C: Friendly Enemy
Brendan jolted awake, and then realized from Rafaela's steady breathing that the alarm was being transmitted directly to him.
The implications of that eased some of his distress, but heightened other worries at the same time. The compartment, and the station itself hadn't been breached. But the head of Eks Corp or System Security was urgently needed.
Brendan was already moving before his mind had finished processing all of that. Easing himself gently out of the sleeping pod that had cradled both of them rather snuggly, and stepping into the refresher. He was pulling on clean garments only a couple of minutes later.
Screens flashed at his wrists displaying information even as he quietly exited the compartment.
Lief met him two steps outside his door, and grumbled questioningly, "What's the point of keeping separate quarters if you're going to sleep together every time you're home?"