It didn't take long before they were tangled up together, exchanging languid kisses and caresses as their passion slowly built. Lana was making her way down the rock-solid muscles of her boyfriend's chest and abs to free him of his swimming suit when Ali's voice abruptly appeared from nowhere, startling her so much she jumped and accidentally kneed him in an unfortunate place.
“Sorry to interrupt, but the Captain's called a meeting in ten minutes.”
Dax seemed just as surprised by the companion's voice as Lana was, although the knee to the groin probably had a lot to do with that. “This is a private immersion, Ali,” he growled through gritted teeth as he curled up around himself in pain. “What makes you think intruding like this is okay?”
“I've merely injected my voice into the simulation, your privacy hasn't been breached. Also, may I point out this is the first time you've voiced a complaint about being interrupted in full immersion?”
“We'll be there, now go away!” Lana snapped, while she rubbed her boyfriend's back soothingly in anxious remorse.
The young man cursed under his breath and snapped the command to disable all physical sensations for himself, immediately relaxing and regaining his usual calm reserve. “Too bad we can't do that in real life,” he told her, sitting up. “Would've been useful a time or two. Sorry about this.”
She couldn't help but laugh as she hugged him, even though he couldn't feel it. “I'm the one who accidentally kicked you somewhere I'm informed guys really don't want to be hit. I'm so sorry.”
“That's okay, she surprised both of us.” He looked slightly frustrated, as well as confused. “I guess I was apologizing to myself as much as you, that this moment was ruined when it was so perfect.”
Lana's eyes softened and she gently rested a hand on his chest, wishing he could feel it. “We'll have plenty more chances,” she promised.
They disconnected from the full immersion hookups, the bright, vibrant beach replaced by the drab metal and composite surfaces of the ship's lounge. Lana paused just long enough to give Dax a lingering hug and press her lips to his, a promise they'd pick up where they'd left off as soon as possible. Then they made for the bridge together.
The rest of the crew was already assembled, including Fix, standing against one wall out of the way, all six and a half feet and three hundred pounds of hulking combat android unnervingly still and silent, waiting for whatever orders the captain had for it. Even Belix was there, seated on the right end of the semicircle next to her twin.
Of the six crew workstations on the bridge, five were currently assigned, with only the one between Aiden's and Barix's empty. Personally, Lana dreaded the prospect of being assigned that station and having to sit next to the odious Ishivi. And, lately, to be honest she wasn't how thrilled she'd be sitting next to the captain, either.
She much preferred her portable terminal, pulled up next to the left side of Dax's workstation. Although come to think of it, maybe she could ask Ali, who currently sat between her boyfriend and Aiden, if she'd be willing to give her that spot; she doubted the adult companion would mind.
As Lana and Dax settled into their seats, the captain gave them a curt nod and stood from his station, moving to stand in the middle of the room. That also put him directly in the center of the main display, the holographic sphere beginning at his shins and continuing well over his head. It dimmed so he was more visible, making it seem as if he was a giant specter hovering amidst the void the ship floated in, far from any star.
The tall, handsome man cleared his throat, even though he already had everyone's attention. “To begin with, Ali and I have spent a considerable amount of time researching Iglis galaxy, especially going over potential destinations. We've settled on this one as our first stop.”
The display obligingly changed around him to an image of the galaxy they were traveling towards. Aiden pointed to a system near the edge, and the display zoomed in to show a common yellow dwarf star circled by five planets, with information about the system and its history scrolling around the edges of the display.
“Ceras system,” he said. “One high population colony, two spaceports.”
Barix cleared his throat in a stodgy mockery of the captain. “That sounds awfully legitimate for our tastes.”
Aiden frowned. “New galaxy where nobody's hunting for us, and a thorough work over of our ship's profile and IFF transponder. We're going in as innocent looking as we can make ourselves, which means we won't be frequenting the usual scummy hives of criminal mischief. From now on, we've got a clean slate.”
The slight man snickered, glancing at Lana. “In stark contrast to our own Slate, who's been rather dirty lately.”
She felt her face heating. “That's none of your business.”
Before Barix could reply with whatever snarky comment he'd no doubt already prepared, Dax spoke up. Calm and disciplined as always, but with a definite note of warning in his tone. “No, it isn't,” he agreed. “And it's not going to be a topic of conversation for you, is that clear?”
The Ishivi opened his mouth, obviously not intimidated, but before he could reply Belix leaned over from her workstation and gave him a firm kick in the shin, along with a warning glare. Barix hesitated, looking around at the crew all glaring at him, then leaned back sulkily. “The ayes have it, apparently,” he grumbled. “My lips are sealed.” Then, because he was himself, he continued under his breath in a voice clearly meant to be
