Page 119 of Return of the Nine

Deniir nodded with a smile. “As long as it doesn’t involve fire suppression, I will help where I can.”

She snorted. “I don’t think fire suppression will be needed, but there may be some propulsion required.”

He chuckled and inclined his head. “May I add that you look lovely this evening. That gown suits you.”

“Thank you. The ways of buying clothing amongst the Nine are peculiar, but I am sure I will adapt. Dinner is wonderful by the way.”

Darthuun blushed and his feathers fluffed up. “Thank you. Your compliment is well received.”

She sipped some of her beverage and nibbled on a few more morsels from her plate. It was a good meal, but then, any meal she didn’t have to make for herself counted in the plus column.

She asked Deniir, “How is it that your wing can be used as a weapon? It looks so soft.”

Darthuun looked at his son, “Yes, how are they used as weapons?”

“Well, there are tendon struts that stiffen when we need to defend our... friends or family. We can spike an opponent to the wall, using the tip of the wing as a stabbing weapon and the flexibility inherent in the rest of the wing makes it a multi-directional weapon.”

“Ah, that would explain it.” She smiled, and she placed her eating prongs carefully on the edge of the plate. A yawn was inside her, trying to get out. She blinked furiously trying to stay awake.

Deniir suddenly noticed. “You are tired. I am so sorry. I am a horrible host. Please, get some rest.”

“Is it all right? I mean, I could help with dishes.”

“Go and rest. Tomorrow, we intend to work you until you fall asleep at your workstation.” He winked at her and inclined his head.

She rose to her feet. “Thank you for a lovely meal and interesting conversation, Darthuun, Deniir. I am going to do some homework and then get some rest.”

Ula slipped past them and headed for her room with the data pad in her hand. She had some research on the bonding of the People of the Light to do. Finding out that mates shared a mind across distances was something that scared her. No wonder Darthuun was so calm at leaving his wife. They were still inseparable.

Ula rubbed her forehead. She didn’t feel different, but then, she hadn’t felt first contact with Deniir either.

She shook her head and made notes on a gene tracker coupled with a Tokkel tracer. If she could find the parts, she might be able to locate the retreating Tokkel who might still have some Gaians on board. It had been years, but there was still a chance that there were marks in space that would allow the lost to be found. It was so thin a chance as to be ephemeral, but she had to take it.

Ula was going to make a tracking beacon, and if there were any of her people out in space, she would know. She would finally know.

Chapter Seven

The purple bodysuit fit her faithfully, and Deniir’s wings were up and out as they walked to the R and D department.

“Is the suit too much?” She was getting more than what she would consider normal attention.

Deniir cleared his throat. “No. You look amazing. It is just very... fitted.”

“Well, I normally wear leather, but I get the feeling that it would mark me as a bit of a barbarian up here.” She chortled.

After breakfast with Darthuun, they had begun their commute while the master engineer did the dishes.

“I like your tool belt.” Deniir grinned.

Her belt was wrought with woven strips of various leathers and metals. She considered it her emergency designing supply. Her basic tools rode on her hips and rocked as she took every step.

“Thanks. It was a gift from my friends before I moved.” She tapped it with her fingers.

“Why do you live so far from your people?”

She rubbed the back of her neck. “I had a disagreement with the administration about the direction of my creations, so I simply removed myself from their influence.”

“I sense there is a story behind that.”

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