Forged (Star Breed #10) - Elin Wyn Page 0,46

us into the docking bay of the Kodo Ragir, I looked over at Yasmin.

I’d expected her to relax now that we’d been rescued, now that our survival wasn’t hanging on the stability of a ship that had been grounded for years.

But instead, she looked even more tense, chewing the corner of her lip, rubbing the leg pocket of her coveralls over and over.

“You’ll like the Kodo,” I said. “Fantastic food. Beds are far more comfortable than what we found on this thing.” I tapped the arm of the co-pilot’s seat. “Although I can’t argue with the company.”

“When will they take us back to Station 112?” she said, eyes fixed straight ahead. “I’ve got to get in touch with my uncle.”

“Easy enough,” I said slowly, searching her face for any expression. It was as if everything that happened on Sat 9 had been erased.

This was the Yasmin I’d met before, focused only on her mission.

“As soon as we get on board, I’ll have the captain patch you over to your uncle’s ship. You can check in, let them know you’re okay,” I forced a smile. “I’m sure he’s been worried.”

She glanced over at me, then stared straight ahead again. “Probably.”

Right, then. Back to business.

I didn’t wait for the thunk of the ship coming to rest inside the docking bay before I moved to the hatch.

When we’d finally settled into place, I went ahead and threw open the door.

Yasmin would come out or not on her own schedule.

Doing it her own way. Just like always.

To my surprise, Ambassador Thalcorr was waiting for us, standing next to Captain Lisi. The captain’s eyes raked over the scavenged ship. “Gotta say, doesn’t look familiar.”

“It’s not,” I answered her. “But you use the tools you’ve got. The ship that got us off Station 112 wasn’t in any shape to get us back.”

“Of course it wasn’t,” Thalcorr said archly. “Why would you attempt to ensure that your spacecraft landed in one piece?”

Then his sour face transformed, beaming. “Goodness, my dear,” he rushed forward to the hatch, hand extended to help Yasmin down. “Please let me assist you.”

It was three steps, for the Void’s sake.

But still, I had to fight down a bit of a growl as he solicitously guided her down.

“I’m so sorry my associate didn’t let us know that he was accompanied by a guest,” Thalcorr continued. “You must be exhausted after your ordeal. We’ll have guest quarters set up right away so that you can refresh yourself.”

“I need to contact my uncle,” Yasmin said quietly, one hand still wrapped around that bag of components and moss, as if it were a talisman. “I want to let him know where I am.”

“Of course, of course,” Thalcorr said, patting her free hand. “If you crashed on that moon, I’m sure he must be frantic with worry.” He bent over her, smile beaming warmth at her. “Where could we reach him?”

The corner of Yasmin’s lip quirked up, just a bit. Nice to know she was still in there. “He’s probably on Station 112 at this point. It was his flagship attacking it.”

“Well…” For a moment, I had the extreme pleasure of seeing the professional diplomat struggling to maintain his equanimity. “That should make it easy to find him.”

“Captain Lisi, can you have one of your people open comms to the station? I’m still certain our guest would like to freshen up while the technicalities are dealt with.”

At the slightest movement of Lisi’s hand, a freshly scrubbed ensign showed up at her side.

“Escort Miss…”

“Denau,” Yasmin supplied.

“Miss Denau to guest quarters, see that she has everything she needs, then at her convenience, bring her to the bridge,” Lisi commanded.

After a sharp salute to his captain, the young man bowed to Yasmin.

“If you’ll follow me, ma’am.”

And she did, without a single glance back.

“I’ve got things to do,” Lisi said. “Including trying to raise that station. Again.” And flanked by her juniors, she headed off.

Thalcorr stayed next to me. Waiting.

“You don’t seem that worried about me going to freshen up,” I said.

He cocked one eyebrow. “From your expression, I assumed you’d do as you please and be just as likely to snarl at me if I suggested such a thing.”

Just to piss him off, I didn’t snarl.

Even if I felt like it.

While a shower would have been nice, I didn’t want to miss any of the action.

Because I had a terrible feeling I knew what was about to happen.

“I can grab something to eat up on the bridge,” I decided. “And you