Nyx is yowling in fright as she’s pressed into her seat as the Donati’s engines slow them for landing. She knew the Donati’s engines had more power than she’d seen them use until now, but this was something else.

  Then, it was over.

  The window shutters had long been closed, so she couldn’t see outside. But Cai had opened several camera feeds on the holo projector, and she saw the ground approaching much faster than she’d like.

  “Cai! We’re gonna be crashin’!”

  Cai laughs, “Come on, this is fun!”

  “Yer sparkin’ crazy!”

  “You have to be, to be a long-range explorer, that’s why you’ll fit right in!”

  Nyx hisses at him, “Spark you Cai!”

  She sees Sandal Colon clearly now, and she hears distant machinery as she sees landing legs extend from hidden ports between the Donati’s engines.

  “And spark you too,” Cai says in a teasing manner that pisses her off even more.

  She has to fight off the urge to bite him thanks to her being strapped in and pressed into her chair keeping her from doing just that.

  Then, it’s over, and the Donati gently touches down.

  Cai chuckles as he unstraps himself and points his arm at her, “This is amazing!”

  An image of Nyx strapped to her chair appears above his wrist computer.

  It shows her tail floofed as floofy as it can get. She could see her ears are back as tightly as they can, and she sees how angry and scared she looks.

  Nyx fiddles with her restraints, “Cai! I’m gonna sparkin’ be killin’ ya! Ya be deletin’ that right now, or I’m gonna be doin’ it!”

  Cai laughs as he runs to the walkway leading up.

  Nyx frees herself. Mars’ gravity is weak, so she easily runs and jumps up the scaffolding holding the plants and tackles Cai, biting his shoulder.

  He yelps as they both fall off the walkway, and fall harmlessly to the deck.

  “Ow! Ow! Fine! I’ll delete it!”

  Nyx stops biting him, “Ya better sparkin’ be doin’ it!”

  “Donati, delete the last picture taken.”

  Nyx sits up on him, “Be showin’ me.”

  Cai sighs, “Donati, show all pictures taken since landing.”

  Nyx sees multiple pictures. The one in her seat, and several of her chasing him, “Cai!”

  “Come on, it was adorable. They’ll make great memories!”

  She bites him again, though she’s always careful not to draw blood.

  “Ow! Okay! Donati, delete the pictures!”

  Nyx huffs in approval as she lets him go, “I’m gonna be checkin’ ‘em later.”

  Cai gets up, “They’re all gone, I swear. But now we should worry about the fact we’ve landed. I’m sure the ground crews are waiting for us.”

  Nyx gets off of him. She knows he could have easily held her off of him, but he’s always so gentle with her and as her anger fades, she blushes as she remembers his laughing face as she chased him, “Yeah, let’s be gettin’ goin’.”

  Cai stands and looks up, “We’re lucky we’re on Mars' gravity. That would have hurt under 1g.”

  Nyx realizes that he’s right, but they weren’t under 1g so she’s in the clear, “But we weren’t bein’.”

  Cai walks, and Nyx notices as he stretches a shoulder. Maybe he had gotten hurt? He didn’t look like he was in pain.

  They climb down the ladder to the cargo deck, and Cai looks at her, “You’re wearing the sundress to the colony? I thought you’d like more boyish clothing.”

  Nyx looks at herself. Why did she like this dress? She realizes it’s because it’s the first clothes Cai gave her, even if it was simulated the first time she wore it. And she likes how feminine it makes her feel. Fifteen years of wearing old men’s clothing made it feel nice to try something new. And it made her feel curvier thanks to its cut.

  “I’m likin’ dressin’ as a woman. Somethin’ bein’ wrong doin’ this?”

  Cai smiles, “No, it looks great on you.” He opens a locker and pulls out a white, wide-brimmed cloth hat, “Here, I thought this would go great with the dress if you wore it again.”

  He picks up her bag, the cooler, and another bag she assumes are his clothes.

  Nyx takes the hat. There are two holes on the top for her ears to fit through and ribbons to hide them. She realized she can take the ribbons off if she wants.

  Nyx puts the hat on and looks at her reflection in a nearby polished piece of metal, “Mya. Cai… I’m lovin’ it.”

  She feels a warmth in her chest as she looks at herself. The captain’s wife often made fun of her for looking like a boy, and many slummers mistook her for one too. Now she feels like a woman, and she couldn’t be happier.

  Cai opens the airlock door, “Well, let’s give the colony the parts, then go visit the family.”

  “Got it.” She says, taking one last look at her reflection.

  There are already dockworkers waiting for them to leave, and Nyx finds out Cai already had spare parts available, so they unload them, and then finally enter the colony.

  Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  People have gathered to look at the Donati through a viewing window of the landing pad, “Bet they haven’t seen a ship Donati’s size and condition land here in years.”

  Nyx looks at the gathered group. Many are giving them curious looks, and she notices Cai looks somewhat uncomfortable, “Yer not likin’ people?”

  She is feeling uncomfortable too, but thanks to the dress hiding her tail, and the hat hiding her ears, she doesn’t hear any whispers of ‘Felis.’

  They’re in the dome now, and Nyx sees the faint blue of the Martian day above them and the gray of the soil outside. Inside the dome, she’s reminded of the simulation she found Cai liked for… reasons. Except everything here is metal, glass, and synthetic material. They’re in decent condition, but many look abandoned.

  She turns from the buildings to the street and sees that stalls and people line it. Many are chatting idly, while others are trading homemade goods or services.

  Cai glances at her, “Huh? Bad with crowds? Oh, I’m fine with crowds. I’m more worried about the Donati. The computer will keep it safe, but… This will be the longest time in a hundred plus years I’ll be away from her.”

  Nyx knows how he feels. She’d been on the Gaper for fifteen years. Though in her case, leaving was a blessing. “You’ll be doin’ fine.” She tugs on his arm, wanting to get away from the stares. “Let’s be gettin’ goin’.”

  Cai nods as he lets her pull him, “Yeah. I want to meet this Allison Keys. You must be feeling excited to meet another Felis after so long.”

  Cai has to scramble to put the cooler and their two bags over his free shoulder.

  Nyx’s ears flatten as she remembers Wrench, “I was bein’ with Wrench.”

  Cai pauses in his steps, “Ah, right.”

  She shakes her head and hugs his arm as they continue, “I wish we coulda been savin’ him.”

  Cai pats her shoulder, “If I’d known you still had a friend aboard or that the engine would explode, I wouldn’t have been so casual about the whole chase.”

  Nyx growls, “It’s bein’ the dum cap’n’s fault. He would be knowin’ the engines were overheatin’.”

  “That’s true.” He still looks guilty to her, “But I didn’t even try to talk to them. Though to be fair, most of the messages they sent were insults and demands for surrender, so ignored them.”

  Nyx looks around as they walk. She’s not in the mood to talk about Wrench and the Az Gaper anymore.

  She notices people using Nufuud packs for trade, which is normal. But also other items such as parts and jewelry.

  Nyx looks at the bracelet with the diamonds made from the ashes of her friends. Another reminder of what she lost.

  Cai stops, “Hey, you want to try that?”

  Nyx looks where he’s pointing, and she sees a bored woman holding a pad of paper sitting next to a sign with several hand-drawn sketches of people on them. “Drawin’ something?”

  “No, get our portrait sketched. I wonder if she’ll do it for an apple or two?”

  Nyx looks at the woman and then at Cai as he discreetly tries to take two apples from the cooler.

  She laughs as he struggles to do it with the one arm she’s not holding while juggling the cooler and two bags, “Cai! I’ll be helpin’ ya.” She reaches into the cooler and pulls out two of the other red fruits.

  Cai holds back his own laugh, “Thanks, but those are tomatoes, not apples.”

  Nyx sniffs it, “Tomatoes?”

  “She might take those too.”

  They approach the woman.

  The woman is maybe late twenties. She’s of average height and rail thin like most people she’s seen on the colony, but healthy. Her brown hair frames a heart-shaped face. Her brown eyes immediately focus on them as she looks them over. She’s wearing a pair of baggy shorts and a shirt stained with paint.

  She stands and smiles as they approach, “Good day, sir. Would you like a portrait with your daughter?”

  Cai glances at Nyx.

  Nyx bristles, but holds her tongue, “I’m not bein’ his daughter, I’m his…” She wonders what she is to Cai exactly. Crewmate? Partner? Friend?

  The woman squints at Nyx, glancing at the ribbons hiding her ears, and she can see her smile twitch, “You’re not from here.”

  Cai shakes his head, “We’re here on business. We have parts the colony can use to fix the colony’s fabricator and hydroponics. And I’m Cai Halley and this adorable woman is Nyx.”

  She brightens, “Oh! You’ll be doing us a blessing if you help fix those for us. I’ll draw your likenesses for free. It’s the least I can do for those that bless us this day.”

  Cai shakes his head, “Nah. Nyx, why don’t you give her the tomatoes?”

  Nyx glances at the tomatoes and wonders what they taste like before handing them over, “Here ya be goin’.” She turns to Cai, “And I’m not bein’ adorable! Spark you, Cai.”

  The woman takes the tomatoes as she holds back a laugh, “I’m Casey, and thank you for the fine gift. It’s been many years since I’ve had tomatoes.” She looks between them, “Have you known each other long?”

  Cai shakes his head, “No. Just met like a day and a half ago.”

  Has it really only been that long? So many things had happened in that time, it seemed longer. She looks at Cai. He’d really done so much for her.

  Casey looks between them, “Okay.” She puts the tomatoes in her paint covered bag, which she has shoved under her chair, “I think I know what to do.” She motions for them to sit on a public bench not far behind her, “Please sit.” Once they do, she turns to Nyx, “Ms. Nyx, keep holding his arm like that and rest your head on his shoulder. Mr., take her hands in yours and rest your head on hers.”

  Nyx’s heart races at the closeness to Cai. What was Casey doing? She didn’t hate it, but she noticed several people watching, and she’s feeling embarrassed.

  Cai just gives her a smile.

  Casey moves her chair in front, “Okay, I’ll give you my premium service.” She pulls out her sketchpad and starts drawing, “So, you two just met? I was sure you’d known each other for a while.”

  Casey asks them simple questions as she draws, and Cai answers honestly, though leaves out the part about the secret lab and the group, Nyx being a Felis, and their genetic modifications. This draws in a few others as they speak. Nyx even adds some jabs or comments.

  Casey works quickly, “Okay, there you go.”

  Nyx takes the drawing. It’s well done, and Casey has captured their likenesses well despite how quickly she drew.

  She blushes as she looks at how intimate she and Cai look together. Her head on his shoulder, barely thanks to her height. His head on hers. Her holding his arm and their hands clasped together in their laps. And she loves how she looks in her sundress with the hat.

  Nyx clutches the papers like it’s a treasure, “Thanks, Casey.”

  Cai nods, “Yeah, it’s great.”

  Casey returns a smile, “It was my pleasure. If you ever want a full portrait done with paints, just send me a message. And thank you for the tomatoes.”

  Cai shakes his head, “I’m afraid we’re leaving as soon as we’re done with our business here.”

  Nyx pulls on Cai’s arm, “Cai…”

  Cai sighs, “Fine. If we have time.”

  Nyx grins. She’s really enjoyed talking to Casey. How long has it been since she’s had a casual conversation with another woman?

  Casey nods, “I’ll keep an eye out. I wish you well with your business.”

  Cai looks to a distant section of the dome that’s still covered in scaffolding from repairs, “Well, with any luck, we’ll be getting the fabricators up within the week and hydroponics back to normal sooner than later.”

  Several people who had listened murmured their thanks.

  Nyx lets go of Cai’s arm, “Bye, Casey.”

  Cai nods again, “Yes, thank you, Casey. And I hope you enjoy the tomatoes.”

  Cassey turns to Cai, “I will. They look delicious.” She leans in to whisper to Nyx. Not where human ears would be, but her cat ears, “Good luck. He’s a catch, and I think he likes you too.”

  Nyx blushes, “Ah… umm… We’re not bein’ like that!”

  Cai looks at the two women curiously, “Bein’ like what?”

  Nyx pulls on his arm, “It’s bein’ nothin’ now let’s get goin’. We’re bein’ late to be seein’ Allison.”

  Cai shrugs and they walk, “Okay?”

  Cassey sits and eats a tomato as she watches them leave, “So sweet!”