Spatial distortion

Dustin checked the trophy was packed carefully before closing the crate with a snap and hefting it into the shuttle. “Still can’t believe we only got the one prize after we won so many things.” Rye complained, loading a box of supplies that Bleu had gathered as she did so. “Ya’d think we’d get a medal or something at the least for some of the fights.” Emely stepped past her, carrying the bag that contained all the Feliax’s possessions that she’d brought with her. “You’d think that, Rye, but it’s not how it works. Yours and Dustin’s names are being engraved on the victor columns outside multiple arenas however - which is an impressive feat for the first time a species has competed here.”

Setting his cargo down with a grunt, Dustin smiled at his comms officer. “Mission accomplished, then?” She nodded, eyes sparkling. “Mission accomplished, sir.” Rye rolled her eyes. “Dusty, if you and Emmz need some alone time on the flight back just say. I’ll pressurize the cargo bay and put on some music loud enough the doctor won’t hear anything.” At that point, Bleu stepped in, carrying her own bag. “The doctor won’t hear any what?” Then, seeing the blush on Emely’s face she sighed. “I see. I should probably inform you that intimacy in a shuttle during orbital transit isn’t advised; it can lead to injury if sudden course changes are needed.” Rye nodded. “See? Bleu doesn’t want it in her face, even if Emmz probably does.” That earned her a punch on the arm from the fox girl, who’s skin had almost gone the same shade as her hair.

Dustin sighed, feeling that it was up to him to restore order. “Rye, stop that. Emely, settle down. Bleu - my apologies. We’ve all been so tired after the events…” Emely muttered that she hadn’t been, but he ignored it “…and now it’s all over everyone is looking forward to getting back home. There won’t be any intimacy during the travel back to Sola, you don’t have to worry.” Bleu’s face did that green wave thing briefly before she nodded. “As you say, Captain. Let’s get back to the ship - I’m sure someone there will have had an accident that will need proper treatment once I’m back.”

When they landed in the main shuttlebay an hour or so later, Dustin stepped out of the shuttle only to find himself being lifted off his feet, turned, and deposited with his face inches away from Meli who promptly leaned forward and kissed him rather seriously. Toes curling as she broke the kiss, he was only vaguely aware of her glancing behind him and thanking Trea’k before the insect woman spun him around once more and bent to bring her own mouth to his. While he was thus engaged, Rye and Meli reunited with only slightly less intensity - while Naera was almost knocked over by a red-haired projectile when Emely saw her. Breaking off the kiss with his Vex’ess lover, Dustin viewed the comms officer and chef’s reunion with interest. The memory of the pictures was still strong in his mind even after a few days, but he still didn’t quite understand what was going on with those two.

Bleu coughed. “If there are no matters that need my attention, I should check in with medbay…” Naera gave a half squeak and broke off her hug with Emely. “No!” Then, collecting herself, she spoke again. “I mean, no, I’ve prepared a victory dinner for our glorious champions. That’s you lot, in case you weren’t aware. And Meli said she needed to be debriefed.” Then her skin tinted olive and she spun on her heels before heading out of the hanger. Dustin raised an eyebrow at that, but Meli explained as she led the group after the retreating shortstack.

“Caenii apparently doesn’t translate ‘debriefed’ very well. When I first said it to her, she got it as de-briefed, that is to say, removing briefs which…” Dustin groaned. “The chef thought you were saying you needed me to take your underwear off as soon as I got back?” Meli nodded, to a snort from Rye and a giggle from Emely. “How long did ya tease her about that for, nerd?” Rye said, at which Meli sighed. “I’ve missed you too, li’oha’a. And I didn’t tease her about it at all. She did spend most of the rest of that morning blushing however.” Then she leaned in to Dustin and whispered “And for the record, I do need you to debrief me in that other context as well. Trea’k and I have had each other, but we’ve missed you, li’ah’a.”

Doing his best not to show his arousal around the doctor or chef, Dustin followed his ladies and colleagues into the ready room - where the table was covered in food. “I wasn’t sure what sort of dishes would be best” Naera said, adding “not had to cater for an ambassadorial celebration before. So I went with all of them.” Emely, peeking around Dustin squeaked and darted over to a spot just in front of her usual seat. “Is this really…” one green hand materialized in front of her face, holding a spoon. “Feliaxian Souffle? Yes. And you wouldn’t believe what a pain in the ass it was to make having to use substitutes for half the ingredients.” The fox girl took the spoon and began to devour the desert, which the others took as their cue to dive in.

The meal was light hearted and fun, Dustin had to admit - even when Meli recounted their run in with pirates. He frowned at the thought of a hulking ship stalking innocent vessels, but contented himself with the fact that while the council might ignore other things, they were ostensibly focussed on fighting pirates and so should go after these ones. Naera hovered nervously as they ate, taking only small bites out of a few things before he almost had to physically sit her down and order her to take a proper plate of her own. As they finished the meal, conversation turned to their next actions. “I want to try for another weave-scan, and actually try flying the jump this time.” Dustin said, wiping his lips on a napkin. “I think there’s probably some shortcuts I can find that’ll get us back to Earth a little sooner, and we’re virtually done with missions now, right?”

Meli nodded. “There’s one or two planets closer to Earth to visit, and that’s it. Close to each other too - only a day or so’s travel in between, so it’s just a question of how fast we can get there that determines our arrival time back at your homeworld.” Dustin nodded to himself at that, then looked around at the crew. “Alright. We’ll do the next jump via an existing route tonight to let everyone get some rest and reconnect with each other, and then I’ll start scanning in the morning.” At that, Yril’k stood. “I believe that is our cue to leave, doctor. Naera, would you like a hand clearing the table?”

Dustin felt drained the next morning as he staggered towards the bridge. He’d gotten enough sleep, that hadn’t been an issue. It was just that before he’d gone to sleep he’d had four very attractive women all require his attention, coupled with his fiance then spotting him sneaking out the next morning and dragging him into his own bunk for some one on one time before he could get ready to start the day. He was pretty sure that the magic effects of Rye’s saliva had been wearing off towards the end of the morning’s activities; the net result being that he was glad when he got to his seat and half-collapsed into it.

“Sola, prep for weave-scan” he muttered, adjusting his position as the arms swung forward. Rye still hadn’t finished patching up the rush job she’d done on upgrading the buffers. No matter; Meli walked in with a smile and took up her station. He really was lucky to have her - and the others. Giving her a grin, he thumbed the button and the world faded out. Weave routes lit up his vision as he hunted for one that would… there. That should shave almost a week off their travel time. Now for the tricky part, the bit he hadn’t actually tried yet outside of simulations. Flying a new route. He concentrated on disconnecting from the scan, then as he felt the real world fade in tried to hold himself in place.

His vision swam as the system recognized his intent and split his attention between two dimensions. Then, everything cleared - he could see a swirling vortex of white and grey hovering in front of him. Meli’s voice - or was it Sola’s? Echoed in his ears. “Weave engines online. Preparing for weave-transit.” He thought himself forward, moving towards the vortex. Space rippled around him as he passed through it and into a shifting maze of threads all tangled around him. One close by glowed gold, and he reached out to it. The thread spun away - and he focused his will to follow it.

Back on deck, Meli bit her lip, watching the vitals monitor carefully. In an emergency, Sola would be able to route them back to their entry into the weave; one of the advantages of an AI especially one equipped with Rye’s ridiculously over-engineered buffer system. That didn’t make her any more relaxed about watching her li’ah’a navigate them through the alternate space of the weave on an uncharted route for the first time, even if it was one with a known destination. As she thought that, a beep came from the monitor, and her eyes snapped to the gauge. Blood pressure had dropped two points. Fine, not an issue, she **** herself to calm - and then another alert. Fifteen percent cortisol spike. She tapped her communicator, trying to keep the concern from her voice. “Doctor Bleu, could you come to the bridge please… Quickly, if you don’t mind.”

The thread was tangled, and Dustin’s fingers slid through when he tried to unpick it. He felt sure he could if he tried, but for now he just moved as carefully as possible from one side of the knot to the other. There was a jolt somewhere vaguely in his stomach as he let go the thread with one hand after grasping it with the other - and then it was back to smooth sliding along the strand. Another whirlpool lay just up ahead. His head hurt. That knot made him feel sick, looking back at it, so he pressed forward. “Weave exit reached, preparing for weave-disconnect.”

Meli paced, trying to not look at the nosebleed Bleu was delicately wiping from Dustin’s face. “We hit a weave-snag. He skipped us over it. He shouldn’t have done that on his first flight.” She muttered. The doctor turned towards her for a moment. “Please try to relax, Meli’a. His vitals indicate he remained conscious throughout. The strain was unexpected, yes, but still within expected bounds for his species.” That didn’t help. Meli was well aware that expected bounds for weave-piloting strain just meant “won’t cause you to die from a brain haemorrhage or severe stress” rather than “will be fine in a minute”. Her pacing sped up as the seconds counted down to re-entry to normal space.

Dustin’s vision returned to reality, and for a moment he was seeing double. “Hey, we’re here” he said, then the sickness he’d felt in the weave returned with avengeance. A bucket was in front of him - he emptied his stomach into it. “What…” he half-spat, trying to get his vision to return to seeing one rather than two doctors floating in front of him. “Piloting sickness, a mild case considering.” Bleu was calling over her shoulder. “He’ll grow used to it. That said, do I have your agreement to… yes? Ok.” A medspray was suddenly pressed to his neck, and everything went black.