they were getting the hell out of there. “Move,” the hawk shifter shouted as they neared the retractable ramp. Once the crew was on board, Blade shoved Borjan to the ground and waved bye-bye as the ramp closed. Tank had them in the air in less than ten seconds, phasers shooting at their hull. Crank ran toward the bridge right along with everyone else. “Get us the hell out of here,” Remy shouted as he ran onto the bridge. “And fix her before we end up sitting ducks in space.” “Give me just a second, Commander.” Crank rushed over to the vid-screen and pushed the button in his hand. “Three, two, one…yes!” Crank shouted, dancing around as the warehouse went up in a blaze of explosions. Crank grinned as the mushroom cloud that used to be the warehouse faded from sight. He turned to take the case from Remy. “I love things that go boom.” He chuckled as he carried the case off the bridge. What a fucking rush.
* * * *
Gigi wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do. Everyone was working on their assigned jobs, and he was sitting on his ass, twiddling his thumbs. He loved the way the crew came together and worked like a well-oiled machine. He just wanted to be a part of that. Gigi unsnapped his buckle and slid from his seat. He approached Remy slowly as he watched the crew working on the lady, and Tank navigated them as far away from Nebular Nine as possible. “Can I help?” he asked Remy. Remy spun his seat around and patted his thighs. That wasn’t what Gigi had in mind, but he took a seat nonetheless. He’d never say no to being cuddled in Remy’s lap. He wasn’t that dumb. “I’d like to help.” “You’ve been a big help already, Gigi.” “You know what I mean. Give me something to do.” Gigi’s eyes narrowed when Remy wiggled his eyebrows. “Not that. I mean real work. Something that doesn’t involve my ass and your cock.” Remy chuckled. “You really want to pitch in?” Gigi nodded enthusiastically. “Cook the guys a good home-cooked meal, something hearty for growing boys.” “How is that helping?” “Have you seen the slop we eat? Believe me, it would help.” Gigi didn’t see how, but he was willing to do it. It wasn’t like he knew how to repair the hull or work on the diagnostics system. He wouldn’t even know what to look for unless there was a huge hole in front of him. Gigi braved giving Remy a quick kiss then jumped off his lap and ran through the ship until he reached the mess hall. He figured out what he would make and how much of each ingredient he would need then walked over to the dilapidated food replicator. Gigi mentally crossed his fingers as he tapped in what he needed on the punch pad. The replicator came on with a shudder. Gigi jumped back when it began to sputter and spark. White creamy liquid started pouring out of it. When the liquid hit the floor, it began to swell and bubble. It coagulated into a foam-like substance and began to grow quickly. Gigi squeaked and ran. “Remy!” he screamed at the top of his lungs as he ran right back the way he’d come not moments before. He could hear the replicator whizzing behind him as he ran down the corridor and up the stairs to the command deck. “Remy!” “What?” Remy shouted as he ran off the bridge and into the corridor. He caught Gigi in his arms and looked around for the danger. “What is it, angel?” “The replicator tried to eat me.” Gigi rolled his eyes when Remy blinked down at him. “The replicator tried to eat you?” Gigi nodded rapidly and pointed down the corridor. Remy sighed and set Gigi aside. He started down the corridor, Gigi right on his heels. Gigi stopped when they reached the doors to the mess hall. He bounced nervously from foot to foot as he bit his bottom lip. “Maybe you shouldn’t go in there,” Gigi said. “Maybe you should get Tank or something.” Tank was even bigger than Remy. He could stop a spaceship takeoff. “Gigi, the replicator