“Then why?” Stag just wanted answers.

“Unknown, but none of the personal journal logs mentioned anything about cyborgs.” Parqel paused. “The last entry was made by their communications officer. They identified our shuttle as belonging to the criminal Earthers you took it from. They attacked us believing women were onboard, who they could steal. He seemed quite excited with the prospect of comforting any of them with sex. The entry was graphic. They fought and then voted over either blowing us up before we realized we weren’t alone, or boarding us. It was a seven to one in favor of gaining women. The one you killed last was the holdout. It seems he refused to be a part of it, since they’d have gotten in trouble if anyone ever found out. They had planned to kill the women before a new shift arrived to relieve them of duty. I guess he changed his mind and came after his crew to help them.”

Stag clenched his teeth again. “Understood.”

“I feel no guilt now for killing them,” Hellion muttered. “They would have abused, murdered, and hidden the body of Nala if they’d taken us out. There’s got to be a lot of crevices inside this tunnel to conceal a body.”

“Or they could have incinerated a body,” Maze snarled. “Earth Government military at its best. They called us murders. At least we never took innocent lives.”

“Stow it.” Stag walked over to the panel and touched it. The computer responded, so he reached up and ripped off the annoying earpiece. He opened ship-wide coms. “We’re online. Good work, Veller.”

“Thank you. I’m heading to Control. Are you already there?”

Stag twisted around, staring at Nala. He should be at the helm, instead of waiting to see if she was going to recover. “I’m on my way too.” He cut coms. “Maze? How is she?”

“I can go to Control if you want to stay.” Hellion regarded him.

“It’s my duty to be there, not yours.”

“Are you certain of that? You’re worried about her. You care. Stay with Nala. We can handle things without you for a while longer.”

Stag debated it a second too long and Hellion exited the room before he could decide. He let it go, focusing on the medic instead. “Maze? You didn’t answer me.”

Maze straightened and peered at him with a grim look. “She saved both of our lives. You’re aware of that, aren’t you?”

“He would have hit me with his weapon, not you. What does that have to do with anything? I want an update on her medical condition.”

“She’ll be fine. I’ve found no life-threatening injuries.”

Relief hit Stag, too much so. “Good. I should go to Control then. Stay with her, and once she’s able to be moved, take her to your quarters. You can bunk with Hellion.” He glanced at the damage to his room. “This one isn’t livable until repairs are completed.”

Maze moved into his path, blocking the door. “I shot the soldier found lying in the corridor. I was already injured when the second one planned to shoot me to make certain I never got up again. I was coming around, and I heard Nala flirting with him. I was convinced for a moment that she truly was happy to be rescued. That’s when she attacked and killed that soldier. She protected me and saved my life.”

“Your point?”

“She risked her life twice to save us both. You were wrong about her, Stag. Are you still planning on handing her over to the council when we reach Garden?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“It is now! She saved my life. I demand answers. Do you care about her? Have you changed your feelings about her enough to join a family unit with her?”

The question astonished him. He couldn’t even speak.

“She chose cyborgs over Earth Government soldiers. Are you willing to keep her or not?”

Stag had enough. He stepped forward, his chest pressing against Maze’s, and glared at him. “Get out of my way.”

Maze didn’t budge. He just glared back. “Are you going to do right by Nala? If not, I plan to join a family unit with her. Give her to me if you aren’t willing to keep her.”

Rage filled Stag. “She’s my prisoner.”

“That would imply she’s the enemy. She chose sides, Stag. You’re just being too stubborn to admit it.”

“Perhaps she knew it would be a losing battle for them to go against us. Nala is smart.”

“And perhaps you’ve grown so bitter over the years that you’re unable to see the truth. Hand Nala over to the council and I’ll petition to be her male. I owe her a life debt. That will take precedent over all others who apply.” Maze walked over to the bed and picked up an injector.

“What are you giving her?”

“Why do you care?” Maze pressed it against her shoulder.

Stag crossed the room. “What did you give her?”

“Something for pain and healing, of course.”

They glared at each other. Maze spoke first.

“I know you, Stag. I saw your reaction when she was down, and you believed her critically injured. Don’t make the mistake of letting her go. Another male will work hard to secure her affections and loyalty. They will offer her all the things you haven’t so far. Females like her want a male who is kind and loving. You’ll lose her forever. There’s no shame in having a weakness when it brings you happiness. She’s your one shot at it.”

Stag glanced at Nala, not willing to get into an argument with the medic.

“You’ve began avoiding her, which means she poses a threat. But the only thing you fear is caring too much and opening yourself up to experiencing emotional pain. We escaped Earth to live, not just exist. Your motivation to face each morning shouldn’t just be the next mission the council sends us on.”

Stag sighed. “I’ll think about what you’ve said. I need to go to Control. Move her when she can be.”

Maze motioned to his arm in the sling. “How do you suppose I do that? Make her walk? No. I want her to stay immobile for at least six hours. She suffered some bruising to her back and minor swelling. It could be uncomfortable for her. I also protest giving up my quarters unless you’re giving her to me. There’s a better place on the Varnish to move her.”

Stag held his gaze.

“It has always been courteous of you to put yourself in quarters equal to those of your crew—but that was before you had a female. She would be more comfortable in the captain’s quarters.”