Nestled against Mir'tan's warm embrace, I lay there in the softness of our bed, my thoughts awhirl. During our passionate union, I'd experienced an undeniable yet puzzling desire—to be completely vulnerable, to utterly relinquish control to another soul. A yearning I had never before encountered had ignited within me.

"Kitty, can you help me understand what's happening to me?" I asked my AI, a sense of urgency in my voice. "I can't comprehend why I felt this irresistible urge to fully surrender myself to Mir'tan, as if I couldn't help but fulfill her every wish just to be in her presence." My heart pounded with worry, fearing that something had taken a turn for the worse within me.

"Bean," Kitty replied gently, "your hormones were at an all-time high last night. If I were to make an educated guess, I'd say you were in heat. Your feline instincts compelled you to showcase yourself to your mate, in the hope of becoming pregnant."

"Pregnant! But Mir'tan can't possibly impregnate me!" I protested vehemently.

"True," Kitty acknowledged, "but your hormones aren't aware of that detail. They simply recognized the need to captivate your mate for the purpose of reproduction. As for your submissiveness towards her, it's likely because you've detected her dominant nature and have adapted accordingly to please her." Kitty's explanation began to make things clearer.

"So, will I always be this subservient to Mir'tan?" I inquired hesitantly.

"As long as you're in a relationship with Mir'tan," Kitty confirmed softly, "expect this level of devotion and submissiveness towards her."

Mir'tan wrapped her arms around me, giving me a reassuring embrace, "What's troubling you, Bean?"

I pivoted to face her, my eyes meeting hers, "I've been reflecting on how much I've transformed since leaving my home world. It never crossed my mind that I'd find such pleasure in surrendering myself to you. Kitty and I were just discussing the shift in my mentality. I always imagined myself to be strong and assertive—a natural born leader. But ever since our paths intertwined, I find myself yearning for your guidance and direction. Kitty believes it might be my feline DNA seeking a powerful mate to procreate with. It's just taking some time for me to reconcile with the fact that you're the one who takes charge in our relationship."

Gently, she cupped my face with her tender hands, "Bean, my feelings for you are deep and unwavering—I want to share my life with you. I had no idea you were experiencing such inner turmoil over the nature of our bond."

"It's not so much about the struggle with our relationship but rather the enormity of my personal transformation over the past six months. Never did I imagine that I would be so preoccupied with how I might appear in your eyes. Every time I select an outfit, these thoughts resurface—leaving me puzzled about their origin," I confided in her.

With a curious gaze, Mir'tan looked into my eyes and said softly, "This is truly intriguing. To be honest, I find myself drawn to the vulnerability and openness you've revealed." As we lay entwined, she gently toyed with my tail, deepening our heart-to-heart connection. "Promise me one thing though; with me, continue sharing this tender side of you, but show strength and resilience when facing others. If you let timidity cloud your presence, they may see it as an opportunity to exploit you."

Our voyage to the enigmatic Space Station Hammer unfolded without incident, and we punctually reached our destination. As we ventured into the vast expanse surrounding the station, an air of resistance clouded our arrival.

"Shadow Stalker, we demand your identification and intentions for entering our domain," a tense voice pierced through the coms, emanating from the station's control center. In response, the station's weapons sprang to life, poised to assault us if necessary.

With a sense of poise and allure, Mir'tan addressed the apprehensive controller, "I am Captain Cook of the esteemed privateer vessel Shadow Stalker. We humbly request permission to dock and resupply ourselves whilst also acquiring new members for our valiant crew." Her words conveyed the assertiveness and passion of a seasoned leader on an epic journey.

As we received the orbital coordinates, the station officials appeared hesitant to grant us docking privileges. So, we had no choice but to enter via the shuttle bay. Although this posed a slight inconvenience, it didn't hinder our mission—especially since we weren't collecting any supplies.

I eagerly slipped into my sleek black catsuit, appreciating the way it clung to my form. After securing my belt, I ensured that the shield generator was firmly in place. The holster hugged my thigh intensely, allowing me swift access to my pistol for protection. Heading onto an unknown station frequented by pirates without being armed would be ridiculously idiotic—even a simple farm girl like myself understood that.

Finally meeting with Mir'tan outside our shuttle, I couldn't help but admire her appearance. She had fastened a lethal laser knife to her hip and an additional pistol on her opposite side—truly prepared for any potential skirmish. As I caught sight of her well-armed figure, my heart raced with both affection and adrenaline. Reflecting that excitement in a toothy grin, I revealed my sharp fangs which seemed fitting—I was designed as a predator, and I couldn't wait for the hunt that lay ahead of us.

As I approached Mir'tan, her radiant smile greeted me. "When we begin meeting our potential crew members, a warm smile like yours will place them on edge, asserting our dominance. Such a display can aid us in negotiating more advantageous payment terms and silently convey that we're not to be trifled with."

"Mir'tan, I've always been submissive to you, but only romantically. In all other aspects, we stand as equals." My gaze locked firmly into her mesmerizing eyes.

She tenderly responded, "I'm well aware, my love," her delicate hand gently caressing my face. "Now, let's board the shuttle and explore what tantalizing adventures await us at the station." Grinning widely, she sauntered toward our sleak shuttle craft.

With a warm, affectionate smile gracing my lips, I accompanied the ethereal Mir'tan onto the sleek shuttle, our eyes fixated in awe at the mesmerizing display of bustling space traffic that enveloped the colossal station. The voyage from our trusty starship to the cosmic hub was an intricate dance, weaving through a multitude of cargo shuttles that transported goods both to and from the station.

Our shuttle expertly docked with the metallic behemoth, gliding towards its destination as elegantly as a feather in a cosmic breeze. Standing at the airlock with Mir'tan, anticipation filled our hearts while we awaited the equalization of pressure from within and without. The instant the airlock doors parted ways, we were confronted by an olfactory assault—the pungent odors of perspiration and grime encroached upon our senses, compelling me to shield my nostrils from the onslaught.

The docking bay teemed with life; hundreds of industrious dwarves clad in soot-tainted garments hurried about, their lengthy beards undulating like magnificent serpents. These stout creatures skillfully maneuvered various goods destined for faraway posts within this celestial locale. A cacophony of voices erupted from myriad species engaged in boisterous banter, the discordant tones ringing in my ears—a sensation rarely experienced in my prior exploits.

Casting a concerned glance towards Mir'tan, I noticed her struggle against this symphony of stimuli that bombarded our senses at every turn. Hand in hand, we abandoned the confines of the airlock and traversed across the worn, rugged decking that lay beneath our feet. Together, we ventured towards our goal—the buzzing marketplace situated upon an arcane bridge that linked this imposing ring with its sky-piercing spire.

The bazaar we ventured into was unlike any we had experienced aboard the cruise ship or at Vasser Orbital Station. This particular market was shrouded in grime and teeming with disorder. Stalls lined the vibrant streets, offering an eclectic mix of wares that captured the essence of this chaotic yet romantic space haven. The arrangement seemed almost nonsensical – a weaponry vendor nestled right beside a medical outpost.

As we examined the weapons on display, it was evident that their quality was subpar – a far cry from interstellar standards. They appeared more likely to malfunction at crucial moments than serve with reliability.

Mir'tan and I continued our journey through this maze of commerce, weaving through iridescent nebulas cast by neon signs illuminating the narrow passages. Our senses were greeted with the melodrama of shouting and faint echoes of conflict in the distance. This crescendo of noise intensified as we drew nearer to the tavern where our mysterious contact awaited us. As if staged for dramatic effect, a disheveled man was forcefully ejected from the establishment, his bruised and battered body bearing testament to his unfortunate altercation. Sharing an empathetic yet fleeting glance with this ill-fated stranger, we stepped over him and entered the dimly lit bar, the allure of an unfolding cosmic tale enveloping us within its embrace.

As soon as we crossed the threshold, the intoxicating scent of alcohol mixed with the musk of perspiration enveloped us in its embrace. Around us, disrupted tables were being righted, their previously toppled occupants reclaiming their spots with apparent disregard for the chaos that had just unfolded. Glasses stained by spilled drinks found solace under the skillful hands of a bartender who refilled their contents.

Our gaze swept through the crowd in search of the contact we had come to rendezvous with. Finally, our eyes locked onto them at the far end of the bar. As we navigated our way around the maze of tables, I couldn't help but notice that every step incited curious glances our way. Nevertheless, I long ago became accustomed to such attention.

Before reaching our destination, a large hand suddenly groped my ass and gave it a tight squeeze. My fury reached its zenith as I promptly whirled around and delivered a powerful backhand to the stranger's face. The unexpected blow sent him tumbling onto his ass. Seizing this opportunity, I dropped to my knee with one hand pinning his throat while my other brandished sharp metallic claws poised to tear through his skin.

Mir'tan intervened, gripping my arm cautiously. "Blackbeard," she admonished in her velvety voice, "this man is far too plump for you to eat. We have more pressing matters." Following her cue, I released him and hissed viciously in warning before baring my opalescent fangs as a final flourish.

I acknowledged Mir'tan and allowed her to escort me through the remainder of our journey across the room without further incident. Laughter echoed in our wake from spectators who found amusement in my display. However, their mirth was laced with fear — perhaps it was a boon to be labeled an unpredictable alien species within these walls, particularly when faced with adversity.

Our contact, a rather disreputable-looking human, studied us intently before confirming our identities. "Captain Cook, I presume?" His voice carried a hint of skepticism.

"You are correct. Mr. Brynt is that correct?" Mir'tan responded, her tone dripping with boredom as she regarded the unsavory character.

"Indeed, captain. I received your request for a crew and have assembled individuals who fit your criteria and are willing to join your vessel. Allow me to introduce them," he said, sweeping his arm toward a table occupied by six formidable-looking people. I hoped we could rely on them to be loyal allies.

Mir'tan and I took our seats across from the group. Brynt introduced us as Captain Cook and Blackbeard. There were two women and four men. The first woman introduced herself as Jade, which seemed fitting given her striking green eyes. Her head was completely shaven, showcasing an intricate tribal tattoo that adorned half of her head and neck. I curiously pondered how far the ink extended down her body.

Sitting beside her were identical twins Max and Dax - only distinguished by Dax's prominent scar running across his scalp. Despite their hardened exteriors, they appeared more relaxed and cheerful than their fellow potential crew members – perhaps this was normal behavior for them.

Next to them sat Loggoick, a dwarf with a captivating presence. A waterfall of majestic blonde hair merged with his lengthy beard, concealing most of his facial features except his piercing eyes and prominent nose. His muscular frame seemed powerful enough to crush stone with his bare hands.

The elf beauty beside him, Evelyn, could easily rival Mir'tan in appearance but boasted a muscular build akin to a bodybuilder. Her tattoo-covered arms peeked out from beneath a sleeveless vest while her hair was expertly crafted into countless small braids.

Finally, there was Gabe – seemingly the only one with military experience based on his clean-cut appearance and toned physique. He appeared to be the natural leader of this motley assembly, and I hoped he would take orders as effectively as he gave them.

After the introductions were made, Gabe inquired about the nature of their mission. Mir'tan explained that their objective was privateering in disputed territory, seeking out orc vessels to plunder with their heavily armed and swift spacecraft – unlike any they had seen before.

Jade seemed to prioritize financial incentives as she asked about the divided earnings. I interjected to assert my role among these new acquaintances. "The profits will be split nine ways – one share for each crew member and an additional share for ship maintenance. This way, we work together as equals."

Most of them appeared taken aback by my response, causing a moment of self-consciousness. "What? Do I have something in my teeth?" I asked Mir'tan, prompting laughter from the rest.

Loggoick turned serious, leaning in close to whisper, "You don't really eat people, do you?"

Mir'tan and I erupted into laughter before I reassured him softly, "No, but it deters unwanted advances when they think I do." With a toothy grin, I leaned back into my seat as the atmosphere grew lighter.

Intoxicating libations flowed as if from a celestial fountain, filling our cups and fostering a dreamy ambiance that fostered connection with the strangers who would soon become our companions in the cosmos. Dax, with stars in his eyes, finally mustered the courage to inquire about my enigmatic origins. "My species is shrouded in mystery," I confessed, "for I was discovered as an infant, forsaken on a bountiful agricultural world. The verdant fields and golden skies were my childhood playground. It was there that I met our intrepid captain - two wandering souls akin, bound by the threads of fate. Together, we have traversed the galaxy for countless cycles." This exquisite blending of truth and omission allowed me to reveal my past without disclosing the feline nature woven into my very essence.

As we shared drinks with each other we pledged to embark on a grand adventure together. Giggles and the clinking of glasses filled the air as we bade each other farewell from the grungy bar. Following a four-hour preparation, we reconvened at the shuttle bay, giddy with excitement. Our spacecraft entranced us as we entered its metallic hull, our new crewmates were transfixed by the majestic sight.