“There is no way you will pass as a guy.” Kelby gestured to me.
I didn’t really see his point. I wasn’t exactly curvy. But maybe my facial features were enough to give me away. “So? I can be a girl who likes men’s clothes. Problem solved.”
“We need to blend in. It’s not the time to make a grandiose statement on gender equality.”
“It is always time to make that sort of statement, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not wearing something so skimpy. It absolutely won’t happen.” We all have values that we are unwilling to compromise.
“Okay.” Kelby nodded.
“Wait. You’re giving in?” I’d been geared up for a major fight. I had more than a few arguments ready to go.
“It’s not as if you are going to change your mind. And as much as I wouldn’t mind seeing you in that,” he nodded to the bikini top, “I’m not forcing it.”
“So I can dress like a guy?” I never thought I’d be so excited to say something like that.
“No. You can wear what you’re wearing. We’ll pretend you are our slave. Slaves can dress differently.” Kelby crossed his arms.
“Your what?” He’d said the word twice, but I had to be hearing things.
“Slave. If you don’t want to wear that outfit, this is the best option. It would make sense.” Kelby averted his eyes. He knew what kind of reaction he was going to set off.
“So my options is to prance around half naked or pretend to be your slave? I don’t like either.” Both made me angry just when I was starting to calm down.
“But it’s a choice, right? You wanted a choice.” Darto didn’t sound remotely remorseful for the horrible choices they were giving me.
“Can I just stay back on the ship?” It’s not that I wanted to miss the adventure, but it was beginning to sound like the best option.
“Normally I’d say yes, but there is a real possibility the ship might be boarded and searched. I can’t take that chance…” Kelby trailed off. “I can’t. No. I can’t take the chance of anyone getting their hands on you.”
I refused to read into his words. They might not have meant anything. “Well, thanks I guess. I’m glad you don’t want me to get kidnapped.”
“It’s more than not wanting it. I’m not letting it happen. You’ll be staying with me the whole time.” A muscle bulged in Kelby’s arm.
“This planet makes you nervous.” And I needed to know why.
“Very nervous.”
“Yet we have to stop here?” Staying on the ship was sounding better and better, although getting kidnapped did not.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Darto sighed.
“Even you’re nervous?” Now that was a surprise. He never seemed to sweat a thing.
“Yes. And I share Kelby’s concern about you staying by our side.”
“What about me? Am I to be your slave dog?” Malton jumped to his feet.
“We already told you don’t have to wear clothes. You are the one who wanted to match Angie.”
“I know, but I need to know so I can be in character. Am I a free dog or one enslaved?”
“Most dogs are pets back home. Owned. Not slaves, but not free to roam.” It sounded pretty bad when I said it out loud. Some people treated dogs like children, others not so much.
“Well, I will stay with Angie either way.” He slipped between my legs so he was standing under me.
“You could stay on the ship if you want,” Kelby offered.
“Aren’t you afraid I might be kidnapped as well?”
“No.” Kelby shook his head.
“Because they wouldn’t be brave enough.” Malton stepped out and in front of me. “Of course.”
“That’s exactly what I meant.” Kelby smiled.
“What else could you have meant?” Malton craned his neck to look up at Kelby.
“Okay. So how about we use the term servant and not slave. Where I come from slave has some pretty bad connotations. Don’t even want to go there.” I still remembered when I first learned about it. I was ready to pack my bags and move to another planet.
“We are not on Earth. And you are not really a slave. You are owned by no one,” Kelby tried to reassure me. “And you still have the other option.” He gestured at the outfit.
“Yeah.” I felt my forehead furrow. “That’s really not happening.”
“You don’t have to call yourself anything. Just stay close.”
“There will be no chains or anything?” I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to handle that even if there were no other options.
“No. None. I think people will believe I can keep you controlled without them.” Kelby flexed his arm.
“I guess people will believe a lot of things.”
Darto laughed. “Really no one can match your humor. You are such a joy to be around.”
“A joy. Right.” People had called me many things in my life. A joy was not one of them.
“I am sure it goes without saying, but you really have to go along with everything I say. Even if it offends you.” Kelby made eye contact this time. “Know I do not mean anything bad I say.”
“If It’s going to offend me, why say it?” I turned my head to the side.
“We all have to play our parts to make this work. We need to recruit.”
“I assume you won’t be lying to those we are recruiting?” I was sure he wouldn't be, but I needed to ask anyway.
“Correct. But we have to be able to slip through to get to those we want.”
“Fine. But please keep the offensive stuff to a minimum if at all possible. I don’t want to have to hold in my anger too much.”
“But you are so good at it.” Kelby ran his hand down my arm, and it melted away my annoyance. Why did his touch have such an extreme effect on me?
“You really like your sarcasm.”
Kelby started to unzip his jump suit.
I stepped away. “What are you doing?”
He frowned. “Changing. Why?”
“Here?”
“Yes.” He appeared confused.
“In front of the rest of us?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?” His forehead furrowed.
“Yes, there is a problem. Have you heard of privacy?” What was wrong with these people? Wasn’t it enough that they barged into my room all the time?
“I know you like your privacy, but I don’t need any.” He pulled the suit down to his waist.
I turned around to find Darto already changed. “Thank you.”
“I figured one naked man was enough for you.” He grinned.
“One of the things I miss about Earth is the modesty.”
“Not everyone on Earth is modest,” Darto pointed out.
“Nope.” I thought about one person in particular. “Not at all. Touché.”
“Speaking of modesty, or really privacy, if you want to use a restroom I’d use it here.” Kelby adjusted his fringe covered outfit.
“I will, but why exactly?”
“Because the commodes are in open rooms on Telsa. Just a heads up.”
“Thanks for the heads up.” I might have been annoyed at Kelby, but I was grateful for that tidbit.
* * *
I don’t know why the slave thing shocked me so much. Considering how many people thought I was for sale the day I ended up with Malton, it was obviously a very common thing in space. That thought saddened me more than most anything else. I’d have thought with all the advancements in technology, people would treat each other better. But then again power always has a corrupting force. With so much technology, it was probably that much worse.
* * *
“She for sale?” A creature with three heads asked.
“No. She’s not.” Kelby pulled me closer to her side.
“I could get you a high price. She looks unique.” Two of the three heads extended toward me.
I kept my mouth shut even though I wanted to say something about how I didn’t think I was the unique looking one.
“No o
ne can pay the price she’s worth to me.” Kelby gritted his teeth.
The large man laughed. “Oh yeah? She must be pretty special then.”
“She is. And she isn’t for sale.” Kelby’s arm tightened even more.
“Why take the goods out if you aren’t looking to barter?” The third head stretched out.
“I keep her with me. I am fully allowed according to the bylaws of the city. If you don’t mind we will be on our way.”
“Bylaws state slaves are allowed, not that she won’t be bothered.” The heads began to swing around.
“I have no problem defending her if necessary.” A vein popped in Kelby’s neck. I was beginning to see the anger there.
“Nor do I.” Darto grabbed hold of my other arm.
The three headed man jumped back as if terrified. Darto must have done one of his illusions. “Okay. Point taken.” The three-headed creature ran off and disappeared into the crowd.
I let out a sigh of relief when he left. “Maybe I should have just worn that outfit.”
“No. You probably would have gotten just as much attention.” Kelby marginally reduced his hold on my arm. “You’re too unique. You stand out.”
“I’ve never been told that before leaving Earth.” Usually I blended in. I liked it that way. Attention was never something I craved.
“Well, you do out here.”
“Do all humans?” We continued to walk through the crowded streets. There were buildings on all sides of us, but I couldn’t see into most of them as so many people—well, creatures—were streaming in and out. The few I could see seemed to be stores or restaurants. This must have been a commercial district of some sort. The strange part of where we were was that we were inside, but it was designed to make you feel like you were outside. The ground was a rubbery material that looked like asphalt. The ceiling was black with what appeared to be stars. I assumed it was inside so they could keep the air at a level that worked for most visitors, but part of me ached to actually be outside.
“No. But you’ve got something special about you.”
I wasn’t sure what he was specifically referring to. “Thanks for not selling me.”
“You aren’t mine to sell.”
“They don’t know that.” I wasn’t sure why I was even pushing this line of conversation. It wasn’t a good path to go down.
“But we both do. Besides, I want you safe. You know that. You might be angry at me, but inside you know I have your best interests at heart.”
I did. Maybe my trust was unwarranted, but I did trust him. Considering the situation I was in, trusting him was a good thing. My life was in his hands, and I could pretend all I wanted, but I knew that. If they left me on this planet I’d be dead—or worse. I hated that feeling. I wasn’t used to having to rely on anyone, and I didn’t want that to change now.
“And you know I’ll protect you too.” Darto had released my arm, but he was still close by my side. “You are far too valuable to risk.”
“Okay, thanks for not pretending it’s more than that.” Honesty could be a very good thing. I liked knowing where I stood with someone.
“Value has many meanings.” He got a far off-look in his eyes.
Malton adjusted himself in my arms. “Thanks for taking me. I know I would have been safe on the ship, but I prefer not to be alone.”
“Plus you’re my protector too, right?” My voice naturally softened when I spoke to him now. Clearly I knew he wasn’t a normal dog, but his appearance had such a calming effect on me.
“Right.” He nuzzled against me. “Always.”
Malton was really growing on me. I hoped I never had to give him back. Malton could talk the talk of wanting to be with me, but I was sure he’d return to his original owner given the chance. Isn’t that how dogs were? Loyal to their real owners. Real. What did that word even mean? My concept of reality was continually shifting and changing now.
“You deep in thought again?” Kelby leaned in toward me.
“Not really. Just thinking about the relationship between dogs and their owners.” I wasn’t sure why I actually told him. It didn’t really matter.
“Okay, better than what I assumed you were thinking about. I’m glad you can relax enough to think about unimportant things.”
“Unimportant? Not exactly.” And there it was again. The argue reaction that seemed completely innate whenever I was talking with Kelby.
“More like most important,” Malton snapped.
“Uh huh,” Kelby spoke absently. “Listen. We may run into more like that creature.” Kelby nodded over his shoulder. “Just so you know. It would be best to stay focused.”
“I figured he wasn’t the only one.” And I didn’t even want to know what other creatures awaited us. The excitement of exploration was wearing off, and more and more I was fantasizing about home, about a life I may never return to.
“But we’ve got you,” Darto patted my back. “So be alert, but don’t worry. We’ll get you out of this in one piece.”
In one piece? I supposed that was better than two pieces, but that didn’t mean unscathed. “How far are we going until we find more of the recruits?” We were there for a reason. Might as well get there.
“Our allies have been doing some training in the next sector. We just have to get through some security first.”
“More security. Fantastic.” More security meant more attention on me. That wasn’t something I wanted.
Darto patted my back again. “This will hopefully be the last stop. Everything else is in motion.”
“Do we even know who we are fighting?” I had been okay without answers at first, but the further into this we went, the more important my knowledge base—or lack thereof—seemed. “I mean how big our enemy is?”
Darto shrugged. “Yes and no.”
I rolled my eyes. “Reassuring.”
“Does it really matter?” Kelby asked.
“Doesn’t the size of the enemy determine the size needed for our forces?” I wasn’t an expert on warfare or anything, but it seemed intuitive. Unless one side had a technology like the atomic bomb that made numbers unimportant. I hoped that wasn’t the case for us.
“We are getting the biggest force we can regardless. So, no it doesn’t matter.” Kelby made no mention of weapons, so I tried to ease my panic. “But enough of that. We have to be careful. There are ears everywhere.”
“And eyes. You know she’s being noticed,” Darto whispered.
“Yes. And from now on we have to be sure to keep our story straight.” Kelby straightened, making the most of his towering height.
“Oh, so I’ll be your slave everywhere we go?” I didn’t try to keep my annoyance out of my voice. It wasn’t worth the effort.
Kelby didn’t slow his pace or glance down at me. “In the short term.”
“I don’t mind staying as your protector.” Malton snuggled against my chest. “It would be my honor.”
“Thank you, Malton.” He really was growing on me.
9 Angie
The bustling streets of the commercial district thinned out as we neared a narrow metal bridge. Without anyone saying anything I knew we were going to cross it. I also knew I wasn’t going to love the experience or what was on the other side.
Malton sensed it too. His little body shook as he curled up in my arms.
I considered asking Darto or Kelby some questions, but what was the point? I was going to have to continue on, and if I didn’t like their answers, it was only going to make me more nervous about the whole thing.
Instead I took a few deep breaths and stepped onto the bridge behind Kelby, with Darto right behind me. I held onto Malton tightly.
The bridge was cold. Freezing. The coldness seeped through my boots, and I was glad I was holding the dog and couldn’t consider grasping the railing.
“Keep moving. Don’t think,” Kelby called back.
I said nothing. I kept moving. But don’t think? What was that supposed to mean?
<
br /> I took the biggest steps I could, trying to keep up with Kelby and to get off the bridge as quickly as possible. Surely the bridge couldn’t go on much longer. But it did. My feet started feeling numb from the frigid temperature. If we didn’t get off this bridge soon I was going to get frostbite.
“She’s thinking. Stop thinking, darling,” Darto demanded.
I said nothing. I couldn’t. My mind was racing a mile a minute. Why was I here? Was Noah okay? My parents? What if I died on this planet? Would my family ever find out? Could my mother handle losing another child?
“I’ll take care of it.” Kelby swooped me up, and the next minute he had me over his shoulder.
The relief in my feet was instantaneous, but I couldn’t stop worrying about everything. Everything. Noah. My parents. Malton. Poor little Malton who shouldn’t have been in this situation. I’d promised to protect him.
“Stop thinking, Angie. Please. Clear your mind.” Kelby’s voice was strained.
Clear my mind? How was I supposed to do that with everything going on? It was impossible. Completely impossible.
“Just keep moving. We knew this might affect her more because she’s of Earth.” Darto sounded calm. Too calm. Why did he sound calm when everything was going wrong?
“It’s okay, Angie. I’m here.” Malton licked my hand.
Something about the lick made my frantic thoughts stop. “Okay. I’m okay.”
“My lick cured her,” Malton crowed. “I cured her.”
“Save the boasting for later, dog.” Kelby warned. “We aren’t out of the fire yet.”
We continued crossing the bridge. I made no effort to get Kelby to put me down. I had no interest in dealing with freezing cold feet again.
Finally we reached the end of the bridge, Kelby set me down, and we walked through an old-fashioned type turn-style, then stopped as a figure dressed head to toe in a purple robe stepped in front of us.
My heart raced. I had no idea what waited underneath those robes, and that made it so much worse. No matter how bad a known entity is, it’s better than the possibility of the unknown.
“Darto?” A voice spoke from beneath the purple robes. A moment later the robe opened at the face and what appeared to be a normal looking humanoid peered out. “I wasn’t expecting the likes of you trying to get into my sector.”
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