Page 30 of Alien Engineer's Mate

"The commercial sector can be confusing," he explained as they approached a junction, gesturing toward the statusdisplays. "But the environmental control readouts help track location. Green indicators mark public spaces."

Kyle perked up. "Like the ones you showed me yesterday?"

"Exactly." Maax smiled as the boy gravitated closer. "See how the pressure variance indicators all line up? That tells us we're approaching the garden level."

"Is that why the air feels different?" Leo asked, breaking his silence. The teenager's eyes tracked the readouts with the same sharp intelligence that Maax had noticed in his mother.

"Good observation." Maax kept his tone neutral. "The garden level maintains distinct atmospheric zones. Some areas mirror Earth conditions, and others support different species' requirements."

"That's amazing," Leo murmured, then caught himself and retreated to his earlier reserve. Maax bit back his smile. Leo was proud but also prickly, a male on the cusp of adulthood.

They passed through several environmental transition chambers, each adjusting temperature and humidity in subtle increments. Maax watched Eira's face as they emerged into the garden level proper, satisfaction flooding his chest at her sharp intake of breath and the wonder in her eyes.

"This… is beautiful," she breathed.

"Absolutely," he agreed, not looking away from her face.

The corridor opened into a soaring space dominated by massive transparent panels that revealed the star field beyond. Carefully maintained paths wound between beds of plants from a dozen worlds, their colors shifting under the artificial day cycle lighting. The restaurant occupied a privileged position in the dome's curve, its entrance flanked by the famous aquarium walls that had fascinated Emily since her first visit.

"Papa!" Emily tugged at his hand. "Can we show Grace the rainbow fish? The ones that change color when they swim?"

"The chromatic shoalers," he translated for Eira. "They're a species from the outer Latharian colonies. Their scales reflect light differently based on movement patterns."

"They're so pretty!" Grace pressed her face against the aquarium wall, her stuffed bear forgotten in her excitement. "Mama, look! That one's turning purple!"

The head waiter approached, his smile warming at the sight of Emily. "Lead Engineer, welcome back. Your table is ready."

"Thank you."

The waiter guided them to a curved booth positioned perfectly to view the aquariums and the star field. The seating presented a minor challenge—the children naturally wanted to cluster together, but he needed to ensure everyone could reach their plates. After some careful maneuvering, they settled with Emily and Grace in the middle, Kyle beside them, and Leo taking the end position where he could keep his siblings in sight.

"The kitchen can adjust any dish for human preferences," he told Eira as she studied the menu's floating display. "Though I recommend the galactic fusion selections?—"

A gasp from the children interrupted him. The restaurant's lighting had shifted to the evening cycle, making the star field beyond the dome more visible. At the same time, bioluminescent plants throughout the garden level began their evening display, creating rivers of soft light between the planters.

"It's like the mining lift lights," Kyle breathed, "but prettier."

Eira's hand found his under the table, squeezing his fingers. "Thank you," she whispered. "For bringing us here. For..." She gestured with her free hand at their children's wonder-struck faces. "For all of this."

His chest tightened as he watched Emily lean close to Grace, pointing out her favorite fish. Both girls had their faces pressed to the aquarium wall again, their earlier shyness forgotten inshared excitement. Even Leo had relaxed his guard a little, drawn in by the technical details of the environmental systems.

He squeezed Eira's hand, savoring the way she didn't pull away.

They fit. All of them, together. Like components of a perfectly calibrated system.

Eira couldn't stop stealingglances at Maax across the table. The restaurant's soft lighting caught on his features, highlighting the sharp planes of his face and the intricate braids woven through his dark hair. Each braid ended in a small bead; combat honors, she remembered reading. He had more than any other warrior she'd seen on the station.

The spectacular view beyond the dome's transparent panels couldn't compete with the sight of him explaining the menu to Kyle, patient as he described each dish. His leather jacket gaped open as he leaned forward, revealing carved muscle that made her mouth go dry. She forced herself to look back at her own menu, heat creeping up her neck.

"Why aren't you wearing a shirt?"

Kyle's innocent question made Eira choke on her water. "Kyle! You can't just ask?—"

But Maax's rich laugh cut her off. "It's fine," he said, golden eyes crinkling at the corners. This close, she could see a thin ring of blue around his vertical pupils. "It's a natural question."

"Is it because you're hot?" Grace piped up, distracted from the fish for a moment.

"No, little one." Maax settled back, his expression shifting into what Eira was starting to recognize as his storytelling face."It's a very old tradition, from long ago when we fought some very bad people called the Tanel."

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