The monitors around the room began to go berserk as he leaned in and kissed her again. Her wrists were restrained as they always were for treatment. He held her head in his hand and kissed her very slowly, very carefully.
The sudden spike in her vitals caused the monitors to shriek.
When he lifted his head, he smiled slowly, and his eyes burned. “Just confirming my earlier assessment.”
Her body was humming as he gave his orders to the med team. When one of the doctors asked, “What about the scars?”
“If she wants them gone, remove them. Personally, they do not concern me.” He left without a backward glance.
She looked at the med team, and they started to order the necessary treatments to purge the poison from her system. Athena wondered when she was going to get something to eat. It had been a long day already, and it looked like it was getting longer.
Medic Timmons came over to her and frowned. “You are really a companion?”
Athena looked at the other human and shrugged. “I have companion potential. I didn’t hear him say anything about me actually being his companion.”
“True. But, in that case, why is he ordering us to remove the toxin then?” Timmons raised his eyebrows.
Athena looked at her calmly. “Hedging his bets? I don’t know. Did he explain anything here in the medical facility while I was out? No? Then you know more than I do.”
Timmons looked away, and the other medics brought the prepared trays forward, sedating her in preparation for the purge. This was not going to be pleasant.
Athena woke up in one of the private cubicles. She didn’t feel hot, cold, and shaky, so that was different. She wasn’t hooked up to anything, but she also was butt naked except for the sheet that covered her. She checked under the sheet, and there were no weird tattoos or anything, so she wasn’t marked. Her skin was still hers.
She looked for her coveralls, but they were gone. So were her com unit and her chronometer, which she still thought of as a watch.
Athena wrapped the sheet around her toga style, and she examined the cubicle. Nothing. She tried to leave, and the door was locked. No scan or pressure point would open it.
“Well, dang it.” She grimaced and hopped back onto the bed, cleaning invisible specks of dirt from under her fingernails. There was no monitor, no com unit, nothing to get in touch with the outside world. Athena was hungry.
In what she guessed was thirty minutes, the door swung open. She blinked. “Administrator Kel. Good afternoon?”
He smiled. “Good guess. Wrong but good.”
She grimaced. “I don’t think you are here to have a splinter removed from your finger.”
“No, I am here to work on a pain in my ass. Come on, Forager Theena.”
She smiled and hopped down off the bed again, following him out of the cubicle and into the med centre recovery room. From there, they passed different medical staff who nodded respectfully to Kel and bowed to her.
“Aw, balls.”
He chuckled. “You are catching on, I see. Overseer Etska has filed a formal claim over you as his companion. As you are nearly out of bond, he has completed that payment, paid for your medical treatment, and you have the remainder to do with as you will.”
She frowned. “A nice house and piece of land for Tohba so he can bring his wife and child. And... bring his wife and child. Two houses on the same plot of property for Tber and Hivr. They can finally draw the ladies.”
“So, you have given this some thought.”
“Well, this is what I was doing for my team after I had paid off my bond. Since my liberty is no longer accessible, I will have to focus on what I can do for my team.” She shrugged.
“The remaining funds will also be enough for you to buy a small mining asteroid or a reasonably sized moon.”
She snorted. “I don’t need that. I have one lifetime, and it will be as long as it is. If Etska has filed a claim, then he will be responsible for my upkeep.”
“He has also paid the colony a hefty sum for keeping you safe.”
Athena snorted. “Of course, he did. So, that is why you are running escort?”
“It would be worth my life to let anything happen to you.”
“Ah.”
They exited the med centre, and she paused at the edge of the sidewalk.
“What is the problem, Forager Theena? It is a little late to be playing shy. The Hmrain want what they want.”
She twisted her lips. “I know that. I was briefed on that. I also know that there are rocks in the rough road, and I don’t have any shoes. Do you want my feet carved up before I even end up with the overseer?”
His blue skin darkened. “Ah. Right. Apologies.” He walked up to her and was going to touch her when he paused. “I am not sure that I am allowed to do this.”
She snorted. “Turn around, and I will jump on your back.”
Administrator Kel was relieved. “Yes, of course.”
He walked up to her, turned, and she hiked up the sheet and jumped onto his back. It would have been easier if he had crouched, but his dignity was taking enough of a hit.
Her unorthodox means of transport brought her to the bunkhouse. She thanked him and went inside. Her team was sleeping, but they bolted to their feet when she shuffled inside.
She was hugged carefully, and they helped her to the shower, getting her a change of clothing and some fresh boots from their equipment dispenser.
She went through the sonic shower and put on her underwear and then yanked her coveralls on. It felt nice to be covered. She pulled on her socks and boots and went to brief and be briefed by her team.
She sat at the table, and Tohba got her something that passed for coffee and a hot breakfast. “First, what time is it?”
Tber sat across from her. “Four in the morning. Dawn is coming.”
She nodded. “Etska has made it official and filed a claim to me.”
The guys’ shoulders slumped.
“However, I am purchasing a few things for you guys from the new bond I am now in. My old bond is cleared, so I have funds to spend now.” She looked at Tohba. “Your wife and child will be brought over, and you will receive a chunk of contract land and a home.” She looked at the other two. “You two will share a large parcel of land with two homes on it since you spend so much time together but might occasionally find a lady who finds you charming.”
Her team thudded into their chairs.
“Oh, and all bonds paid if there are any outstanding.”
Tohba shook his head. “You shouldn’t spend all your credits on us.”
“Oh, you have no idea how expensive I am. I am not going to be broke after that.” She grimaced.
Hivr frowned. “If you are his now, why are you here?”
She snorted. “Because Administrator Kel didn’t really pay attention to the brief. My guess is that he was supposed to collect me after I woke up, but he didn’t bring clothing or shoes or take me to the overseer’s quarters. He brought me to the last recorded residence.”