Page 67 of Ava Greasemonkey

“Oh? I take it by yourself?”

Vox ground out, “Yes.”

“Ah.” Iryl nodded and didn’t question further, just kept looking at Ava unnervingly. “Around your chest, is that . . . ?”

Ava held up the swirling container. “Yes, like we sent in our message. These are the biologics from the Phor engine. They. . . trust me and decided to come with.”

Iryl smiled wider. “Amazing. What a find.”

The way he was staring at her felt cold and impersonal, especially in contrast to the moment she and Vox had just shared. Was this how it was at first before she got to know the four Vorbax on the ship? So much had happened since then that she didn’t get that observed, clinical feeling from the four of them anymore.

Ava scooted closer to Vox, who put his arm around her. Iryl watched the movement, his grin growing wider.

“The mission will commence in a few hours. I trust the information regarding the location of the females is still accurate?” Rhutg questioned.

Iryl tore his eyes away from Ava to answer. “Yes. I broke one of the Tuxa delegation here last cycle just to double-check. He was high up in their chain so the knowledge was fresh and accurate.”

Rhutg nodded, at ease with that answer.

“After this is done, I will have more information about the Vorbax Quorum. It was a pleasure meeting you, Ava.” Iryl tilted his head.

Ava cleared her throat. “Likewise. Thank you for helping.”

Iryl shook his head. “A benefit like this to both our people is not an imposition.” The hologram turned to Rhutg after another small, brief smile at Ava. “I’ll leave you to get prepared. The time to launch is soon.”

Rhutg nodded and the hologram winked out, darkness reigning in the room until Ava’s eyes readjusted.

Ava felt jitters, reaching out for Vox’s hand in the dark. It would not be long now.

Chapter 24

Ava went through every item in her bag methodically. Vox sat next to her in the crew member room she initially claimed after the takeover. It was larger here than in her small engine room to spread out the items and take inventory. It was also near the navigation room in case Rhutg had any last-minute instructions. The cutters Ebel had made for her were stuffed into the pack, at the very top. Underneath rested the Tuxa’s phasers and a few other personal weapons that were found on the Tuxa. “I think I have everything,” Ava said in a small voice after she put the magnetic bracers in at the top.

Vox growled. “This plan . . . you should be kept safe, not risked like this. It goes against everything I feel in me.” He was restless, alternating between helping her pack one minute and pacing the floor the next.

Ava nuzzled into his side once he finally came to sit next to her. He was so warm. She felt chilled in the sterile room and pressed against him to soak up his body heat.

“We are running out of time, or I would take you like you need again,” Vox said, absently playing with her hair. He glowed briefly, letting Ava feel his mental state. She gasped when she felt the depth of his lust.

“That was cruel,” she said jokingly after he stopped.

“Hmm . . . we will have a lifetime to explore together once we are finished.”

Ava gave a small smile. A big part of her still believed that things would change once Vox found the woman they were rescuing. She didn’t want to think that way, but it was still present nonetheless.

She hefted the bag on her back, testing its weight. It was heavy, but not unbearably so. Luckily she was strong from all the years of manual labor, and she would not have a problem with its weight.

Vox sorted out some rations and added them to the top of her pack with some water, back to having a stiff posture and tight expression on his face.

They had already eaten in the mess hall, but Ava still ate some more from a small plate that sat helpfully nearby.

Vox, pacing again, went to the cabinet and brought out the thermal suit. Ava groaned; she almost forgot that was where she had stuffed it before. Yes, that suit. She’d been so hopeful she would never have to wear it again.

“I hate that suit,” she mumbled around a mouthful of food. Vox had gone up to the queen’s quarters and brought her down some of the better quality food from the synthesizers up there after the conference call ended. It was delicious but still hard for her to eat with how much anxiety swirled in her stomach.

Vox smirked. “I know. But we need to cloak you as much as possible. The com is tiny and shouldn’t raise any alarms as long as it is under the suit when you’re not using it.”

Ava put down the plate and pulled the suit over the clothing she wore, fastening it with care.

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