Page 51 of Saved By the Servali

“That’s what it looked like on the monitor,” Ardol’s lazy voice drawled.

“And from here on the observation deck, where I was standing. I saw the whole thing,” Talos said in a grim growl. “Not to mention, I saw how that shuttle malfunctioned at the last second and we had to resort to emergency deployment of the bay doors and the airlock. Didyousee that, Ardol?”

“I sure did. We’ll have to pay the insurance deductible on that, but really, it was their fault for having such faulty mechanisms—causing the entire thing to flare up inside. Horrific. In fact, I’m not sure that it didn’t send some paneling loose, cutting two of our crew members in the process.”

“That’s probably it,” John Kinney said, straightening up and walking toward the crew of theComet Stalkerthat were now crowding into the room.

“It was a miracle that these two pulled you free in time, sir,” Rupex said in a voice that ended the discussion. “With only seconds to spare, Kamau Oji and Nessa Kinney managed to free you and jettison the craft before the interior of my ship caught fire. And that is what I shall say in my captain’s log—and that is final. Agreed?”

Kamau wiped his eyes, then winced. “Captain?”

Rupex leaned over to him and hissed in his ear, voice a low snarl that was inaudible to the others. “Merton Barry is missing. He will now remain missing—and his role in aiding these trafficking scum will end. He was a coward who ran and hid. He attacked my crew—your Queen. Would you rather have the honor of dispatching him known—and accompanied by a lengthy investigation—or would you like this honor to remain private?”

Kamau licked his lips. In any circumstance in the world—he would have killed for Nessa. Proudly. But he would also like the tumultuous period of Nessa’s life to come to an end—peacefully. If he was exposed, her role might also be.

“Your plan is the best, Captain. Please write the log as you say. You can also leave Nessa’s role in this out of the official log if you would like,” Kamau answered, voice so low that he was sure only finely tuned Felid ears would catch it.

“The hell he can!” Nessa’s voice exploded into the conversation, making everyone take a step back. “No, you will not leave me out, sir. Please.”

“As you wish,” Rupex said, paws spread. “Maybe there is a way I could amend things—in this very particular instance.”

“Yes. When you write about what happened tonight—about Kamau rushing in to save the new member of the crew and herfather...” Nessa turned to look at him. Blood stained her cheek and her arm and sleeve. Her eyes were wide and bright, glossy with unshed tears, but her smile was intact, shining broad and steady.

His heart started to pound.This is it. She’ll say she loves me now. In front of everyone!

“When you write about that, you need to change one thing.”

“What is that?” Rupex asked, head cocked. The rest of the crew was silent, watching the exchange. Nessa’s father was silent, too, but he didn’t look puzzled. He looked as if he knew whatever was coming was meant to be.

“You have to write ESM Tech Nessa Kinney-Oji—and as Captain of the ship, you’re going to have to make that happen between now and when you sit down to type up your report.”

Kamau swallowed. Maybe he was woozy from stress and blood loss. Kinney-Oji? His name and hers? “Nessa?” he whispered.

“You said the proposal counted whenever I was ready. I’m ready. My dad is here. My old life is—verymuch behind me. I want to start a new life with you, whatever it throws at us.”

“Ahem. Would the bride and groom care to get cleaned up and stitched up while you call the groom’s parents?” Marcus coughed.

“We’ve got built-in bridesmaids and groomsmen!” Ardol rubbed his paws.

“The welcome feast can double as a wedding supper,” Kamau said slowly. He looked down. His paws were miraculously still touching the ground. “I will get my father and uncle to alert my home Pride and get everyone on the comms. If that is okay with you, Mr. Kinney?”

Mr. Kinney blinked. “That’s fine, but I’m going to echo my daughter. In a couple of hours—there’d better be a name change!”

Oh, Bastet. Is this his old age speaking? Or does he want us to dissolve our union right away, sort of a token acceptance? Are all humans so confusing?“Why?” he finally asked as he and Nessa were herded down the hall.

“Because any man who can —uh— put out a shuttle fire like that and save my baby girl gets to call me dad.”

“Oh. Oh, that’s a wonderful reason,” Kamau said, sagging in relief.

“All right. That’s the blood loss hitting your knees, Kam. I’ll patch you up while we throw together the galaxy’s quickest wedding.” Marcus snagged his forearm and marched him to the elevator.

I DON’T KNOW HOW IThappened.

Nessa swept up the crimson and steel walkway of A Deck in a white dress, following the five females she’d chosen to be her bridesmaids—Layla, Wendy, Jade, Lycen, and Skyla. Abigail and Kaylie sat in chairs off to the side, waving red silk scarves (a Servali custom, Kamau had said).

Kamau waited for her, beaming, his purr practically making him vibrate off his feet as he stood in his dress uniform, supported by Marcus, his best man (a human custom, she’d informed him). Jaxson, Ardol, Talos, Dax, and Elio stood in a neat row beside him, their backs pressed to the wall of the idlingComet Stalker.

Walking down the aisle on my father’s arm. A handsome hero in uniform waiting for me.Smiles. Music. Loud Servali cheering and happy weeping blasted from the screens set up behind Rupex.

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