Meanwhile, gossip gang gathers

"So? Don’t keep us in suspense!" Metzli called out, hands on her hips as she spotted May entering the galley. Her face fell slightly when she saw only two women waiting.

May lingered by the counter, glancing toward the hatch. "Hmm… maybe I’ll grab a snack first. See if anyone else comes in."

Macha and Metzli were not having it.

"Sit your perky ass down and spill it," they snapped in unison.

May sighed theatrically. Telling the story once was fine—but retelling it five times? Still, there was no saying no to Macha, the undisputed queen of Deck 5. She slid into a chair, pouting slightly.

"So, Aslög was totally dolling herself up. Like, high-effort dolling. Corset, makeup, hair—everything. I helped lace her in. She said she had a ‘special encounter’ with the Captain."

"Ooooh, mommy and daddy are having a date!" Metzli squealed.

Macha groaned and shot her a look. "I hate when you girls call them that. They’re not our parents. I’m literally the same age as Aslög."

Metzli ignored her completely. "And? What else?"

May shrugged. "That’s it. She went up. I came down."

"Hmm. Well, we can figure it out," Metzli said, tapping her lips. Macha gave her another frown.

"Let them enjoy it. No need to dissect it like a cadaver," the doctor muttered.

"Oh come on, you're curious!" Metzli insisted.

Just then, the hatch slid open with a soft hiss, revealing Amaterasu—barely dressed in an indecently short silk robe she hadn’t bothered tying. She glided in like a showgirl late to curtain call.

"Curious about what?" she asked, sauntering up and plopping into a chair. Her robe parted just enough to reveal an expanse of bare thigh and nothing beneath.

May brought her up to speed.

Amaterasu grinned. "It’s got to be deep throat. And face fucking. With the Captain, you don’t get one without the other."

"Please," May snorted. "Aslög’s done that millions of times. She wouldn’t glam up just for that."

"Oh yeah?" Amaterasu leaned forward, her impressive breasts settling dramatically on the table. "Name the last time you saw the Captain fuck her face."

Silence.

"Uh… Solaris, on the beach?" Metzli offered tentatively.

"That was me," Amaterasu corrected, smug.

May frowned. "What about that limo ride on Centauri Prime? After Metzli’s augments?"

Amaterasu shook her head. "Aslög was driving. Remember? She kicked out the chauffeur for recording us. She didn’t even take part."

The girls nodded slowly, each remembering.

"Huh," Macha said. "You might actually be right."

"Glad I didn’t bet money on that one," May muttered.

"For what?" came Bari’s voice as she stepped in, dressed in a figure-hugging minidress that accentuated her curves and barely contained her generous bust.

They brought her up to speed.

"Anal," Bari declared confidently, as if announcing a weather forecast.

"Again, Aslög must’ve done that a million times!" May argued.

"And again," Amaterasu said smugly, "have you ever seen the Captain fuck her ass?"

The room went quiet again. No one had.

"Nothing comes to mind," Metzli admitted.

May poked one of Amaterasu’s breasts. "Your memory is too good."

"Only when it comes to sex," Amaterasu grinned, stealing a quick kiss from May.

"But there’s an easy solution!" she chirped. "Nepthys, are you listening? Feed us the quarters cam!"

"Absolutely not," came the clipped reply through the speaker. "He explicitly told me not to watch. So drop it, you nosy skanks."

"Party pooper!" Amaterasu huffed.

"Spoilsport!" May echoed.

"Girls," Macha warned gently. "Privacy. Remember that?"

With a groan, they backed off.

"But you know," Bari said thoughtfully, "this means everyone should get their own special time with the Captain."

That sparked a round of enthusiastic nods.

"Yes! Romantic one-on-ones, once we hit civilization," Macha mused.

"Let’s bring it up at the next crew meeting!" Amaterasu said brightly.

"On the agenda, then," Metzli declared.

May stood, stretching her long legs. "Alright, if the gossip gang’s adjourned, I’m going to eat something before I have to take over training the new girl."

"Aaaww, I wanted more kisses," Amaterasu pouted, clinging to her arm.

"Tell April to keep her busy a little longer," May teased, pulling her to her heels. The two of them sashayed off, laughing.

"What would we do without Ama…" Macha said fondly, watching them go.

Metzli chuckled. "Sleep more, probably."

Macha turned to the remaining pair. "Since you two have free time, come help me cook."

Metzli and Bari exchanged glances. No excuse came fast enough.

"Yes, Macha," they sighed.