“We do,” Veller agreed. “As you can see, we’re on course to Gerard Station. We’ll be there in approximately eleven hours.”

Stag turned his head, staring at Kelis sitting at weapons control. “Do you have anything to add?”

“It’s a simple mission, one we can easily handle. Two of us will dress up to hide what we are and interview the survivor of the pod that landed there.”

“We have the authority uniforms in our hold.” Hellion smiled. “We will be on and off that station within an hour, two max.”

The doors to Control opened and Nala entered. She walked straight to Stag and sat down across his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Are you driving your crew nuts again? You were supposed to be getting us food but I knew I’d find you here instead.”

“Don’t make me regret giving you free access to the shuttle.” He kept his tone soft though, playful. He found it amusing that she’d hunted him down.

“What are we talking about?” She glanced away from him to his crew.

“Someone reported being attacked by a cyborg.” Hellion answered first. “We’re going to interview the survivor. It will be another false lead, but we always check them out.”

“Can’t you just ask other cyborg ships if they did it?” She peered at Stag.

“We are always hopeful other cyborgs escaped Earth. We weren’t able to free all of them when we left. Sometimes reports of sightings are made, and we always hope to find survivors to take them home to Garden.”

“The last time someone said they’d captured a cyborg, it was an Earther mechanic who fell into engine fluid and his skin had been turned blue.” Hellion chuckled. “The authorities held him for two days before figuring it out.”

Kelis laughed.

“That’s horrible. Poor guy.” Nala made a face, scrunching her nose.

“It was funny,” Stag admitted. “This time, a supply shuttle was attacked and one survivor made it into a pod that reached the Gerard station. We’re on our way there now.”

Nala tensed and climbed off his lap. “Display that sector on the main screen, please.”

No one moved.

“Come on.” Nala glared at Stag. “I said please. I know this route well. I used to deliver to that station. It’s a big entertainment one.”

“Do it,” Stag ordered.

Nala turned, strode to the front of Control, and waited. The map showed up. “Amplify this section here, please?” She used her finger to motion where she wanted.

Stag nodded at Hellion.

Nala pointed. “This is Gerard Station.” She pointed to a blip close to it. “This is Erosa. It’s a breathable planet with a few thousand residents. They grow food.” She pointed to another blimp. “This is the Arris Station. It’s bad news. It’s crime central, and I avoided docking there.” She turned briefly, facing his crew. “Now here’s the interesting part.”

She faced the screen again, pointing to three grouped moons. “Captains talk frequently. A lot of freighters were hired to take dome habitats to this center moon right here.” She put her finger on it, then looked over her shoulder, holding Stag’s gaze. “They were hired by the military. EG is setting up operations on this moon. Based on what they ordered, I’d guess a few hundred soldiers will be stationed there. I don’t know if it’s operational, but it’s a only few hours’ fly time from Gerard Station. Rumor is the colony on Erosa asked them to come because of the traffic going to Arris. They worried about being robbed since, as I said, it’s crime central. Arris Station visitors have left the Gerard Station and the planet alone so far but…” She shrugged. “That could change. Be careful.”

“Shit,” Hellion muttered. “That’s bad.”

Nala continued to study the monitor. “I’d fly by way of the Quellis sector and bypass those moons entirely. That way, if they are operational and get an alert, we could be in and out of there before they have a chance to send soldiers to the station. That is, if you still want to interview the one who claimed to see a cyborg.”

Stag stood. “What would you do, Veller?”

The male didn’t appear thrilled with what he’d learned. He seemed to think about it. “Do you think your information is accurate, Nala?”

“Yes.”

“I’d change course. Stag trusts you, and that’s good enough for me. It will add a day to our travel but we can avoid entering the moon’s sensor range for as long as possible.”

Stag crossed the room to Nala and surprised her by scooping her into his arms. “We’ll be in our quarters. It’s your mission. Only contact me if it’s an emergency.”

Nala wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her cheek against her chest. He carried her back to their quarters and sealed the door.

“Did you hear that? Veller trusts me.”

He chuckled. “He said I trust you.”

“Close enough.”

He took a seat on the bed, adjusting her on his lap. “Thank you for sharing that intel with us.”

“Your crew is my crew. I’m only looking out for them.”

His eyes narrowed.

She laughed. “We’ll work on that one still. Sharing is caring. It’s a good motto.” She kissed his chin, then nibbled on his lower lip, finally pulling back. “What about food? I specifically remember you promised me a meal.”

He twisted, tossing her on the bed and pinning her under him. “I specifically remember ordering you to stay inside our quarters. I think you need to be taught a lesson.”

Her blue eyes sparkled. “The hot, sexy kind?”

“You’re not supposed to look so excited when I threaten you.”

“You don’t scare me anymore.” She slid her fingers into his hair, playing with it. “You’re a big softy.”

He adjusted his body, wiggling his hips between her thighs. She spread them for him and he pressed his groin against hers. “What were you saying about soft?”

She suddenly sobered and he wondered what he’d said wrong.

“I love you, Stag.”

Her admission didn’t surprise him. He’d suspected she had strong feelings for him. But he was surprised by his reaction. Joy hit—a powerful emotion that tightened his chest.