Ternary by Kristin L. Stamper

Author:Kristin L. Stamper [Stamper, Kristin L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQIA+, sci-fi, AI, scientists, gay, bisexual, MMF, enemies-to-lovers, established couple, reunited, aliens, alien artifact, court trial, mystery, humorous, interracial
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2021-05-21T00:00:00+00:00

13

Just like that, it’s over. We’ve won. Captain Hamasaki unites the crew and battles his way to the farthest reaches of the ship. Over the next few hours, the crew drives the outnumbered invaders into isolated pockets, overwhelms, disarms, and locks them away in the very shelters the crew was holed up in not long ago. And all of it is possible because someone on comms let them know it was “time to get up.”

A crew member has the idea to flash the external lights of the ship in Morse code to get the attention of a passing ship, and by morning, security arrives.

Unexpectedly, I find myself in the crew’s good graces. More than a few personnel shake my hand and pat my back. Della even rewards me with a hug once things have quieted down. Nice as it is, it’s not Della’s attention I’m hoping for, but Gary’s off with the bigwigs at some debriefing (surprise, surprise). I haven’t seen him since Hamasaki liberated the bridge.

The doctors in medical resew my stitches, pump me full of painkillers, and dismiss me to my quarters—not a moment too soon. I’m so exhausted, I collapse onto my bunk and am asleep before I hit the pillow.

*

Hours later, a meek knock at the door awakens me. Instead of a guard, it’s a crew member I don’t know. She informs me Hamasaki wants a meeting. She doesn’t say why, but I’m to come immediately.

“He’s going to thank you for what you did,” Bertie claims. “He’s probably going to give you an award. I wonder what it will be. You’re still a prisoner, so it probably won’t be a medal or anything with sharp points or edges.”

“Shut up.” I laugh. Could Hamasaki really want to thank me? If so, this is the first time I’ve done something right in a while. Years, maybe. I actually feel like I’ve been a part of something—something important and meaningful. In their moment of weakness, I stood beside the Aidos crew and helped them achieve a victory no one could have imagined. Through adversity, I may finally find acceptance.

“I’m super proud of you,” Bertie gushes. “Really, I am. You deserve this.”

“Shut up, dweeb.” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling.

If I’m going to be presented with an award, I should look decent. I dig the Fleet uniform out from behind my bunk and spread it out on the floor. It’s wrinkled but nothing I can’t hand iron out.

It fits well and, I’ll concede, is flattering. Bertie works my hair into a Fleet-permissible braid and doesn’t allow a single strand out of place. Where I’d normally find my usual, sloppy self, slouching in the mirror, instead stands an exemplary member of the Interplanetary Space Exploration Fleet. I still have a long way to go to win them all over, but I’ve made progress. Maybe, just maybe, this family might stick.

Bertie daydreams about the cheering crowd awaiting us on the bridge, and I partake a little. We both dream of Gary being there.

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