The ship’s bell rang twice at the announcement that someone wished to board. “I’ll get it, Captain.” Sandwolf stood from his engineering console and went down the short passage to the deck access. “Thank goodness she has arrived. I’m about to starve with that delicious fish smell coming from the…

He reported, “The batteries are holding the charge.” “Good.” She smiled at her chief engineer then turned to her pilot and navigator. “Monsieur LeChat? Get us underway and on a course to return to the main ship lanes.” …

The tilt of the little boat was only slight and almost vanished as the Maine Coon made a small adjustment to his wheel. “Coils are charged.” Reported the blue eyed gray wolf. “Course set, hope the old brown wolf wasn’t lying to us.” “Enough of that kind of talk Monsieur…

She had never felt so warm, spooned up against the big wolf and the Maine Coon curled up on top of her hooves and legs. Then a second emotion touched her that she was pinned by two predators. …

The swirl of clouds washed across the bow as the skiff nosed in and settled out into the mirk of the aether. “Do you see our blip, Mister LeChat?” “Aye, Captain. It’s straight ahead.” “Then I suggest we use the full moon at our fastest speed.” Sandwolf moved to take…

“These food bars taste like sawdust.” Grumbled John. The cat smiled up at the wolf, “Told you should have had a fish one.” John wrinkled his nose at the bar that Claude held up to him. “A little too fishy for my liking. Smells like fish jerky.” The cat turned…

The air smelled of grease, oil, and steam. The wolf slid deeper under the primary boiler, fitting the handway back in place. He tightened the single large nut on top of the arch brace. He reached blindly down by his waist feeling for the large spanner wrench. …

He brushed at her Commanders uniform removing any bits of lint. “You got this. Stop worrying. Take a breath.” “Oh, not knowing what they are going to ask is driving me nuts.” He turned her from the mirror, checked her collar, and shoulder boards. He paused over one board and…

After the metered success at the Atoll, the small damaged fleet of allied ships limped back to Donavan’s Needle, where the wounded were attended and the ships repaired to make them shift worthy. One late afternoon when everyone was exhausted, the captain called a halt to all repairs. Over the…