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Kiya was standing in the corner of the lounge as Victoria, Jean, Jill, Chey, Ratchet, and even Quinn sat around and had a few drinks, “Shouldn't you all be getting ready to fight? I thought this was an emergency.”

Chey leaned her head back over the couch, “Yeah, but we still got another day of flight to go. No need to worry now.”

Jill fell over into her lap, “Calm down Kiya, not like it's going to be too big of a deal.” Their wounds were still fresh but after a few treatments the bleeding had stopped and their flesh was patching itself up fast, “Have a drink, or bring more of those little cake things. Those were awesome.”

Ratchet was sitting on the bar itself, “Dante will be so disappointed if you don't relax.”

Quinn was nervously holding a drink, Jean was holding one as well but kept her composure, “What's wrong new girl? Can't drink?”

“I'm not of age.”

Jean shrugged, “If there is one thing at all I've learned from Dante its that age means nothing when your job is getting shot, stabbed, set on fire, exploded, and betrayed.” She took a sip and her face let everyone else know she couldn't handle it. The others, save for Kiya, started laughing.

The snake crossed her arms and huffed, “That was mean! I've smelled that stuff and it smells terrible! I can't imagine the taste is any bett- oof!” Ratchet sneaked in some liquor while Kiya was talking. At first she appeared violated, but soon she calmed down, “An furter morrree...”

“What a lightweight.” Ratchet polished off her drink and poured another, “Drink up bunny girl. It ain't getting any fresher.”

“You all trust Dante so much, why? He only gets you nearly killed each time. Quinn, you have even less reason to be loyal. This is madness!” Kiya had sobered up almost instantly, a curiosity that would have to be explored another time.

Quinn took a tiny sip and hid her face until the taste was gone, “Because he needed a friend and he did so much for everyone. Nobody asked him to try hard, but he did. He'd give you the shirt off his back if that's what you needed.”

“Or a good fucking.” Ratchet chugged her beverage, Quinn and Kiya both stared wide-eyed at the vixen's casual comment, “What?”

“That is inappropriate!” Kiya was aghast, another oddity considering her race procreates by kidnapping men from other planets.

“What? Most of us have.” Jill added, “The key is-”

“I don't want to hear about a key!”

Chey cleared her throat, “Ya gotta corner him first.”

“You two were able to corner Dante on his own ship?” Victoria was keeping calm, “I don't believe it.”

Ratchet chuckled, “Not as hard as you might imagine. You just have to be crafty and get him alone. He may be the toughest bastard in the universe, but he's still a man with needs. I like to think he's shy around women.”

“Nah, he's not shy. He's just always too preoccupied with other stuff. Like war and people trying to murder him.” Chey polished off her drink, “So I heard something about those cake dealies?”

Quinn was blushing through her fur, “So, he's really been with all of you? Well, most of you? How? When?”

Ratchet tallied something on her fingers, “Well, I think we've all been in bed with him at least in the past year. Jill and Chey over there work together, but it's rare that they get in there. Easier for me I'd say. Sere is usually caught up in her own little, uh, “creations” to get that interested. But yeah, even Star was thrown a bone now and then. I'd say that Victoria, you and your huge tits have a chance, but Jean is way too cold. Seriously. I'm getting the feeling that you're dry all the time.”

Kiya was having an overload of bad etiquette and tried to mentally distance herself, “What's this... emergency we're flying to?”

“Nuh-uh snakey, we're starting to enjoy this.” Chey had, at one point, grabbed a full bottle of red liquor and began drinking, “So Ratchet, how was last week anyway?”

Ratchet blew air between her teeth, “I'm still feeling satisfied. Seriously, that man knows his stuff.” She pretended to fan herself with her hand, “Pretty sure I couldn't handle another round yet.”

Victoria stood up, “If you ladies will excuse me, all this talk reminded me of a promise I made to Angel. Please continue.” She slowly left the room towards the engine hatch.

Kiya breathed a sigh of relief, “Whew, now do you see? You made even Victoria leave. Poor Quinn is blushing so much she may pass out, and Jean is... Jean?”

The smaller mink was passed out in a lounge chair, “Lightweights. All a yuh.” Chey took another swig, “So Ratchet, wanna call Angel or should I?”

Ratchet dismissed the thought with a wave, “Aw, let the girl have some fun. Abuio knows she deserves it.”

Jill nodded, “Hey, she might be able to last a round and still have the energy to walk away normally. I mean, right? She fights with that sword all the time.”

“The only swords I should hear about,” Miss Star swaggered into the room, “Are Victoria's ridiculous one and Dante's fun one. Since we aren't fighting right now...”

Ratchet tossed a small bottle to Miss Star, “Oh, Victoria is totally going to get a piece of that.”

Miss Star popped open the bottle of carbonated liquid, “Oh, about damn time. You know she wants it.” At this point, Kiya was covering her ears with both hands and Quinn was beginning to look lightheaded, “We're all adult-ish here, right? Who couldn't use a good lay am I right?”

Quinn shuddered, “Hey! I'm... I'm an adult and I don't need a good lay! Not... right now at least...”

Miss Star set her hand on the rabbit's head, “Oh, don't worry kiddo! You'll be grown up soon enough and you'll probably find something you want to grab and ride. And I'm not talking about a hoverbike~”

“Stop picking on me!” Quinn was frustrated and worked up at the same time, in two different meanings of course, “I'll grab what I want when I'm good and ready thank you very much.”

“I know, we all do. Oh, you hear the word about Sere and Zed? You know, that weasel in charge of the blimp ship?”

Ratchet straightened up, “This sounds like something I should hear.”

Star giggled, “Well, Sere got worked up a while back and I guess they got a little crazy. So, Zed's been sending love letters to Sere over a secure connection at least twice a day. Awesome, right?!”

Jill popped up and hugged herself, “That is so adorable!”

Chey raised her eyebrow, “Wait, so, how do you know?”

Miss Star was smug about it, “Why, our genius engineer wanted romantic advice from a true romantic of course!” There was a long pause in the room, “What?”

Ratchet poured herself another drink as Cratis walked into the lounge, “If anyone is the romantic, it's probably Dante. He doesn't show it, but there is a gentle side to him.” She snagged the bottle from a wobbly Chey, “What are you all talking about?”

“Victoria going to get laid, embarassing Kiya and Quinn, Sere receiving love letters.”

“Ah, gossip.” She plopped down onto a comfy chair, “Go on, I need something new to ponder.”

“Ms. Cratis, please don't tell me you've slept with Dante too.” Kiya was desperate for the answer she sought.

Cratis shook her head, “No. Thought about it, but he's not really my type. Besides, didn't he have his way with the former board of Fallen Sky before this mess?”

Chey was trying to move her fingers around, but nobody could tell what it meant, “Other way 'round my fine scaled friend.”

“Chey, you're drunk. Give me your keys.” Jill was reaching for invisible keys.

“Not drunk, just very not sober.”

….......................................

“Angel, keep an eye on the ship's situation and inform me of the slightest drop in performance. Calibrate the weapons and engines when you have a moment and take stock of supplies.”

“Understood Dante.”

He slouched in the chair, “Sere, I need you to check personnel weapon stocks, ammunition, and my project. First two are most important.”

“Got it, already doin' it.” She wasn't as energetic as usual.

“Sere, get your head in the game or I won't give you a vacation. Not like it'll matter if we aren't ready.”

“Yeah, I know. Just a little confused in my head is all. I won't make mistakes, you know that already.”

Dante nodded, knowing Sere wasn't anywhere near the bridge, “I trust you.”

Angel scanned over a few systems with her hand, “Everything is operating properly, average dip in performance is within acceptable parameters. Fuel, energy, water, and food supplies are above average. I foresee no problems in the near future. All electrical anomalies have been accounted for.” She tilted her head, “Dante, you are tense. Perhaps you should take a shower.”

“What?”

“You have told me that a shower is a relaxing experience. Your raised biological readings indicate a large amount of tension. Stress can reduce your combat effectiveness.”

Dante groaned and stood up, “Fine, I'll sit under some hot water.” He walked through a hall or two and entered his private quarters. A shower wasn't a bad idea but didn't feel like the best way to clear his head, “Maybe it is. People used to make big decisions in showers.”

It only took a moment before he stepped under the steady stream of hot water. The stress slowly melted away, but Dante was no closer to making an important choice, “Captain, may I have a word?”

He sighed, “Go on, Victoria.”

“I know not everyone has noticed, but you seem to have something on your mind. If I can be of any help, please let me know.”

Victoria would be able to help more than the others. She walked in the same shoes as he did, although she had weapons training while he had more education, “Tell me, what would you do if enemies kept challenging you because they assume that you had become weak? Then what would you do if that continued as you laid waste to all of them?”

He couldn't see her through the steamed up glass door, “I suppose I would have to change my behavior. Act more threatening.”

“And if being threatening would only increase the challenges?”

“There is something very specific on your mind.”

A wave of hot water rolled down his back, “I need to know what I need to do before I can do it. Once I make a decision for myself, I can't look back no matter what.”

“What are you planning?”

“Something stupid and potentially suicidal.”

“So the usual?”

“Yeah...” He turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. Victoria didn't flinch at his naked body, “Well, not usual for you at least. You didn't see the first assault on Fallen Sky.” Because of the water recollection system, the water drops on his body quickly evaporated, “But I think I'm about to go a little insane and violent.”

He walked over and sat on the edge of his bed. Victoria walked next to him, but didn't sit, “Violence? Is that all you were thinking about? You're violent all the time.” She removed her overcoat and set it onto a hook.

Dante didn't mean that entirely, “Not like that. I'm older than I was, sure, but I'm not as slow as I portray myself. I'm just tired of the little brats picking fights. The way I see it, it's because I'm passive about most things. I don't make my presence known to everyone all the time. I can't keep that up if I want some peace in my life.”

Victoria crossed her arms, “I see. You plan on making an aggressive show of force to remind all factions and governments that you are indeed still a threat and one not to be trifled with.”

“One show won't do. I'm going to have to raze a few places to the ground and massacre some bastards while taking command of the power void I create.”

“You have my support.”

Dante slowly shook his head, “No, that's not what I meant. I trust all of you with my life, and I would die for each one of you, but this is something I have to do. I have to cause the destruction and chaos, and I have to let them all know it was me.” He looked up at Victoria, “Because I need to be that bump in the night that sends shivers down their spines. A team won't do that. A single man will.”

She smiled, “I could never be that scary. One look at my appearance and most men would refuse to take me seriously.” It was obvious she was talking about her breasts, “But that would work, since their guards would be nill and my blade was fast. A gun would have also worked, but I was never quick with a firearm.”

“I'm curious, you seem to enjoy being around me and talking to me yet you also see me as an equal. Not that I don't appreciate that, but I do wonder why.”

She took in a breath, “I've come to respect you. No, more than that. Of course, the talk from the other women of this ship... and your kind behavior... several things all together. I enjoy your company more than a friend would.”

“Then I'm going to have to ask you for a favor. Let me know if you're willing to hear.”

“Of course.”

Dante grabbed her by her chest wrap and pulled her onto the bed, “Then help me relax some.”

She smiled as she began to untie her wrap, “I had thought you would never ask. Every woman has needs, and from what I can tell, you're more than capable.”

Dante pulled off her skirt, “I don't care about rumors. I'm me, and I'm going to enjoy this as much as you will.”

Victoria relaxed her body and exhaled, “Let's do it.”