A week later life continued on as usual. There was no food shortage aboard the Orta Hone-Hone. Officer Cinna, though he didn’t know it, had been earmarked for dismissal effective immediately. He’d be told to pack his gear and leave on the next Ctarl Ctarl waystation they stopped at. He had some balls coming into her private quarters and asking her to add her slave to the larder. Even if Jim wasn’t a close friend and just some faceless slave that was still a BIG breach of etiquette. Usually Aisha liked balls. Rudeness and brashness were just a few of the things that got her Ctarl Ctarl blood flowing but, in this case, he’d only managed to piss her off.

The crew never learned of the Terran shortage. It was Aisha’s vessel and she’d inspected and cleared every member of crew. If they had heard of the lack of live meat it wasn’t as if there’d be mutiny or anarchy. There would have just been a VERY increased chance of Jim disappearing. That wasn’t a problem now (or as much of a problem). The supply chambers were overflowing with pirates. Most of the crew preferred younger easier to swallow Terrans, like Jim, but they’d make do.

Jim was busy helping Paige mend a faulty door sliding mechanism. The entrance to the unisex lavatories, which usually opened when someone was within a foot of them, would occasionally fly open without warning. Upon further investigation it appeared the problem wasn’t a natural one. The wiring was in disarray and it became quite clear the door had been tampered with, probably as a practical joke. The two had worked side by side on over a dozen little projects since first embarking on their mission. The two child prodigies had become fast friends.

“So, Jim, how has the commander been treating you?” Paige adjusted her glasses nervously and concentrated on the exposed wires in front of her as if they were the most interesting things aboard the gigantic battle cruiser. She meant to disguise her question as just talk between friends but Jim picked up on the worry in her voice. He smiled, she didn’t know about his relationship with the ‘commander.’

“Aisha? She treats me great; you don’t have to worry about me Paige.”

Paige eeped, her paw like hands shot outward and covered a surprised Jim Hawking’s mouth. She looked quickly from left to right as if afraid the commander herself might materialize out of the walls, “You shouldn’t say things like that, I’ve heard some pretty bad stories about the commander. She has a temper.”

“Yeah, tell me about it.” Jim’s muffled reply became even more muted as Paige leaned inward, “I’m serious Jim! You need to be really really careful around her! I think you’re a really nice Terran and I…… I like your company, and I like working with you fixing the ship. Please just…… watch what you say. A sl…. Slave” the word didn’t come easy to her, “calling the commander by her first name is suicide. If someone should over hear us and report back to Lady Aisha….”

Jim wanted to reassure her that, even if that did happen, Aisha wouldn’t give a damn. At most she’d find it amusing someone felt it was worth reporting back to her on. But he couldn’t tell Paige that. He was, for the time being, Aisha’s slave. If he told even a single Ctarl Ctarl about their relationship it could eventually leak out to the rest of the crew. Knowing that their commanding officer was so closely bonded with a weak and tender Terran child she’d originally been ordered to dispose of…… well…….. it wouldn’t make her anymore popular, that’s for sure. She would appear merciful and foolish. Two things you never wanted to appear as if you were a Ctarl Ctarl officer. There would be no obvious repercussions but there would probably be a lack of respect. The occasional sneer behind her back. Or maybe even a little bit of sabotage by an aspiring first mate (Aisha had been stripped of her rank and her first mate had taken her place once before). So for these reasons Jim couldn’t spill his guts to Paige. He didn’t like worrying her but there wasn’t much he could do about it.

Jim nodded and slowly Paige removed her hands, “Okay, I’ll be more careful around the commander.”

Paige looked a little more relieved, “Thank you Jim, that’s all I ask.” She went back to the wires and, still preoccupied with Jim, got an electric shock for her trouble. A few strands of blonde hair shot straight up into the air making her head resemble a pin cushion.

“Oh, here, let me get that for you.” Jim lightly patted down the hair causing Paige to smile dreamily at him, “Uh, yeah, okay. Let’s get this thing fixed!” Eventually they got everything back in order and closed the small panel leading to the doors wiring.

“Thanks for your help Jim.”

“Anytime, it’s always a pleasure working with you.” Paige giggled and waved goodbye as Jim made his way down the corridor back to Aisha’s private quarters. Little did Jim know Paige was saving up. Being such a young and talented engineer and technician she’d caught the eye of the empire. Sure she wasn’t physically fit, she was weaker than most Ctarl Ctarl (though she could snap a full sized Terrans limbs and scarf him down her throat if she wanted to). But the Ctarl Ctarl could also appreciate a good mind. Paige had higher wages than most of the crew despite her low starter rank. The empire knew how to treat its up and coming stars. It would take a while but she’d gather enough money and give Aisha a proposal for Jim. She didn’t have the heart to let him live in such a dangerous situation. He’d be much safer as her slave. She’d treat him right and they’d have much more time together. Smiling Paige went back to her work.

Jim made his way back to Aisha’s quarters. He didn’t bother to knock; he decided he wanted to sneak up on her. It didn’t work. Aisha’s hearing was top notch and she plowed into him a few seconds later. She wrestled him into submission, “You win you win!”

“What did I win?” Aisha growled playfully, “I own you already, remember?”

“Oh shut up.” Jim pushed the larger cat girl off of himself.

Standing up the Ctarl Ctarl reached under his armpits and dragged the boy to his feet.

“So, slave Jimmy, what will we have you do today?” Aisha giggled, “Should I massacre you at video games? Or should I have you fan me while feeding me sushi? Or perhaps another foot rub?” Jim grew a little red and Aisha’s grin widened.

“I- I don’t know. I was kind of hoping today I would have to do any of that stuff.”

Jim’s words quickly snuffed out Aisha’s smile and replaced it with a look of concern, “I.. I’m sorry Jimmy. I don’t want to make you do something you don’t want to.”

“Er…. No, that’s all right. Forget I said anything.” Jim didn’t want to hurt Aisha’s feelings ever if her sister teasing was wearing thin (being a slave belonging to your best friend is still pretty tiresome).

“Right, well, I don’t have any chores for you today, besides that little routine maintenance.” Aisha decided, “Hey, you hungry?”

“I could eat.” Jim nodded.