Hawk scratched at his beard as he thought. “I’m hoping he doesn’t have many allies left, after command cleaned house at Jamestown. That he’s on the run, alone.”
They agreed that until they found Krazinski, their priorities would be protecting Dragonfire, staying aware of what was going on in the PAC zone, and looking for their traitor.
“I’m glad Krazinski seems to be on our side,” Ross said.
“You did have a hard time with the idea of his guilt.” Maybe Fallon should have given his doubts more weight. She had to wonder how that might have changed their actions and their current situation.
“Yeah. It never made sense to me. I hope he’s for real.” Ross kept his hands folded in his lap.
“We all do.” Raptor nodded.
The room went quiet. It seemed they had exhausted all of their discussion topics. “Let me know if you notice anything unusual going on. If morale on Dragonfire takes a turn for the worse, I’ll deputize the four of you and put you to work.” Fallon smiled pleasantly at her team.
And that effectively cleared the room. Except for Hesta, who left at a much more leisurely pace, looking amused.
Fallon took an evening stroll around the station. If people saw her unstressed and going about life as usual, they’d do the same. Command officers always set the tone for those who depended on them.
She didn’t return to her quarters until well into the night. She’d missed her chance to check in on Wren. By now, she would be sleeping. Fallon would check on her first thing in the morning.
After a long, steamy shower, she dried off and wrapped a towel around herself, then began drying her hair. Leaning forward, she called out, “You can quit hiding and come in here.”
“Aw. How did you know?”
She turned to watch Raptor come into her bedroom. “I suspected you’d show up tonight, so I was listening extra hard.”
“And I thought I was being extra quiet,” he teased as he pulled her close and mussed her hair.
“Stop that. I just got it all smoothed out.”
“It’s going to get messed up when you sleep on it anyway. Besides, it’s cute when your hair’s all wild.”
“Are you sleeping over?” she asked.
“Am I invited?”
“Yes.” She’d been hoping he’d show up. She’d considered going to his quarters, but she needed to remain in her own, in case someone came looking for her.
“Then yes.”
“I’ll be asleep as soon as I stop moving, so you should go ahead and shower.” She pointed to the necessary, as if he didn’t know where it was.
He tugged on her towel. “If you’re on a timer, how about we make better use of the minutes you have left and I can shower while you’re sleeping?”
His suggestive smile made her grin.
“Deal.”
A minor emergency with a hazardous spill in Docking Bay Five messed up Fallon’s entire morning schedule. She tried contacting Wren via the voicecom twice, but failed to connect with her.
She spent the entire day playing catch-up. At the end of it, she tracked Wren down in person. She’d put off checking in with her for too long. She checked the mechanics’ shop, since she’d finished her shift on Deck One, but when Wren wasn’t there, Fallon headed up to general crew quarters.
The doors to Wren’s quarters opened before Fallon could touch the chime. She pulled her hand back. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you were going out. I won’t keep you.”
Based on Wren’s attire, Fallon guessed Wren had a date.
Wren’s cheeks pinkened. She made blushing a very pretty thing. “No, it’s okay. I’m early anyway. Do you want to come in for a minute?”
“I won’t hold you up. I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re okay with all that’s been going on lately.”
Wren laughed, but it was a little high-pitched and uncomfortable sounding. Not at all her usual confident self. “Actually, I’ve been a little on edge. But I’m sure things will be fine. Of course they will.” She smiled gamely.
“I’m sorry all this has rattled you. You’re not the only one. Fortunately, most people on the station are trying to take it all in stride.”
Wren’s smile became more genuine. “People who live on space stations are a sturdy bunch. We’ll be fine.”
“If you ever need anything, you know you can call me anytime.”
“I know. Thank you.”
The conversation lagged for a moment too long. “Well, have a good evening. I should get going.”
As she strode away, Fallon tried to shake off the awkward encounter. She’d only meant to make sure Wren was doing okay. She hadn’t meant to make her uncomfortable. It seemed that Wren wasn’t as breezy about seeing Fallon and dating someone else as she’d thought she’d be.
Fallon had almost made it back to her quarters when her comport alerted her. A call from the captain. Hesta. Whatever.
She hurried through the doors and took the call in private.
“Fallon here.”
“Chief, I was wondering if you’d like to join me for a drink.”
Fallon stared dumbly at the screen. She shook herself and quickly said, “Yes. Of course. That will be an interesting first.”
Hesta smiled wryly. “I know. Work with me here. I’m breaking old habits.”
“Difficult and honorable work,” Fallon said. “When and where?” She didn’t know whether Hesta was thinking of a night out, or a personal tête-à-tête.
“The pub. Twenty minutes?”
“I’ll be there.” Fallon wondered what a night out with Hesta Nevitt would be like.
She was about to find out.
7
Fallon had to hand it to the people of Dragonfire Station. They faced a terrorist situation unlike anything they’d seen in history, along with an uncertain future. And now their previously antisocial captain sat in the bar, sipping a startlingly dark-green beverage.
And yet people simply carried on with their lives. They’d continued doing their jobs as scheduled, and no major freak-outs had been reported. All things considered, Dragonfire Station’s people kept their shit together nicely. Fallon was
