Chill (Klance Warmth series Book 2 of +4)

15: Imploding Patience

A/N: "Kedesh" is an alternate pronunciation for the ancient Canaan and later Egyptian goddess "Qetesh." She was the goddess of sacred ecstasy and sexual pleasure. Thus, I'm sure you can figure out what the Kedesh in this story is.

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Shiro kept pace with the princess as she walked out of the Castle's main doors onto the surface of the small planetoid. Three aliens were sitting by a small fire staring up at the no doubt impressive sight of the Castle of Lions. Compared to their little vessel, the Castle was enormous and gleamed in the reddish light shining through the atmosphere.

"Nice ship," the purple skinned alien said, standing and offering the paladins a broad smile. He wore a leather aviator's hat over his white hair and a worn but sturdy navy jacket that did nothing to cover his chest. Scales on his arms shimmered dully in the reddish light as he gave a gesture of greeting. "Sure would love to see that thing fly."

Allura smiled. "We would be glad to escort your ship out of the atmosphere, if you wish. But after that, I'm afraid you'll be on your own," she said.

"No problem," the alien said, waving away her offer with a friendly smile. "I'm Rolo. This is Nyma," he pointed to the mustard yellow female alien who stood from her spot by the fire, "and Beezer, our cyber-unit," he pointed to the small robot sitting on a box nearby.

"Woah! You're so cool!" Pidge cried, racing past Shiro to stare at the aliens' cyber-unit.

Rover flashed and chased after Pidge beeping indignantly. Pidge chattered away, oblivious to her robotic friend's jealousy.

"Is that a Galra hoverbot?" the female alien, Nyma, gasped.

"Yep," Hunk said, stepping up to the group and smiling tolerantly at his friend's hilarious display of technophilia. "Pidge here rewired it so it works for us now. Actually," he corrected, "it works for Pidge, not so much for us." He shrugged.

"That's some pretty useful skills you've got there, friend," Rolo said. "Wouldn't mind getting my hands on a Galra hoverbot myself."

Pidge stiffened and grabbed Rover from midair, squishing the small droid to her chest. "Well you can't have Rover," she said, glaring at Rolo. "He's mine. Find your own."

Rolo quickly held up his hands to stave off Pidge's anger. "Don't worry, don't worry," he said. "I'm not going to take it. Just thought it was cool, is all. You got some skills kid."

"I'm not a kid," Pidge said, bristling.

"Alright, calm down Pidge," Shiro said, restraining the green paladin with a stern hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure Rolo didn't mean it as an insult."

"No, not at all," Rolo said chuckled. "No offense meant. I take it you guys are the ones who answered our distress beacon."

"We are," Allura said. "What seems to be the problem with your ship?"

"Oh yeah." Rolo adjusted his hat and stared up at his beat up looking ship in exhaustion. "I can't get the thing to start. We lost power, but I'm not sure why. We haven't been here long so we decided to turn on our beacon and call it a night. But since you're here, you mind helping us?"

"Of course," the princess said. "That's why we came."

"Anyone fighting against the Galra is a friend of ours," Shiro said, offering the aliens a friendly if tired smile.

Rolo's smile widened. "So you are against the Galra," he said. "That's a relief. I guess I don't have to hide anything then, huh?"

"Hide anything?" Shiro asked curiously.