Unexpected Commander: Unexpected Series Book 3 Page 4
She had planned to anyway, but it was nice that Yon was thoughtful enough to tell her. “I will.” When Yon didn’t say anything else, she tried to think of something to keep him talking. She liked his deep baritone voice and hoped she could engage him in friendly conversation. “Did you have a good time on the planet?”
He took another breath through his nose and exhaled quietly. “No, I didn’t. But if I had any suggestions for a first-time visitor like yourself, I’d let them know that this vehicle is called a Daamus Rounder. It’s free transportation on Lotus Adaamas. If you ever make the mistake of coming down here again, you should use the free ride.”
She didn’t miss the chastisement. As a warrior and high commander on the ship, it was his job to protect her and remind her of safety protocols. “I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Does that mean you won’t make the mistake of coming down to Adaamas or using the Rounder?”
She was truthful when she answered. “I probably won’t be coming down to Lotus Adaamas again.”
Yon’s eyebrows rose. “Why not? Did someone…do something to you?”
“No, no one did anything to me.”
Yon watched her face as if he were trying to figure out what it was she wasn’t saying. A second later, he asked, “If no one did anything, then what don’t you like about Adaamas?”
“The people could be nicer. When Clalls disappeared, I asked a female for help. Instead of helping, she told me that I had to come with her to an underground bubble party and find the prize for her. And then she would help me.”
When Yon’s eyes narrowed, she hoped that wasn’t a sign of his disbelief.
“I told her no, obviously. But I’ve gotten a lot of offers since I headed back to the docks.”
Yon’s jaw tightened more, and she saw it flex. That’s when she wondered if she shouldn’t have told him her story.
“But I’m fine. Especially now that you’re here.”
Yon nodded with his lips pressed flat in a line.
Yelena decided to stop talking. As much as she wanted to hear his voice, maybe she needed to think more about his situation. He’d said that he didn’t have a good time. Which meant she should have been more mindful of his problem.
“I’m sorry you didn’t have a good time on the planet. Hopefully, it will be better next time.”
Without hesitation, he shot back, “There won’t be a next time.”
Oh. She took that in and felt his anger. She softened to him even more. “Do you have a favorite planet you like to visit?”
He shook his head.
Taking in his mood and silence, she stopped asking questions. The inside of the Rounder grew so quiet that she could hear the purr of the engine.
The silence drew her back into her memories. Back to Cami. She wondered if Cami would like Yon. Would Cami have chosen to stay on the ship working in ecosystems with Yelena instead of going to live on a planet?
A sudden tap, tap, tap on her shin drew her eyes to Yon. His hand rested on her leg, and his thumb swiped up, down, and then tapped three times. His face was turned in the other direction as he watched the navigation screen, and the motion of his hand was rhythmic and looked as if he didn’t even know he was doing it.
He swiped again and tapped three times then stilled. He cleared his throat. “How long were you running?”
“I don’t know, a while.”
He stared at her for some time. “Why didn’t you call someone? Vivra? Pax?” He hesitated. “Me?” His tone was a little harsh.
“I couldn’t. I left my Minky on the ship.”
Yon’s head lowered, and a subtle noise came from his chest. She didn’t know exactly what that meant, but it sounded bad. When he addressed her again, his hand squeezed her leg. “You left the ship without your Minky? How were you going to get on the docks without Federation verification?”
“I didn’t know I needed it.”
“Without verification, they wouldn’t have let you on the docks, and they definitely wouldn’t have let you leave. Even as I say that, they are probably going to assume that you’re one of Lotus Adaamas’s new possessions.” His tone was still sharp.
Yon’s hand was firmly wrapped around her lower leg. Thankfully, he didn’t squeeze to the point of pain, but his tone and words made it clear that he was angry. At her. “What would you have done when you got to the gate and security turned you around?”
Years of conditioning made her lower her eyes. Her throat closed up—talking back to any authority was bad.
“Silence would have done nothing to help you. You’re not a slave anymore. You have to start thinking for yourself.”
She knew that. But she physically couldn’t speak just then, and she didn’t have the words to answer him anyway.
“Answer me.” A command.
Her voice hitched as she tried to talk. “I… I don’t know.”
“Not an answer. Tell me what you would have done.”
She took in an audible breath. “I don’t know, but I would have figured it out.”
“You’re supposed to figure it out before the situation comes. It’s called being prepared.”
How could she prepare for something when she didn’t know what to expect? She had never been on a planet other than her home world and Brica. She didn’t know the first thing about port planets. She was out of her depth, and it showed.
She rubbed her forehead against the fleshy part of her palms, feeling inadequate. The silence that descended did nothing to ease her confusion and embarrassment. It also bothered her that Yon was displeased with her. When the Rounder slowed to a stop, Yon signaled her with a gentle rub on the knee. “This is as far as the Rounder will go. We have to get out.” For a moment, she didn’t understand where the softness in his voice came from. But then she wondered if he simply got over his anger fast.
Yon was the first one out. Then he bent over and held out his palm for her to take. Her smaller hand was consumed by his. When she stepped out and tried to put pressure on her sore ankle, a sudden shot of pain raced up her leg.
“Can you stand on it, or does it hurt too much?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” She spoke as calmly as she could while lifting her hurt foot so that she didn’t foolishly try to walk on it.
“Right,” he said sarcastically. “You’re hurt. Might as well be honest about it. It’s not like I can’t carry you to the ship.”
“It’s not broken. It just hurts. I can make it.”
Yon’s eyes didn’t look angry anymore, they almost looked amused. “You’re going to hobble all the way to the ship?”
“I can make it.” She would force herself. Deep down, she knew she could do it. It might take a while, but she’d get there.
Yon opened his mouth to say something, but a guard called them over before he could. “Hey, Yunkin, over here.”
Yon turned to the guard. “You want me, you come here.”
Yelena didn’t mean to say it aloud but heard herself say, “He’s a guard.” Vivra had explained that Federation rules didn’t apply on the port planets. And here was the warrior who openly defied them.
“I know he’s a guard. I’ve got eyes.”
She peeked up, speaking quietly, “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get in trouble for not following the planet’s rules?”
A smug look crossed Yon’s face. “No. I’m not afraid of this nip.”
She had no idea what a nip was. But more to the point, she admitted, “Are you hoping to intimidate him? You are very intimidating.”
Again, there was something in his expression that said he was amused. “Do I intimidate you?”
“Yes.”
“Then why were you so happy when you first saw me?”
How to answer...? “You intimidate me in a good way.” One white eyebrow lifted, and she realized what she’d said. Yelena looked away. Trying to smooth over her previous comment, she added, “Respectfully, I meant respectfully.”
A male security guard
with copper-red skin approached, holding a two-handed phaser. The barrel end was tipped towards Yon, one of the guard’s fingers lying over the trigger. “I remember you, nip. You obviously aren’t very smart. I said you have to show me verification. I don’t care that you’re Federation. You don’t run things down here. Now, show me your verification and get off this planet, and don’t bother coming back.” Then the barrel of the gun focused on her. “And, you…you’re going to turn around, get in a Rounder, and go back to where you belong. Karr’s not letting any of you off without his personal say so.”
Yelena’s voice didn’t work. The weapon pointed directly at her nose made it impossible to speak.
“Yelena is a Federation employee. She was rescued and hired as a FAVII. I’m the highest ranked commander on Garna, and she’s part of my crew. So, she is leaving. With me,” Yon said as he pulled out his Minky from his pocket and began tapping the top screen. She saw the Federation logo and a picture of him with more lettering, but it was too far away to read.
The Red Demon only gave the Minky a brief glance. “Yunkin, I have no doubts that you’re Federation. Like I said, you can go. But she stays with me until Karr or one of his crew comes to pick her up. Or verify what you’re saying.”
Yon took a step forward, getting between the gun and her face. “She’s coming with me. I was just letting you know. You have a problem with that, you’re welcome to try and stop me,” Yon said as he typed something into his Minky. A picture of Yelena popped up with her Federation title. “You see her credentials right here. She’s Federation. Now, get that gun out of my face and let us pass or get ready for a fight you won’t win.”
The Red Demon looked at Yon. “You think you can take me?” The male laughed. “Do you not see my gun?”
Yon moved so fast, it was almost like he blurred. The gun was out of the guard’s hands in a heartbeat. Yon turned the gun and brought it down on the male’s temple.
Yelena watched as the Red Demon’s eyes squinted at the impact, the skin instantly turning red. The crack was loud enough that she could feel it in the air.
The guard’s knees bent, and he fell down in a slump.
“Now you look intimidated,” Yon said to her while chucking the gun into the little shed the guard had emerged from.
Yelena looked up at the warrior, her mouth open. “Did you kill him? Are you going to get in trouble?”
Yon didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he gave her a disappointed look. Then he grabbed her waist, lifted her up, and tossed her over his shoulder. “He’s not dead. And I showed him our credentials. That fight was his fault.”
Her hands moved to hold herself steady against his back. As they walked away, she watched the male’s chest, hoping to see it rise and fall. She did. Just as Yon had said, the male was not dead.
“He’s breathing.”
“Like I said, he’s not dead. But let me know if he gets up.” Yelena was amazed at the light tone of Yon’s voice.
“I will.” Then, because she was curious, she said, “Are you always like this?”
Yon didn’t slow as they walked around a set of large boxes piled up next to another ship. He didn’t respond until they were in the sloop and Yon had brought her to a room. He placed her on the bed, took a pillow, and handed it to her. “Keep the foot elevated. And, no, I’m not always like this.”
She held up her hand, hoping he wouldn’t leave her yet. She wanted to understand him better. “And when you say, ‘not always like this,’ do you mean you don’t knock people unconscious a lot?”
His head tilted slightly. “No, I meant I don’t usually come down to the planets I hate just to find a specific female and bring her back safely.”
It took a half-second longer than it should have for her to process that. “You came for me?”
“You shouldn’t have been down here in the first place.”
Yelena didn’t know what to say to that.
“Good thing you didn’t like Lotus Adaamas, because it was the last time you’re going to see it.” Yon was still holding out the pillow. His tone didn’t sound angry, more matter-of-fact.
She took the pillow and said, “Is it because of my skin? Or because of something else?”
“All of that and more.”
“What else could there be?”
“I will write you a list.”
He was going to write her…? “Are you writing me up?”
Yon didn’t answer for a moment. “Is that what you want?”
Yelena didn’t know what was happening. Was he upset or curious? Hoping to smooth things over, she said, “I didn’t mean to offend you. No, I don’t want to leave the Federation.”
“You didn’t offend me. But I have wondered why you wanted to work on a ship after spending fifty years inside a mine. Why don’t you want to live the rest of your life on a planet? Out in the open.”
He thought about her? She hoped that she didn’t look too pleased. “Because I’m unmated.”
At that, he frowned. “What does that have to do with it?”
“I have nowhere else to be. Might as well be somewhere safe.”
He looked stunned. “Garna is not a safe ship. It has the highest death rate of all the Federation ships. It takes on the biggest issues. If you’ve fooled yourself into thinking it’s safe, you should reevaluate.”
Yelena didn’t take offense to his words or tone. She was starting to understand Yon more. He was sharp, but he cared. That’s what made him a good warrior. He fought from the heart.
Stuffing the pillow under her ankle, she spoke again without looking at him. “I’ll be safe as long as you’re around.”
Silence.
When she garnered the nerve to look up, she found Yon looking down at her with an intensity she couldn’t place, as if he were looking inside her. She held his stare, not to be dominating but to let him see the truth. She genuinely did feel safe around him.
Yon cleared his throat and pointed at the wall. “Hold on to the bars when we take off. It gets shaky.” Then he turned on his heel and left.
6
Allus Traits
The hum of the engines no longer vibrated. Yelena removed the pillow from under her ankle and pushed herself up. She hobbled to the door. As it slid open, Yon had just walked to the entryway.
His hard eyes took her in, not in a loving way but in a way that said he noticed her holding the wall and that her injured foot was pulled behind her.
“For future reference, should you ever get hurt again, stay where I put you.”
“I will.”
His big hands took hold of her waist, and he lifted her over his shoulder. He had to duck when they left the room. She didn’t think about how foolish she would feel with him carrying her like this until they exited the small sloop and he carried her along the docking bay of the star carrier. That’s when she noticed Sands’ curious expression and Lita’s wince.
Lita was another mechanic, and she was trying to comfort her in whatever terrible thing had happened. Yelena shook her head, hoping that Lita understood that as her saying, “nothing’s wrong.”
But then the female pointed at herself and then to them.
Yelena shook her head again, not sure what Lita was saying, but knowing she didn’t want the female’s help.
Yon didn’t say anything until they passed through the medical division’s double doors. Several beds lined the walls inside, each with a Minky screen above it. Yon took Yelena’s hips and gently guided her down his body. She didn’t know if he’d meant to do that, but deep down, she enjoyed the contact. With one hand holding her arm, he asked, “Are you steady enough to stand?”
She nodded.
He let her go before she was ready. Instinctively, she supported herself on her bad foot and hissed. Yon grabbed her arm. “Right. Steady as a falling star.” She didn’t have time to respond before Yon bellowed, “Ansel. Get out here.”
Ansel was a thin male with wavy brown hair. He walked out from a secured lab.
His warm brown eyes observed Yon for a moment before they landed on her. His eyebrows pulled together as he pointed at the medscanner. “Put her in bed one, and I’ll run a scan.”
Yon didn’t let her walk. In one fluid movement, he picked her back up and carried her over to the beds that looked more like tubes. He set her down, then lifted her feet and set them on the table, making sure not to injure her foot any more than it already was.
Yon told Ansel, “She twisted her ankle while running. I don’t think it’s broken, but she needs it fixed. Also, she was alone and unprotected for hours. Could have picked up a Silk thorn. Check for that. If she has one, get rid of it.”
A Silk thorn was a microscopic entity transferred from a Silk Demon. She didn’t remember being touched at all. “I’m pretty sure I wasn’t infected. I don’t remember anyone touching me.”
“Silks are clever. You probably wouldn’t remember if they had touched you,” Yon said.
“I would remember.” And she would, because touch was not something she did lightly.
Yon’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure?”
“The scan will pick up a thorn if she has one,” Ansel said.
She wanted to tell Ansel that she didn’t have one, but didn’t think arguing with the doctor was wise. Interestingly, Yon hadn’t taken his eyes off her, again as if he were trying to look inside her to see if she was telling the truth.
“I need to close the top of the bed, would you mind lying down, Yelena?” Dutifully, she lay back and tilted her head away from the two males.
“It will only be for a minute, I promise.”
Yelena didn’t respond to Ansel. She knew that Yon would make her stay, and she knew that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her even though she didn’t like being in the medical scanner.
Inside the bed, she saw a series of blue lights flicker from her head down to her feet. She assumed she would feel differently, but the scan only took a few seconds. When it was over, the lid slid back, and she sat up.
Ansel was at the Minky screen next to her bed, tapping and examining the images. Ansel didn’t say anything at first, but his head tilted back and forth. He winced a few times, and she wondered if Yon was right. Maybe she had picked up a Silk thorn. Half a second later, Ansel looked at Yon and pointed to the other side of the room. “Over in my cooler are several bags of water. Would you grab two for Yelena?”