Nuvian Space Port 27: 1000 parsecs outside of Terran Space

  Docking Bay 15

  Loading up the Starship Nebulus before departure

  After ensuring the weapon safety is on, Aurelia shoves her plasma pistol into her leather waist holster. Several of the ship's crew are milling around near the cargo bay doors. Captain Hilyard stops long enough to look the loafing crew members over from head to toe. Sensing there is more than friendly observation behind Aurelia's stern stare, the personnel members disperse and begin performing other duties.

  "Aurelia?" Cthulhu Yoth calls to her from just outside the ship.

  Aurelia spins toward the sound of Cthulhu's rumbling voice. The former ship's mate enters the hold carrying a small package wrapped in dark brown leather. Aurelia's face brightens and she rushes to meet her father's friend. She is unable to pull her gaze away from the bundle in Cthulhu's hands.

  "You...That isn't what I think it is, Mr. Yoth?" Aurelia gushes.

  "It is indeed," Cthulhu says in a deep whisper. "I felt...This was as good a time as any for you to have it."

  Cthulhu waits until Aurelia is very close before slowly unraveling the expensive leather covering around his thoughtfully crafted gift. Aurelia gasps in sheer delight as soon as she spies the beautiful plasma pistol.

  "My father's plasma pistol?!? So, it wasn't lost to space?"

  "No, my dear," Cthulhu replies in his usual thunderous voice. "Your father preferred to leave his weapon within his quarters while completing his customary jogs across the ship. It was a time for peace and oneness with the cosmos...Jake would say. A chance to revel in the modern miracles which made his very existence possible. He said...Carrying a weapon reminded him too much that the universe is often out to get you. That for all of its beauty and majesty...The universe is a cold and hostile place. I've saved his weapon...All of these years...Waiting for the right time to give it to you. I feared giving it to you sooner. Lest, you decide to take the unknown aliens on as a one-woman army."

  "I would never have done that," Aurelia says with resolve, taking his father's plasma pistol from Cthulhu's hands. "You should've known me better than that."

  "Alas, I did not," Cthulhu responds, shaking his tentacled head. "You are your father's daughter, Aurelia. I have seen your temper flare hot far too many times to have taken the risk. Armed with your father's gun...No. Do you know how often I was forced to act as a referee for your father...During some bitter dispute or offworld confrontation? Haha. Your father was a good man, Aurelia. But, he was a very poor diplomat. While attending the New Worlds Conference on Molcvutta 2, I was forced to disrupt his audio feed in order to prevent the onset of a full-scale war. He threatened to beat the Fujku ambassador to a bloody pulp. For a human...Jake had great tenacity. And I loved him for it. No matter the dangers he often put us in. I am Cthulhu, god of madness and mythos, after all. Danger is in my blood."

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  At this, Cthulhu offers Aurelia a crafty smile, paired with a slow wink. However, just as suddenly, the humor leaves Mr. Yoth's face--and his voice.

  "That is why your father's uniform hangs in a hallowed place within my family home. Jake was like my own brother...From an interdimensional mother."

  Aurelia finds herself crying, rather than laughing, at Mr. Yoth's attempt at a joke. The mythos god's brow wrinkles and he studies Aurelia with silent concern. He waits until she has composed herself before addressing her again.

  "Did I say something wrong, Aurelia?"

  Two Devvir Cats, carrying a four-ton plasmashot cannon on a platform suspended between their rippled shoulders, pass by Aurelia and offer her respectful nods. Aurelia returns their polite nod before returning her attention to Cthulhu.

  "No. You've done nothing wrong, Mr. Yoth. It's just that...I really miss my father. Thank you...For bringing me his weapon. It means a lot to me. Especially, considering...You don't really want me to go."

  "No. I do not. But, I understand why you feel you must," Mr. Yoth says with a deep sigh.

  Aurelia takes a step closer to Mr. Yoth and stares up into his face. The same puzzled expression she wore earlier, in her assigned cabin, returns to her face. Her voice becomes soft and conspiratorial.

  "Mr. Yoth? When we spoke earlier...What did you mean by...," Aurelia briefly looks around, to ensure no one is close enough to hear. "What did you mean when you said...'How do you think I will feel...If you are killed'? Was there...Something else you wanted to tell me, Mr. Yoth?"

  Cthulhu's face tentacles become infused with a bluish-white color and his pale gray eyes widen. Tiny veins of pulsating color radiate along every tentacle from end to end. Aurelia observes this sudden display of affection with heightened interest. She has never seen this particular configuration of color on Mr. Yoth before. Very interesting.

  "No," Mr. Yoth finally says in a rumbling whisper. "Although...You forget, my dear. There was once a time when beautiful maidens were brought to the edge of my threshold in untold numbers. I have known my fair share of a woman's warmth. A feeling that is not so easy to forget. However, you are the child of my dearest friend. He would wish me to look after you. And so I try. What I feel for you...Is of the purest devotion. You need not worry."

  "Ha. Worried?" Aurelia scoffs, with an embarrassed laugh. "Did I look worried? I was...Only curious. Nothing too deep or anything."

  "Oh. Well, that is good," Cthulhu says, a relieved sigh escaping his lips.

  Aurelia watches the bluish-white veins of light slowly fade from Mr. Yoth's tentacles. Embarrassment. That's what the odd coloring must have meant. She'd embarrassed the poor man. And herself in the process.

  "Well, I must head to the bridge...Mr. Yoth. Again...Thank you so much for coming," Aurelia says in a soft voice.

  "Of course," Cthulhu replies, his eyes softening. "Be careful, Aurelia. Don't take any foolish chances. Keep a lighttravel corridor open and keep your weapons crew on standby. If the battle gets too--. Please return safely. I promised your father I would not let any harm come to you. Do not make my word be a lie. Please, Aurelia. Promise me."

  Briefly embracing her father's closest friend, and second mate, Aurelia offers him a warm smile.

  "I promise...I won't take any foolish chances."

  "That is all I ask. Goodbye, Aurelia."

  "Goodbye, Mr. Yoth."

  Cthulhu Yoth watches Captain Aurelia Hilyard stroll through the Nebulus' enormous cargo hold with a grim expression.

  -

  -

  Later, on the Nebulus' bridge, Aurelia watches as Nuvian Prime becomes yet another tiny speck in space. Her mind goes over and over one single question. Why hadn't she bothered to ask Mr. Yoth to join them?