The Last Stand, or the Capitulation she supposed, was only there to refuel and take on supplies. Ali must've marked their ship as modestly wealthy, because they'd been directed to dock nearer the top of the spindle than the middle. Not in the priciest, high class areas, according to Dax, but certainly in the more upscale area where Ishivi wouldn't get a second look.
Once the docking clamps had hold of them, Aiden ordered Fix to guard the ship in their absence over the comms, then briskly stood and led the way to the forward airlock. Lana grabbed Dax's hand and hurriedly followed, eager to get off the ship and see another station; this would be only the third place away from the Last Stand she'd visited in her entire short life since waking up as a Blank Slate.
But at the airlock, rather than leading the way through the captain suddenly paused and turned to them, expression serious. “I probably don't have to tell you this,” he began, “but a good captain trusts his people know what they need to, and still tells them anyway.”
Belix rolled her eyes. “Here we go . . . space tourism for dummies, courtesy of our fearless leader.”
Aiden ignored her. “In the usual scummy spaceports we frequent, part of blending in is making it clear we can defend ourselves if we're messed with. Here, where weapons are outlawed and security is tight, defending ourselves is assumed to not be an issue, so if we act more dangerous than your average freighter crew we will stand out.”
Lana jumped slightly as he turned to her. “Lana, you just keep being your usual wide eyed, innocent self and you'll do fine.” He paused. “Although we should probably address your lack of a past, even if it probably won't come up. We need to at least give you a last name.”
She shifted uncomfortably. She hadn't really given much thought to what her last name should be, even though she probably should've. Maybe because it didn't seem significant, since she didn't know who her parents or any other family were. Assuming she had any.
Now that she was on the spot, her mind was completely blank of any ideas for one. “Can I, um, use Dax's last name?”
Belix snickered. “Only been together a month, and you're already ringing the wedding bells?”
Lana felt her face flush. “Whether we are or not, why not use his name?”
“Because Constructs don't have last names, for one,” Barix said, not quite mockingly. “Unless we wanted to pick out something for the gunner while we're at it?”
“Unnecessary and counterproductive,” Dax said, tone surprisingly curt. Maybe because either of the last names he could claim, Ishiv or Thorne, would mean being officially recognized by parents who refused to do just that.
Lana looked around. She couldn't pick either of those last names either, since the Ishivs wouldn't consider her worthy of their name, and Belix's taunts about weddings made her feel awkward about even considering using Aiden's. And her mind was still drawing a blank.
But like he had with her first name, the captain came to her rescue with her last name as well. “No need to waste all our time agonizing over a throwaway name. Just use Ensom . . . it's common and nobody will blink an eye at it.”
As if that settled the matter, he turned to look at Ali. “Back to the discussion at hand . . . blending in. With her companion programming, Ali doesn't need lessons in acting mundane. She could probably put us all to shame.” He grimaced as he turned to Belix. “As for you, if you can just walk around without looking like you'll happily liquify the insides of anyone who looks at you funny, I'll call it good.”
Even beneath her eyewear and hood, the elfin woman seemed to give Aiden a look that, to Lana at least, was exactly what he was talking about. “You think I can't act demure and feminine?” she demanded. “How do you think I find lovers at every port? Easily, I might add.”
The captain smirked at her. “I assumed it involved holding a cauterizer to the unlucky station rat's head.” He turned to Barix before she could respond. “As for you, just keep being your usual weak, defenseless self.”
The slight man didn't look amused. But again, before he could respond Aiden turned to Dax. “And finally, I suppose it'd be too much to ask that you actually show some emotion and don't act like you've got a dipstick up your exhaust port.” He waved vaguely. “Just hold Lana's hand and let her smother you with affection, and try to stick to the back of the group.”
Lana fought a surge of annoyance; did the captain really need to be such a jerk about this? “What about you? I have a hard time seeing you fitting in.”
Aiden gave her a lopsided grin. “Luckily I'm the captain . . . I can get away with looking just the right amount of dangerous.” He turned away briskly, calling over his shoulder as he stepped through the airlock. “Remember, people, fit in! We're just your average freighter crew, enjoying the sights of a new spaceport as we refuel and pick up supplies and run a few errands.”
Ali was quick to catch up and walk beside him, comfortably giving the impression they were just your typical happy couple. Grumbling, the twins followed behind. Lana took Dax's hand and they trailed at the back of the group.
After a few seconds she squeezed his hand. “Well, I liked at least one part of his orders,” she said, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “The smothering you with affection part.”
He smiled down at her, obviously having to make
