The Defiants, part sixteen

"So," Bram held a roll of measuring tape in his hand, "how are you feeling about your mission?"

Skye raised a brow, standing in his workshop, "Well, this isn't my first mission." Then she stood straighter, "Just the first one I'm not highjacking."

The engineer smirked and began taking her measurements for her new gear.

When Galen had told about the mission earlier this morning, Skye had practically shot in the air like a rocket. She hadn't thought Dae'lon would take her idea seriously.

Ava and Evan had been just as ecstatic when she told them, obviously because they both wanted the nanites. Even Max seemed pleased, although he didn't exclaim anything.

"Honestly, I'm a bit jealous," Bram jotted something down on a piece of paper. "I haven't been to this compound."

"Then you should come with us."

He gave a wicked grin, which he mainly did in her presence. "I am tempted."

"No hitting on me, though."

"What? Don't wanna see some posturing?"

"No, don't make this awkward."

"Alright," Bram sighed, "but doesn't the fact you slept with me make things awkward already?"

"Not as long as you don't say anything." Skye hadn't disclosed all of her former sexual partners to Galen yet, a few of them being Wanderers, and she didn't want anyone to reveal anything until she did.

"Very well. I won't flirt with you." He stepped back, messing with one of the replicators, which she still found awesome. "Who else will be coming?"

Skye quickly rattled off the names.

Bram frowned, "That's a lot of people."

"I'm not asking you to make small talk." Mostly because he sucked at it. "But I know you want your hands on all that Wanderer tech."

"Hmm, okay, I can put up with them then."

She smiled, "Good."

"You're like the sweetest nectar to us, you know."

"I do." Not that she knew why, but most of the Wanderers fawned over her like lovesick puppies. "I don't try to use any of you, though."

"I know. Just be careful." Bram locked eyes with her. "We don't need another Devin stalking you."

Skye shuddered. That was the last thing she needed.

The replicator lit up and began humming as it created her armor. Did it really materialize items out of thin air? And what made the replicators and synthesizers different, other than food?

Skye looked around, realizing none of the other engineers were around. "Where is everyone?"

"Getting things ready for Thanksgiving." Bram shook his head. "Still don't understand the point of this holiday."

She smirked. He couldn't be nice all the time. But it was mostly an act.

The replicator dinged, her gear ready. Wow, that was fast. Although, all Wanderer tech she'd seen was that way.

Bram pulled out the new clothing, tossing it to her, "Try it on."

Skye scanned around for the place to change."

He raised a brow, "Do you want me to turn around?"

"Please."

He rolled his eyes but complied.

Skye quickly stripped out of her clothes.

Her asking him not to look wasn't because she was shy or anything. He'd already seen everything. However, it felt wrong not to ask for privacy anymore.

Slipping into her new gear, Skye couldn't hold back an 'ooh.'

The fabric felt like pure silk with the elasticity and hold of spandex. And although it was black and no skin outside of her hands and face showed, she felt oh so sexy wearing it.

"Can I see?"

"Oh, yeah, sure."

Bram pivoted back in her direction, his expression rather...odd. "How does it feel?"

"Awesome."

"That's just the under armor."

So that was why it looked like a long sleeve shirt and leggings. "Will it look like yours?"

"A little different, given you are a human female, but the basic components of the outer gear are the same." He fiddled with the replicator some more.

"As long as it keeps me safe."

"Oh, it will," Bram smirked. "Galen would kill me if it didn't."

She couldn't disagree. "Well, okay then."

How would he behave this time? Because other than when Nash shot her so she could breach the compound, Galen had been pretty hands-off with her.

But now that they were...whatever it was, would he be able to let her do her job?

Skye certainly hoped so; if he didn't, she'd hit him. Her feelings for him wouldn't compromise her ability to do the mission. After all, it'd been her idea.

And with everyone accompanying them, there would be no logical reason for Galen to hover over her.

She only hoped he wouldn't make one up.

***

"So, are you really okay with this?" Nash held a box in his hands. "Letting Skye come, I mean?"

Standing by the Defiant in the garage, Galen sighed, "I have to be."

Nash smirked, "Right there with you?"

They were prepping their ships for tomorrow, ensuring they were stocked with everything they could possibly need.

"But Ava is with you for all sorts of stuff." he crossed his arms, "And I've seen you two during training."

"But it's the compound where she was held."

Galen snorted, "Like that bothers Ava much." Nothing seemed to phase her anymore. "Or Skye."

"It bothers me."

"Because she was held there or because of your Mating Fever incident?"

Dark purple bloomed on Nash's cheeks.

Galen chuckled, "You'll be fine."

"Will you be?"

He frowned for a moment, "I think so," He paused, "as long as you don't shoot her again."

Nash rolled his eyes, "It was her idea, and it worked."

Unfortunately. "I know."

"And I didn't like doing it either." He loaded more supplies in the Deviant. "Aren't you going to stock your ship?"

Galen smirked, "I already had most of them." Primarily because he hadn't taken the Defiant on a mission yet.

So this mission would test her combat functionality.

"Now you think our ships can handle all the people, though?" Nash scanned the outside of his ship. "The Deviant isn't all that big."

"The Defiant is bigger and can handle the majority of them." In addition, his ship had collapsable seats that folded into the floor when not in use. "We'll be fine."

"Alright, then, we should be ready to go tomorrow."

"Uh-huh."

His former pupil lifted a brow, "And Ava calls me overprotective."

Galen shifted uncomfortably. "Oh, shut up."

Nash smirked, "It's not gonna get better, at least not for a while."

"I know."

"Do you think Skye is your mate?"

He blinked, "Umm, haven't considered it." Which, as he thought about it, was rather idiotic of him. "Do you think?"

Nash shrugged, "Well, you are acting the way I wanted to before the Fever."

"Not all of us have your sense of self-control." Galen crossed his arms, "But I suppose it's within the realm of possibility."

"So romantic of you."

He chuckled, "I know, right."

But was she his mate?

There was still so much about the mating bond unknown to his people, even after thousands of years and with their advancements in science, technology, and medicine.

It went beyond anything physical. And Mating Fever didn't have a specific trigger; it was unique to each Wanderer. So nobody knew when it would happen to them.

But Galen wasn't terribly excited about going through that again, especially since it would be much worse than before due to his age now.

Although for a long time, the idea of having another mate made him feel sick inside. Soshi hadn't been very good to him, mentally and emotionally, anyway. And he didn't want to bear the heartbreak again.

However, his opinion started shifting after he'd met Skye. And humans didn't experience mating bonds like them, so there was no pressure or guilt about it either way.

"So?"

Galen blinked, "I don't care if she is or isn't." He wanted her no matter what.

Nash smiled, "Good."

"Oh, it is."

Now all Galen had to do was not let his instincts get in the way of the mission tomorrow.