She yawned elaborately, stretching her whole body out to provide one final display of her nakedness. “I'll be waiting.”
I keyed the access code on the door pad, being careful to shield it from her – as though caution would do much to help me at this point. I was burning with shame as I stepped into the corridor, shutting the door and re-establishing the force field projectors.
At least Ranel wasn't watching through the vidscreen, I thought, walking toward the command deck with my head down. At least he doesn't know what I...
I ran into someone and looked up.
It was Ranel. He was standing in front of the vidscreen, which was still set to the holocam in Natalie's cell.
And he was holding a recording chip between two claws, his lips curled into a scowl.
“You weak-minded idiot,” he snarled.
I drew myself up to my full height, trying to seem imposing and unapologetic even as I was dying inside. “You disobeyed a direct order and watched my debriefing anyway?”
“Oh, is that what I was watching? A debriefing? Because it looked to me like some kind of crudely staged Broxiian peepshow. And you don't want to be snapping at me about orders and protocols, boy. Not after the disgusting display I just saw. I swear, Dashel, indulging yourself with this kind of reckless behavior –endangering our mission by falling for some slave girl's cheap seductions—it's like you want to be stripped of your new rank and command. And now you've given me all the reason and evidence I'd need to do exactly that.”
I sighed. There was no point playing it tough anymore. I'd failed one of my first tests as a commanding officer, and miserably at that. Maybe he was right. Maybe I was trying to sabotage myself, on some level, out of fear that I just wasn't worthy of the responsibilities I'd been given. Maybe the ship would be better off with Ranel in charge.
“If that's what you decide,” I answered, “there's clearly nothing I can do to stop you.”
“I shouldn't have to make such a decision,” he spat. “I am too close to you, to your family, to act objectively in this matter. And, moron that I am, I'm actually still rooting for you to succeed despite this gross lack of judgment. Perhaps it was a mistake for the fleet admirals to appoint me as your damn babysitter. But while you were rolling around on the floor with your new pet, Tarion's ship rendezvoused with the Wyvern. He's waiting for you in the conference room. Maybe I should bring this to him and let him decide your fate.”
I felt my heart drop through the lower bulkhead of the ship and into the chill of deep space. Tarion was known for being at least as bad-tempered as Ranel, with enough clout to effectively end my career with the Hielsrane fleet. One word from him, and I'd be scrubbing out waste disposal units and nuclear star drive residue with a handheld fang-cleaner from now until old age. “As I said, Ranel, the choice is entirely yours.”
He glared at me for a few more moments then brought his claws together, crushing the recording chip to splinters between them. I felt the breath enter my lungs once more, like one who'd been rescued from drowning.
“Make your report to Tarion,” Ranel grumbled. “But so help me, boy, one more breach of conduct like this one, and I'm taking command of this vessel and reporting your actions to the admirals. All of your actions,” he added ominously. “You can tell them I destroyed this evidence to give you another chance if you like, but it won't help you. They'll demote me, but your punishment will be far more harsh and final. Am I making myself understood?”
“Yes, Ranel. Thank you. You're a good friend.”
He put his claws on my shoulders, looking at me earnestly. “I have high hopes for you, Dashel. Don't disappoint me.”
Ranel led me to the conference room, where Tarion was waiting – scaled red, teeth and claws sharpened, imperious frown firmly in place. Since the Wyvern was practically a scow, the meeting area was cramped, and he seemed to fill most of it with his muscles and overall presence. The members of our species tend to be quite tall, but even among those, Tarion's height was particularly imposing.
“Captain Dashel,” he rumbled. “Your second in command has provided an initial report of the invasion of Nort, and I must say, I'm impressed.”
I tried to hide my surprise. Given the fact that we'd only managed to secure three of the nine mining colonies on the surface, I'd been prepared for harsh words from him.
He must have noticed my reaction, because he nodded dismissively. “Oh yes, I know it must not seem like much of a victory to you at this stage, only neutralizing one third of the targets in the first sweep. But I have to tell you, given the extremely limited resources at your disposal, most of the high-ranking officers in the fleet – myself included – were certain you would fail spectacularly. This was a test –one you were not expected to pass. You did, though, against all odds. In fact, having bet against you myself, it seems I owe Admiral Merkek a great deal of money.”
I allowed myself a proud smile. “Well, I'm sorry to have cost you such a sum, but I glad I managed to exceed expectations all the same.”
Tarion grinned. Since he wasn't known for his good nature, such a sign of acceptance and validation from him felt like the first rays of sunlight on my scales after a long, cold, dark night. “Now, then. I'm told you have a human prisoner. A slave of some distinction, who might have valuable data on the other camps and how to subdue them.”
“That's correct, sir.”
“Very good. But a word of caution about Earthers, Dashel: They may seem soft and frail due to their
