Chapter 11 - Unintended Signals
900 Words
The command room grew quiet after Mira’s soft greeting.
Four sets of alien eyes rested on her.
Even though none of them looked angry, the attention alone made her nervous again.
Mira shifted slightly where she stood in the doorway beside Vael. The purple dress moved softly around her knees as she adjusted her stance.
She suddenly felt very small in the middle of the large room.
Her gaze drifted between them.
Drokan stood like a wall near the far side, arms crossed, his broad frame making the room feel even smaller. Rethan watched quietly from the console, his expression calm and analytical. Seyrin stood near a floating chart, observing her with thoughtful curiosity.
And Kaelor remained at the center console, steady and composed.
Still, the quiet made Mira’s nerves spike again.
Without really thinking about it, her hand shifted slightly.
Her fingers closed around the nearest thing within reach.
Vael’s hand.
The contact happened almost automatically.
A simple human reflex—seeking something familiar when feeling overwhelmed.
She didn’t even realize she had done it at first.
Vael froze.
He looked down slowly at the smaller human hand now holding his.
Mira blinked.
“Oh—”
But it was too late.
Drokan noticed immediately.
His eyes narrowed.
The large warrior straightened from where he had been leaning against the wall, his arms uncrossing as his gaze locked onto their joined hands.
A low rumble escaped his chest.
Vael lifted an eyebrow slightly.
“What?”
Drokan’s voice was deep and sharp.
“She chooses you.”
Mira’s eyes widened.
“What? No—”
Vael looked mildly amused.
“I did not request it.”
Drokan stepped forward a single heavy step.
“You encourage it.”
“I was giving her a tour.”
“And now she favors you.”
Mira quickly tried to pull her hand away, but Vael’s fingers had already shifted slightly around hers in reflex.
“I’m not favoring anyone!” she blurted.
No one seemed to hear her.
Drokan’s gaze had moved past Vael now, settling briefly on Kaelor.
“This is why I argued against letting him escort her alone.”
Vael scoffed lightly.
“You are being dramatic.”
Drokan’s voice deepened.
“She reaches for you first.”
Mira waved her free hand slightly.
“I reached because I was nervous!”
The tension in the room thickened.
Rethan looked between them calmly but said nothing.
Seyrin tilted his head slightly, watching the exchange with quiet interest.
Vael gave Drokan an exasperated look.
“She grabbed my hand.”
“And you allowed it.”
“I was surprised!”
Drokan looked unimpressed.
“You seem pleased.”
Vael smiled faintly.
“I am always pleased.”
That answer did not help.
Drokan took another step forward.
“This creates imbalance.”
Kaelor’s voice finally cut through the room.
“Enough.”
The single word carried quiet authority.
Drokan stopped moving but remained tense.
The captain looked from Drokan… to Vael… and finally to Mira.
His gaze lingered on the small human still caught between them.
“Mira,” Kaelor said calmly.
Mira looked at him quickly.
“Yes?”
“You may release Vael’s hand.”
Her eyes widened.
“Oh!”
She immediately let go, stepping back half a step as if the contact had suddenly become dangerous.
“Sorry,” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean to start anything.”
Vael flexed his fingers slightly, amused.
“No harm done.”
Drokan’s expression remained dark.
“It creates expectations.”
Vael rolled his eyes.
“It was a nervous gesture.”
Drokan looked toward Kaelor again.
“You see the problem.”
Kaelor remained calm.
“There is no problem.”
“She will choose favorites.”
“Perhaps.”
Drokan frowned.
“That weakens unity.”
Kaelor’s gaze sharpened slightly.
“We are not competing.”
The room fell silent again.
Mira stood awkwardly near the doorway, wishing very badly that she could disappear into the floor.
“I really didn’t mean anything by it,” she said quietly.
Drokan stared at her for another long moment.
His jaw tightened.
Then suddenly he turned.
Without another word, he strode toward the exit.
Each heavy step echoed across the command room floor.
The door slid open just as he reached it.
Drokan stormed out, shoulders tense and movements sharp.
The door shut behind him with a quiet hiss.
Silence filled the room.
Mira blinked.
“…Did I just cause that?”
Vael snorted softly.
“No.”
Rethan shook his head.
“Drokan has always been hot-headed.”
Seyrin nodded in agreement.
“His temper is well known.”
Mira looked between them uncertainly.
“So… he’s not angry at me?”
Vael gave her a reassuring smile.
“Drokan is angry at many things. This is not unusual.”
Rethan added calmly,
“He will calm down soon.”
Mira exhaled slowly, some of the tension leaving her shoulders.
“…Good.”
Vael leaned slightly closer to her again.
“Congratulations,” he said lightly.
“You have now experienced Drokan’s personality.”
Mira sighed.
“And I thought the weird part of my day was waking up on an alien spaceship.”
Vael chuckled quietly.
“Oh, Mira.”
He gestured toward the others.
“You have not seen weird yet.”
- Writer
