Disclaimer:
I do not own the characters of the TV show Andromeda, or the universe they live in. I have only borrowed them for a short time. They belong to the Tribune Entertainment Company. I have also borrowed the idea of the "Peoples Republic of Haven" and the treecat species from David Webber. All original characters and situations are the property of the author.
No harm was intended, nor profit made from this story. So please don't sue me.
Author's Note:
I know, I know, I know. This story should have been posted in the crossover section, but I only borrowed ideas from David Webber's "Honor Harrington" series. (Besides, I've heard that the crossover section is a black hole where stories go and are never read again.) So I beg your forgiveness, oh, powerful Readers. Please read and review.
If you have never heard of the Harrington books, you don't need them for this story. The technology used in the books is not used in the story, nor is the timeline constant with the books. As I said, I only used the ideas. But you might want to check out the books anyway; they're an excellent read.
****************************************************************************
Captain Dylan Hunt stared out at the main view screen with a mixture of shock and admiration. In the space ahead of Andromeda two short distance fighters were defending a large cargo vessel from a heavy war cruiser. And doing a remarkable job of it too.
"Dylan, we are being hailed by the cruiser," Rommie stood at Dylan's left, her eyes, too, on the screen in front of them.
"Put it through," Dylan replied, leaning back in his chair.
Dylan could sense Tyr's presence over his right shoulder. He knew the Nietszchean was standing with his arms crossed low over his abdomen, showing off the bony spines that stuck out of his forearms. Dylan also knew that his relaxed pose was just that, a pose. At the slightest provocation, the Nietszchean was prepared to jump on the weapon controls and blast any threat into teeny, tiny pieces. The thing Dylan wasn't sure about was whether this was a good thing.
Beka was reclining in the slipstream control chair. Harper sat by a panel connected directly to engineering and Rev Bem stood beside him. Trance stood off to the left, chewing nervously on a fingernail. Even with his entire crew present, the bridge stood achingly empty.
Dylan pushed the tight ball of pain out of his chest and concentrated on the face of the man who appeared on the view screen.
"I am Captain Kerrie of the Peoples Republic of Haven. We would appreciate it if you did not interfere in this internal matter," the balding man who had appeared on the screen, didn't even look up as he spoke. And immediately following his declaration he cut the connection.
"Republic, indeed," Tyr all but growled. "They are no more than thin blooded terrorists in matching costumes."
Dylan glanced at Rommie, but it was Beka who spoke first.
"I've heard of them," Beka said, leaning forward and pointing at the cruiser on the screen. "They're not a nice group of people, Dylan. They take what they want."
"Yeah," Harper added, "and to hell with who ever is in their way."
"Give me some facts, Rommie," Dylan said, turning back to look at her.
"Haven is a large group of systems with an unstable economy. It seems that they have been putting most of their Gross Systems Product into their military for the last centaury or so. The problem is that most of the systems they have acquired have been in as bad shape as they are or worse."
Rommie paused and took a deep breath. Her face was grim as she continued, "Their government seems to believe the only way to maintain their economy it to continue to expand. Any way necessary."
Dylan nodded and turned back to the screen as he relaxed back into his chair. "Get me the cargo ship."
There was a pause as Andromeda tried to make contact.
"We are receiving a signal from one of the fighters, Captain," Rommie said, turning to Dylan.
"Put it through," Dylan said, sitting up in his chair.
The interior of the fighter was dark and cramped. Every inch of space was used, leaving no room for amenities. A woman sat at the controls. Dried blood had scabbed over a cut above her right eye, with strands of her jaw length hair stuck in it. Smudges of grease on her face and clothes testified to the fact that she had done at least some mechanical repairs herself.
"I'm a little busy here," the woman said, not even looking down at her com-screen. All of her attention was on the Havenite cruiser.
"I can see that," Dylan replied, a little taken aback.
"Good, now that we've established the fact that you aren't a total idiot," she said, then flinched as sparks erupted behind her. Her hands flew over her control panels, "what do you want?"
"This is Captain Dylan Hunt of the Andromeda Ascendant." Dylan started, getting back on track with his usual speech
"We were just wondering why a Havenite Starship is trying to destroy you," Beka interrupted, leaning forward in her chair.
Dylan shot Beka a dirty look. Sensing his eyes on her, she looked over at him. She raised her shoulders in a helpless shrug, "What?"
Rolling his eyes, Dylan looked back at the view-screen.
That had gotten her attention. Looking down at her com-screen she glanced back and forth between Beka and Dylan before she met Dylan's gaze. Her deep green eyes flecked with gold sparkled with something Dylan didn't recognize. Looking down caused a strand of her curly hair to float in front of her eyes. She ran her hand through her hair, pulling the wayward strand out of her face. She also caught the strands caked in blood. She hardly flinched as the hair tore away the scab, causing the blood to begin to flow again.
Her eyes returned to her tactical screen, and Dylan saw her fighter bank on the tactical display at his right elbow. She dodged the cruisers laser and ran her own its haul.
"The people of Savren Prime are resisting Havenite annexation," she replied, the last word dripping with sarcasm. "Our cargo is medical supplies and food. The Havenites are enforcing their trade embargos against the planet."
The cruisers laser glanced of the fighters haul, making it buck. She pulled the fighter into a rolling dive. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to do."
With that she cut the connection as unceremoniously as the Havenite captain.
Who ever that captain was, she had spirit. She was good, too, if the damage done to the cruiser was any indication. If she had done a quarter of that in her little fighter, and managed to stay in one piece, she was one of the best small fighter pilots he had seen in a very long time.
Feeling bewildered, Dylan turned to Rommie.
Seeming to sense his confusion, Rommie began to fill in some of the blanks. "It appears that the communication array of the cargo ship, the Gavril Sennsa, has been damaged. That is why the fighter responded to our communication."
"The other fighter?" Dylan asked.
Rommie just shrugged, "Maybe she's the superior."
Dylan looked back at the screen. "Get me Captain Kerrie."
There was a momentary pause as Rommie secured the communication.
"Yes?" Kerrie's voice was curt.
"We would like to negotiate a peaceful end to this situation," Dylan replied politely, not letting the other man's rudeness get to him. Kerrie's ship was under fire at the moment and being under fire made Dylan irritable too. "If you would call a temporary cease fire…"
"Captain," Kerrie cut in, "this is an internal Havenite matter. Do not interfere or we will be forced to open fire on you."
Again, Kerrie cut the connection.
"As if we should be afraid of him," Tyr scoffed. "His ship has all ready taken heavy damage and Andromida is unharmed. And besides," he said after another snort, "even in peak condition his ship could never take on Andromida and hope to survive."
Dylan looked over his shoulder at Tyr, and saw that he was already priming the firing controls.
"Andromida ready to engage," Tyr said, meeting Dylan's eyes.
For a brief moment Dylan thought about reprimanding Tyr for automatically reaching for the guns at the slightest provocation, but the truth was that he had already decided himself to take on the Havenites.
Dylan turned back to the main screen and nodded, "Engage the Havenite cruiser."
Half an hour later Captain Hunt stood out side the doors to the docking bay. The Havenite cruiser had left the system in a hurry after Andromeda had entered the fray. The cargo ship had survived the encounter with minimal damage. Other than the communication array, the worst hit area had been the docking bays for the small fighters, meaning that only one of their fighters could dock. This left one of their birds without a nest. Dylan had automatically offered them a berth on Andromeda until repairs could be made to the Gavril Sennsa.
The entire crew stood around him. They all had their reasons for meeting the new arrival. The fact that the only person that they had communicated with was a woman, and an attractive one at that, had no doubt brought Harper here. The superior flying had probably caught Beca's attention. Trance loved anything new. Rev Bem seemed to think that is was better to get his presence established as soon as possible, to avoid unpleasant surprises later. As for Tyr, there was no better way to determine how much of a threat someone posed than to meet them face to face. Rommy was there for protocol, she met everyone who came aboard.
The door opened and Dylan's attention was focused on the person who walked through it. She was taller than he expected, almost as tall as he was, and moved with a fluid grace. As his eyes traveled up her blue jumpsuit he got the gut impression that she would make a strong ally or a dangerous enemy.
But all thought flew from his had when his gaze reached her shoulders, or rather what was perched on the left one. The animal resembling a cat, its chin rested on the top of her head. It's round golden eyes gazed back at Dylan, almost as if it was trying to assess him. Its tan and brown fir was long, its markings beautiful. But it was the six limbs that really caught Dylan's attention. The upper most limps looked like hands, complete with prehensile thumbs, the bottom two where gripping into what was probably a padded shoulder peace. The middle two, which rested on the shoulder, looked like a mixture of the others.
Dylan's attention was brought back to the woman as she stepped up to him and extended her hand, introducing her self, "Zandra Connell."
"Captain Dylan Hunt," he responded. As he shook her hand he had the distinct impression that she was being vary careful about how much pressure she was exerting, she didn't look muscle bound but he was sure that she could crush his hand without really trying.
Both Zandra and Hunt took a step back as he began to introduce his crew.
Hunt gestured to the dark-haired woman to his left, "This is Rommey, the ship's android."
Rommey nodded to Zandra, "Hello."
"Nice to meet you," Zandra replied as she returned the nod.
"This is my second in command," Hunt continued, gesturing to the blond to his immediate right.
"Beca Valantie," Beca stepped forward and offered her hand. "Nice flying out there."
"Thank you," Zandra said as she accepted Beca's handshake.
Hunt turned to a light purple female beside Valantie, "This is our Environmental Officer, Trance Gemini."
"Hi," Trance said with a little wave.
"Hello," Zandra said with a smile, taking note of the long tail that weaved behind her.
"This is Rev Ban, our local Wayest," Hunt continued.
"It is always an honor to meet a follower of the Way," Zandra said with a half bow, although she did not follow the Way, she respected those that did. The fact that he was Magog only increased that respect.
Not waiting for Hunt to introduce him the next person stepped froward. Taking her hand he bowed over it.
"Seamus Harper, resident genius," he said before placing a light kiss on her hand while maintaining eye contact, "At your service."
A playful smile pulled at her lips as she retrieved her hand, "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."
"Tyr Anasazi," the Nietzschean that was leaning against the wall said as he pushed him self up and turned to face her. Zandra had noticed him when she had stepped through the door, but he didn't seem to present an immediate threat. He was the only one here that could, with the possible exception of the android.
Running her eyes up and down his tall frame she asked, "Which Pride?"
It was his turn to look her over, "Kodiak, do you have a problem with that?"
"No," Zandra replied, "I have no quarrel with the people of the Kodiak."
"I take it that you have problems with some of the other Prides?" Hunt asked.
"Someone in my line of work that claims to be on good terms with all of the Nietzscheans is ether a fool or a liar," she replied, keeping Tyr in sight, "I am neither."
"And what 'line of work' is that?" Tyr asked, standing in front of her with his feet spread apart, his arms relaxed at his side, his hand resting near his force lance. His mail shirt showing off his build, his wide shoulders, his well defined pecks, his biceps, his triceps, his abs, all in splendid detail.
"I'm an independent fighter pilot, with my own rig, contracting out my services," she replied, as she crossed her arms.
"A mercenary," he said with a nod, as if that explained everything.
"So, your not a part of the Gavril Sennsa's crew?" Hunt asked.
"Not permanently," she said, returning her attention to Hunt. "Once the Sennsa has reached Savren Prime I'll be looking for a new contract."
"Oh," Hunt said before he was cut off by Trance.
"Who's your friend?" Trance asked, sounding full of naive curiosity.
Zandra smiled, reached up and ran a finger down her 'cat's chest, "This is Leonna. She's a Treecat, a indigenous species from my home planet."
"She's beautiful," Trance said, her voice full of awe. "May I pet her?"
"You better ask her that," Zandra said, her smile widening.
The purple alien approached and standing on her teepee-toes she reached up and extended her hand, fingers curled down. "Hello there, can I pet you?"
Zandra watched Trance's eyes widen in surprise as Leonna rapped her hands around her wrist, bringing her hand up to the 'cat's nose. After a quick sniff, Leonna rolled her head in Trance's hand, putting it in perfect position to scratch behind her ear. Trance tentatively did just that and was rewarded with a deep purr from Leonna.
"Leonna is a pretty name," Rommie said.
"It suits her," Zandra replied.
"That it does," Rommie said with a smile.
Zandra watched as Hunt looked at Rommy, as if waiting for an explanation.
"It means 'Lion'," Rommie supplied.
"You know," Zandra said, returning her attention to the 'cat, "you might get a better scratching if you move down closer to her."
Giving her a dirty look, Leonna ignored Zandra's offered hand to lift her down to rest in Zandra's arms. Instead she sat up, reaching for Trance with both her true-hands and hand-paws.
With a smile, Trance reached up for Leonna. Surprise flashed across her face as she took the full weight of the 'cat in her arms.
"I'll show you to your quarters," Trance said as the 'cat made herself comfortable. "Oh, if that's alright with you, Captain."
"Go ahead," Hunt said, waving them down the corridor.
Zandra followed Trance, very aware that she gave the Nietzschean her undefended back.
Zandra gave a sigh of relief as she finally stood alone in the quarters that had been assigned to her for her stay. It had taken an out and out refusal to go to the Med-deck for Trance to leave it alone. The little purple alien was pusher than she looked, but she had finally given up, insisting, even as she left, that if Zandra felt at all ill, or dizzy, or sore, she should go to the Med-deck as soon as possible.
Looking around, Zandra took in her spacious quarters. They were much larger than she had anticipated, but on a ship built for thousands that only had crew of six, space probably wasn't at a premium.
Tossing her duffle bag on the bed beside Leonna, Zandra stretched her arms above her head. Looking down, she saw Leonna was giving her one of her arch looks.
"What?" Zandra asked, trying to sound innocent. The change in the 'cat's expression would be impermeable to someone who did not know her. But Zandra had known Leonna for a very long time, and recognized her 'You-know-what-I-mean' looks. Sighing, Zandra stretched to the left, her fingers still linked together over her head. "There's no harm in looking you know, and even you must admit, he's nice to look at."
It was Leonna's turn to roll her eyes, before she began to make herself a comfeey spot on the bed.
"Don't get too comfortable," Zandra told her, "we won't be hear long."
I do not own the characters of the TV show Andromeda, or the universe they live in. I have only borrowed them for a short time. They belong to the Tribune Entertainment Company. I have also borrowed the idea of the "Peoples Republic of Haven" and the treecat species from David Webber. All original characters and situations are the property of the author.
No harm was intended, nor profit made from this story. So please don't sue me.
Author's Note:
I know, I know, I know. This story should have been posted in the crossover section, but I only borrowed ideas from David Webber's "Honor Harrington" series. (Besides, I've heard that the crossover section is a black hole where stories go and are never read again.) So I beg your forgiveness, oh, powerful Readers. Please read and review.
If you have never heard of the Harrington books, you don't need them for this story. The technology used in the books is not used in the story, nor is the timeline constant with the books. As I said, I only used the ideas. But you might want to check out the books anyway; they're an excellent read.
****************************************************************************
Captain Dylan Hunt stared out at the main view screen with a mixture of shock and admiration. In the space ahead of Andromeda two short distance fighters were defending a large cargo vessel from a heavy war cruiser. And doing a remarkable job of it too.
"Dylan, we are being hailed by the cruiser," Rommie stood at Dylan's left, her eyes, too, on the screen in front of them.
"Put it through," Dylan replied, leaning back in his chair.
Dylan could sense Tyr's presence over his right shoulder. He knew the Nietszchean was standing with his arms crossed low over his abdomen, showing off the bony spines that stuck out of his forearms. Dylan also knew that his relaxed pose was just that, a pose. At the slightest provocation, the Nietszchean was prepared to jump on the weapon controls and blast any threat into teeny, tiny pieces. The thing Dylan wasn't sure about was whether this was a good thing.
Beka was reclining in the slipstream control chair. Harper sat by a panel connected directly to engineering and Rev Bem stood beside him. Trance stood off to the left, chewing nervously on a fingernail. Even with his entire crew present, the bridge stood achingly empty.
Dylan pushed the tight ball of pain out of his chest and concentrated on the face of the man who appeared on the view screen.
"I am Captain Kerrie of the Peoples Republic of Haven. We would appreciate it if you did not interfere in this internal matter," the balding man who had appeared on the screen, didn't even look up as he spoke. And immediately following his declaration he cut the connection.
"Republic, indeed," Tyr all but growled. "They are no more than thin blooded terrorists in matching costumes."
Dylan glanced at Rommie, but it was Beka who spoke first.
"I've heard of them," Beka said, leaning forward and pointing at the cruiser on the screen. "They're not a nice group of people, Dylan. They take what they want."
"Yeah," Harper added, "and to hell with who ever is in their way."
"Give me some facts, Rommie," Dylan said, turning back to look at her.
"Haven is a large group of systems with an unstable economy. It seems that they have been putting most of their Gross Systems Product into their military for the last centaury or so. The problem is that most of the systems they have acquired have been in as bad shape as they are or worse."
Rommie paused and took a deep breath. Her face was grim as she continued, "Their government seems to believe the only way to maintain their economy it to continue to expand. Any way necessary."
Dylan nodded and turned back to the screen as he relaxed back into his chair. "Get me the cargo ship."
There was a pause as Andromeda tried to make contact.
"We are receiving a signal from one of the fighters, Captain," Rommie said, turning to Dylan.
"Put it through," Dylan said, sitting up in his chair.
The interior of the fighter was dark and cramped. Every inch of space was used, leaving no room for amenities. A woman sat at the controls. Dried blood had scabbed over a cut above her right eye, with strands of her jaw length hair stuck in it. Smudges of grease on her face and clothes testified to the fact that she had done at least some mechanical repairs herself.
"I'm a little busy here," the woman said, not even looking down at her com-screen. All of her attention was on the Havenite cruiser.
"I can see that," Dylan replied, a little taken aback.
"Good, now that we've established the fact that you aren't a total idiot," she said, then flinched as sparks erupted behind her. Her hands flew over her control panels, "what do you want?"
"This is Captain Dylan Hunt of the Andromeda Ascendant." Dylan started, getting back on track with his usual speech
"We were just wondering why a Havenite Starship is trying to destroy you," Beka interrupted, leaning forward in her chair.
Dylan shot Beka a dirty look. Sensing his eyes on her, she looked over at him. She raised her shoulders in a helpless shrug, "What?"
Rolling his eyes, Dylan looked back at the view-screen.
That had gotten her attention. Looking down at her com-screen she glanced back and forth between Beka and Dylan before she met Dylan's gaze. Her deep green eyes flecked with gold sparkled with something Dylan didn't recognize. Looking down caused a strand of her curly hair to float in front of her eyes. She ran her hand through her hair, pulling the wayward strand out of her face. She also caught the strands caked in blood. She hardly flinched as the hair tore away the scab, causing the blood to begin to flow again.
Her eyes returned to her tactical screen, and Dylan saw her fighter bank on the tactical display at his right elbow. She dodged the cruisers laser and ran her own its haul.
"The people of Savren Prime are resisting Havenite annexation," she replied, the last word dripping with sarcasm. "Our cargo is medical supplies and food. The Havenites are enforcing their trade embargos against the planet."
The cruisers laser glanced of the fighters haul, making it buck. She pulled the fighter into a rolling dive. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to do."
With that she cut the connection as unceremoniously as the Havenite captain.
Who ever that captain was, she had spirit. She was good, too, if the damage done to the cruiser was any indication. If she had done a quarter of that in her little fighter, and managed to stay in one piece, she was one of the best small fighter pilots he had seen in a very long time.
Feeling bewildered, Dylan turned to Rommie.
Seeming to sense his confusion, Rommie began to fill in some of the blanks. "It appears that the communication array of the cargo ship, the Gavril Sennsa, has been damaged. That is why the fighter responded to our communication."
"The other fighter?" Dylan asked.
Rommie just shrugged, "Maybe she's the superior."
Dylan looked back at the screen. "Get me Captain Kerrie."
There was a momentary pause as Rommie secured the communication.
"Yes?" Kerrie's voice was curt.
"We would like to negotiate a peaceful end to this situation," Dylan replied politely, not letting the other man's rudeness get to him. Kerrie's ship was under fire at the moment and being under fire made Dylan irritable too. "If you would call a temporary cease fire…"
"Captain," Kerrie cut in, "this is an internal Havenite matter. Do not interfere or we will be forced to open fire on you."
Again, Kerrie cut the connection.
"As if we should be afraid of him," Tyr scoffed. "His ship has all ready taken heavy damage and Andromida is unharmed. And besides," he said after another snort, "even in peak condition his ship could never take on Andromida and hope to survive."
Dylan looked over his shoulder at Tyr, and saw that he was already priming the firing controls.
"Andromida ready to engage," Tyr said, meeting Dylan's eyes.
For a brief moment Dylan thought about reprimanding Tyr for automatically reaching for the guns at the slightest provocation, but the truth was that he had already decided himself to take on the Havenites.
Dylan turned back to the main screen and nodded, "Engage the Havenite cruiser."
Half an hour later Captain Hunt stood out side the doors to the docking bay. The Havenite cruiser had left the system in a hurry after Andromeda had entered the fray. The cargo ship had survived the encounter with minimal damage. Other than the communication array, the worst hit area had been the docking bays for the small fighters, meaning that only one of their fighters could dock. This left one of their birds without a nest. Dylan had automatically offered them a berth on Andromeda until repairs could be made to the Gavril Sennsa.
The entire crew stood around him. They all had their reasons for meeting the new arrival. The fact that the only person that they had communicated with was a woman, and an attractive one at that, had no doubt brought Harper here. The superior flying had probably caught Beca's attention. Trance loved anything new. Rev Bem seemed to think that is was better to get his presence established as soon as possible, to avoid unpleasant surprises later. As for Tyr, there was no better way to determine how much of a threat someone posed than to meet them face to face. Rommy was there for protocol, she met everyone who came aboard.
The door opened and Dylan's attention was focused on the person who walked through it. She was taller than he expected, almost as tall as he was, and moved with a fluid grace. As his eyes traveled up her blue jumpsuit he got the gut impression that she would make a strong ally or a dangerous enemy.
But all thought flew from his had when his gaze reached her shoulders, or rather what was perched on the left one. The animal resembling a cat, its chin rested on the top of her head. It's round golden eyes gazed back at Dylan, almost as if it was trying to assess him. Its tan and brown fir was long, its markings beautiful. But it was the six limbs that really caught Dylan's attention. The upper most limps looked like hands, complete with prehensile thumbs, the bottom two where gripping into what was probably a padded shoulder peace. The middle two, which rested on the shoulder, looked like a mixture of the others.
Dylan's attention was brought back to the woman as she stepped up to him and extended her hand, introducing her self, "Zandra Connell."
"Captain Dylan Hunt," he responded. As he shook her hand he had the distinct impression that she was being vary careful about how much pressure she was exerting, she didn't look muscle bound but he was sure that she could crush his hand without really trying.
Both Zandra and Hunt took a step back as he began to introduce his crew.
Hunt gestured to the dark-haired woman to his left, "This is Rommey, the ship's android."
Rommey nodded to Zandra, "Hello."
"Nice to meet you," Zandra replied as she returned the nod.
"This is my second in command," Hunt continued, gesturing to the blond to his immediate right.
"Beca Valantie," Beca stepped forward and offered her hand. "Nice flying out there."
"Thank you," Zandra said as she accepted Beca's handshake.
Hunt turned to a light purple female beside Valantie, "This is our Environmental Officer, Trance Gemini."
"Hi," Trance said with a little wave.
"Hello," Zandra said with a smile, taking note of the long tail that weaved behind her.
"This is Rev Ban, our local Wayest," Hunt continued.
"It is always an honor to meet a follower of the Way," Zandra said with a half bow, although she did not follow the Way, she respected those that did. The fact that he was Magog only increased that respect.
Not waiting for Hunt to introduce him the next person stepped froward. Taking her hand he bowed over it.
"Seamus Harper, resident genius," he said before placing a light kiss on her hand while maintaining eye contact, "At your service."
A playful smile pulled at her lips as she retrieved her hand, "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."
"Tyr Anasazi," the Nietzschean that was leaning against the wall said as he pushed him self up and turned to face her. Zandra had noticed him when she had stepped through the door, but he didn't seem to present an immediate threat. He was the only one here that could, with the possible exception of the android.
Running her eyes up and down his tall frame she asked, "Which Pride?"
It was his turn to look her over, "Kodiak, do you have a problem with that?"
"No," Zandra replied, "I have no quarrel with the people of the Kodiak."
"I take it that you have problems with some of the other Prides?" Hunt asked.
"Someone in my line of work that claims to be on good terms with all of the Nietzscheans is ether a fool or a liar," she replied, keeping Tyr in sight, "I am neither."
"And what 'line of work' is that?" Tyr asked, standing in front of her with his feet spread apart, his arms relaxed at his side, his hand resting near his force lance. His mail shirt showing off his build, his wide shoulders, his well defined pecks, his biceps, his triceps, his abs, all in splendid detail.
"I'm an independent fighter pilot, with my own rig, contracting out my services," she replied, as she crossed her arms.
"A mercenary," he said with a nod, as if that explained everything.
"So, your not a part of the Gavril Sennsa's crew?" Hunt asked.
"Not permanently," she said, returning her attention to Hunt. "Once the Sennsa has reached Savren Prime I'll be looking for a new contract."
"Oh," Hunt said before he was cut off by Trance.
"Who's your friend?" Trance asked, sounding full of naive curiosity.
Zandra smiled, reached up and ran a finger down her 'cat's chest, "This is Leonna. She's a Treecat, a indigenous species from my home planet."
"She's beautiful," Trance said, her voice full of awe. "May I pet her?"
"You better ask her that," Zandra said, her smile widening.
The purple alien approached and standing on her teepee-toes she reached up and extended her hand, fingers curled down. "Hello there, can I pet you?"
Zandra watched Trance's eyes widen in surprise as Leonna rapped her hands around her wrist, bringing her hand up to the 'cat's nose. After a quick sniff, Leonna rolled her head in Trance's hand, putting it in perfect position to scratch behind her ear. Trance tentatively did just that and was rewarded with a deep purr from Leonna.
"Leonna is a pretty name," Rommie said.
"It suits her," Zandra replied.
"That it does," Rommie said with a smile.
Zandra watched as Hunt looked at Rommy, as if waiting for an explanation.
"It means 'Lion'," Rommie supplied.
"You know," Zandra said, returning her attention to the 'cat, "you might get a better scratching if you move down closer to her."
Giving her a dirty look, Leonna ignored Zandra's offered hand to lift her down to rest in Zandra's arms. Instead she sat up, reaching for Trance with both her true-hands and hand-paws.
With a smile, Trance reached up for Leonna. Surprise flashed across her face as she took the full weight of the 'cat in her arms.
"I'll show you to your quarters," Trance said as the 'cat made herself comfortable. "Oh, if that's alright with you, Captain."
"Go ahead," Hunt said, waving them down the corridor.
Zandra followed Trance, very aware that she gave the Nietzschean her undefended back.
Zandra gave a sigh of relief as she finally stood alone in the quarters that had been assigned to her for her stay. It had taken an out and out refusal to go to the Med-deck for Trance to leave it alone. The little purple alien was pusher than she looked, but she had finally given up, insisting, even as she left, that if Zandra felt at all ill, or dizzy, or sore, she should go to the Med-deck as soon as possible.
Looking around, Zandra took in her spacious quarters. They were much larger than she had anticipated, but on a ship built for thousands that only had crew of six, space probably wasn't at a premium.
Tossing her duffle bag on the bed beside Leonna, Zandra stretched her arms above her head. Looking down, she saw Leonna was giving her one of her arch looks.
"What?" Zandra asked, trying to sound innocent. The change in the 'cat's expression would be impermeable to someone who did not know her. But Zandra had known Leonna for a very long time, and recognized her 'You-know-what-I-mean' looks. Sighing, Zandra stretched to the left, her fingers still linked together over her head. "There's no harm in looking you know, and even you must admit, he's nice to look at."
It was Leonna's turn to roll her eyes, before she began to make herself a comfeey spot on the bed.
"Don't get too comfortable," Zandra told her, "we won't be hear long."