“Based on the coordinates you transferred, we’ll arrive at your planet in a score of hours.”
Less than a day. That is fast. Cyprian nodded. He was eager to get Riley home.
“I didn’t coerce Riley into setting the charges. It was the opposite. She has a way of twisting things,” Aculus commented, breaking the silence.
“I’m not surprised.”
“Last night, she threatened to have the guard escort me out of her room, if I didn’t go along with her plan,” Aculus grumbled.
“She’s stubborn.” Cyprian smiled as he looked down at Riley. “Do you know how she got away from Mave?”
“Riley said that after you were apprehended she convinced the Overseer to take possession of her. She knew the greedy Overseer would jump on the opportunity to make more credits off her. She even managed to get her own private room last night,” Aculus explained.
“She is brilliant. You are brilliant,” Cyprian repeated as he stroked Riley’s dark hair. He hoped she heard them talking. “I am proud of the way you got free of Mave,” he whispered close to her ear.
“And possibly dangerous,” Aculus chuckled. “Who would suspect a tiny creature like her? Riley would quickly be welcomed by the matrons back home. She is as fierce and cunning as any Osivoire female, and that’s without the armor to back her up.”
“I doubt either of us would’ve been as successful as she was today.”
Cyprian didn’t want Riley in harm’s way, but he wouldn’t denigrate her success. Riley was just as fierce as the warriors he’d served with, perhaps more so.
“On that we agree.”
“So, your females are aggressive?” Cyprian inquired, changing the subject.
“No more than the males. They have skills and wisdom we do not, and vice versa. They are just as successful on missions. What of your females?”
“I think Cadi females are a bit more subdued compared to yours. But they have their ways, which complement the males. Riley is probably more like your people. Most of the human females I’ve met are spirited. It’s a shocking contrast to their soft, feminine exterior,” Cyprian replied with a smile.
“My missions put me into contact with many species, and I’ve enjoyed meeting females in all forms.” Aculus grinned.
“I’m guessing you’re not mated,” Cyprian laughed.
The general appreciated the casual banter. It cut through some of the somberness.
“How did you guess?”
“I’m not Cadi’s High General for nothing.” Cyprian tapped his forehead. He then eyed the bony warrior. “Don’t get any ideas about Riley.”
“It will be her choice,” Aculus said.
Cyprian nodded. It would be Riley’s choice, although, now, that was the least of his concerns. Cyprian would give anything to see her smiling up at him. But he’d welcome her sarcastic anger with equal joy.
The general fished through the satchel he retrieved from the Overseer’s office, looking for his flask of water. He wondered if Riley would be able to take a sip in her present condition.
“Son of a metcor,” Cyprian exclaimed, when his hand met something furry that shouldn’t have been in the bag.
He retracted his hand and peered into his bag. At the bottom, tangled in the remnant of Riley’s panties, was a trembling ball of red fluff.
“What is it?” Aculus asked.
“I don’t know. It’s a stowaway.” Cyprian gingerly reached in and lifted the critter out.
“It’s a cor, vermin.” Aculus wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Is that the only one?”
“Yeah.”
The bizarre little creature snuffled hard as Cyprian held it by a clump of its fiery red fur. He couldn’t make out a nose, eyes, or limbs of any kind, just fur.
“Good. They can breed by the hundreds if you have a pair.”
The thing split open, exposing a giant mouth for something so small. It nipped at Cyprian with its pin teeth, and he dropped it on the floor.
“Shit. Sorry. It’s nothing but a mouth with fur,” Cyprian exclaimed, feeling slightly shocked by the unexpected weird creature.
“Catch it,” Aculus insisted.
Instead of scurrying to the nearest crevice, the ball of fluff swiftly rolled up Cyprian’s leg and onto Riley’s lap. It squirmed itself beneath Riley’s hand, and started making a tiny rumbling noise, as if it belonged there.
Cyprian reached down to remove the vermin, then paused when he noticed Riley’s finger moving ever so slightly against the vibrating furball. Something told Cyprian the little creature had burrowed into his bag not because of the food, but because it recognized Riley’s scent on the scrap of clothing he kept.