Splitting paths

The hologram spun gently in the middle of the table, and Dustin frowned at it. “Are you sure about this kitten?” he asked, glancing up at Emely. “I mean, I know you’ve told me the benefits, but it does seem a little… different from the sorts of missions we usually undertake.” The Feliax woman nodded as she replied. “Yes sir. The grand bout will be a great place to gain people interested in combat for Yril’k, and a good showing will help promote humanity in the eyes of some of the more physically minded species.” Frowning again, Dustin glanced at his tablet. “The only issue is the timing - it’ll conflict with the scientific work Meli wants to do three jumps over.”

Emely shrugged at that. “Meli wouldn’t be qualified to fight anyway, and you trust her with the ship right? We’ll take a landing party to the tournament, and Meli can hop over to do the research in Sola. The travel time there and back should work out so that she gets back right in time to pick us up after we’re done with the fighting.” Sighing to himself, Dustin nodded. “That makes sense. Two missions at once - it’s a risk, but it’ll pay off significantly if everything works out. We’ll go over it with the others at dinner.” The Feliax smiled then, her eyebrows arching. “It’s still a while until dinner, sir, and if we’re not busy…”

They arrived to dinner last, tagging hastily on to the end of the line of their lovers and friends being served by Naera. The Caenii woman smiled when she saw them, before waving hastily with a ladle towards the stock-pot. “Stew tonight, don’t let it get cold.” Dustin waited until they were all seated, green-skinned chef included before he raised the question of the tournament. To his surprise, the majority of the senior crew agreed with the plan to split their forces; the only exceptions being Naera and Bleu, both of whom had no strong opinions either way. “With that decided then’k. Who goes where’k?” Yril’k asked, standing to go and help herself to another bowl full of food as she did so.

Dustin scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I should go to the tournament as ambassador. Looking at the details, you won’t be able to compete Yril’k - biological weaponry like your blades are banned. Meli has to stay here to run things while I’m away. Emely will be coming with me in case I need a translator. Bleu - I’d like you on hand in the event of any medical issues; I doubt the locals are aware of human physiology.” The doctor looked up from her meal to reply, waving the hand holding her spoon idly. “As long as you don’t expect me or Emely to fight, that’s fine.” Dustin nodded, then glanced at the others. “We do need a second fighter though - there’s both duo and team events that I’d like to put in a good showing for. Any volunteers?”

Rye sighed and set her spoon down. “It’ll be me, Dusty. Treacle’s technically stronger than I am, but in the event anything goes wrong technically you’ll want me there to jury rig a solution. Pretty sure Meli can keep Sola humming along without me.” Dustin grinned at the bunny girl. “Right. You, me, Emely and Bleu. Basically the same party that went to help your cousin out, plus the doctor here.” He’d said it without thinking, and only realized when he heard Naera half-whisper a question to Emely. “Why are you blushing so much? What happened when you met Rye’s cousin?”

The rest of the travel time to the world on which the tournament was being held was occupied by the two groups getting everything in order. Dustin’s group spent most of it in training, or going over procedures with those people that had been deputised to help Meli out in the absence of the chief engineer. “We really need to get some more people in my team soon Dusty” Rye grumbled as she lent against one wall of the ready room on the day of departure. “I’ve even drafted Naera into helping out while I’m gone - might not be an engineer, but she can monitor temperature gauges just fine in the event anyone needs to tinker with the reactors, but that’s not the point. I need folks I can count on to do stuff too.”

He sighed in reply, walking over to hug the irritated Rabyth. “And you’ll get them - EarthGov’s got a whole host of volunteers, both human and otherwise signing up for the fleet now. I’ve already put a request in to Axworth to send over a list of applicants for you to review that he thinks have what it takes to serve on the Solar Ascent; we’re just not going anywhere near any good recruiting worlds for your team on the way back to Earth. Soon as we get there, you’ll have your own personal army to boss around.” That seemed to mollify the woman somewhat, and she returned the hug before a chirp from the communicator drew their attention. “Captain, we’re gathering in shuttle bay one when you’re ready” Emely’s voice came from the device, causing the pair to break off from their embrace and head for the door.

Meli and the others that were staying behind had also gathered to see them off; as a result, Dustin got further hugs from the rest of his partners alongside a formal salute from Yril’k. Naera meanwhile did her best to imitate the Vex’ess warrior’s form - but on the short-stack the gesture looked cute rather than official. The image wasn’t helped by the fact that she also had obtained an actual picnic basket from somewhere in the ships stores, which she pressed on Emely as the Feliax walked by. To Dustin’s surprise, the redhead pulled the Caenii woman in for a hug before taking the offered parcel; she ignored his raised eyebrow as she stepped past him into the shuttle however.

“Alright, everyone. Take good care of my ship, if you get into any trouble then run back here as fast as you can.” Dustin said then, before pulling Meli in for one final kiss. “I will ensure everyone is safe by the time we return, li’ah’a” the Velca woman murmured, and with that he climbed into the shuttle and was gone. The descent to the planet was bumpier than usual - the tournament had brought in a huge number of both competitors and spectators and as a result the airspace around the capital which housed the main colosseum and arenas involved was jam packed with craft. As they descended, Dustin watched the tracking blip of his ship moving steadily away from the planet until at last she was out of range.

He felt a hand squeeze his shoulder, and to his surprise looked around to find that it was Bleu, sitting in the seat next to him who was responsible for the gesture. “The ship will be fine, captain. Your stress levels appeared to be spiking, and this is apparently a moderately effective treatment for your species.” The doctor's voice was low - intended for his ears only he’d guess, although judging by the twitching ears on the Rabyth flying the shuttle and Emely who was acting as co-pilot the discretion wasn’t quite enough when compared with his lovers’ sharp hearing.

As the only occupants of the shuttle were senior crew, he **** himself to relax. “You’re right. I am pretty stressed - this is the first time Sola will be leaving a system without me. I trust Meli with my life, but I’m worried about something happening to her while I’m not there to help.” Bands of darker blue rippled across the doctor’s face for a moment, before she spoke again, this time with a somewhat puzzled tone to her voice. “Captain, when you say her… do you mean your lover or your ship?” Dustin was about to answer - but before he could do so Rye and Emely both glanced at each other. “Both?” they said in perfect unison, before the Feliax started to giggle. Emely’s laugh was contagious, Rye doing her best to remain composed while flying the craft - but Dustin had no such issues and started to chuckle himself. To his side, Bleu snorted briefly, before she too began to laugh, and it was with mirth sapping away what remained of his stress that Dustin and his crew flew onward down towards the planet and the tournament ahead of them.