Radoo was determined to enjoy the quiet and solitude of the break room for as long as possible. It was very early in the Earth day, the ship silent and almost deserted. Even though there was not much activity at the moment, Radoo felt as if the very air was heavy with oppressive tension.
Disasters and more disasters. All of them waiting for me, ready to break out the second I move from this spot!
He dared not go to the kitchen—as they now called the food preparation area—or the dining halls for fear trouble would locate him. Here in this small breakroom, he could relax for a few moments. No one frequented the lounge except the human females, and he knew he could hide in the space for a while and hopefully break his fast in peace.
He held a large mug of coffee right in front of his nose and took a deep breath of the liquid’s heady scent. It was funny how many of the Preor hated the brew, yet Radoo had quickly become addicted to its taste and the reaction his body had to the caffeine. He took a cup from Grace one day when he was feeling particularly tired, curious about the “pick me up” that was supposed to occur. He hadn’t noticed much initially, but as he returned to his duties, he moved faster and focused much more clearly.
Now he downed several cups a day and understood why the females claimed it tasted so good. Once used to it, the aroma and flavor were quite luxurious. Adding cream or chocolate could turn the simple stimulant into a culinary delight. He took a big gulp of the hot liquid and felt a soothing tingle run through his body.
I am addicted, he thought. And I do not even care.
During his quiet time in the lounge, he even took to watching the females’ sope op-er-ahs and found it surprising how the over-the-top drama and simple storylines captivated him. They distracted parts of his mind while the rest went into a deep slumber that idled beneath his thoughts.
Footsteps echoed in the hall outside the lounge’s open doorway and he sighed. Sooner or later, someone would find him, and he’d be subjected to the chaos the ship had become.
I would much rather be helping at one of Whelon’s clinics, playing with Lorrasyh or Shanas, or relaxing with my friends! He had been close to Jarek and Taulan once and he had never noticed how much he relied on those friendships until the males were occupied elsewhere and mostly beyond his reach.
It was not their fault. They had every right to chase after their mates and dragonlets. Radoo simply wished he could make time to check in with them and do something pleasant—a nice spar or flight around the training platform perhaps—instead of constantly cleaning up the messes the mated Preor had left behind.
I cannot even simply help out at Whelon’s clinic, he mentally grumbled with true frustration. He had been happily working at the Farthing Street clinic until it became obvious he was one of the few Preor left who knew anything about the duties related to the recently vacated positions. Radoo knew he was experienced with the ship’s operations and no one else could have stepped up the way he had, but it still made him feel horribly, unendingly trapped.
Noises continued to build outside the lounge, and he knew warriors now prowled the ship, searching for their own breakfasts and seeing to their morning duties. After a brief meeting the previous day, they had shipped fifty Preor to the surface—all males who wished to work on Earth’s surface rather than continue their military path on the ship. They went straight into training down at Preor Tower.
Some of the males would become tee-chers in the Preor education program—not just to run classes at Preor Tower but to also move through the city and surrounding areas in an attempt to build bridges between humans and the Preor. They had discovered that humans often feared what they did not understand, and everyone agreed this was an important step toward the new treaty being successful.
More would proceed to the clinics and surrounding areas in the poorer parts of the city, such as where Grace’s mother used to live. They had eagerly agreed to train as healers, work with humans to construct better buildings, and bring in food and other supplies. It was becoming a mission among the Preor to eradicate human poverty.
Others wished to explore the planet itself. They wanted to learn all about the different landscapes and climates, study the people and fly through the mountains and frozen wastelands. To show respect for the treaty, they were attending very boring rhed-t-ape meetings so they could legally move to other territories.
He envied them all. Nothing excited him more than the idea of learning about the planet and the people. He leaned forward, bracing his forearms on the table, wings drooping, as he thought about all the fascinating things he could be doing instead of chasing beetles and fixing a massive hole in the ship.
I might have made the breach, but I did not start the skies-damned fire! Story of my life, right now.
When a soft knock sounded from the direction of the door, Radoo looked up, worry dragging his maroon wings down even further. Whatever the news, he was sure it couldn’t be good.
Radoo was never interrupted for something good. Damn the skies.
“Hey,” Choler murmured. “Are we starting now?”
“Yes,” Radoo sighed and swallowed the last of his coffee, putting the cup on the table so he could stretch as he stood. “I was waiting for the females—girls—to enter. Don’t they usually appear around nine?”
Choler’s face fell, just a little. “You didn’t hear?”
“What now for stars’ sakes?” Radoo ran a hand down his face, not expecting to like what Choler had to say.
“They have been removed from duty. They both had some stress issues after the flood and Rendan and Kozav refuse to allow them to return to work. They are both due to give birth in three to four months and are heavy enough to need to be off their feet for a while.”
“And Dawn?”
“She is in the garden. I have assigned a few warriors to her to help clean up and Vende is in his element.”
“I don’t suppose the engineering master is actually coming to engineering?” Radoo drawled.
Choler winced. “I very much doubt it. He simply follows Dawn everywhere.”
Radoo sighed and nodded. As he expected. “So, you’re going to the training room first and then up to the platform?”
“Yes, I have about a hundred warriors waiting for me who only care about their military careers and the long-standing traditions of our people. They’re happy to let their mate come along at the right time and learn about Earth through Penelope’s access to the in-ter-neht.”
Radoo pinched his lip, thinking hard. “Are any of them up to becoming a master?”
Choler shrugged. “I’m about to discover the answer. It will be more likely that I assign three of them to each task as you suggested. We don’t have to elevate them in rank just yet. We only need to ensure the positions are manned and that duties won’t be neglected.”
Radoo nodded. He knew he should ask about the skies-damned beetles. He simply didn’t want to. The damn things seemed to be multiplying exponentially and the only reason Penelope wasn’t screaming was because Lily had sent her to sleep. Essential operations like life support and comms still functioned, but everything else was dead.
Radoo stretched again, fluttering his maroon wings and working out a few kinks before he headed for the door.
“Are you heading to engineering?” Choler asked.
Radoo nodded. “I have to try and find an engineering master and some recruits for Yazen. Now that Whelon is gone, he’s in desperate need of assistance.”
“Aren’t we all,” Choler drawled.
Radoo nodded at his friend and clapped him on the shoulder as he passed. Even though Choler wore his usual smile, Radoo could see the exhaustion pulling at the male. Since there was nothing Radoo could do at the moment to help, he simply smiled back and they both turned to go their separate ways.
Even though he was tired, Radoo broke into a jog. His body was still a powerful machine and movement brought him comfort. His mind was exhausted and his body could do with a full twelve hours sleep, but the exercise got his blood pumping and pushed all thoughts from his mind.
Well, all thoughts save one—one he refused to face. He had gone on for so long now, helping and supporting the others, watching them pair and seeing their dragonlets arrive… He had happily taken on more duties, having complete confidence he would find what he had come to Earth for… eventually.
As the harsh realities of his day faded into the background with each pounding step he took, the four words in the back of his mind chased him until he could no longer hide from the syllables.
Where is my mate?