Page 48 of Saved By the Servali

“THAT WAS THE FINALlecture. There are already over five hundred Leonid Knights and widowed Kings emailing the immunology and fertility departments about finding a surrogate Queen, or even a bride,” Marcus wearily sank into a chair in the med bay.

“Kamau’s idea of turning this into a floating consultation and clinic is a very good one,” Rupex said on the screen. “We may only be able to help a dozen couples at a time, but that’s more than most can offer. With Dr. Weaver helping the Lynxian System... This is truly a hopeful time. Well done, Marcus.”

The doctor shrugged. “I’m not in it for the praise, but thank you, Ru. But that’s all speculation. Back to the matter at hand—our next human guest!”

Rupex nodded. “We’re detaching and heading to upper atmo now that you’re aboard. We’ll be right on time to meet Nessa’s father’s shuttle.”

“The shuttle’s clearances are all in order, and it’s on a perfect trajectory. Solo sleeper capsule jettisoned from a Sapien-Three mass transporter launched from the MWIP nine days ago. Registry and security checks are in perfect order,” Talos spoke from his office, a look of deep satisfaction on his normally immobile face.

Nessa looked at her new personal computer and took a deep breath. She had not seen her father in person in a year and a half. She couldn’t wait to feel his strong arms around her, to revel in that unique smell of sweaters and savory, spicy cologne that always seemed to surround him. “Thank you all so much for having him. I’ll move down to the bay to meet him—and stop glaring at me, Ardol. I know to wait until the space-side doors are closed and the air-lock is fully sealed before entering the bay, jeez.”

“Blame a guy for being careful of a Queen who could kick his ass,” Ardol mumbled, and everyone laughed.

Nessa smiled, but the laughter wasn’t there—yet. A cold knot settled in her belly. She wanted Kamau to be with her to welcome her dad. She wanted something she couldn’t name—a moment that she’d never had but always dreamed of.

When everything turns out okay. It has to be this moment. And then, I’ll turn to Kamau and—

“Marcus?” Kamau’s voice broke into her thoughts. “He should be waking up naturally now, right?” The hypersleep protocol has passengers fully functional upon arrival if done correctly?”

“Absolutely. He should have woken up a few hours ago to the sound of the in-flight instructions and reminders about his course and destination. If this were a Leonid shuttle, I couldprobably pull up his vitals from a compatible computer. Talos, you’ll need to see if you can get some communicating software patches if we’re going to have more Sapien System guests.”

Talos nodded, gruff voice thoughtful. “Absolutely. There are probably a lot of things we need to discuss about security, Rupex. Legitimate surrogacy is an excellent option, but this may also increase the rise in trafficking.”

Marcus shook his head. “They won’t have access to the drugs they need to force human females into surrogacy—and that’s one reason I intend to limit the number of doctors and hospitals who have access to the treatment. I want to help Felid families and rebuild our population, but there’s too great a potential for misuse.”

The discussion had veered from celebration to seriousness quickly. Nessa sighed and shut off her personal computer, the small device (well, small for Felids) that she would normally wear on her forearm. The new Felid model she had received was too large for that, so she carried it tucked under her arm and hurried to the designated shuttle bay.

The doors were already opening, and a sputtering green light at the back of a squat capsule was fading, indicating it was almost ready to land. She held her breath, as she always did when watching shuttles arrive. There was always a morbid fear that the lights would go out too soon, that the shuttle would stall, or worse, free-fall.

But it didn’t. It banked slightly, entered smoothly, and the flames extinguished right on top with a gentle sputter. The relief that filled her morphed into that resurgence of joy.

Daddy! He’s here.

He’s safe.Safe.

Maybe that was the fairytale ending she was in need of—not just the damsel getting saved and finding her devoted, loving knight. The damsel’s family had to be safe, too.

She smiled, a wry smile she was glad no one else was there to see.I would have punched you in the face if you said I was ever a damsel in distress—but I’m okay with it.Thisdamsel saves other damsels, and she’s ready to have a partner in doing the saving.

She put her personal computer to the side as the bay doors shut. Ardol was probably watching the bay from his office nearby in his official capacity as freight coordinator, but he couldn’t see her face or the sudden happy tears streaming down it.

With a hiss, the airlock shut. An answering whoosh and rush of compressed air filled the bay, repressurizing it and ensuring there was plenty of air for the occupants who would emerge from the craft.

The second the red safety light turned green, she slammed her palm against the panel on the wall, opening the bay doors and throwing herself through them. “Daddy! Daddy, it’s me!”

The small capsule’s door slid open, and she heard her father’s cheerful voice. “Nessa! Give me a minute. My legs ain’t awake yet! The rest of me is, but not them.”

She laughed and sprang into the small capsule. “At least you’re out of hypersleep okay! Are you cramped or just—”

Her words stopped abruptly as she caught sight of her father.

He was awake, sitting in the small, well-padded chair in front of the hypersleep chamber.

And Merton was sitting in the chair next to him, an affectionate hand on her father’s shoulder—and a small, compact-looking knife tucked against the side of his leg, half-hidden in his other hand.

“Nessa, sweetheart. Come in and join us!”

“MERTON.” SHE DIDN’Tmove.

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