Page 51 of Ava Greasemonkey

Vox tilted his head, “Fireflies? We call them luras.”

“We had something similar back on Earth, where Humans originally came from. It was in the logs.”

The thought of a young Vox made Ava smile. She pictured him as the same, only miniature. “I saw pictures of your planet before on the feed when you first came on board. It looked beautiful.”

“It is, Ava,” Vox replied. “One day I will make sure you see it. The planet you originate from seems to be similar, even with our insects it seems. Its not surprising, seeing as there are many similarities between us.”

Ava smiled. “I would like to see it.” She meant it. They stood watching the biologics for a minute while questions gnawed at Ava.Who else is he? Beyond coming here on this rescue mission?

“What do you do normally, at home? You know . . . before all this?” Ava waved her hand at the ship.

Vox smiled in remembrance, looking at the biologics. “We farm. At my home I have a few flocks of birds that I take care of that lay eggs. There is a pond nearby that has a layer of bayva, a type of grain, that grows well on top. I like to cook with that and the eggs that come from the birds. It is a peaceful life. Beyond this . . . rescuing excitement . . . I long to go back to that. I am a simple man.”

Ava sighed in yearning. She’d never longed to be somewhere more than now, hearing Vox describe his home. “Do you live there alone?”

Vox nodded. “For now. Erox lives nearby. Our properties back into each other to share the lake. Our mother has a cottage on these lands with our youngest sister. Our father died defending the city in the first Tuxa wave. He taught us how to protect, how to live.” He pushed himself off the biologics tank, shaking his head, and hummed.

Ava sighed. “It sounds like a dream.”

Vox nodded. “I spoke with Nuor about taking you there after we send the transport pods off. She was in agreement. It would be the safest place for you, and you could start to become one with our people.”

Ava inwardly bristled at Vox making plans for her without talking about it like she asked. She didn’t let it show though, her own plans already firm in her mind.

Instead she smiled widely at him. She really would like to go there. One day, she would like all Humans to be able to go there, since their native planet was now uninhabitable.

Vox moved up behind her and gently laid a hand on her shoulder. “I will come find you there, amongst the sweetened bayva fields.”

Ava flushed, feeling touched at his implication of being there with him, together. “I would like that. A lot.” She let the thought hang before continuing, “Would your kind ever help find more Humans? My family? Our entire species is like yours, not meant for living in space.”

His eyes focused on hers, but his posture remained stiff. “I wish I could say yes, but we are stretched thin in protecting our own females. We cannot take risks to start another war, despite your . . . attributes. We do not wish to be offensive, but we fight only when we have to.”

Ava’s stomach sank. This was why she needed to bargain and offer something worthwhile. Charity would only help herself. She needed them as an ally, not as just a personal savior.

Vox would have to see Humans in a different light from the females he was used to. Humans could fight back in their own way. Ava put her hand over his while thinking. He didn’t move away as they both pressed their fingers against the biologics tank. Humans weren’t just victims. Didn’t she already prove her worth to the Phor here on the ship?

It was sweet that he was trying to take care of her, and she worried he might not want to after she stopped being a fragile doll and took initiative. Would he still care for her then?

She looked at his face gazing back at her, handsome and exotic. Vox and the others were confident in their next steps, but it occurred to her that she would ache for him if he was gone. He was going into a battle. If anything happened . . . she would miss him . . . a lot.

Impulsively, she leaned forward. Vox straightened and stiffened at her movement. Ava had to stand on her tip toes to reach and angled his head down with her hands. She didn’t stopand gently kissed his forehead right below the small smattering of vestigial scales that gave way to his normal skin texture by his eyes.

Vox lit up with the action, flashing a bright blue that went away as quickly as it started. He gripped her upper arms and looked into her eyes.

Ava flushed red, already feeling embarrassed.

“What was that action, Ava?” Lirell asked. Ava had forgotten he was even there.

“Ah . . .” Ava started to reply.

“It was a kiss,” Vox answered, staring at her in wonder. “Humans do that to show affection.” At Ava’s quizzical look, he elaborated, “I have been reading the Phor’s logs.”

“Oh, is that like the hug she gave me earlier?” Lirell asked.

Vox flushed again, purple in intensity this time, and a growl came from him, along with a piercing glance toward Lirell.

Ava rushed to explain, “Hugs are more for friends. A kiss is something different.”

Lirell looked at Vox and Ava. “Something different . . .”

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