Book 3: Chapter 93: New Homes and Orbital Harassment

Book 3: Chapter 93: New Homes and Orbital Harassment

USD: 2 Days after the arrival to MIL-1A

Location: Van Biesbroecks star, Meltisar, MIL-1A, Central Hub, Habitation Arc 26

Alex stood at the residential assignment desk, waiting as the clerk behind the counter checked her card a second time.

Sorry, miss. As a refugee, your status doesnt grant you the right to rent an apartment on the station. Its reserved to current or former military personnel, navy approved contractors, and visiting family members of military personnel who are hospitalized.

I am here with my sister, who is in the medical center.

The clerk nodded. But you are not a Meltisar citizen, and I cant find your sisters discharge or active record. Im sorry, but you need to take this up to legal because I cant do anything with this mess.

For a second, she felt like she wanted to cry and go back to the medical room and stay with Elis.

But only for a second. She did not want to fall into a depressed funk again. Would not let herself do that.

So instead, she stepped aside and pulled out her datapad and called Admiral Darren. He was surprised and confused to hear from her so soon, and apparently his private number worked very well because he had to step out of a meeting to take the call.

After explaining her problem, he asked her to wait where she was. It left her feeling self-conscious standing in front of the line of people behind her. She pulled out her datapad and looked for alternatives and rethink her decision to find a room for herself.

Fifteen minutes later, an officer arrived, wearing the gold filigreed gray uniform of the naval JAG office. Alex felt a bit of alarm when he stepped up to her.

Ms. Myers?

Uhh, yes?

The officer offered her his hand, and she shook it.

I am Lieutenant David Harmon. Im here to help with your case. It shouldnt take long. The military lawyer pulled out a folio he had been carrying under his arm and turned to the person second in line.

Excuse me, my client is having an issue with RHS and has been waiting here for some time. Could we please speak to the clerk next?

The off duty enlisted man shrugged and nodded. Sure. Knock yourself out.

Thank you.

When the person at the front moved on, Lieutenant Harmon stepped up and Alex followed in beside him.Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only

A rapid back and forth between the lieutenant went on faster than Alex could follow, in clerkesse. Several prepared documents flowed over the count to the clerk who then scanned them in his workstation.

Five minutes later, Alex signed her thumbprint paying the housing fee and had her residential assigned.

Thank you? Alex offered, still surprised at how fast things had been pushed through.

No problem, Ms. Myers. Admiral Darren is a good friend of mine and sometimes special cases just need help getting past the regular paperwork that doesnt account for them. Ive amended your registry and made the proper inputs to the database that should afford you and your sister the proper framework for being accepted by most naval offices on the station as normal residents.

The lieutenant pulled out a card and handed it to her. My number is on this card. If you have any further difficulties like this, please just make a call to my office. Either I or someone in the office should be able to help

Thank you.

I also made sure he gave you the best place available on the floor closest to the medical center.

Alex was surprised by the thoughtfulness. Thank you again. I was feeling a bit lost when hitting the snag and not sure what to do.

He had avoided her since arriving, taking care of the defense of the nest and building up its productivity. He knew he would eventually go to her, just as she knew he would come when ready. Perhaps she had felt the state of his mood and the lack of direct need of his presence for the moment, because the mind caress came at a time that was perfect.

Heeler moved to an elevator and took it down deep into the nest, where his Queen awaited him.

He could sense her anticipation as he neared.

As he crossed the threshold into the Queens new chambers, her mind thoughts reached him.

You have returned from the stars, Szizsielia said.

I have continued to secure the security of the nest, Heeler replied.

As he approached, the two triumvi of the Queen growled and stood, blocking his path.

Heeler was not surprised; he had been gone for a long period. Longer than he had liked, and the simpler minds of the star children were meant for war, not thinking. That was for the Queens. And Himself.

Undeterred, he approached, and the larger Triumvi with a damaged skull plate charged at him with its horns. A moment before impact he braced his carapace, the bone crashing into his shell with an echoing impact.

Heeler was not pierced. His nano-enhanced shell absorbed the shock and a growth of nanites flowed forth to grab hold of the horn and hold it in place. The Triumvi attempted to dislodge itself to no avail: Heeler had cemented himself to the ground and fortified his shell, granting him an unbreakable leverage.

He then whacked the Triumvi with his tentacles, using them as whips. He restrained himself from using more force than necessary, and the myriad blows would leave the star child sore with bruises and pain, but without permanent harm.

When it collapsed from the punishment, Heeler caught it and let it to the ground gently.

The second Triumvi growled angrily at the abuse of his brother, but a second display was not required, as Szizsielia admonished her two strongest and most protective children.

You do not slay the one that challenges you, Szizsielia asked.

I would not admonish more than necessary one that protects my Queen, Heeler answered.

You have brought the soft skins into the nest. I do not enjoy their presence.

It is a directive from mother. She wishes them cared for as they are of her species.

The glowing one who brought me you.

It is she. Heeler answered.

And if I direct you to disobey her and destroy them instead?

Heeler grumbled deep in his carapace. You present me with a dilemma between disobeying either Mother or my Queen right upon my return?

Szizsielia let out a tittering laugh. I would not burden you so, my mate. But I am interested in how you would resolve it.

I would disobey you both. Rather than destroy them, I would remove them from the nest to a less safe location, but far enough to remove them from your notice. I calculate it would displease her that I failed to protect them properly from the bandits who roam the stars above, while disobeying your directive to slay them. But I believe I could survive two irate females long enough to forget my transgression.

You are bold to state you would disobey, Szizsielia cooed.

I wear my leash willingly, but I am no slave. If you give me thoughtless directives, expect to be disappointed. I have my own mind.

Szizsielia hummed as Heeler came closer. It is so strange, there has been no male with a mind in my memory. Only mother might have met one. It feels so right.

Her feelers caressed his carapace, and Heeler vibrated in anticipation. The mating was fierce.