Page 157 of Return of the Nine

The next morning, she ran the request for flight instruction past Ziggy, and an hour later Derion was at her door smiling slightly.

“I am here to give you instruction in the pilot’s seat.”

She blinked. “Just like that?”

“Sure. I was pronounced clean by medical so there is no danger that I will go into mate madness. Would you like to get a morning meal?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Please. I wasn’t able to work out the dispenser. It baffled me.”

He chuckled. “Come with me.”

She followed him, wearing another of the stylish bodysuits and the long robe over it. She felt more centred today. It was strange but she felt at home.

The walk to the restaurant was quick and the servers were attentive as she picked a few items that Vida had recommended on the first day and entered them into the ordering unit.

When their server returned, he set her selections down in front of her as well as a large pot of tea.

Derion poured her cup of tea before his own and sat back to enjoy his own meal.

“So, your check in medical was fine?”

He inclined his head. “I was found to be within my rights as your assigned escort. Things can escalate quickly here, so my actions were deemed appropriate.”

She smiled and nodded. “Good.” She sipped at the tea and got on with her breakfast.

“Were you worried?”

“Well, your father has assigned you to me during the mission,so I was concerned that you would be detained.” She used the eating utensils with growing confidence to increase the speed of her consumption.

He chuckled. “I am sure they would have found you another partner and pilot for the event.”

“I have a hard time dealing with strangers, and spending a few days in a shuttle with someone I haven’t met is a tricky prospect.”

“You seemed fine when we met.”

“I was told you were arriving, I have met your parent, so your scent is familiar, and by the time I finished my workout, I was used to you.”

He paused and raised a brow. “You identify folk by scent?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Yes. The air got acrid when those other guys entered the hall yesterday and grew worse when they started eyeing me.”

Amazement covered Derion’s features. “You have surprised me yet again. Strength and enhanced senses. Congratulations.”

“Thank you again for the observation.” She finished her meal and sipped at her tea. “Why did you agree to act as my escort on the ship?”

He chuckled. “The Fury have a strict hierarchy. We are a military unit. We may fight amongst ourselves during off times, but we are deadly serious about following orders from our commanders.”

“Ah. Right. So, do you have much family aside from your father?”

He smiled and his blood-red features softened. “My mother and younger brother are still at home on Neecrad.”

Ianka sympathised. “Is it hard to be away from them?”

He inclined his head. “Duty called and we answered, but yes, we do miss them.”

Silence fell between them for a moment and she nodded. “Ican understand that.”

After their meal, he took her to a training centre where she was seated behind the controls, and he took the position next to her, explaining the controls and walking her through the preflight checks. By the end of the afternoon, she was hungry, her arms ached and she had managed to power up the simulator.

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