“Hancock, approach.” The voice belongs to Syretia, but the order came from the Azure Queen.

  Lieutenant Rex Hancock approaches the Azure Queen cautiously after being beckoned forward, watching carefully for anything he should avoid stepping on. He stops before her, and she stares at him with a bored expression. She murmurs in grodrrn, waving at someone else. Nyonnyss translates, “Do you fear me, Hancock?”

  “I respect your strength and know better than to anger you, if I can help it.”

  She snorts, “Then why do you hesitate?” A servant approaches, providing her a drink. She sips from it, and shoos him away, growling something at the alien species Hancock hasn’t seen yet.

  There’s a pause, and she glares at Nyonnyss. She growls something, and Nyonnyss quickly says, “Fetch purified water for Hancock.” The Queen sighs, looking at him again. He stares up at her, confused. He remarks, “Hesitate, your majesty?”

  Suddenly, she snatches him by his shirt collar, lifting him off of the ground. He grunts in pain from his weight hanging from his injury it feels like, trying to brace himself on her arm.

  However, he quickly finds himself plopped down onto something soft, released just as quickly. The Void Queens start buzzing in apparent protest and shock. One of them collapses, apparently fainting from shock. He is seated on the throne next to the Queen, pressed against her surprisingly soft thorax.

  Hancock looks at the Queen in surprise, and she looks ahead in apparent disinterest. However, she glares at Nyonnyss and Syretia both, snarling in Zarakyssn first, and then grodrrn. Syretia squeaks, “Translate all! No matter who! I will not ask again.”

  One of the Void Queens protests, and Syretia translates, “Sister! This… beast… STOP translating!”

  The Queen growls, and Syretia hesitantly translates, “Sh-She will do no such thing.” The queen then says more casually in grodrrn, directed at Hancock. “Hancock, would you be surprised to learn that I have had one equal in my life, in all the walks on the path it has stretched?”

  He replies, “No, not particularly.”

  “Would you be surprised if I told you my one and only equal was a human?”

  The Void Queens protest once more, and the translations are simply, “Sister!” in both Zarakyssn and grodrrn.

  Hancock answers the Azure Queen, “That, I would find significantly more surprising.”

  “Take a guess who you think it is, then.”

  Hancock thinks for a moment, but replies honestly, “I’m not sure, Noble Queen.”

  The servants return with water for Hancock, providing it to him in a small container suited to his size -likely whatever the Void Queens use-. However, when he replied, the Queen growls a terrifying, grodrrn growl that rumbles the room. “And, yet, only one human sits as my equal.” She sips her drink casually, and the Void Queens protest once more. “Sister! This is no time for jests! That creature nearly killed you! Please make them stop translating!”

  “Hancock has earned the right to hear what is said, and he CHOSE not to kill me at the moment he would have. We will never know if the battle would have concluded any differently, as Mmnnorrynn interfered and prevented us from competing honorably.”

  “He bore weapons and armor! It was hardly a fair fight, Sister!”

  “Wasn’t it? Mrrk’lah had his armor when I first defeated him. The yungarzziss ruler attempted to use an armored vehicle, weapons, and armor against me. All of my foes have failed to defeat me, save one. And one sits at my side currently.”

  “This is ridiculous!”

  “I have allowed you to voice your opinions on this matter, but it is decided. I have deemed Hancock my equal. End of discussion.”

  There’s an awkward silence for a long time. Hancock glances nervously at the Void Queens, and then at the Azure Queen.

  The white Zarakyssn queens finally relax, and the Azure Queen states plainly, “Summon Mmnnorrynn, Zeeannssii, the two Baskylla Jardzens, the Niolajt Jardzen, and the human ruler. Also, summon Sister Gree.”

  One of the older-looking Void Queens replies affirmatively, “As you wish, Sister.” She departs the room.

  And, just as she’s passing through the doorway, a tiny insectoid head peeks inside.

  The Azure Queen asks with little interest, “What is it, Tzzaann?”

  The tiny Void Queen -a child, apparently- jogs into the room. She says warmly, and Syretia translates, “I was curious about smell! Is… that a heemee?”

  “Human,” corrects the Azure Queen. “And yes. This is Hancock.”

  “Can I pet him?”

  The Azure Queen rears her head back, licking her teeth. She looks at Hancock, asking, “Do you feel offended, Hancock?”

  “Why would I be offended?” asks the human soldier.

  “She wishes to treat you as a pet.”

  Hancock chuckles, replying, “I’m not offended. She’s a child, I assume, and I’m strange to her.”

  The Azure Queen is silent, and she observes as the young Void Queen timidly approaches the human. He murmurs softly, “Nice to meet you.”

  She glances at Syretia once she translates, and then at the human. She reaches hesitantly towards him, and he presents his arm for her to touch. She pokes him gently. Before long, she’s prodding him more curiously, admiring how soft his flesh is compared to Gree’ato. She even climbs up onto his lap to inspect his face, and she gingerly pulls his lips back to inspect his mouth. She remarks excitedly, “You have teef like Sister!”

  Hancock chuckles, replying warmly, “Yes, I do.”

  “They’re so flat!”

  “Mm-hmm. It lets me eat different foods.”

  “I have a teef too! See!?” The tiny Void Queen presents a large, sharp, reptilian tooth, by the looks of it. It could have easily come from a velociraptor, for all Hancock knows, but he suspects it came from the large ruler whose body he is still seated against. Tzzaann explains excitedly how she obtained the tooth, confirming his suspicions, and he listens patiently. His responses are kind and attentive to the young Void Queen, and she is excited to explain it to him.

  After a moment, the Azure Queen asks, “Are you curious why I am summoning them, Lieutenant Hancock?”

  He scoffs. “Of course. I suspect that this is some sort of game, as we’re all at your mercy. So, please, you can continue to call me just Hancock.”

  She snorts. “As you wish."

  However, she surprises Hancock when she gingerly places her hand on his forearm from around his shoulder. She adds in a soft tone, “It is no game. I will honor our deal.”

  Those she requested are brought into the throne room, and they are placed in a kneel before the Azure Queen and Hancock. It takes a moment for anyone to notice the relatively small human next to the large Queen, and partially hidden by a Void Queen child sitting on his lap.

  Shocked and amazed that he’s alive, Long exclaims, “Hancock!? You’re alive!?”

  He nods, “Aye, Ma’am.”

  The Azure Queen rises to her feet, towering over everyone. “Hear me, and hear me well. This human is the first and only being in the universe thus far to defeat me in one on one combat. I am not ashamed of this. I am ashamed that the honor of my defeat was taken from me, that we may never know if I could have struck the final blow and made it a draw.”

  Confused, everyone watches her silently. She adds sternly, “Anyone who doubts this claim or doubts this human may speak now without fear of death. But, know, any attempts to harm him are an attack on my dignity and honor, and I will not respond with mercy.”

  The young Void Queen sits patiently in Hancock’s lap, listening curiously to the stern speech. Hancock is surprised, and the Azure Queen looks at him. “As promised, I will release your fleet, Hancock. My armies shall even aid in repairs. However, I have a condition to the next part of what I am to offer that is non-negotiable. Your fleet will attempt for my sisters what you have done for the Grodrrns; reversing their sterility.”

  Several of the Void Queens suddenly sink to their knees in surprise, though one of the others -with a few more who appear to agree- outbursts, “Are you mad, Sister!? These humans weak and pathetic! And, Grodrrns beasts on best of days! Their filthy hands have no power to help-...”

  The Azure Queen finally hisses, and everyone silences. She snarls at Syretia, “Finish translating.”

  Syretia complies adding "The Void Queen say their filthy hands have no power to help us with anything. I continue translate.” The Azure Queen replies to the Void Queen, “THIS human is my equal. Or did you mishear me, Sister? He comes from species that has already reversed intentional sterility of Grodrrns. If they can reverse your curse, they have EARNED honor through cultivate their own superior warrior.”

  The Queen then speaks in grodrrn, which Nyonnyss seamlessly translates as well, "In exchange for your endeavors, I shall annihilate your fleet publicly in the eyes of the Horde.”

  Everyone flinches, but the Queen waves a hand dismissively. “I will not execute any more humans or Grodrrns without reason. You will appear as dead to the Horde. Along with Syretia and her daughter. Both of whom, we shall teach to cut ties with the divine bond. Is this acceptable?”

  The Azure Queen looks at Hancock, and he replies, “Me? You should be discussing it with-” He starts to point at Long, but the reptilian empress hisses a sort of scoff. She retorts, “I will do business with my equal and only my equal. All others, I order. Is that clear?”

  Hancock sighs, “Yes.”

  “Good. What do you choose, Hancock?”

  He tries to glance at Long, but the Azure Queen seems to have tactfully placed herself in the way. He asks, “If we choose to leave and only leave, you’ll allow it?”

  The Queen frowns, but replies, “Yes. That was the deal.”

  If she’s telling the truth, though, having the Horde believe they’re dead is a huge and obvious boon to the fleet.

  Hancock replies after a moment of deliberation, “I cannot promise what my fleet’s scientists are capable of, but I shall ensure they try to help your Void Queens, Noble Queen.”

  The Azure Queen seems especially pleased with his reply, but maintains her placid and refined demeanor. She replies calmly and rather placidly, “I accept. Sisters, free the humans, the Nizzkurezz and her spawn and broodmother, the Grodrrns, and Syretia’s daughter to the human ship Polonia. I assume your champion’s decision is heard?” She looks directly at Long, who quickly nods. “Yes. I agree with Hancock anyways. We’d be honored to attempt to help your people in exchange for peace.”

  “This will not make us allies, human. I will simply grant you a status of no longer being enemies.”

  Long bows, “Understood.”

  “Sister,” growls one of the Void Queens; one of the older ones. “This all sound good, but human is… Stop translate, traitor.” She glares at Syretia, who flinches lightly.

  The Azure Queen says to Syretia, “You shall do no such thing. Hancock hear every word. No exception. I will not repeat self again, Sisters.”

  The Queen speaking a moment before hesitates, and she continues, “The human… His strength granted by armor. His speed as well. A single spear wound cripple him.”

  The Azure Queen stares at her in silence. Hancock feels a little trapped, though mainly because the young Void Queen is still sitting contentedly on his lap.

  However, the Azure Queen walks back to the throne itself, taking a seat next to him once more, and he squirms to make room for her. Instead, she gingerly -but forcefully- places her hand on his shoulder, pressing him to her lightly-armored torso. She replies in grodrrn, “I could crush him with little effort. This is true. He is all but helpless in his current state. However, with his armor and with his weapons, he accomplished what no one else had done WITH armor and WITH weapons as well. His mind was sharp, his hands were fast, and he fought with great valor. Name anyone here that could match that accomplishment right now, and I shall challenge them to a duel on his behalf. If you could beat Hancock in his armor, then you could surely defeat me, yes?”

  There’s a hesitation as the less-accepting Void Queens quietly glance at each other. They all KNOW they can’t defeat the Azure Queen, likely even if they had Hancock’s power armor.

  The Azure Queen adds more softly, “Hancock has also presented something that has been lacking on this world; understanding. Because he is my equal, he was able to understand my own mind, perhaps better than myself. Though, the last part is admittedly doubtful. Regardless, Hancock would have slain me on the spot were it not for that understanding, and so, my life would belong to him under any other circumstance.”

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  “You are not a Grodrrn,” murmurs one of the senior Void Queens. “You need not live by THEIR barbaric beliefs.”

  “I am neither and both Grodrrn and Zarakyssn. Hancock is human. I have declared us equal, and though I promised you all no physical harm, if anyone else disapproves, I shall force you all to bear witness as he breeds the first and entirety of my progeny through the next moon.”

  Hancock murmurs in surprise, “Say what now?” He notices everyone is blanching at this; the Void Queens are stunned, and another one faints, Long and the Grodrrns are stunned, and even Syretia and Nyonnyss can barely keep straight faces, embarrassed to have to translate.

  The Azure Queen looks at Hancock. “We shall mate until the next moon, and I shall bear your spawn, just as a female human carries the mightiest Grodrrn’s larvae.”

  This stuns the audience for two equally shocking reasons. Dzor looks at Long in stunned disbelief, fairly confident that only one couple could be meant. She looks at the ground, perhaps ashamed she was told in a similar way by the Azure Queen before anyone else, and she had no way to tell him. On the flip side of that, the Azure Queen’s intentions with Hancock do not seem to be hypothetical. Only the consequences for disapproving of him further seem to be optional.

  “W-Wait… M-Me?” asks Hancock, surprised. She hums in approval. He’s at a loss for words, and murmurs, “I… C-Can we…? This…” He keeps glancing at everyone else, and for once, the Azure Queen seems to read him. She orders, “Clear the room. Syretia, you shall stay.”

  Once the room is cleared, including the excited young Void Queen, Hancock murmurs, “I… I know there’s a language barrier, but…”

  “Share your concern. Syretia desire to mate with the human with the golden arm device.”

  “Kane?” murmurs Hancock. Syretia nods sheepishly. He looks at the Azure Queen, asking, “Wait… So you… want to… have children with me?”

  “Desire has nothing to do with. It is decided.”

  “Wait! Hold on, ‘decided’? I didn’t decide that.”

  The Azure Queen stares at him coldly, and Syretia quickly explains, “Um… th-there’s not great way to translate, and I could only use… What you say to Zarakyssn when you say ‘Noble Queen’ in our language is that pure and desirable. I’m sorry. I-I know better, since means something different to humans, but… th-that’s how I translated it when she ask.”

  Hancock plays through the conversation, recalling when he said ‘Noble Queen’ and the Azure Queen asked Syretia. However,... “I… I spoke in error. I… I have someone I’m close to. I truly do respect you, and find you… uh… desirable in ways, but it’s not what I intended.”

  Syretia translates, and the Azure Queen stares at him.

  She asks, “This person carries your offspring?”

  “N-No… B-But, I dunno, someday… I… I mean, it’s… Humans are…”

  She doesn’t become enraged, but she does reply in a tone that sounds icy even to Hancock’s ears. Syretia hesitates before translating, “If you refuse me now, this shall be last conversation I have with your fleet. All business will continue through sisters.”

  Hancock hesitates. Knowing what he does know about the Azure Queen at this point, he knows there’s no negotiating now. He’s actually probably lucky to be alive.

  He thinks for a long time, but it never gets any easier. His relationships with both Kenzie and Lopez are complex. He likes Kenzie, but they’re also apart a lot, and she doesn’t like that he’s a soldier. Lopez is okay with him being a soldier, and likely only works on the projects that she does because they’re so close. However, the Azure Queen strangely respects him in a way no one else does, and he just inadvertently insulted her in a humongous way.

  His only saving grace is that she doesn’t rush him. She still has the same stern expression, but she doesn’t pressure him. She’s making the choice his and his alone; which is still not any easier. Satisfy the Azure Queen for the best relationship with her going forward, and ideally, a potential -if loose- alliance or truce, or preserve his somewhat shaky relationship with Kenzie and potentially upset Lopez in the process?

  More importantly, is it even right to boil it down to such a pragmatic and transactionary type of process? It was his mistake, and now his consequence to bear.

  Hancock deliberates for a long time. It’s quite possible several minutes pass by of awkward silence, where the Azure Queen sits with him and waits, and Syretia glances between them nervously.

  Hancock hesitates only a moment longer. He doesn’t feel great, but if he’s learned anything, sometimes you just have to jump and try not to die.

  “How… long is it until the next moon?”

  ***

  The transition back onto the Polonia is quiet. Everything is where they left it, and many of the automated processes are still running, apparently powered by the dock power the Zarakyssns connected them to. Some whispers ask if they’ll flee as soon as they can close the doors. Others ask if it’s a trick of some kind. A few more find solace in work.

  Chief Grey and Spaceman Long are two of the latter. They work together picking up dropped weapons and discarded magazines in the hangar. The Zarakyssn soldiers have all been cleaned up by the Zarakyssns, likely to be recycled as food for the insectoid soldiers. Syretia asked for her own fallen soldiers for that very reason.

  The two soldiers are huddled together, putting magazines into a bucket. They haven’t said much, and Vivi is hanging from Long’s shoulder as she munches on a peanut -one of her favorite foods lacking in the Queen’s castle-.

  Long finally asks softly, “Chief?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Why… does this feel so weird?”

  “Because we didn’t win the fight. It feels unnatural.”

  Long nods. That makes sense. Just a couple weeks ago, they had their force completely overwhelmed, and are suddenly ‘free’ once again… supposedly.

  “Do… you think what they said is true? Th-... That we’re… free?”

  He’s quiet for a moment, pulling un-spent rounds from a discarded magazine. “Doesn’t matter what I think. I’m a marine.”

  “It matters to me, Chief…”

  He sighs. “I think we’re doing the best with what we have. While we’re in orbit over this planet, though, we’re not free.”

  Long nods. That makes sense, too.

  “Can…? Should we do something?”

  “Yep. Collect mags and check bullets. Best place to start.”

  “F-... For a fight?”

  He shakes his head. “No. If the rumor’s true, Rookie negotiated a truce. If we react to something that isn’t a problem, we ruin that truce and all we stand to gain. If we aren’t prepared at all, we lose what little hope we have. So we collect mags and check bullets, and then await orders.”

  Long nods.

  Another female voice asks softly from beside them, “Speaking of, where is Rex?”

  Grey falls on his butt as he and Long both flinch, and he scolds, “Jesus, Doc! The hell have you been?”

  Dr. Lopez is crouching next to them, clutching her laptop to her chest as always and still wearing her EVA suit, but mainly for the polarization of her helmet. She averts her gaze, which shows as her helmet tilting away from him a little. “Rex said he was going to rescue everyone. Everyone appears to be rescued.”

  Grey sighs. “That doesn’t explain where you were.”

  Long offers diplomatically, “Were you hiding in the shuttle, Doctor Lopez?”

  Lopez shakes her head, though. “I took measurements of the ship’s systems. I was able to tap in, but it’s not as… convenient as the grodrrn ships. Everything was compartmentalized. I did find out what they did to our reactors.”

  Grey says dryly, “I think this is the most words I’ve ever heard come out of Lopez’s mouth.”

  She hugs her laptop, and Long says softly, “Chief, you made her feel bad. Doctor, Lieutenant Hancock stayed behind. The Azure Queen apparently is making an example of him or something to the Void Queens.”

  Lopez squeaks, and Grey retorts, “At least I didn’t scare her, Long. He’s fine, as the reports go. He’s apparently the only one the Queen respects.”

  “A-After… h-he… fought her?”

  Grey nods. “Scottish Amazonian Viking queen, apparently. We don’t know all of the details yet. Just that he’s alive and negotiating on our behalf.”

  Lopez nods. “I… understand…” She sounds softly disappointed.

  Long asks gently, “Would… you like to stay here, Doctor? You’re welcome to keep us company.”

  Lopez nods hesitantly, and Long says, “Please, stay, Doctor.”

  Lopez nods again, and she relaxes a little into a seated position. She asks softly, “What… What would have helped him? D-... Did… he win? W-Was he… hurt?”

  “I suspect one of those magic stars from that old video game… You know, the ones that make a fool invincible.”

  Long hisses, “Chief!” She then says more gently, “Hancock survived because of your armor, Doctor. It was amazing! You should have seen him! I know Lieutenant Hancock was the one fighting, but your suit made it possible!”

  Lopez squeaks softly, “You made it possible…”

  “M-Me?”

  The scientist nods sheepishly. “I was… worried my instructions… were too… written by me.”

  Long realizes what she means, and she squeaks, “I… that was… All I did was flip a switch!”

  Lopez nods. “Without it… we would never have found this place…”

  A sudden shadow appears over them, and Lopez looks up. WAY up. Grey and Long turn, but the presence isn’t particularly startling. Though he’s still wearing bandages and is holding his arm in a cast, Dzor is unusually reluctant and distant-seeming. Though, he seems to have intentionally approached them.

  Grey breaks the ice. “Baskylla Jardzen. Need anything?”

  Dzor glances at him, still with a distant gaze. “I need… to speak to one of you.”

  There’s an awkward pause, and Grey asks, “Which one of us?”

  Dzor is silent. Whatever is on his mind is weighing on him.

  He says distantly, “I don’t know… News is… startling. She… I do not know what to say.”

  Long asks delicately, “Do you mean Angelica?”

  Dzor nods. “Azure Queen made a revelation. I do not know… what to express.”

  “What revelation?” asks Grey.

  Dzor is quiet for a moment. He states without any context or lead up. “She is carrying offspring.”

  All four of them are silent together. Long quickly squeaks, mindful not to draw attention, “Yarjen! That’s impossible! She would NEVER betray you! It’s Angelica! She-... It…! What if there was someone… He could have… She would’ve said…”

  Dzor shakes his head. Vivi asks curiously, “Meemee? What is offspring?”

  Long sighs, murmuring softly, “A baby, Vivi.”

  “Auntie have a baby?”

  “I… I guess… Yarjen, h-how do you know it’s true?”

  Dzor replies quietly as he looks away, “She check. Holding test now. Hasn’t left room or spoken.”

  Grey sighs. “Yarjen, all due respect and whatnot, but your family problems are something you need to learn how to handle yourself. Walk into the room and…”

  “This is different, Chief Grey. It was not supposed to be possible.”

  Long asks cautiously, “Wait… Wh-... Whose… baby is it?”

  Dzor looks at her, and her eyes widen. Grey and Lopez glance at each other. Long points at Dzor disbelievingly, and he nods.

  Grey asks bluntly, “How the hell does that happen?”

  Dzor looks at him, replying, “I do not know. Craw and I were told when we were deployed that your race would be suitable to host the Saurmynnyka. That was ultimately the extent of what we knew. They told us science, they explained methods. That made enough sense. A warm body for a unique Grodrrn. Whoever recover humans would be hero.”

  Grey sighs, “And instead of telling you what would happen if you did the deed with what you thought was just a notch above an animal, they knew you wouldn’t question it.”

  Dzor nods, “I am ashamed to admit that is correct.”

  Long replies, “I don’t understand. I don’t know much… but… The grodrrns aren’t parasitic like the Cave Queen. It’s a completely different process. Th-... The r-regular process… isn’t it?”

  Grey nods. “Seems that way. And yet…”

  Dzor looks down. “You saw mon-... Azure Queen… I do not know much either… But… I think… humans call ‘hybrid’, yes?”

  Lopez squeaks, “Usually, both parents have to be the same genus at least…”

  Grey asks, “I know it’s been a long time, but when is the last time you know of a Grodrrn other than the Saurmynnyka producing eggs, Yarjen?”

  Dzor scratches his neck scales. “I know enough to know what I was taught is not the truth. Saurmynnyka was said to be several thousand years old. Is very possible it preceded even a Saurmynnyka before her. Yarjen Murf may know more. He is the oldest of us, and a little more versed in history. Maybe.”

  Grey nods as he listens. “I suspect this knowledge was conveniently lost as well. There are no rumors of runaway grodrrns finding love on faraway worlds? No assassinations of grodrrn despots and warlords?”

  Dzor is silent. His expression, though, says more than enough.

  Long redirects to the real reason Dzor approached them, though. “Angelica believes all life is sacred, at least at conception. If you don’t want the child, Yarjen…”

  He locks eyes with her, and he asks, genuinely seeming confused, “Not want?”

  “I-... Isn’t that why you wanted to ask us for help? Y-... You’re concerned the baby is a hybrid?”

  Dzor stares at her for a long time, still disbelieving. He finally says, “Angelica is undoubtedly ashamed…”

  Grey grumbles in disgust, “Oh for God’s sake.” He climbs to his feet. “THIS again. Let’s go.”

  The other three follow him as he storms towards Angelica’s and Dzor’s stateroom. He grumbles as he walks, ignoring Long’s protests for delicacy. “Half a ton of killing machine and more insecurities than a teenager before prom.”

  “Chief!” protests Long. Vivi asks nervously, “Meemee? Chief angy?”

  Grey answers for himself, “No, Vivi. Just teaching an overgrown salamander that the Admiral isn’t as delicate as he fears.”

  Lopez retorts softly, almost as if she’s trying not to be heard, “Grodrrns are confirmed reptiles, Chief.”

  He glares over his shoulder at her with his dead eye, and she shrinks behind the grodrrn. Dzor takes the licks in stride, though, following without a word.

  Grey points at the door, and Dzor nods. He pounds on the door, opening it. “Admiral, wellness inspection or something. Open up.”

  The door opens after a moment, and they find Angelica still holding a sonogram with a white spot on a black background. She looks at all of them, but focuses on Dzor. She whimpers, “I-... It’s true…”

  There’s an awkward pause, and Dzor starts, “If you are ashamed…”

  “Ashamed?” asks Admiral Long in disbelief. Her voice is raspy and her eyes are red. She repeats, “Ashamed?” She seems to be almost losing her voice from the very word itself.

  Dzor nods, “You have been crying since receiving picture.”

  She scoffs and sniffles, but manages to laugh quietly as she rubs her eyes. “Of course I have… I… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when the Azure Queen told me…”

  Dzor shakes his head. “Nothing to apologize for. Circumstances complicated.”

  She looks at Jessica, murmuring softly, “Hey… Cottonpuff…”

  Long squeaks to her older sister, “A-Admiral… D-Dzor asked f-for advice.”

  She nods, “I figured as much.” She smiles up at the giant, murmuring, “A year ago, you didn’t know how to ask for help.”

  Dzor is silent, and Grey breaks the icy awkwardness once more, “So you’re keeping the kid?”

  She recoils, retorting as if the answer should be obvious. “Of course. What made you think any different?” She widens her eyes, looking to the grodrrn commandant. “D-... Do… you not… want…?”

  Dzor quickly replies, “No! I-... I mean… Yes!... Rrr… N-... Y-... I am… Child must be born. Yes. Our child mighty.”

  The others laugh, and Long chuckles warmly. “They’ll be half human, Dzor.”

  He crosses his arms, grunting. “Grodrrn half will make up for.”

  Long giggles warmly, petting Jessica’s head as she passes by to hug him. Lopez squeaks, though, “It’s… actually possible… Hybrid vigor could make the baby bigger and stronger…”

  Grey retorts dryly, “Seems to have worked that way for miss Amazon Queen.”

  Long smiles, but whispers softly, “It could work the opposite, too… I hope you won’t be disappointed…”

  Dzor relaxes his posture, saying gently, but still somewhat proudly, “I hope our child does not harm you. You are smart, not strong.”

  She laughs, replying, “I agree with you there, I suppose.”

  Jessica asks the question plaguing the ship as a whole, though. “So… what do we do about the Azure Queen? I-... Is she our enemy?”

  The Admiral hesitates. Grey teases, “Way to ruin the mood, Long.”

  Angelica sighs after a moment. “I think Hancock saved our bacon in multiple ways, but the deal he made for us to help the Void Queens… If we can succeed and escape the eyes of the Zarakyssn Horde… We might be able to finally start searching for a place to settle… To actually… stop running.”

  Dzor is silent, but she pets his arm gently. “I know I’m being optimistic. But, so far, we’ve been granted many blessings. And… I’d like to ask Yarjen Craw to consider joining us… I know none of you are specifically disloyal to the Fievegal, but… Together…”

  Dzor nods. “We will speak to him. He may be interested to learn what we know.”

  Grey adds, “Also, Dzilika renders the Fievegal plan moot.”

  Dzor nods in agreement.

  Angelica takes another look at the sonogram, taking a deep breath. She exhales contentedly, saying, “Agreed.”

  ***