” His jaw is tight as if he were about to launch from the room and mount her.

He wants to claim her. But none of us can do that…

Frex. Why did she pick our ship?

“No,” I say simply.

“Serrat—” Zeek pleads.

I cut him off before he can challenge me. “We need to get rid of her before we shift.”

Rok frowns. “There isn’t a place to drop her.”

“Nowhere?” I ask, clenching my fists.

“We’d have to go out of our way.” Rok shakes his head. “Then we could be courting disaster with our shifts so close.”

“Frex!” I pace. “What are our options?”

“We could have Leva seal off the female in another section of the ship while we go through our cycle,” Rok offers.

“I’d still smell her,” Zeek frowns.

“He’s right. We might rip right through the walls in our frenzy.” I shake my head. “No, that won’t do. Our animals will know, and she’ll be in danger. And we don’t know for certain if she is what she says she is. Her blue hair might mean she’s a hybrid with a lineage that means to kill us off.”

Zeek begins, “But—”

One hard glare shuts him up. “We should make a detour and drop her off somewhere, anywhere.” It would be easier to kill the frexing female, but I don’t think Zeek would let me. Besides, I’m not sure I could do it. I hate this. I grit my teeth so hard I might break them. “I frexing knew we were cutting things too close.”

“How were we to anticipate a stowaway climbing aboard?” Rok huffs.

“Why did Leva let that happen?” I rub my whiskers.

“Good question.” Rok heads over to a console and asks, “Leva, why did you allow the human female on our ship? And why didn’t you warn us?”

There’s a long pause, and then Rok reads her response. “Help.”

“Help?” I jerk my head in confusion. “Leva, what do you mean? Are you being hurt?” I ask in a panic, ready to charge into the medical bay and demand the human to stop harming our ship.

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