What is a Slave without a Master? Ch. 17

Travel day eleven.

Eta stood at attention, held in place only by her magnetic boots. Her hands were clasped motionless behind herself as her eyes stared straight ahead. She was deep within her own thoughts, running through the coming day again and again in her mind before the gentle whistle of Supercruise was interrupted by the beep of the food printer. She blinked a few times, dragging herself back to the present as she reached out and carefully removed the two cartridges.

The cockpit door hissed open before her, and she entered to the now familiar sight of Alex in her pilot's seat. The Commander was distractedly pursuing the local star chart, her finger tracing their path across the void as her mind wondered. Eta's eyes briefly lingered on the starship model her Mistress had purchased for her and allowed her to mount to the dashboard by the co-pilot's seat before she crossed the floor and carefully maneuvered herself into position. Without her knee magnets it required she keep a hand on the base of Alex's seat to steady herself, but once she was in place beside her Mistress she politely offered over the food cartridges.

"Thanks Eta," Alex said simply as she took one.

"It's still weird seeing you in white again," she chuckled as her eyes traveled over her lover's crisp slave uniform. Eta just nodded, waiting for her Mistress to begin eating before opening her own.

"How are you feeling?" Alex added after a moment, tearing open the paper cartridge and glancing at the strips of breaded meat inside. Eta hesitated, her desire not to burden her Mistress with her worries conflicting with Alex's orders not to hide them.

"I'm... nervous," she finally admitted. Alex gently prodded her to continue.

"It's just... I'm not used to asking for things. And in a few hours we will be entering an Imperial Slavers Association office where I have to ask for..." she managed before her voice trailed off. After a moment she felt a comforting hand rest on her shoulder.

"I know," Alex said gently. "You'd rather have things asked of you than you ask for things."

Eta nodded again, but the woman didn't speak. Alex was silent for a long moment as she watched the stars.

"Have I been pushing you to be more independent than you want to be?" she asked simply, but Eta quickly shook her head.

"No, no," she reassured, a faint smile on her lips. "You have allowed me to follow and serve you, and while I find asking for things... uncomfortable, you've graciously let me do so the rare times I've... wanted to. That's... perfect."

Alex chuckled softly as her hand moved from her lover's shoulder to under her chin, gently lifting Eta's head as she leaned down for a kiss.

"So long as you're happy, that's still fine by me," the Commander offered once the kiss finally ended.

"I am," Eta confirmed gratefully, but still not sounding at ease.

"Walk me through what needs to happen at the ISA office," Alex instructed gently after a moment, starting in on her food as her lover slowly began to speak. Eta insisted it would be a strictly regulated process, leaving no room for surprises, but it was clear she wasn't fully convinced by her own words.

"I know there are housing programs in place for former slaves, but I believe if one has a person who was willing to sign as a sponsor the new citizen would be released into their care," she added uncomfortably.

"Then I'm your sponsor," Alex said simply, as if it was obvious. But a quick flash of embarrassment darted across Eta's face.

"What? Did you really think I wouldn't be willing to?" Alex asked, fixing her lover with an amused expression as Eta dropped her gaze.

"It's simply... a large thing to ask. And I've already asked far too much of you..." she managed awkwardly. But after a brief moment there was no reply, and she glanced up apprehensively to see Alex preoccupied on her scanner display.

"May... I ask if something's wrong?" she asked hesitantly, not wanting to interrupt.

"I don't... know," Alex answered distractedly. "It might be nothing. But anyway, yes I'm your sponsor. I'm not letting my Eta get stuck in some halfway house."

"Thank you Mistress," was Eta's grateful reply, using the title out of respect. But her relief at the answer was mixed with worry from whatever on the scanner had caught Alex's attention.

"You're welcome of course," Alex said over her shoulder. Eta craned her neck, trying to see what was amiss and catching her Mistress' eye as she did. Alex glanced down at the woman with her lips pursed, but after a moment she nodded towards the display.

"We're traveling in a straight line from the nav beacon to Telismann's. Everyone... is traveling in a straight line. Not much reason to turn because there's nothing in the way," Alex began as she extended a hand and pointed at one of floating dots representing another ship.

"But this guy just made a big sweeping turn to join the line, I don't know-", but she stopped as the dot off the tip of her finger began to slide sideways.

"Is that a... problem?" asked Eta, eyes tracking the dot with confusion.

"I don't know what they're doing, but that on its own is... ehhhh," Alex admitted. "But I might just be being nosey," she answered but she stayed fixed on her display. Despite Alex's dismissive words, Eta could tell she was suspicious.

"I've seen no reason to doubt your intuition," Eta offered simply. The two women watched in silence for a moment as the dot drifted, and Alex realized with a sinking feeling that it was drifting towards a second dot. It slipped in close behind the other, and after a brief moment her eyes widened as both dots flickered and vanished off her display.

"Sit down and buckle in!" Alex barked as she hastily tightened her harness. And no sooner had Eta scrambled into her seat than she felt the ship pitch underneath her as the Peregrine changed course.

"Verity! Get me the wake signal of where those two just dropped!" Alex called out, hands flying across her controls.

"I'm sorry, what... was that?" asked Eta in alarm, hesitant to interrupt but at the same time still baffled.

"That," Alex responded, nodding towards her scanner display. "Was an interdiction. Our meandering friend just dragged some poor bastard out of Supercruise."

"But that was so fast compared to ours?" Eta asked in surprise.

"Because I made what's-his-face fight me for it! Whoever that was wasn't as slippery," Alex said, still focused on her display.

"What are you going to do?"

"I... don't know. Go look," Alex admitted. "Find out what's going on and if there's anything I can do safely."

Eta could only give a nervous nod as she steeled herself for the usual deceleration as they dropped to sublight speeds, and as soon as Alex hit the release she could make out the distant red flashes of laser fire punctuating the darkness. Her pulse began to quicken, memories of her dreams filling her mind as she was pressed back in her seat by Alex slamming the throttle forward.

"Federal Gunship," Alex said simply, looking down at her scan of the attacker before immediately pointing at Eta.

"Only the stats relevant to dancing."

The woman blushed but nodded quickly.

"Five-hundred and eighty ton medium class combat ship produced by Core Dynamics. You can out-turn and out-run it, but it has multiple times your weaponry, armour, and shields. It also could be carrying smaller ship launched fighters but can't deploy multiple simultaneously."

"I see it," Alex noted as she switched her targeting over to the smaller remote controlled ship, not loving what she was hearing.

"Do you think it's Federal Navy?" Eta asked apprehensively, but Alex shook her head.

"Pirates use whatever ships they can get their hands on," she said simply as she watched the tiny fighter weave for a moment before finally switching over to what the pair were attacking. Eta froze as her gaze landed on the outline.

"It's a Megaship," Alex said.

"It's a slave transport Megaship," Eta replied in an emotionless voice as her eyes traveled over the familiar shape.

"Must be on their way to the ISA office just like we are," Alex realized, before quickly glancing sideways, only to be greeted by more fury on display than she would have thought her timid lover was capable of.

"Please break their nose, Alex," Eta growled. The Commander chuckled as she tapped a single key, her twin laser cannons sliding into position before the canopy.

"They one hundred percent started it," Alex said simply.

"And no full cargo bay to slow you down," Eta added, her eyes flashing. Alex nodded before taking a long breath as she reached up behind her head. She took hold of her long ponytail, tucking it under the strap of her harness before she targeted the tiny ship once more and pointed her entire focus forward

The two attackers were circling the Megaship, discharging beam after beam of laser fire into its sides. Green ripples passed over the ship's hull as its shields tried to absorb the damage. Alex pushed the Peregrine up to speed and rolled the ship over, putting them on a course that would skim past the battle as she hit a few more keys.

"Silent runnin- Flight Assist Off," Verity announced, the two commands practically overlapping as Alex sent them hurtling forward under their own momentum, completely unseen. Her hands hovered poised over her controls as she watched them close the distance, making only the bare minimum steering movements to keep them on course as the three ships grew larger in front of them. She watched her scanner intently and the moment as they were in range Verity spoke again.

"Thermal signature restored," she confirmed as Alex threw her throttle to full and squeezed her trigger. Before the canopy her laser cannons sprang to life, unleashing their own torrent of red into the darkness. The shots swept across the back of the remote fighter, enough finding their mark to quickly punch through its meager shields. The ship twisted in space; its operator realizing the danger.

Eta heard the gentle hissing sound beneath her feet as Alex's missile racks sprang to life. A swarm of glowing lights erupted out from below the ship, swirling and twisting erratically towards their target. Eta's eyes widened in surprise as she watched them converge on the doomed fighter, slamming into its hull in a series of explosions, and ripping it apart.

"Flight Assist on," Verity confirmed, and Eta felt the Peregrine's thrusters reignite, countering their sideways motion and keeping the ship on course as Alex threw them into a dive. Overhead a blinding stream of laser fire bathed the cockpit in a menacing crimson: the Gunship having turned its superior weaponry towards the Peregrine.

Alex threw them to the side, pulling the ship into tight curve as their attacker fought to trap the little ship in their sights. She wrenched on her sticks, dragging the Peregrine back towards the Megaship with the Gunship's lasers cascading over she shoulders.

"How long until they get another fighter running?" Alex asked tersely from between clenched teeth as she sent them skimming under the belly of the Megaship, green eruptions all around them as the pirate's shots scattered against the Imperials' shield.

"A minute and a half at minimum," Eta answered quickly, her mind focused on all the slaves frozen inside the Megaship. Alex didn't answer as she jerked back on her controls, pulling them into a steep climb as the mass of the imperial ship disappeared behind them and leaving open space above their heads. But sure enough, the Gunship couldn't match her in the turns, and so as she rolled them over she dropped onto the tail of the sluggish pirate.

Alex pounced, sinking her claws into the Gunship as its entire flank became awash with her own laser strikes and the blue flashes of its shields. The pirate tried to shake off its pursuer, but Alex was relentless. Eta felt herself being thrown from side to side in her seat. Her harness digging into her shoulders as Alex matched the Gunship through every turn. But she was far too focused watching her Mistress' shots land than to worry about feeling sick.

The Gunship seemingly realized it couldn't out-turn them and tried a new maneuver. It threw itself into a corner, but as it did Alex saw most of its thrusters go dark. The ship began it spin on its own axis, having deactivated their own flight assist as they swung their guns towards the Peregrine despite still moving away from her. Alex calmly jerked her stick to the side, sending them into a roll as a red stream of lasers erupted through where they had just been.

Alex sent them into a dive, Eta's knuckles turning white from gripping her arm rests. But as they came out of it Alex had landed them directly on the back of the Gunship once again, and she resumed her merciless bombardment as her fleeing target raced away. And at long last Eta saw the first signs of the shields beginning to struggle. The once resilient blue shell that protected the pirate flickered, taking longer and longer to recover after each hit.

Alex would not let go no matter how hard they desperately tried to turn away from her, but as the Gunship rolled in front of her, she caught a brief glimpse of its underside. Through the weakening shield she could see a skeletal platform had extended out from the bay doors, carrying the ship's second fighter that they were frantically trying to launch into fray.

Without a word Alex forced their nose down. She corkscrewed the Peregrine, bringing them into a position where she had an unobstructed shot at the Gunship's belly and fired. The shields sputtered, her shots visibly fracturing and distorting the surface. But just as it looked on the brink of failing the remote fighter sprang to life. Its thrusters ignited as it flew free of its frame, blasting clear of the battle and stabilizing itself before beginning to circle back.

"Motherfucker," Alex spat, hesitating for a split second before making her decision. The platform beneath the Gunship hadn't yet retracted, and so Alex gripped her controls as she pounded the shields. Putting all her spare power behind her guns as she watched the blue glow fracture and begin to fail.

But just as it finally gave out the Peregrine sounded an urgent alarm. The remote righter had dropped in behind her, pecking at her own shields in return with its modest guns. Alex unleased another swarm of missiles spiraling in towards the vulnerable structure below the Gunship as she broke off. She twisted the Peregrine, diving away to shake off her new attacker. But the remote fighter was even more agile than she was, and as the stars spun around them the Peregrine's alarms grew louder as it continued its work of chipping away them.

Alex killed power to her weapons, pouring it into engines and shields as she danced with the fighter close behind, before being forced to quickly reversed the direction of her roll as a torrent of red filled the sky. The Gunship having dragged its guns back on target.

Alex swore, swerving over the deadly stream as she pushed the throttle to full. She watched her scanner display, plotting a wide circle around the Gunship as a plan came together in her mind. She twisted back towards the pirate, the fighter locked on her tail as she nudged all three of them into place.

And just as her alarms were reaching their peak Alex streaked across the bow of the Gunship, offering them the shot. The pirate leapt forward, unleashing a flood of crimson lasers towards her. But just as they did Alex shut down her shields, dumping everything her power plant could muster into her engines as Eta was thrown back in her seat.

A new alarm sounded, a warning of the remote fighter's shots striking across the back of the hull. But Alex's sudden lunge forward had left the Gunship's shot behind her, creating a stream of lasers that not even the fighter could turn fast enough to avoid. It's dot on her scanner display flickered, before going dark as it was reduced to shrapnel by its own ally.

Alex twisted her controls, sending them screaming back towards the Gunship and diving down on her target with a vengeance. She rebalanced her power, hoping to give her shields a chance to recover as she laid into the Gunship once again. She was relieved to see that all that remained of the fighter platform was tangled wreckage dangling from the belly of the pirate. And after cracking what little had returned of its shields her shots sent of river of sparks pouring out of the craft as they finally reached the hull.

More hissing emanated from beneath their feet as Alex sent another flurry of swarming missiles towards the Gunship, impacting along its length and causing the ship to buck as it bled sparks and shrapnel out into space.

The Gunship's thrusters were being pushed to their breaking point, which sent it hurtling back towards the Megaship with Alex right behind as her shots ripped into the back of the craft. But just when it seemed that the pirate vessel was about to collide, it dived hard. Skimming under the Megaship so closed that it triggered a cascade of green from the imperials' shields. But Alex realized she was at the wrong angle and moving too fast to follow. She cursed loudly as she was forced to break off and climb over the Megaship instead: momentarily losing sight of her prey. And just as she swung around to find them again, a blast of laser fire lashed up at the Peregrine from below. Her battered shields almost immediately crumbling in the face of the Gunship. Alex pulled away, rolling evasively as she tried to shake the larger ship. Alarms blared in the cockpit as Alex's shields came to the brink of failing. She sent them into a steep dive as he hit another trigger on her dashboard.

"Silent Running," Verity repeated. Alex growled something unintelligible as a wave of heat swept over them both. The last two times Eta had experienced this, Alex had deliberately kept her power usage low. But this time the Peregrine was being pushed to her limits, and Eta almost immediately began to sweat. Her skin tingled in the growing heat, and she tried desperately to ignore her discomfort.

"Warning. Temperature critical," announced Verity calmy. But outside the windows the Gunship's shots sprayed wildly. The pilot suddenly unable to get a proper lock on the little ship. Alex yanked her throttle all the way towards herself. Throwing Eta forward in her seat as the ship lurched backwards. But the tricked pirate overshot them. Unable to stop in time to match Alex.

"Thermal signature restored," Verity announced as Alex slammed open her heat vents: much to Eta's relief as she was thrown back into her chair. Alex once again pounced and seized a target lock of her own. She shut down her battered shields once again: putting every bit of power she could spare behind her laser cannons as they continued to rip the Gunship apart.

"Oh fuck yes!" Eta cheered out as she saw another swarm of missiles rake across the pirate's hull, sending metal fragments and sparks pouring out of the failing ship.

"Eta, I love it when you swear!" Alex called back in glee as her shots focused in on one of the rear engines: pounding the sputtering thruster until it finally went dark. The Gunship lurched sluggishly, struggling to control its maneuvers. But Alex didn't stop, her shots now striking the rear wing again and again until it finally cracked and split apart. A huge chunk of it spun off into space, and Alex had to roll out of the way to avoid a collision with it.

But now missing one of its main engines and its weight off balance the Gunship began its death spiral. The ship tumbling over and over as the pilot lost all control. Only then did Alex ceased her attack, simply watching the doomed ship as she slumped back in her seat and blinking for the first time in what felt like far too long.

Along the side of the doomed ship a pair of flashes erupted as two escape pods jettisoned out into space.

"Hey Eta, how many crew can operate a Federal Gunship?" Alex asked as she breathed out a long sigh of relief.

"Only two. Pilot, and one operator for the ship launched fighters," Eta replied, eyes ablaze as she watched the escape pods stabilize themselves with their emergency thrusters. But her anger was slowly replaced by joy at their victory.

She recklessly released her harness and launched herself towards Alex. She landed on the floor beside her Mistress, wrapping her arms around the woman's waist just as she had during their interdiction. She pressed her cheek into Alex's side as the woman jumped in surprise.

"Alex you were incredible!" Eta cried out in triumph, her body shaking as the adrenaline began to fade. She looked up and met Alex's gaze with a beaming smile. Alex looked down at her with an amused expression.

"Um... thank you?" she replied with a laugh.

"I thought you said you had only engaged in ship combat a few times?!"

Alex let out a self-conscious cough.

"Eta you only survive engaging in ship combat a few times if you're at least somewhat good at it. There's a reason you only need five victories to be an Ace, not like... a hundred."

"Well then you're an Ace to me!" Eta exclaimed happily. Alex laughed again.

"First, I never specified how many 'a few' was. And second, I'm no solder. But what's gotten into you?"

Despite her nonchalant words Alex too was feeling the victory wash over her as her heart slowly began returning to normal. Eta blushed as she nuzzled Alex's side.

"I... I remember how scared I was when my Megaship was attacked. I didn't... realize how angry it would make me to see that happening... again. That and I just got to witness my Mistress go toe to toe with a ship four times her size and absolutely tear them apart," she giggled with admiration. Alex let out a laugh of her own before taking a few long breathes to calm herself.

"Thank you, Eta. You're a wonderful cheerleader," she said with a genuine smile. A look her lover returned before the kneeling woman's expression faltered.

"The Peregrine took some impacts through your shields, is that right?" Eta asked, just remembering. "Please let me repair the damage for you once we land."

Alex chuckled as she gave a nod.

"It wasn't too bad a hit, but please do. Anyway... sorry I can't hug you back, still need my hands to fly," she added. Eta glanced out the canopy, realizing that Alex was still following the defeated Gunship as it tumbled through space. Its thrusters dark, and the entire rear and underside of the hull had been shredded by Alex's guns.

"Are you... going to destroy it?" Eta asked curiously. Alex glanced down at her with a sly smile.

"No. You are."

Eta blinked in surprise and confusion.

"Me?" she asked incredulously.

"I figure you would enjoy some revenge against a ship that was attacking slaves. But only if you want to," Alex stressed. Eta paused for a moment, before nodding firmly. Alex grinned.

"See this?" Alex asked, tapping her finger against the trigger moulded into the front of her control stick. Eta nodded.

"I'm already targeting them. Missiles are set. Give 'em hell."

Eta tentatively reached up, laying her hand overtop of Alex's. She gently laid a finger on the trigger while looking up at her Mistress for approval. Alex nodded encouragingly and Eta fired.

She heard more hissing below her before another swarm of missiles streaked across space. Eta watched them, mesmerized as they frenetically homed in on their target. Finally impacting along the side in a wave of explosions that violently rocked the derelict vessel.

"Once more," instructed Alex and Eta happily obliged. The first impacts had blown a gaping hole across the side of the ship, but the second swarm struck deeper in as the Gunship listed. The ship hung in space for another few seconds, clinging to life before its grasp finally failed and the power plant gave out. For a split second through the Gunship's canopy they could see the cockpit flooded with a bright light before the internal explosion tore through the ship and ripped it to pieces. Scattering fragments of vessel in all directions.

"Target destroyed," Verity announced as Eta quickly pulled her hand away from Alex's controls. The Commander swung them away from the expanding debris field and sent them moving back in the direction of the Megaship: retracting her guns and reactivating her shields on the way.

"What... do you intend to do about the escape pods?" Eta asked cautiously, unsure what answer she was hoping for.

"I'm not going to kill the pilots if that's what you're asking," Alex replied. "I'll report their position to the Imperials, and what happens next is up to them. I killed the ship, I'm happy. Plus they had a bounty," added Alex, reaching out and tapping her targeting display.

"So I get paid for that!" she chuckled before she opened her comms panel, and making contact with the Megaship as she brought them up along side. A wary voice came over her speakers.

"Is this Mr. Alex Turner?" came a man's voice, reading off Alex's registration. Alex rolled her eyes at Eta.

"We owe you a great deal of thanks. That was a very selfless act you did for us," he said, his voice genuinely appreciative.

"It's Miss, but you're very welcome. I'm happy I was able to help," Alex replied with a grin.

"Oh, I'm... I'm very sorry Miss, I apologize for the mistake," the man said, sounding sincere.

"All good," Alex replied. "You aren't the first and won't be the last. But how are things over there? I didn't see them get through your shields but any... injuries?" she asked, deciding she didn't want to get into a discussion about her knowing it was a slave ship.

"Fortunately not Miss. As you say, you arrived before our shields failed. That was also... quite a display," he added, sounding impressed.

"Thank you. I would not be surprised if the Imperial Navy shows interest."

Alex laughed before shaking her head.

"Again, you're very welcome. You guys going to be okay getting yourself to Telismann's? Or at least, I assume that's where you're going," she replied.

"Yes, that should be-" the man began before pausing.

"I deeply apologize Miss. I'm getting a comm request from one of the Imperial offices on board Telismann's Exchange. Please excuse me," he said as he turned his attention elsewhere

"Greetings Mr. Korpick... Yes that is correct the situation is now under control," he said, his voice sounding farther away and talking to someone Alex couldn't hear.

"Look at this guy, so fancy he can have two comm lines open at the same time," she jokingly whispered down towards Eta, but she got no response.

"No, Imperial security is still on route, it was a civilian Commander who engaged the assailant... No, not an Imperial citizen. An Alliance one... That is correct sir, I have them on the comms line... yes I should be able to transfer you over without issue. Give me one moment. Oh and just so you are aware, the name Alex Turner belongs to a woman," he concluded before returning back to the comms line with Alex properly. Alex, who was rolling her eyes even harder.

"I apologize for that interruption Miss. But one of the Imperial higher ups would like to thank you personally. If that's alright I can connect your comm line with him?"

"Sure. Glad you're all safe over there. Take care of yourselves," Alex said in parting. As she waited for the comms to reconnect, she glanced down at Eta, but she found the woman completely frozen, her eyes wide in shock.

"Eta?" Alex asked in alarm. "What's up!?"

Eta swallowed nervously, but before she could answer, another man's voice came over the Peregrine's comms.

"Miss Alex Turner. My name is Martin Korpick. It is my understanding that we were very lucky to have your assistance today," he said. His voice sounding just as formal and polite as all the other Imperials Alex had met, but not unkind. Alex quickly flicked her gaze back and forth between Eta and her comms panel, trying to figure out what had her lover so stunned.

"Uhh, happy to help Martin. Like I said to your Megaship crew, I'm glad I was able to help," she said, not able to give the man her full attention, but he laughed good naturedly.

"I'm very glad as well. We've had a few similar attacks recently I'm afraid. I very much wish the Empire had more pilots like you on hand to counter them."

Alex was about to respond when Eta squeezed her Mistress' waist gently and raised her eyes to the comms panel.

"Supervisor Korpick, it... is wonderful to hear your voice again," she managed, her own voice fully back to how she had spoken when Alex first found her.

"Wait... I... eh... wh?" the man stammered, caught completely off guard. Alex stared down at Eta in shock, mouthing the word 'Supervisor' incredulously as she pointed at Eta. Eta nodded cautiously.

"I... I apologize," the man managed, regaining his composure. "Your voice... reminded me of someone I knew who passed away recently. But please, whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to?"

"No, you were correct Supervisor Korpick. This is ET4H2-5C. I beg your forgiveness for not being able to make contact sooner."

"Co... ET4H2-5C!?" Korpick uttered in amazement. "You... you're alive?! I... as soon as the Megaship had been stabilized and we learned the hull had been breached we ordered Imperial patrols to return to the location immediately to search for any survivors. They scanned the wreckage for hours. We even called in the entire Search and Rescue staff of the nearby station. We... had no choice but to assume the worst. Especially after scan data of several deceased slaves and an empty cryostasis pod were turned in to their office," he said, sounding genuinely apologetic. Alex whipped around, squinting down at Eta.

"Cryostasis?!" she hissed quietly. Eta offered an apologetic smile.

"But... how did you survive!?" Korpick continued.

"I was found by the Commander of this ship, Miss Turner, shortly after the attack. She was also selfless enough to transport me to the Imperial Slavers Association office," Eta responded, rubbing her head against Alex's side. Alex was still glaring at the woman, but took her hand off her control stick to gently run her fingers through her lover's hair: still trying to process what the hell she was listening to.

"In that case Miss Turner... I owe you even greater thanks than I originally thought. You have in your company one of my most valuable and irreplaceable technicians. I have come to rely quite heavily on her skills, and you have my eternal gratitude for her safe return to me. Am I to assume you were also the one to turn in the scan data?"

"Yeah that's right," Alex replied, tearing her eyes away from Eta. "I'm sorry I wasn't able save more. By the time I got there Et... ET4 was the only survivor," she added, growing agitated that Korpick seemed to think they were here to return Eta and knowing it wasn't going to be fun to break the news.

"I'm sorry too," he responded solemnly. "But please understand that is no failing on your part. I am still extremely grateful for what you've done. It brought us some much-needed information and provided clarity for our investigation."

"Investigation, Sir?" asked Eta in confusion.

"That's right. After our attack, our entire Megaship and a great many other slave transports in the region were ordered to report here. Such as the one Miss Turner so selflessly defended. The loss of slave lives is... unacceptable, and so the ISA has launched a full investigation. I've been here aiding them with it ever since."

Alex raised an eyebrow, her surprise mounting at how respectful Korpick was being towards both Eta and just slaves in general.

"I am honoured both you and the association are putting such effort into preventing further losses. Thank you, Sir," Eta answered before taking a deep breath to calm her nerves.

"However, I apologize Supervisor Korpick. I do not think I will be able to... return to your service. I have come... to the Imperial Slavers Association office... to apply to... have my citizenship reinstated," she managed, her voice shaking as she got the final words out. There was a tense silence for a few seconds before Korpick said something that left the two women absolutely dumbfounded.

"I'm proud of you ET4H2-5C," he said simply, his voice gentle and calm.

"The fuck?" breathed Alex quietly.

"You're not... disappointed, Sir?" asked Eta in shock.

"No I am not," Korpick answered. "When I said you were irreplaceable, I did mean it. Your loss was, and now is, a great blow to my department. But that is a problem for me, not for you. I know it's been over a year since you cleared your remaining debt, so I knew you couldn't stay forever. I am very grateful for everything you've done for us, but you're now doing something for yourself, which is far more important."

"I... thank you... Sir," Eta replied in a stunned voice.

"Technically you're still a slave until the paperwork is done, but even so I don't think you need to call me 'Sir' anymore," Korpick laughed.

"Just Martin, or Mr. Korpick is more than acceptable. And I suppose I should be calling you by your name now too. It was Melody wasn't it?" he asked. Alex whipped her head around, staring down at her lover as she mouthed the name 'Melody' in disbelief. Eta just looked back, her own expression still one of shock.

"I... that is correct Si... I mean, Mr. Korpick. But how did you know my name so readily? You have thousands of slaves under your direction."

Korpick laughed.

"Thousands of slaves yes. And while all are appreciated, I only have a handful I consider truly integral to my operations. You were one of them. That and I had to sign your death certificate the other day. Any slave who dies is granted posthumous citizenship out of respect. So you're one step closer than you may think you are," he added with a chuckle.

"But speaking of which: there is a lot of paperwork to be done. And a lot of paperwork to be corrected for you to be a full citizen again. And unfortunately with the ongoing investigation the staff here are... extremely busy. The last I heard citizenship applications were being delayed weeks."

Alex swore quietly under her breath.

"However," Korpick continued, something in his voice shifting. "One benefit on my position is that I am able to... bend certain rules when it benefits me, or benefits people I like. And I'm owed a few favours by some of the people here. I can tell them you're coming, and that you have my full blessing. I'm confident they can turn a few weeks into a few hours for you. A day at most."

"... Thank you! Mr Korpick," replied Eta, her voice a mix of shock, relief, and gratitude.

"It is the very least I can do after all you have done for us Melody," he said gratefully. "And... may I ask what's next for you?"

Eta glanced up at Alex, uncertain for a moment.

"Miss... Turner has been selfless enough to agree to... sponsor me, and allow me to work for her for a time. To let me see the galaxy while I get accustomed to citizenship," she answered somewhat truthfully, but leaving out certain details of their arrangement. Korpick laughed again.

"In that case Miss Turner, you are a very lucky woman. You are soon to have one of the most skilled technicians I know in your employment."

Alex managed a laugh of her own, mind still racing.

"Oh I know," she said. "Et... Melody has already been a big help," she added, the name sounding weird in her mouth. Korpick was silent for a moment, deep in thought.

"There are certain programs in place to help slaves transition back into civilian life, but the maximum amount they can provide is dictated by law. However, Miss Turner, as thanks for your help today with defending our Megaship, I am in a position to offer you a reward. A reward to which I do have some discretion," he said pointedly as a transfer popped up on Alex's display. Her eyes widening at the amount.

"Consider this my thanks, both for defending our ship, and for rescuing Melody. As well as my humble request for you to take good care of her for as long as you share her company. She deserves it."

"I... wow," Alex said softly before composing herself. "Yes she does, and I will. You are very welcome Korpick," she confirmed with a smile as she glanced down at her lover, who was smiling back.

"Thank you," he said gratefully. And with final goodbyes the cockpit fell silent. Both women struggled to collect their thoughts, but it was Alex who spoke first.

"Melody?! Your name is Melody?" she asked incredulously. Eta nodded.

"That was before I was a slave yes."

"You never told me it before."

"You never asked what it was."

Alex was silent as she composed herself.

"Do you... want to go back to being Melody?" she asked, but Eta shook her head.

"As I said before that name doesn't feel like me anymore. I am yours now, and I like the name you gave me. So if it's okay with you, I'd prefer to remain Eta," she said with a smile. Alex nodded agreeably.

"You have too many different names. Did you catch how he almost called you Coco at first?" Alex asked with a chuckle.

"I did," replied Eta with her own laugh.

"But speaking of which," Alex said, pointing at her comms panel as her disbelief returned. "He's... not a piece of shit?"

Eta shook her head.

"While I'm surprised just how understanding and generous he was about me wanting to regain my citizenship. I did say he never treated me poorly," she replied.

"But he had sex with you while you were his slave?"

"Sex I consented to. And he did always confirm if I wanted to take part," Eta pointed out. Alex let out a long breath, relenting.

"How much did he reward you?" asked Eta curiously.

"Enough I could buy a whole new ship."

"Are you going to?" Eta asked in surprise.

"Hell no, I like the Peregrine. But it's enough you are never allowed to complain about me buying you things ever again," Alex said sternly. Eta blushed but managed a nod.

"Anyway... I love having you next to me, but go sit down and strap in," Alex instructed running her fingers through Eta's hair one last time.

"We've still got to get you to the ISA, and you have to tell me what the fuck he meant by cryo."