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"Wasps are very aggressive, very territorial by nature, and view 'warm bloods' as lesser life-forms," Pyro began, raggedly, having everyone's undivided attention. Wren and Rella, unable to get to sickbay in a timely fashion (primary power was still offline, which meant no lifts) were listening over the comm, from the bridge. While Field, Adelaide, and Kody remained in sickbay.

"What's the basis for them feeling this way?" Adelaide wanted to know. "There has to be some kind of explanation ... "

"Yeah. I think it's because they're jerks," Pyro decided.

Adelaide made a face. Not exactly the insight she'd wanted.

"The only legitimate threats to them, resistance-wise, would be the snow rabbit High Command and the Furry Federation. Arguably a few lesser powers, like the Arctic foxes, but mainly the first two. However, the wasps won't start an attack unless they're certain of victory. They are master schemers. Strategists." Some strained breathing. "They value technology, above all ... "

"You said 'start an attack.' They're going to invade? When?"

"Soon."

"How do you know all this?" Rella pressed.

The wolf, breathing deep, replied, "I'm able to 'sense' it."

"What?" went Kody, blinking.

"My sense of smell is powerful enough to detect chemical changes brought on by different moods. My retinas, meanwhile, detect heat signatures. Putting the two abilities together, I can detect the intentions of others. And when I was their prisoner? I saw them, smelled them, heard them," he stressed, "talking to each other about all this."

"Maybe you did. But there's a lot we don't know about insects," the doctor interrupted. "Their physiologies are totally different from mammals, scalies, or avians. Maybe they can fool your senses."

A fervent headshake. " ... no."

"I'm just suggesting ... "

" ... impossible."

"Great. Another stubborn predator," the rabbit muttered, with a sigh.

"Maybe they wanted you to overhear," Field suggested, shyly.

"Perhaps. Or, more likely, they didn't believe I was smart enough to understand. Or that I would escape. They're arrogant bastards. Either way, you saved me, and I am trying to return the favor. So ... " A low growl, showing his teeth. " ... do you want my help or not?"

"Don't growl at the mouse," Kody said, seriously.

"Then I shall growl at you!"

"Boys. Please?" The bat narrowed her plum-colored eyes. Pulling Field closer to her, protectively, and offering, "If I can read minds, who's to say Pyro can't 'sense' truth, Kody?"

"No one," the white rabbit assured. "But bats have a long, scientifically-documented history of cognitive powers. I've never heard of a wolf with a 'nose of truth' or 'heat-seeking vision'." The rabbit opened his scanner again, out of curiosity. "Maybe he's genetically engineered ... "

" ... I was conceived naturally," Pyro insisted.

"Always the most fun way," Kody acknowledged, lips tugging upward.

Adelaide, stretching her winged arms (in a gesture of physical concentration) probed the wolf's mind again. As before. But with Pyro conscious, she was able to glean more. "He's telling the truth."

The wolf bristled. Feeling her 'telepathic tendrils' filtering through his consciousness. It was a strange feeling (if you weren't used to it). "I did not invite you into my head."

"I'm on your side. I'm trying to back you up," the bat insisted, nearly growling herself. A glance to Kody. "It's all true. Or, at least, he thinks it is. So, unless he's been brainwashed to mislead us ... "

" ... which is possible," Rella advised. As chief tactical officer, she had to consider all possible threats.

"I believe Adelaide," the doctor finally said. Besides, if I don't, she might beat me up. "But the question remains: how did you get these so-called powers?" he asked the wolf. "The eyes, especially. They run in the family?" A quirked brow. "Or are you just a freak of nature?"

"Something like that ... " It was a cryptic non-response. Raising more questions than it answered. He clearly wasn't in the mood to discuss it. "Do you want the rest of my story or not?"

"Continue," Wren said, simply.

Clearing his throat before he did so, Pyro explained, "I come from a system in the Uncharted Territories. No multi-planet governments to speak of. Every world is on their own." He sighed. It was crystal clear in his head. "They approached our star."

"The wasps," Rella stated.

"Yes. They sized up our sun and began to experiment with it ... "

" ... what kind of experiments?" Rella, again.

A painful hesitation. Almost at a loss for words. "They blew it up."

Field's pink ears went very pale. He grabbed for one of Adelaide's paws.

"We tried to stop them. They crippled every marauder we sent. All we could do, then, was watch. And hope they failed. And they did, for a while. Detonating a star is very, very tricky, and requires a great deal of resources. Solar flares destroyed their ships the first eleven times, at least." He shuddered. "But, as I said: they are relentless. They kept trying. They wanted to see if it could be done. If they could eliminate an opposing species without firing a single shot."

His audience remained quiet.

And he continued, "When we realized what was going on, a full-scale evacuation went into effect. At least half of us got away ... " But nearly half didn't, and that pained him, greatly. Another growl, this one of contempt. " ... we weren't of any particular strategic importance to them. It was merely a 'test' for future attacks on larger targets." A head-shake. "Such a waste of life ... " He pounded his fists on the bio-bed, huffing.

"How did they capture you?" Wren, this time, with a sympathetic tone.

Trying to maintain his focus, Pyro continued, "In the aftermath, my ship was crippled. A crew of about twenty." He slumped, now. Losing energy.

"You're a captain?" Field asked.

" ... not anymore. Like so much else, my ship is dead." He swallowed. "We got into the escape pods. Everyone else was picked up by wolf rescue parties. But I fell into the clutches of the wasps." A blank stare, his blood-red eyes meeting the mouse's gaze. "Luck of the draw, I guess. The universe is a bitch."

Field twitched.

No one said a word.

"I think they just wanted to torture me, at first. For fun. Or for anything they could use. They soak information like sponges. They learn. They adapt. Like sentient machines. They found out about my eyes. My nose. They wanted to see if they could harvest them ... "

"They were gonna poke your eyes out?" Field squeaked, fearfully. He just couldn't believe all this. Well, he could. But he didn't want to. It was too scary.

"While I was still conscious. Yes." Skipping a beat. "But I snapped and went into a predatory blood rage. Aside from their stingers, they have no natural weapons. Their exoskeletons are hard but thin, and can be easily cracked. As long as you can catch them off guard," he amended.

"So, you fought them," Rella stated. "How did you get two weeks deep into snow rabbit space?"

The wolf rubbed his neck with a sharp-clawed paw. "I'm afraid I don't remember."

"Amnesia?" Kody asked. "That's a bit cliché, isn't it?"

"Not amnesia, exactly." A hesitation. "I don't think they meant to come here. Not now. Not yet. I think we arrived here by accident. You see, the wasps experiment in time travel, access to alternate realms, and ... "

" ... time travel," Adelaide whispered.

The wolf looked to her, keenly. A little surprised. "You know about this?"

The pink bat nodded. "We encountered a 'human' ship from the future. The wasps were after it." She looked to Field. And then back to Pyro. "But I don't think it occurred to us that they were the ones that brought it here. We just assumed they detected it and swarmed in to claim it."

A knowing nod. "So far, they have only attempted future-travel. Mostly for the technology they can acquire. They have been unable, or unwilling," he added, "to go into the past. There are too many variables involved in going backward. They fear lessening their own influence in the present by accidentally changing something."

"There was no quantum signature on your shuttle-pod. I don't think you time-traveled here," Rella assured. Or maybe he did, and they just couldn't detect it.

"When I escaped, I sabotaged their warp drive," Pyro whispered. "There was a flash. Buzzing. I was very confused ... "

" ... you're not the only one," Kody mumbled.

"I put all that aside. And got to the nearest escape pod. Just as I got away, I saw their ship implode. In concentric circles of sizzling-blue energy. I think the temporal drive breeched." He had to collect himself for a moment. "They must've gotten some escape pods off, themselves. And followed me to your ship."

Everyone was quiet for a moment.

"How good is your sense of smell?" Wren asked, after a moment.

"Excellent." His deep-grey chest puffed up. "You want me to track down the intruders?"

"We could use your assistance," was the honest reply.

A nod. Raising up to his elbows. "You're prey. All of you. Do you have the wherewithal to kill?"

"We don't have to kill them, necessarily," Field said, peaceably. "Maybe if we capture them alive, Adelaide can get information from them."

"I could try," affirmed the bat. "I'd be willing." But the wasps had nearly suffocated Field already today. She wanted them to answer for that. More than she cared to admit.

"No, you will have to kill them," Pyro assured, shaking his head. His ears cocked to readiness. "They will not let themselves be captured alive, and will not hesitate to kill you. If you are too squeamish for that, then you might as well evacuate your ship right now." The wolf sat up and winced. Ouch. "I n-need a phase rifle. You will need goggles ... "

"Goggles?" Field asked, piping back up.

"You must not look at their eyes. They have compounded, refracted eyes that give off a blue tint that becomes slightly hypnotic to lesser species. Especially in the dark. Enough to freeze you in place for a few moments. And they only need," he promised, "a few moments. You'll find a stinger plunged into your gut." A grim addendum of, "It injects a poison. You die slowly."

The mouse quivered all over, clutching at Adelaide's winged arm, now.

"You're scaring him," the bat accused, tensely. Wearing a big frown. Dogs and wolves, of all predators, had the least amount of decorum.

"He'll have to deal with it. You all will." A chuffing noise. "Prey."

"Do you need goggles, too?" Kody asked.

"No. I am impervious to their trances." The wolf finally stood, tail flagging defiantly. The lights flickered again. The bio-bed sheet slipped off his body, rumpling on the floor. He looked down, sheepishly. " ... apparently, I also need clothes."

Adelaide, being the only female in the room, quirked a brow appreciably. "Mm-h."

Kody and Field both looked her way, blinking.

"What? You two are bi ... no harm in looking."

Field admittedly did steal a glance. Or two. (Three.) But, uh ... the sheath hid the best part. Still, though ...

... Pyro turned away with casual modesty, crossing his arms, tail wagging. "Clothes?" he demanded, looking over his shoulder. His red eyes pulsed faintly. As if glowing. "I do not 'hunt' in the fur." A sly smile. Not often, he thought to himself.

"Yeah, I'll get you a spare uniform," Kody said, hopping to his office. Nearly bumping into a wall, distractedly. He, like Field, leaned toward females. But had a clear appreciation for the male physique. And certain parts, especially. "What size do you take?" he called, once he was in there.

Pyro, with his smooth voice, replied, "Extra large." He looked away, resolutely.

An awkward silence.

Field swallowed.

Adelaide giggled.

"Did I say something amusing?" Pyro asked, tail no longer wagging.

"No," Field and Adelaide said in unison.

Kody returned with the extra uniform. Tossing it to the grey-furred wolf, who quickly slipped into it. Turning around. His eyes were, indeed, glowing now. Fiercely. Like a fire. There was no mistaking it. And there was no hint of playfulness in his tone as he decreed: "Let the hunt begin ... "

"Rumor has it," Admiral Flint said, on the main viewer, "you have been infiltrated by wasps."

"Where'd you hear that?" Wren demanded, standing behind Chester at the helm. His bushy tail arching behind him, handsomely. His walnut-colored fur looked so much darker under the emergency lights.

"My species has good ears." A head-tilt. "One of my officers was 'acquainting' himself with your snow leopard engineer. She was called on her comm-badge, and he overheard what was said. He then told me."

A sigh. "Assumpta."

"We are allies. You are soon to be part of our fleet."

"I know," the squirrel allowed.

"Do you trust us?"

" ... yes."

"Good." A pause. "In addition to engineering assistance, we are prepared to send a security force."

"We can handle the security. We're hunting down the wasps as I speak," the squirrel assured. "We'll let you know as soon as we're successful."

The admiral nodded. "Very well. But we will be monitoring the situation closely. And I want a full report afterward. Face-to-face. Also, you may want to sit down. We will be towing you into high orbit, back to the station."

"Understood, sir. Thank you."

An eye-smile. And the channel was cut.

Wren rubbed at his own cheeks and whiskers for a moment.

Rella, noticing her mate's tension, said, "He's much more agreeable than Admiral Silver."

"Oh, I know. It's not that. Just the thought of explaining this ... " A head-shake, whiskers twitching. " ... whatever this is. None of my reports are ever normal. They all involve some semi-supernatural happenstance."

"I think you're exaggerating."

"A little," he admitted. "But, still ... " A more worried admission, now. " ... if the wasps are truly hell-bent on controlling furs, then ... " A short breath. " ... I mean, the snow rabbits are already focused on the Arctic foxes, aren't they? And the Federation is in civil war, basically." Because of us. Because of you, Wren.

"You think we're ripe for conquest?"

"No one's on the same page at the moment," Wren breathed. "And the wasps are extremely driven ... "

" ... let's worry about one thing at a time." She smoothed at her mahogany fur. And her uniform. "Or, at least, let's try to ... "

"We're rodents. Minimum of two worries at any given moment." A pause, adding, "Often, three."

"Three?" Rella just smiled. "That's mouses. Squirrels are just one worry." Her smile slowly faded. "If the lifts were working, I'd be on that security team." She'd sent one of her deputies who was already on that deck when main power had been cut

" ... is it bad of me to say I'm relieved you're stuck with me?" Wren told her.

She didn't say 'no,' because she knew it was a sentiment born of his love. She just replied, "It's my job. To be in danger."

"I know," he whispered, tenderly, hearing a slight hum. The ship vibrated. He wobbled back to the captain's chair, falling into it with an 'mmf.'

Rella glanced down, gripping her console. Seeing her animated readouts. "Snow rabbit cruiser has activated tractor beam. We're being towed."

"I couldn't tell," Wren teased.

She gave him a playful look.

Another slight jolt ...

... and Soldotna almost stumbled. She cursed. A chipmunk (and an ensign on Rella's security staff), she peered around the corridor, cautiously. Whiskers wild. Glancing at her scanner. "They're on this deck, alright," she whispered. B-Deck. Where sickbay was. And the mess hall. "I guess they're coming for you, huh?" she asked Pyro.

"Yes." Standing up tall. "That means they are afraid of me, and what I know of them," the wolf said, proudly. A low growl. "Let them come."

Soldotna just shook her head at that. Good grief.

"Can we pinpoint their exact location relative to us?" Adelaide wondered, as she adjusted her goggles. Even though Field outranked her, she made him stay back in sickbay with Kody. Mouses didn't belong in firefights. Besides, he was still sore from the decompression of C-Deck. And she may have been pretty and pink, but she knew how to defend herself. And if she could somehow get into the wasps' heads for just a minute, maybe she could extract vital information ...

"The oils on their exoskeleton don't allow for complete sensor-locks," Pyro explained. "Once you have their general position? You have to rely on your natural senses to close the gap ... "

Adelaide nodded quietly. Stretching her telepathic feelers, invisibly. She was also holding a phase rifle.

"Be warned: they'll rush you before you know what's happening. They have wings."

"So do I," Adelaide said.

"Mm ... you are confident, bat." The wolf nodded, sagely. "I approve."

"Can you two muzzle it?" Soldotna asked, a little frazzled. "I'm sure they'll hear us coming."

"They don't actually have ears."

"The vibrations of our voices, then. Whatever. Just stop," she demanded, "talking. We need to listen ... " Her angular ears cocked. She was rather short. Or, at least, shorter than the two furs flanking her. Rather energetic (being a rodent). Fur a nutty brown, with a darker stripe running down the back of her head all the way to her tail-tip.

The emergency lights were flickering.

"Does anybody feel lighter?" Adelaide asked.

"They must be messing with the artificial gravity," Soldotna realized. Mouthing the words, silently.

"They are close," said Pyro. Nose jutting into the air. A deep breath, sniffing fiercely. "Yes ... "

"What do they smell like?" Soldotna asked. "I can't smell anything ... "

" ... like dried-up leaves, at autumn's end," was the wolf's decree.

The chipmunk gave a little smile. "That was kinda poetic."

"You act surprised ... "

" ... I am." A pause. "And I'm also talking too much, which is what I was just yelling at you two for." She shut her maw. If the wasps killed or captured Pyro, that meant she and Adelaide were probably going to be dead, and then nothing would stop the insects from making their way to the bridge. They could take direct, total control of the ship, ram it into the nearest snow rabbit station. Fire on the surface below. The stakes were high. They had to be stopped.

"For what it's worth, you smell faintly like a blueberry patch," Pyro whispered to the chipmunk. Almost like it was a pick-up line. Maybe it was ...

"That's, uh ... new shampoo. For my fur," the chipmunk admitted, bashfully. He was the first one who'd commented on that. But, then, he did have the most powerful nose on the ship. She puffed herself up, whispering back, "I ordered you to shut up."

"I am not a member of this crew. You cannot give me orders." Speaking out of the corner of his muzzle.

"How 'bout I use my mental powers to suppress the speech centers of your brains?" Adelaide finally threatened.

"You can't really do that, can you?" Soldotna asked, nervously.

"Wanna find out?"

The rodent fell quiet.

So did the wolf.

Then the pink bat spoke directly into both of their minds: I can sense them. Barely. They're much harder to read than I anticipated. Just around the corner. Up ahead. I think. I can fire off an echo-burst to make absolutely sure ...

Soldotna shook her head. Mouthing, 'No.' She held up a paw. And gestured at Pyro to press against the wall. She then looked back to Adelaide.

And Adelaide looked to Pyro. Think she wants them to see you first. You're the bait.

A low growl. (The only kind of growl, really.)

A buzz, then.

They froze.

Why are they in such a confined space? It has to be a trap ...

Soldotna knew. But didn't say it out loud. The main computer relay to the bridge ran through a junction in this part of the deck. That's how they were controlling some of the ship's systems. But, clearly, they couldn't control everything. Not yet.

The chipmunk, with an intense, whisker-twitchy face, looked to the wolf again. Nodding. Giving him a hurried 'go-ahead' signal. Come on, come on ...

... he nodded, taking a few paces. Phase rifle gripped in his paws. And had the audacity, even, to demand, in a loud tone, "You have committed acts of aggression against this vessel. And against me. Answer for your crimes." Breathing heavily, he added, "Or there will be blood."

Nothing ...

... nothing ...

... and Pyro squinted. Their heat signatures rippling. "Here they come!"

Blur!

BUZZ!

Tilting, arid things, thin gossamer wings. Stingers swinging. Forward and descending before the furs could fire. One of them went for Pyro. The other for the two females.

Soldotna screamed. A wasp hammering down on her, clicking its mandibles. Those eyes. They flared neon blue, like a broken mirror. She even saw her own reflection as spindly legs tried to pry her goggles off. But the chipmunk squeaked and wriggled away. A stinger ...

... jabbed!

The needle-point grazed her flittering tail and hit the carpeted floor.

CHOOM-CHOOM!

Adelaide fired her phase rifle, resolutely. Legs planted. Winged arms making her look like an avenging angel.

The wasp shrieked, spun, and turned on the bat.

CHOOM-CHOOM!

She moved backwards, bare foot-paws shuffling. Her ears sweeping back. And she let forth a series of echo-bursts. The highest pitches she could make. It was worth a try.

The wasps shuddered, like rattling glass.

"Keep doin' that!" Pyro yelled, punching at a thorax with one paw, swinging his weapon with the other. His tail flagging defiantly. The wasps click-clacked, buzzing. Sending each other messages.

I feel like I can access their minds if I had time. I'm close. So close. If we could capture one alive, it would be invaluable for ...

" ... they're trying to fucking kill us!" the wolf shouted, saliva and fur flying. "No time! Shoot them!"

Adelaide echo-burst again, aiming her weapon, pulling the trigger ...

... and, in the blink of an eye, found herself flat on her back, gasping. Her rifle tumbling away. She rolled, instinctively.

An imperious stinger puncturing the carpet where she'd been. And the deck-plating. The wasp screeched. It was not happy.

Soldotna, meanwhile, was taking aim, herself. First at Adelaide's attacker, then at Pyro's.

The wolf did a trick he'd learned from an old partner (a rabbit ... they'd taken to sparring when not making love). He spun all his weight, bending a leg, and delivered a vicious twirl-kick. Right to his attacker's gut. And then fired his weapon like hell, breaking through the creature's exoskeleton. It fizzled, slumped. And went silent. Huffing, he turned to the bat, and ... " ... wait ... where did it go? The other one?"

Adelaide, shaken, stammered, " ... it ... it flew off. When it realized Soldotna had it outgunned."

"It's probably making a suicide run for the bridge," the chipmunk realized, frantically slapping at her comm-badge. "Rella!"

A buzz echoed around the room as the remaining wasp ascended through the lift-shaft and burst through the half-open doors. Just like that. Mere seconds after Soldotna's warning. It launched forward like a pointy, arid missile, ramming the captain in the chest. Wren went sprawling backwards, tumbling head over tail. He winced, the breath knocked out of him. Adrenaline spiking.

Rella was firing before he even came to a stop. Hitting the intruder in the back. Squarely. Without ceasing. From across the bridge, entirely. Excellent aim. A ruby-red beam of energy cutting through the air. Making heat. It was set to kill. And that's exactly what it did. The wasp writhed, turned, and sputtered something in its clicking tongue. And then slumped just short of the helm, reaching for Chester.

The piebald mouse squeaked in panicked alarm and wriggled out of his chair.

Wren, panting, sat up. Glanced at the wasp. It wasn't moving. He then glanced at his mate. He'd never seen her kill anything before. He didn't know what to say. Other than, " ... t-thanks." If she hadn't been so quick-witted, he might not be here right now ...

... and Rella replied, quietly, with a loving concern, " ... you okay?"

"Uh-huh." Swallowing, he stood up. "I think so ... " He tapped his comm-badge. Taking a moment to find the words. Woozy. "Kody, we, uh ... have some wasp 'remains.' I want you to study them. Freeze them. Whatever. We need to know everything we can." An exhale. "Also, find out if Adelaide gleaned anything ... "

"Will do," was the short, simple response.

The captain looked to Ketchy, next. "Tell Admiral Flint our situation is resolved, and I will meet with him in an hour."

The fellow squirrel nodded, a silvery comm-piece attached to one ear. She was monitoring the sub-space channels.

Wren, after making sure Chester was okay, too, made his way to the back of the bridge. Slowly. To the tactical station, to his mate. Confiding, "I think I'm gonna want a long, hot shower tonight. To wash all this way." A pause. "That sound good to you?"

Rella smiled. He was playing it cool, but he was rattled. He wasn't used to combat. She was. And she suggested, lightly, "Maybe a bath would be better?"

"A bath it is, then." He leaned over the console, nuzzling her cheek. Oh, her scent. And then he slowly pulled away. "I just hope we never have a big argument. Now that I've seen you mad ... " A teasing smile.

"Oh, I wouldn't need a weapon if we argued. I could easily wrestle you to the ground," she assured.

Giggle-squeaks. A head-shake. "Uh, I don't think so."

"Well, you're the captain, so I'll let you think you're right." A wink. "But, if you want, we can practice tonight ... "

" ... after the bath?"

"After the bath," she mumbled. "Wrestling." In bed, maybe.

"I look forward to it," was his admission. He lingered, just to be near her. Before finally filtering back to the captain's chair. Making a conscious effort to not look in the direction of the deceased wasp. Trying to block it out. They were fearsome creatures. Segmented bodies. Sharp, cutting angles. And that stinger. It was a sight he didn't wish to see again anytime soon. But, unfortunately, he had a feeling he wasn't going to get that wish ...

Adelaide had flapped (so to speak) right back to sickbay, to work with Kody. And see Field, of course. Those two were connected at the hip, weren't they? Which left the chipmunk alone with Pyro. But he, too, couldn't keep still. Immediately trotting down the corridor. The same direction they'd originally been headed.

"Where do you think you're going?" She scurried after him, goggles stuffed in a pocket. "You realize you aren't technically authorized to be roaming around ... "

"I require an access tube. I want to reach the bridge."

"It can't wait?" She tugged at his tail. "I'm sure the lifts will be online in another ten or fifteen minutes."

Red eyes glowing, he turned his head. Giving her an intimidating stare. "Are you touching me? My tail?"

She swallowed and let it go. " ... uh ... no. Access tube? That way." She pointed. "But I'm going with you."

"Very well." He continued his trotting. "To answer your question, I suppose it can wait." A short breath. "But my adrenaline is too high to just sit around. I need to stay active."

"I'm sorta like that. Sure you're not one-quarter rodent?" A shy smile. Biting her lip. " ... hey, you know you're bleeding?"

Pyro glanced at his paw. "This? A mere wound."

"Don't be gruff." She grabbed his arm, now. "Look, change of plans. We're going back to sickbay, after all. You can't give me orders. You're a guest."

A huff. She was touching him again. " ... fine." So, they turned around, in the dimness. Bare foot-paws shuffling on the carpet. "Soldotna, is it?"

"Yeah. Dotna, for short. Just don't call me Dotty." That was too sugary-cute a nickname, even for a chipmunk.

"I have nowhere else to go. My world is no longer in one piece. My compatriots are weeks away, scattered. Nomads." A sigh. "If I were to request asylum ... that is, if I were to ask your captain if I could join this crew ... " A slight smile, pouring on the charm. " ... will you vouch for me? Dotna?"

"I don't even know you," was her light retort. Avoiding his gaze. Those eyes were so intense.

A little shrug. "You've been in combat with me."

"Is that, like, foreplay for predators or something?"

"More like a first date." A silly grin. "And you still smell good. Even after sweating."

"It's a strong shampoo." Soldotna looked away, smiling herself (but still scared, still shaken ... from having fought those wasps). "Yeah ... okay. I'll vouch for you." A deciding nod. "Not that it'll make any difference. My opinion doesn't carry much weight around here."

"And why's that?"

"I'm just an ensign."

Another oh-so-slight smile ... " ... everyone has to start somewhere." Everyone. And every thing. He gave the chipmunk a not-so-discreet look-over. And then looked away when she began to notice. Hopefully, Wren granted his request. There were far worse places to be than the star-ship Luminous.