5 Chapter

I relaxed on the big pillow in the observation deck of the Hapan Yacht as it rose above the clouds. Actually getting into the room was a bit tricky in the narrow hallways, but it was more than possible.

Once I was actually in the room, it was large enough to be comfortable as well as give a good view from the window.

I looked over at Queen Ni'Korish that was sitting on the large red pillow next to me.

Despite certain biological incompatibilities, mostly due to a massive size difference, last night was most enjoyable and interesting.

I trilled softly and ran my claws through her hair "What was it you wished to show me, Yzhea?" I asked.

She smiled and looked up at me, adjusting her long blue dress "I don't know that word..." she asked, changing the subject.

"It means... Beloved. More or less." I explained, tilting my head slightly in thought "Or close enough. I am not sure there is an equivalent word."

Ni'Korish smiled and stroked the feathers on my neck "You will just need to wait." she said as the servant drone floated over and I picked a fruit from it to share with her.

As the ship left the atmosphere I looked down at her and then out the window at the glow of the nebula. It was... just plain weird to have her in space with me. I met her when she was traveling on my ship, but that was different.

Yes, the women build the ships, often in orbit. They even mine asteroids in their systems. Still, an actual woman going into space is an uncomfortable thought.

"We will be there soon. I think you will like it." Ni'Korish said as she leaned against my side, starting to peel her blue fruit.

She may be tiny and from a dustling species, but she is still a woman. After all this time, attention was very nice.

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There was a couple of hours of mostly relaxing and talking before Ni'Korish's wrist communicator beeped and she sat up fully "Close your eyes." she said with a smile.

I head tilted in curiosity but then did as she said "What is it you have planned, Yzhea?"

Ni'Korish moved off the pillows and I could head a smile in her voice "You will see in a couple of moments." before she put a hand gently on my beak, guiding me to face the windows "Now... open your eyes."

Opening my eyes it took half a second for me to understand what I was looking at. There was a shipyard, floating in space. The gunmetal grey structure was backlit by the blue and silver of the nebula.

As the ship slowly moved around the shipyard to the other side, it brought another shape into view.

It was the familiar shape of a Praetorian-class frigate, it's hull no longer rust and bronze-colored of the old republic fleet, but painted a brilliant purple and blue. The hull had been significantly changed... the front of the vertical hammerhead bow no longer had an indention in it, instead, it was covered with a large window and the turbolaser batteries had been replaced with larger versions, the shape of the main hull also looked slightly bulkier than I remember.

There were other changes as well I could pick up even from this range. Large cargo hatches where crew quarters should have been and a different thruster configuration.

Queen Ni'Korish smiled and ran her hand down my neck feathers "Do you like it?" she asked as she turned to face me fully.

"Is... is that the Black Pearl?" I asked as I stood up, half spreading my wings in surprise.

She grinned playfully and then nodded "Yes... Well, It was. From what I understand they redid pretty much everything. Only things that are still standard, are parts of the hull."

I blinked and looked down at her as she smiled and continued.

"Actually, in retrospect, it might have been easier on my engineers to simply build you a ship from scratch, but I thought you would appreciate the gesture."

"I do... Yzhea, it was you that purchased the Black Pearl?" I asked as I looked out the windows again. Now when we were closer I could see more details, like smaller hatches spread out along the hull. They looked like the ones the Clear Skies used to have to hide her drones.

She nodded "Yes. I ordered it, purchased, and brought it here for a refit. At the time I didn't know exactly how much would be needed to convert her to a more fitting configuration though. You didn't exactly need a warship so we increased the carrying capacity at the cost of passenger and crew space. They used the blueprints from the Clear Skies as a basis for what changes to make. It doesn't have a name anymore though as it is basically a new ship so you can pick any you want.

I looked down at her "It looks like an amazing ship, Yzhea." as I spread my head feathers happily. I never wanted to sell The Pearl, but at the time it was simply the best option available.

Ni'Korish smiled and leaned back against my chest "It is yours. When I found out you found an old ship and had to put it up for sale as you could not afford to refit it... I knew what I could do to reward you, My Dragon. Do you like my surprise?"

I trilled happily and lowered my break to nip gently at her long hair as I put my arms around her "I love it, Yzhea."