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The shuttle locked in slowly. Shou Yuing watched the display as the ship stabilised under her feet, and unbuckled her seat, stepping off and tapping the automatic defence system. The scans took a moment, but reported nothing amiss.
She slid the mechanical door open and stepped across and into the satellite, inhaling the air deeply, and then, satisfied with its quality, made her way through the inside. The door out of the air lock took a few seconds longer, then Shou Yuing stepped through into the shuttle’s main room.
Ace stood within, ears flicking, and when she saw Ace she stepped over to hug her. Shou Yuing breathed out slowly, and raised her hand to start stroking Ace’s hair. A purr rumbled slowly out in response.
They went to the bed first, and curled up together on it, watching the stars through the window as the satellite turned slowly.
It was Ace who broke the silence first. “I missed you, Shou Yuing.” As ever, there was a strange quality to her voice; at once a rrowl and a hiss, her voice turning into a throaty purr as she finished saying Shou Yuing’s name. All of the Cheetah spoke that way when not in their own, more feline tongue, but Shou Yuing had a bad habit of thinking of the accent as uniquely Ace’s. Perhaps that was why she found it so pleasing to listen to.
“Of course,” she said, turning to face her. “I did, too.” Ace’s golden eyes stared into her own, pupils wide and full.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it at Vortigern. My mother insisted I join her for that alliance meeting at Maiden’s Point, with the Vulpanans.”
“Don’t apologise,” said Shou Yuing, even though half of the Avallian casualties this last quarter-cycle had been because of their warships. “You’re still the crown princess of the Cheetah. That comes with responsibilities, at least while your mother’s eye is still on you.”
Ace’s ears twitched, then in a moment she had rolled away from Shou Yuing, going to the ledge of the window. “Her eye is on me more and more often these days.” Her voice had turned into a hiss. “Even now, when there is not a soul here but us, I feel she is still with me.”
Shou Yuing got up and went over to her, intending on comfort, but Ace spoke again before she could.
“I know why, Shou Yuing. It’s just my nature.” She twitched her ears, as if for effect. “But sometimes… I just want to run forever, as far as I can get away from her. With you, though I know you wouldn’t abandon the Avallians like that.” She pressed the heel of her palm into her eyes. “But I know that if I do, this conflict will just continue.”
Shou Yuing was quiet for a long time. She stared out across the stars. This little patch of space was officially in a peace zone, tucked away in a pocket no one would ever have cause to visit, far out of the usual travel and transport lanes, but she knew what was happening outside of it.
“Till you become the Queen of your people.”
Ace’s eyes bored into her. “Shou Yuing?”
Shou Yuing finally turned to look at her. “My father doesn’t have long left before he abdicates, and once he does, he will have little power over me. But your mother… She’ll rule till her final minute if she can.”
“Shou Yuing…”
“Can you deny it, Ace?” Shou Yuing took her hands in her own. “You need to kill your mother.”