All very distracting things.
The comm board lights up and Aithar straightens, his gaze immediately going to the control panel. "Looks like we've got an incoming communication. Do you want to take it?"
I hesitate, my eyes glazing over at the sea of buttons. After a few years of leaving myself notes and messages all over the control panels on the Star, I knew just enough to get us around the ship. I thought I could transfer that knowledge to helping out here, but I'm not learning as quickly as I want to. "First we turn on the AI, right?" I reach over and tap the button that manually alerts the AI that a voiceover is needed. I can't speak the mesakkah language, so the computer has to speak for me. When Aithar nods, I continue. "I flick this switch to see who's sending it and record their channel information, then pick up the comm on the public channel instead of on the ship's personal channel, right?"
I thought communications would be as simple as picking up a telephone, but there are levels to each particular communication, it seems. Instead, it's a lot of layers of how “deep” the communication can go. As far as I can tell, it's a lot like an elevator in a building. You “receive” the communication on the ground floor, but the more personalized communications go “up” several floors and data encryption levels. It's to prevent the Darkened Eye from getting viruses or data breaches from other AIs. It only adds to the feeling that I'm over my head, but I'm determined to learn. I want a skill set so I can be a valuable part of the crew instead of just the captain's wife.
Not that I don't love being the captain's wife…because I do.
I hit the buttons in order, watching Aithar out of the corner of my eye to make sure I don't mess anything up. A new scrawl of symbols appears on the screen, and I squint at them, looking for the ones I recognize. "Level…three communication? Is that right?"
"Correct."
I breathe a sigh of relief at getting it right, but my interest is piqued. Level one communications are for anyone that can receive it, not just a particular ship. Level two is for anyone on the receiving ship. Level three is for the captain alone. "Who's it from? Can we tell?"
He points at a symbol that looks rather familiar, but after seeing a million symbols on screen lately, I can't place it. "That's the crest of House Rin."
I gasp. That's where I've seen that symbol. I should know it. I'm staring at it on Straik's collar every time he hikes his tunic up and fucks the hell out of me…of course, I'm usually not paying attention to his collar in those moments. "Do you think it's from his mother? Should we delete it?"
"I think Lord Straik should make that call," Aithar says slowly, but he doesn't touch the comm screen, giving me the choice as to whether or not I delete the communication from our systems before my mate can see it. Either way, Aithar will support me.
I chew on my lip, thinking. If it's his shitty mother and she's just found out about our marriage, the timing would be right. Just yesterday we were celebrating the fact that after eleven different attempts, the bounty on Straik's head became too large for the guild. Instead of Lady sa'Rin increasing the amount of the bounty, she had it canceled entirely. We'd had a celebratory dinner in Straik's chambers, followed by a shared bubble bath that ended with most of the water on the floor…and us with it. After we finish up maintenance here on Jirri IV, we're supposed to leave for the Buoyant Star tomorrow.
I'm anxious to get back to my friends. It's been months and I've been worried sick about them. Every day that passes is another day that resentment is going to be stirred against Straik, and they don't know that he regrets what he's done. They don't know that we've chosen to stay away out of the safety for everyone there. They're going to think he's abandoned everyone and stolen me to boot.
I stare at the private comm notification on the screen for a moment, debating whether or not to chuck it entirely. Straik's been so happy lately, and I don't want his mother fucking shit up. But at the end of the day, I can't protect him from the rest of the universe, as much as I want to. So I get to my feet and pat Aithar's shoulder. "I'll go let him know it's waiting for him."
76
RUTH
I knock at the door to Straik's office, then let the computer scan my hand to give me access. The doors open a moment later to show my poor alien husband and his desk absolutely covered with plas invoice cards. He buries his hands in his growing-out hair and groans. "Why did I think a life of piracy would mean less accounting? I swear to kef it's even more."