Page 40 of Ava Stargazer

“Yes, center.”Vox focused his mind.

The one Vox was focusing on saw his form holding Ava, and he heard the Tuxa make the connection that it was him carrying her, as well as their desire to find out more about her. “I can't stand them thinking of her.” His fists clenched in rage.

Iryl flashed him a glance.“Surface level only, Vox. We cannot let them know we can see anything. Don’t get stupid.”

“Right.”It went against his nature to pull back mentally, but he did. Instead, Vox flushed a deep purple and physically leaned forward, arms crossed, to speak with the Tuxa directly. “Iryl let us know you had questions regarding this female, and us on your planet. We came here to answer you simply. She is one of ours, just like the others you have tried to take in the past.”

The Tuxa began to talk, the one in front with a purple armband taking the lead. “She looks different from the ones we had before. We do not trust your words. We know that she did not originate from your world.”

“That is true. However, she is compatible with us, and we will be joining with her.”

The Tuxa in the front spoke in a guttural voice. “Others may disagree.”

Vox’s voice came out like a whip crack. “Like who?”

“Blood traces and hair were left that we analyzed. Others may want them if they are breedable. Her DNA scans indicated Humans are not bound by any laws of sentience and are able to be owned.”

Vox’s lip curled.I’ll kill you myself.It took everything in Vox to not break the Tuxa and make him gut himself, slowly, right there in the middle of the room. He closed his eyes, and his hands clenched at his side. He disconnected a moment, needing to take a step back to not do something he would regret.

Rhutg took it into his own hands as Vox took a deep, steadying breath. “She is one of ours, a different kind. We are the ones who were on your planet before, and we have a message.”

The Tuxa leaned forward again. “What gave you the authority to just claim them? These Humans?”

Vox had a feral look on his face as he snarled, “The Humans are ours. You tell your puny brethren if they so much as try tomess with us or any that look like that female on the feed again, we will force your own hands to destroy your planet while we watch. There will be no mercy.”

The Tuxa spat back. “There will be none for you either.”

Iryl sighed.“That was not subtle.”

“Good.” Rhutg's lip curled.

The tiny Decata squeaked in dismay, pulling down on his long ears.

But Vox could not soften, and he ignored the Decata’s frustration and fear of not making progress. They were innocent bystanders in all of this. In fact, they were gentle creatures. At another time, they could have become friends like the Spry.

Vox scanned them idly; he’d been so fixated on the Tuxa he almost forgot about them.“Their thoughts are not surprised about seeing Ava. A Human.”He posed to the others,“Were they already aware of Humans as well?”

Iryl responded,“Maybe they got over their shock at the initial meeting. They’re pretty freaked about what is happening right now.”

Vox let it drop. As species went, the Decata were harmless.

He turned his gaze to the Tuxa. Nothing more needed to be said. Vox could feel that his words had hit their mark. With one last glare at the Tuxa, and a planted thought amplifying their fear, Vox turned and exited the room with the others.

But their resistance and questioning still made him worry.“We need to head to Cipra when we get back. Find what we can before these Tuxa get more curious.”

Rhutg echoed his agreement.

“Ah, Ava. I’m so happy to see you. I’ve worried. It is so good to see your smiling face, my friend. You look well.” Nuor’s voice trilled, melodic over the video feed, her large aqua eyes sparkling with life, her feathers vibrant.

Ava was connecting to Nuor in the engine hall, having been woken up—very early—with a response to her message. Ava answered immediately, despite her tiredness, in case she missed her chance. She only saw Nuor’s two-dimensional face, instead of a hologram, since she didn’t want to have a private talk like this that could be overheard in navigation while construction was still ongoing.

A wide smile came across Ava’s face at seeing her friend, unharmed and whole. “Oh Nuor. Nuor! I’m so happy. I missed ... I missed you so much.” Her spirit felt so light at seeing her first, true friend in front of her again.

Nuor’s aqua eyes fixed on her in concern. “Ah, your eyes are leaking. Oh my, oh my. Everything is okay, Ava. I was so relieved to get your message.”

Ava hurriedly wiped her eyes, her voice thick. More tears came. “I didn’t know what I was doing with the messaging. I’m so glad it got to you.”

“Yes, you did well. It helped that your ship has an official status now, so when you messaged our receiver put the communication through as a priority. You are on Xai now? Did you ... did getting the women happen? Is Vox ... ?”

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