Love, Against All Odds

III - Chapter 11

Epilogue tomorrow!

Raine waited for the arriving shuttle to land and anchor itself to the Betty May's hull before pressurizing the bay. Her hand danced across the control panel next to the sealed door, and the shuttle bay started to equalize itself.

Becca continued to watch the shuttle, making out Starr and Magnar in the front seats and Jerrison in the back. She folded her arms and waited until it was safe to go into the bay. But she noticed Raine's attention flickered behind Becca's shoulder, checking on the locke's location. 'You're paranoid,' she teased.

'It's a damn locke,' Raine said. 'They're like a hybrid wolf-fox thing. A wox, I guess.' She glanced again at the locke who stood a few paces behind Becca. 'But creepy with the all-white eyes and flashy red-eye thing.'

'She didn't bother you back at the cabin.'

'Because she was locked in a cage.' Raine lowered her hand after the door slid open.

'She won't hurt anyone,' Becca promised, then entered the shuttle bay.

Raine followed next and went over to the shuttle.

Becca noted that the locke slipped in last and tucked herself under the long workbench against the wall. From the moment she and the locke had forged a bit of trust, the locke shadowed her around the ship and never strayed far—but also didn't come too close. So far, Becca kept her fed and took her to the garden for walks while Becca enjoyed her company.

'Turen, Becca,' Magnar greeted first, indicating that she was using her Brightbit to communicate in Kalmarese.

Becca smiled and shook arms with Magnar. 'Tah for coming back to the quadrant.' She welcomed Jerrison next, then hugged Starr, who squeezed her too hard. The first thing she noticed was the new tattoo on Starr's left arm, along with the different style of outfit. 'What's with the tattoos?'

Starr shrugged and replied, 'Gerrison knows how to do them.' She then retrieved the rifle from her back and showed it to Becca. 'New toy too.'

Becca snatched the huge double-handed rifle and hefted it. There was no way she would use such a bulky rifle, but it was perfect for Starr. She tossed it back and chuckled at Starr's subtle changes.

'I named it Newt in homage to my human boss.' Starr joked, winking at Becca.

After a snort, Becca couldn't believe Starr would name the lectra rifle after the character from the Alien movies. Years ago she forced Starr to watch the movies about the ugly creatures that had plagued mankind in outer space. Stepping aside, she made room for Raine.

Starr then shook arms with Raine and traded smiles.

'So what's the deal, Becca?' Magnar asked, folding her four arms. 'Starr said you plan to use her as bait to draw out Victor.'