Page 22 of Trove’s Purpose

“He loves women, huh,” Chee repeated, somehow not surprised. He definitely had the look of someone like that.

“Not that you need to worry,” Goldie assured her quickly. “Part of the domini mate bond thing is that he physically can’t get hard for another. Ever again. You’re it for him. So, it doesn’t matter what he was like before. He’s totally devoted to you now.”

“Huh,” Chee blinked. “I didn't know that. How does that work?”

“Oh, well, actually, the way the domini brain and endocrine system work together after the mating bond is triggered is really fascinating-”

“Pass,” Garnet cut her off. “Don’t let her get started. And don’t change the subject. If you’re Trove’s mate, that means you’re one of us, right?”

Foiled in her plan to move them past this, Chee grimaced. “I don’t think that’s quite… Not that I don’t like you all. You’re very nice. This has been fun. But I only came here to complete this job. I’m not really… What I mean is, it doesn’t really seem fair to just expect that you guys will subsume me into your crew or anything.”

“Why?” Grace cocked her head. “Do you have something else going on?”

“No. Not really. Just this.”

“What are you doing after this then?”

Chee hesitated. Honestly, she didn't really know. She had a goal here and accomplishing that goal was her only ambition right now. Whatever came after was something that could be decided later.

“Hyde promised that he’d help me,” she finally said.

“Yeah, well, Hyde is your sponsor, that’s his job,” Garnet pointed out easily. “But that just means he has to provide you with a place to live and means to take care of yourself while your sponsorship is ongoing. It has nothing to do with what you want to do. You had to completely give up your Earth citizenship and any right to ever return to come out here. Surely, you had some kind of plan.”

Chee shook her head. No. She really didn't. Not beyond getting Hyde to keep his end of their deal. “Maybe someone needs an event planner.”

“So, nothing?” Garnet leaned forward as far as her belly would allow. “There’s no reason not to stay with us then. Right?”

Chee frowned, drawing back from her. Uncomfortable. “Why do you care so much?”

“Because I love my boys. Trove included. And if you’re the one destined to make him happy, then I want you to be with him.”

“Yeah, well, what about me? Who said he could make me happy?”

Without giving her a chance to answer, and absolutely running from this problem, Chee put down her bowl and stalked quickly from the room.

Sure, his friends loved him. And yeah, she was sure he was a great friend. That didn't mean he’d make a great partner, and nothing she saw about him so far convinced him that he might be.

This absolutely was not going to work.

Chapter 9

Trove

Tsik-Voll Station was a large, busy space station. While nothing thrilling or exciting or designed to draw in crowds, it was a great waystation for starships going about their lives. From companies like his who made frequent stops as needed, to transportation ships that made scheduled stops between various stations and planets – it welcomed everyone. It wasn’t the kind of place the wealthy would ever come, as it was more for the common person, but for those that did come, they’d find everything they might possibly need during a long trip or recovering from a long trip.

The Vainglory attached easily and perfectly to the long docking tunnel. They were a bit cautious, since it was the first time they had done so, and there was always a risk when dealing with openings into the void. But it turned out to be a nonissue and went even smoother than the Humility had ever managed. Quite easily, they were hooked onto the station. Everyone gathered in the storage bay, waiting for their orders before they went aboard.

They were going to be staying for a few days, enjoying proper, modern amenities after so long trapped on that recycling planet. They were free to do whatever they wished with their leave time, but they still needed to complete their duties, including getting supplies for the ship.

“Vytln and Haven, you two already know what you need. You’re free to go,” Tanin said, indicating to them first.

Vytln nodded and Haven, hopping with excitement, pulled on his arm to drag him out. They knew better than anyone whatever tech, parts, or supplies they’d need. They went off together, Haven beaming happily.

“Sorbet, Tebros,” Tanin looked at them next. “You two are in charge of munitions. Trove already gave you a list, correct?”

“This morning,” Sorbet said.

Trove was in charge of munitions, sure. But the twins actually had better connections for getting the weapons they’d need installed on the Vainglory. Therefore, they would be in charge of actually procuring those things. Trove would help with the installation and calibration later.