Chapter 55

“Uh-oh,” Manny chuckled, “Now those boys are in deep doo-doo.”

Looking up, Manny asked, “Freya, where is that ship located?”

“Control had the ship dock at C330. Down the hall to the left.”

As Manny stood up, Kilos and Nikau joined him.

“We’re coming too,” Kilos stated. “What about you, Zeke?”

“No, you blokes can handle it. It might be a good idea that Muhammad doesn’t see me. I don’t need another scene today. I could do with a quiet night.”

“Consider it handled,” Manny said, and he stomped out.

“I like him,” Kilos giggled. “Bye, Zeke. Thanks for lunch, and we’ll get that shop up and running in no time.”

“Later, Boss,” Nikau tossed over his shoulder as he hurried after the others.

Tean shook her head.

“I need a break. Zeke, I’m going back to Aida for a long hot shower. My Pedz says I have three hundred and eighty-seven applicants for the six positions I advertised. It’s going to take me all day tomorrow to shortlist them.”

“Harry and I created a list of skillsets from that data you sent me. Do you want me to flick you a copy to see what we missed?”

“Sure, if you want a second opinion. Asking Aida might be an idea, too. I trust you and Harry to put together an effective team. You know what the objectives are, and you have to live with them. I do want to see the data of who you pick, but I would be surprised if I object to them.”

“Thanks for trusting me, Zeke. I do hope the Brigadier gets Harry sent to us soon.”

Turning to her brother, she said, “Bro, you behave now. If you go mooning after the boss, you had better be careful. And don’t forget, he’s not a one-man band who will play just for you.”

She grinned at her brother, blew him a kiss, and pranced out of the galley.

Zeke looked at Lindsay with raised brows.

Lindsay blushed hotly.

“Crickey, she can be a bitch,” he groused.

Zeke waited.

Lindsay sighed, “Two years ago, I broke my forearm in several places. They sent me home to Mars to recuperate for three months. So, I attended a term at the University to complete one of my Master’s.”

“While I was there, I met this musician, Dave. After a month, I thought I was in love with him. The problem was that he was in love with himself and happy to share his love with whoever bent over or knelt in worship.”

“I was pissed when I found out, and I told my sister. I also told my friend, Darleen. She and I commiserated over a case of beer and ended up sleeping together.”

“I didn’t think I was into girls, as my first experience hadn’t been great. I soon learnt that I did like both. It was the person I was with that made the difference. Darleen was energetic and fun in bed and out of it.”

“I hadn’t seen Dave for two weeks and thought it was all over. Plus, I had Darleen now. He waltzed into my room in the dorms while Darleen and I were busy. He stripped off and climbed on behind me. It was fucking amazing.”

“The three of us spent the weekend in bed and most of the next week. Then, I had to spend two weeks at a factory to get the last of the data I needed. It was in a different dome, so I was to stay there for the whole time. When I got back, Dave was gone, and Darleen had a new boyfriend.”

“Tean and my family knew about Dave but didn’t know about Darleen. I assume Tean was trying to warn me that you don’t like commitment either.”

Zeke looked at Lindsay thoughtfully. “Tean might know more than you think. She knows that I’m bi-sexual. When she told me you were coming here, she told me that she believed that you were like me.”

“She also knows that I have no plans to settle down soon, and I won’t settle for less than one of each. I also have a problem with mundanes. I’m a Lord Wizard. My partners need to have strong magical potential to satisfy me, sexually and magically.”

“One of the reasons I need to get back to Mars is that I need to find some gems and make some better items for my people. I don’t think I’ll be satisfied until I do. It’s like something is driving me to get it done.”

“So, how many people have you given three gem items to?” Lindsay wanted to know.

Zeke grinned, “One.”

“Oh!” Lindsay said in surprise.

“Why don’t you get an early night. Tomorrow, take time to settle in and look around the ship. I was hoping to leave in the morning, but I have a feeling I’ll be stuck here for another day. So, you have some time to decide if you want the job as my EA.”

“Thanks, Zeke. I guess I have some thinking to do.”

“Good. I have a few calls and deliveries to make in the morning. I can assume you can feed yourself in the morning without gutting my ship with fire?”

Lindsay chuckled, “Yes. I’ll clean up here. You go do what you need to.”

“Good night, Lindsay.”

Lindsay wasn’t up when Zeke got breakfast early the next morning.

Zeke was worried about the cargo airlock, so he blinked to the warehouse. He examined the doors to the cargo airlock in the secure room. A couple of crystals and a few spells had both sets of doors working. It son looked like a new system.