What Is a Slave Without a Master?

Eta walked carefully across the top of the Peregrine's hull, enjoying the quiet moment as she took in the view. Despite the asteroids all around them, the sea of distant stars was a beautiful sight. Even the occasional flash of blue from the shields was a pretty thing to watch: like standing underwater and watching light dance across the surface above her head. And so she couldn't help the smile across her face as she reached the rear of the ship, and slowly lowered herself down to the airlock door.

Verity opened the chamber for her, and after she felt the pressure and sound return she stepped out into the cargo bay, only to come face to face with Alex who was standing just inside. The woman was waiting with her arms crossed and a grin resting on her lips.

"Oh... hello Miss," Eta said in slight confusion.

"This is your warning so the hug doesn't come as a surprise this time," Alex said warmly before tackling her passenger. She wrapped her arms around the woman as she pulled Eta's helmeted head up against her chest. It left her feet floating above the ground, but Eta barely managed to keep them upright with her own magnets.

"The Tula's crew isn't here to say thanks, so I guess I will," Alex chucked as she felt Eta's arms wrap around her in return. "That was fucking impressive, and you did an amazingly. Thank you."

"You give me far more praise than I deserve, Miss Alex," Eta managed, but she did squeeze Alex tightly in response.

"Eta... you went into open space and got that ship back online enough they can fly themselves home. Before we got here, they had barely any power, no comms, no nothing. Do you seriously not think you deserve praise for that?" Alex asked as she finally pulled back and began to help the woman out of the suit.

"I am a slave," Eta said hesitantly as Alex finished unsealing the neck. "I did what was expected of me, nothing more. And please don't overlook that you protected me while I worked."

Alex glared at her as she pulled off the helmet. Eta's cheeks were red and sweat clung to her forehead and hair.

"Don't change the subject. I had no expectation you would do this. This was a job I signed up to do, you didn't. I didn't order you to do anything. I didn't even suggest it. It was your plan and you asked me if you could go. That is absolutely more than was expected of you," Alex stated firmly. Eta was about to protest, but stopped herself, unable to argue.

"I... just wanted to help. You said you help because maybe someday it is you who is in trouble. You don't do it for praise," she said, sounding very self-conscious. Alex reached out and placed a hand on the woman's shoulder.

"Not doing it for praise just means that's not the reason we're doing it, not that we can't accept any praise at all," Alex said gently.

"Does that mean... I am allowed to show you my admiration for keeping me safe from all those asteroids?" Eta asked innocently. Alex squinted at her.

"I walked right into that one didn't I?" she muttered rhetorically as she let out a sigh. "If I say yes will you promise to accept the thanks as well?"

Eta blushed before managing a shaky nod.

"I... will do my best Miss," she said quietly. Alex pursed her lips.

"Well in that case... lay it on me," she finally agreed. Eta gave a wide smile as she quickly tried to collect her thoughts.

"Miss Alex... you gave me so much praise for both this, and the interdiction yesterday. But in both cases it was only thanks to you selflessly and skillfully giving me the time and protection needed. To say nothing of the unending list of other things you have done for me. I am.... very honoured that I have been allowed to.... aid you. Thank you," she said earnestly. Alex let out a laugh as she pulled the last of the armour off her passenger.

"Hey, you admitted you helped. That's progress," she chuckled. "And you are very welcome, Eta," she added as she gave an exaggerated bow.

"Now you," she instructed as she reached out and gently poked her passenger on the nose. Eta jerked back in surprise, blinking a few times before composing herself.

"You... are welcome, Miss. It was an honour to serve you," she managed, her cheeks a deep red.

"Try again, but skip the second part," Alex instructed gently.

"You...... are welcome, Miss Alex," Eta repeated slowly.

"Ah ha! I'm proud of you," the Commander chuckled. She looked as if she was about to say more, but the voice of Verity overhead interrupted their conversation.

"Apologies Commander. But the nearby vessel is attempting to reestablish communication."

Alex pursed her lips as she glared up at the ceiling, but eventually let out a long sigh.

"Okay Verity, I'll be right there. Thanks," she said before turning her attention back to her passenger.

"I would be happy to secure your suit back in storage while you complete your business with the Tula's Wing," Eta offered quickly, seeming grateful for the change of subject. Alex paused for a moment but gave a small nod as she handed over the balled-up suit in her arms.

"Thanks Eta," she replied, and after giving the woman another quick hug, turned and made her way back to the cockpit.

"What the hell took you so long?" asked an annoyed Ashley on the comms as Alex strapped herself back into her seat and reopened the line.

"Calm your tits, I was just getting my technician back inside safely," Alex shot back as she released her landing gear and very slowly pulled the Peregrine back away from the larger ship.

"Oh my god, you two really did fuck," Ashley said with a laugh.

"Keep dreaming girl," Alex said, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, how's things looking over there?"

"The Tula's in rough shape. I think every warning light that can be on, is on. But... we have power and we have push," Ashley said. And having seen Alex put some distance between the two ships, the thrusters along the length of the Type-7 lit up as she rolled slightly side to side to demonstrate.

"Glad to hear it!" exclaimed a relieved Alex. "That push good enough to get you back to Tom?"

"Not quickly. But yeah we'll make it. You got that techy of yours on hand? I owe her a drink."

"Nah she's in the back. Still getting her gear off and stowed," Alex replied with a shrug that Ashley couldn't see.

"You mean getting her pants back on," the woman snickered.

"Why the hell do you keep joking about us fucking?!" Alex demanded in annoyance. Ashley let out a long laugh.

"Sorry kid, I'm just messing with you. But god damn did you really sound like you wanted to earlier."

Alex's face flushed, glad that Eta wasn't here yet.

"Yeah laugh it up," she grumbled as she looked up through her canopy.

"Are you good to get out of the ring?" she asked, changing the subject. "Your scanners working enough for that?"

"Maybe? But if you don't mind sticking around until we're clear of the rocks I'd appreciate it. After that we can limp back to the Megaship, and you don't need to follow us for that," Ashley said gratefully.

"Then lead on. I'll follow and let you know if I see anything get too close," Alex instructed. And slowly the Tula's Wing spun herself so she pointed towards the surface of the ring, and the enormous ship began to crawl forward with an infuriating lack of speed.

"Hey Verity. Tell Eta to hold onto something, we're about to do some more slow moving," she called out before gently falling in behind the mining vessel.

Eta sat quietly, lost deep in her own thoughts. She was perched on one of Alex's cargo racks, bracing herself between a pair of supports as the ship very gently rolling beneath her. Despite the silence she was struggling to keep a smile off her lips. She did feel pride regarding what she had accomplished within the Empire, but this didn't feel the same. Eta didn't have words for what she was feeling. It was like pride, but.... more self driven? Whatever it was, Alex had very clear she was allowed to feel it, and she found herself wanting to. She rolled the ideas around in her head, trying to lay them out in some coherent way but making little progress.

As her gaze wondered around in thought it happened to land on one of the nearby beams that made up the rack. After a moment's pause, she leaned towards it and exhaled a long breath, leaving a fog of condensation across the cold metal. She raised a finger and carefully traced a single word.

'Eta.'

She stared at the name for a long while, trying to imagine what kind of woman it belonged to. Surely not a slave woman, but a slave is all she was... She let out a long sigh as she wiped off the beam and turned her attention to the ship around her, noting that the Peregrine seemed to have stopped turning for the time being.

"Excuse me, Miss Verity?" she asked tentatively.

"Greetings Passenger."

"Have we stopped maneuvering?"

"That is correct. We have exited the asteroid ring. The Commander is still speaking with her counterpart aboard the nearby vessel."

"Thank you, Verity," Eta said as she nodded thoughtfully before slipping off her spot on the cargo rack. Her boots clicking to life against the floor.

It took only a moment to stop by the locker Alex had let her use before arriving at the cockpit. The door hissed open before her, and Eta quietly took her seat.

"I'm still a little worried about our power system," a women she didn't recognize was saying over the comms. Presumably this was the Captain of the Tula's Wing. But as Eta secured her harness Alex glanced over, and the slave caught a rapid hint of apprehension on the Commander's face at her presence. She froze, suddenly worried she should have stayed in the cargo bay until summoned.

"I don't want to push it after it already shat the bed once today. So we'll be taking our time getting back. But even for all the snark, I do appreciate the assist. Make sure Tom pays you well for this," Ashley said appreciatively over the comms.

"Will do," Alex said, sounding ever so slightly tense. "I'm looking forward to the paycheque just as much as you are."

"Make sure you use some to give that beloved techy of yours a hell of a...." Ashley began teasingly before Alex quickly killed the connection, her face dark red. Eta looked down, she was burning with curiosity but deciding it would be much better not to ask.

"I.... may have... spoken very highly of you to the Tula's Captain," Alex began embarrassedly as she punched the throttle. Both women were pressed back in their seats as the Peregrine leapt forward. The Tula's Wing drifting further and further back on the scanner display until it disappeared entirely.

"She found it funny," was all Alex said to elaborate.

"That was very kind of you, Miss," Eta murmured after a moment. Alex glanced over and noticed her passenger smiling.

"Well you're looking pleased with yourself," she said tersely.

"No, no," Eta quickly answered with her eyes wide. "It's nothing to do with.... that. I'm just.... very grateful I had the opportunity to help people in need, and for your kind words following it."

Alex studied her for a moment before breathing out a long sigh and cracking a smile.

"Well both they and I are very grateful to have you. And I'm still glad you're freely admitting you did help" she added warmly. Eta blushed but managed a nod.

"Thank you, Miss Alex."

It took only an hour until the end of the ring came into view before them. And as soon as they shot over the edge, they were once again in open space. Alex pulled up her comms, establishing contact with the Megaship.

"You're back," Tom said once the line opened, his voice sounding surprised and tentatively hopeful. "Do you... have any news on our missing ship?"

"Well the news is she's not missing anymore. You're welcome," Alex replied matter of factly.

"Well that's a fucking relief. What the hell happened to them?"

"Ashley said a seismic charge went off prematurely and pounded the front of the ship with shrapnel. Knocked out shields, electronics, comms, everything."

"Jesus Christ..... wait, if it knocked out comms, how did you talk to her?" Tom asked suspiciously.

"Well my technician had to fix her antenna first," Alex answered as she reached over and bonked Eta playfully on the shoulder. Eta blushed but gave a self-conscious smile.

"Then she got their electrical system sorted and back online. Ship's in bad shape and will be joining your pile of repair projects. But the Tula's flightworthy enough to get herself home. She's on her way back and should be here in a few hours."

Tom let out a long laugh before pausing and realizing Alex wasn't joking.

"Wait, are you fucking serious?" he asked.

"Yep. Here, I'm sending you the scan report I took," Alex said nonchalantly as she hit a few buttons on her console. There was a long moment of silence before Tom spoke again.

"Holy shit you weren't kidding, she is in bad shape. But still in one piece, and the cargo's still intact."

"The crew were also all alive. Although some will need medical attention when they get back," Alex replied with an annoyed tone.

"Yes yes, that too," clapped back Tom. "But god damn. That technician of yours looking for a job?"

Alex glanced over at Eta with an amused expression, but the woman shook her head quickly, although made no move to speak.

"Sorry Tom, she's spoken for," Alex replied after a moment.

"Ah well," Tom chuckled. "But rotten timing: Tantalaigh S&R finally got off their asses and sent some ships this way about forty minutes ago. But I guess I can tell them to turn around."

Both women were silent, knowing that meant the Search and Rescue office was open again.

"Well we'll also be heading back to Tantalaigh," Alex said eventually. "... as soon as....." she added, letting her voice trail off.

"As soon as you get paid," Tom chuckled. "Don't worry. I told you I'd pay you to go out, and I'm not going to cheat you. I'll even throw in some extra for sending the Tula back under her own power. No idea how the hell you managed that, but it saves me a fuckton of trouble."

"Much appreciated Tom," Alex replied, watching the credit transfer come in with a tired smile on her face.

"We'll get out of your hair now. Take care," she said as she reached over to her comms panel.

"Kid, I haven't had hair since before you could fly. You take care of yourself out there too."

And with that Alex closed the comm line and made the jump back into Supercruise. She pointed their nose back towards the station before turning to her passenger, not knowing what to say regarding the office.

"Would you be deeply offended if I offered to split this payout with you?" she eventually asked instead. "It doesn't feel fair for me to keep it all when you did so much work for it."

Eta shook her head.

"I'm sorry Miss Alex. I could not possibly accept. Both on principle, but also I have not had access to my bank account since I became a slave. I couldn't take it even if I wanted to. But I do appreciate the gesture you are making by offering."

Alex squinted at her in annoyance for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"Fine. But here's the deal. You have to tell me what you want for dinner. Any food you've been missing for the last eight years? Tonight's the night for it."

Eta blushed as she looked down.

"You're not going to permit me to decline, are you?" she said, but there was a knowing acceptance in her voice.

"Nope," Alex grinned. "Spill it. What do you want to eat?"

Eta hesitated for a long moment before finally answering.

"I remember one could purchase large flat disks of dough," she started tentatively, but held her hands up to illustrate size.

"It was baked, and topped with a red sauce, and synthetic meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Would... I be able to request one of those?"

Alex let out a laugh.

"Oh Eta, I have got you covered," she said with a smile. Eta smiled back appreciatively before unhooking her harness and drifting over. At this point Alex was expecting it, so wasn't fazed when the woman knelt next to her. What she did find surprising is what Eta was holding in her hands.

"Can I ask.... why you've been rereading your diary?" Alex asked carefully. Eta looked down at the book in her hands. She ran her fingers over the cover as she had done hundreds or thousands of times before. She was surprised she hadn't worn groves in it.

"I was... trying to remember when the last time I felt.... " she began, but her voice trailed off. There was silence before a moment before Alex reached down and laid a hand on her passenger's shoulder.

"You don't need to answer. Sorry for prying," she apologized gently. Eta glanced up at her with a grateful smile.

"It's quite alright Miss. It's just... if I knew how to explain why I'm reading it.... I feel as if I'd know enough to not need to. But, with your permission Miss Alex, would it be alright if I just read for a while?" she asked, sounding already deep in thought.

"Sure. You do you," Alex said gently as she gave Eta's shoulder a squeeze before letting go. "You also don't have to do it here. Copilot's seat, bedroom, whatever. It's all good."

"Thank you, Miss," Eta replied sincerely before opening her diary, and making no move to leave her position despite Alex's offer.