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He dropped into the pilot's chair, hands flying over the controls to re-initiate the launch sequence. Sadie hovered by his side, eyes darting between him and the activity visible through the viewport.
"Sit down if you're going to," he said, the words little more than an order as he nodded toward the co-pilot's chair.
Final checks complete, the launch lights switched from amber standby to bright green. Clear for takeoff.
"I want one thing clear between us," he rumbled as they dropped from the cradle. He kept his focus locked on the viewport, guiding them down toward the bay doors. Their exit vector lit up in pulsing green lights moving away from them.
"You will follow every order I give to the letter, without question or argument." He slid a glance at her. "My orders are not up for debate. Your compliance is mandatory at all times. Do you understand?"
She opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her with an upheld hand.
"I am dead serious about this, Sadie." He snarled. "You know nothing of the dangers we face out there. I cannot guarantee your safety if you defy me."
His knuckles whitened on the flight controls as they left the bay and dropped out into the yawning darkness of space beyond. "So you will obey me instantly and without fail. Or there will be severe consequences."
"You expect me to follow orders blindly? I don't even get a say in anything that happens?"
"You get no say!" His roar filled the small cockpit, and she shrank back. "I am in command here. You will do exactly as I say at all times."
He turned the ship and laid in their route, the massive bulk of Devan Station behind them.
Her lips thinned into a mutinous line, but she gave a small nod.
"Say it," he demanded. "I want to hear the words."
She huffed out an irritated breath, folding her arms. "Fine. I understand. I'll do whatever you say."
* * *
The silence was so tense you could cut it with a knife.
Sadie bit her lip as she sat in the co-pilot's seat, feeling the gentle hum of the engines through the padded cushions. The lights in the cabin were dim, shrouding everything in shadow. She slid a glance at Vaarn. The hard lines of his face were highlighted by the lights of the pilot's consoles in front of him. His expression was grim, unamused, and he hadn't looked at her since they'd left.
She drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Although the ship was tiny compared to the station, it was still Latharian, so she felt like a kid curled up on the seat. A shiver hit her and she drew her jacket tighter around herself. The environmental systems were set to Latharian standards, which, for her, meant bloody freezing.
She glanced at him again. Yeah... he was definitely annoyed at her. She didn't regret coming along, though, a thread of excitement rolling through her. She would get three days alone with him, so at some point he would have to talk to her.
His attention remained fixed on the control panel, carrying out in-flight checks with quick, efficient motions. She studied his stern profile, feeling guilty and not sure what to say to ease the tension.
She looked at the displays on the console, watching the station shrink away from them in one of the rear-view cameras as they headed out into open space. Excitement hit her again. The first time she'd left Earth had been to travel up to Devan Station, and now she was headed out into space. Actual outer space. The idea made her feel small but filled her with wonder all at the same time.
Their course set, Vaarn engaged the thrusters to propel them forward, the sudden burst of speed pushing her back into her seat. As the ship steadied into its cruising speed, some of the tension eased from his shoulders.
She hesitated, then decided to risk speaking, hoping to break the uneasy silence between them. "The ship handles really well," she said. "Is this a personal craft? It didn't look like the others in the bay."
He didn't respond, his eyes fixed on console readouts. They looked like they could be readings from the engines, but since they were in Latharian, she couldn't be sure. She thought he wasn't going to reply, but then he nodded.
"It is. I upgraded the thrust capacitors and heat exchangers myself. She's not built for luxury, but she'll get where she needs to go."
She smiled at the hint of pride in his tone. "Well, she certainly has some pickup. I barely felt the power shift when we detached from the station."
The corner of his lips quirked up. "I've flown her often enough to know how to compensate for the transitional forces." He paused, then added, "But it's nice someone noticed for once."
There was a small flutter in the center of her chest. He was talking. Only a little, but she took it as a victory.
"Vaarn, I know me being here… well, I know you didn't want me to come along. But I want you to know I'm not trying to cause trouble or anything. I'm just here to do a job and support you however I can."
He was silent for a long moment, then slid her a glance. Finally, he gave a small nod, some of the wariness leaving his expression.
