Chapter 40: The Deal

Vesta glared at her brother’s closed bedroom door.

Merlot came running to the kitchen and jumped up on a chair. He swished his tail in annoyance.

“I’m hurrying,” Vesta lied. She carefully pressed the buttons for Merlot’s favorite food and waited for it to come up in the food terminal.

“Here, you crazy furball,” she muttered as she placed the bowl back on the floor.

Just then, she heard talking outside the house. Peering out, she saw Rycer and his crew heading back to the space jet. Gritcha was with them.

Vesta ran to the door, “Gritcha!”

The crewmate looked at Vesta and smiled.

“There is my brave crewmate!” he bellowed.

The Rett enveloped her in a tight hug.

“So brave for a human,” Gritcha gripped her face in his hands. “I would fight for you any day.”

Vesta felt tears fill her eyes and run down her cheeks.

“You are all my friends. I will never be able to thank you enough for sacrificing so much to save my world, my people and my family.”