where she still played with the boys. “Pretty sure, anyway.”
~~~
Zahn stalked all the way back to his quarters, cursing and stomping, waving his hands in the air as he spoke the entire way. All he encountered gave him a wide berth, and he didn’t even see them, so focused on his rage was he. He walked into the suite he shared with Rel, and stood there, doing his best to retake control of his emotions. He stalked into the cleansing chamber and slapped his hand against the sensor on the wall that would engage the cleansing foam. It was then he noticed the claws at the ends of his fingers were enlarged.
He ground his teeth in frustration and noticed they too were enlarged. Taking a deep breath and letting it out on a deep sigh, he stepped into the small shower-like cleansing unit and closed his eyes as the foam began to coat him as soon as he stood still. He waited while it began to melt away and run down his body. Then a high velocity fan engaged and dried his body before he stepped out of the unit, and hurried back to his room to dress and relieve whoever was guarding his Sirena. He needed to go back on duty. He needed to work. He needed to be sure that he could keep any ridiculous female out of his mind. He didn’t want one, didn’t need one, and refused to even acknowledge any females, other than those his friends had already claimed, were even onboard Command Warship 1.
“Someone else can have her. I refuse to get caught up on all the nonsense that goes along with a female!” Zahn shouted.
The door whooshed open and Rel stepped into their room. “Someone else can have who?” Rel asked.
“No one. Anyone!” Zahn shouted.
“Why did you leave the exercise facility so angrily? What happened?” Rel pressed.
“I did not leave angrily. I simply left.”
“Really? And I suppose it wasn’t you shouting, no, no, no, every step of the way?” Rel asked.
“I realized I was late. I’d forgotten to relieve Kail,” Zahn lied.
“You were not supposed to relieve Kail. Kail and Asl are guarding our Sirena this day. You and I are on duty tomorrow.”
“There has been a change in plan. I did not think to tell you,” Zahn insisted as he pulled on his boots.
“Is that so?” Rel asked, doing his best to hold back a grin.
“Yes, that is so!” Zahn snapped.
“Very well. I suppose your behavior has nothing to do with a female running around the track with her two small younglings,” Rel teased.
Zahn spun on his heel and faced Rel. “Are they her younglings?” he demanded.
“I did not ask, but, I believe they are her charges,” Rel answered.
Zahn looked relieved but then went back into denial.
“I could find out for you,” Rel offered. “I could even find out her name if you wish.”
“I don’t know who you speak of. I do not need to be supplied with any information on anyone,” Zahn grouched as he strapped his weapon onto his belt.
“So, you didn’t notice a beautiful young female with pale hair the color of moonlight and eyes as green as the seas of our Cruestace?” Rel asked.
“No! I most certainly did not!” Zahn answered. He strode to the door and as soon as it swept open he stepped into the corridor. “I don’t wish to discuss this nonsense any longer!” he insisted as the door slid shut.
Rel chuckled, knowing full well what was happening.
The door opened again and Zahn walked back inside. He walked over to his storage locker and snatched his battle helmet from it. The helmet was dark and prevented anyone from seeing his face. “I need this!” he snapped.
“A battle helmet?” Rel asked.
“Yes! It is time we all started dressing more officially while on duty!” Zahn answered, shoving his helmet on his head and leaving their quarters again. “And if I wanted any information on Au'revele, I could find it myself!”
Rel full out laughed when it became apparent that Zahn even knew the female’s name already. He heard Zahn snarl as he walked away from their quarters in the direction of Sirena Vivian’s quarters.
Zahn walked stubbornly down the corridor, fully dressed — including his battle helmet — on his way to relieve Kail from his shift watching over Sirena Vivian. He knew Kail had no clue he was about to be relieved, but that was not the point. He needed to stay busy, stay focused. He reached up