Page 10 of Alien's Love Child

"This isn't the military."

"No, but the principle's the same. I'm not here to step on anyone's toes. Just looking to contribute where I can."

Taluk's jaw works as he considers this. "Yeah? And what exactly can you contribute that I don't already handle?"

"Experience, maybe. Different perspective. But I'm not trying to take your place – seems to me you've carved out your own niche here."

His scales shift color slightly – a sign of lessening hostility. "Well... just don't get in my way."

Paraxan approaches with two steaming bowls, setting them before Rena and me. The aroma hits my nose – some kind of stew, rich with spices I can't identify.

"This is incredible," I say after the first spoonful, carefully avoiding mentioning the fur floating on top.

"Told you." Rena picks out a particularly long strand of fur. "Paraxan's got magic in the kitchen, once you master the art of selective blindness."

Paraxan's chest puffs with pride. "Old family recipe. Passed down generations."

"Along with the fur?" Taluk mutters, but there's a hint of affection in his voice.

The mess hall door slides open with a hiss, and a lanky human stumbles in, his blonde hair disheveled. My target. The bounty I've been hunting. Right here, walking into breakfast like it's just another morning.

"Please tell me there's caffeine somewhere on this rust bucket," he mumbles, adjusting his glasses.

Rena's spoon clatters against her bowl. "Oh! Davin, this is…uh…Xevran, our ship's doctor."

Taluk's scales flush a deeper red. "Yeah, doc's been with us for... a while now."

I take another spoonful of stew, keeping my expression neutral. "Ship's doctor? Must run into some interesting situations to need one on staff."

"I work for food," Xander says quickly, his fingers drumming against his thigh. "Small ships can't usually afford medical care. I fill a need."

Paraxan slides a bowl across the table. Xander's nose wrinkles as he picks out a clump of fur.

"That's... generous of you," I say, watching him prod at his breakfast. "Most doctors I've met prefer actual cash."

"Well, I'm not most doctors." He snatches up a spoon, his knuckles white around the handle.

"Clearly." I lean back, cataloging every nervous tic, every darting glance. "What's your specialty?"

Rena jumps in before he can answer. "General practice. Jack of all trades, you know how it is on small ships."

"Right." I smile, showing teeth. "Always good to have someone who can handle... anything that comes up."

Xander's spoon scrapes against the bowl as he stands. "I should get back to my... patients."

"We have patients?" Taluk asks, earning an elbow from Rena.

"The inventory," Xander corrects, already backing toward the door. "Medical inventory. Very important. Excuse me."

The door whooshes shut behind him, leaving an awkward silence in his wake.

"Interesting doctor you've got there," I say, finishing my stew.

Rena clears her throat. "So anyway, about that maintenance schedule?—"

The door slides open with a soft hiss. Jesse stumbles in, her red hair a wild nest around her face. She yawns, stretching her arms above her head.

Military instinct takes over. I snap to attention, my spine straightening as I rise from my seat. "Captain."

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