by Drew Seren
Del slumped in his seat and put his head on the desk. “I don’t even know if I’m going to have kids. Tursiops still practice selected breeding. My people are very practical when it comes to mates. I’m such a low-level feeler—odds are that my intelligence won’t be taken into consideration when I get old enough to begin thinking about mating. Not to mention I haven’t gotten the whole idea of what kind of mate I want sorted out.”
“Approaching stargate,” the pilot announced before Skylar could respond.
“We’re almost there.” Suddenly, the excitement of their escapade surged, and pushed everything else out of his mind. The slow trip from the academy to the stargate had almost nullified it, but being only a few minutes from the huge shopping station meant that it wouldn’t be long before they were commandeering the school ship to get to the Armstrong system. And once they were there, pretty soon the little Solar Drake would be free on his native world. Skylar’s throat tightened, and he wasn’t exactly sure why.
THE LIGHTS, smells, and sounds of the Galaxeria hit Skylar like a brick thrown against his head. He stood in the hallway that led from the ship’s airlock and stared at the magnitude of it all. On the approach, he’d seen the giant space station that floated just beyond the stargate. From what he could tell, they could have easily put six or seven stations the size of Stars’ End inside the Galaxeria and still had extra room.
Inside the station, it was even more overwhelming. Every store must have had a bright neon holo-sign that flashed endless advertisements while customers talked and shouted in loud voices.
“Don’t block the hall, noob!” Pathal and his cronies shoved past Skylar, Del, and Solaria.
Skylar wondered where they’d been during the trip. He hadn’t seen them get on the ship, and although there were several compartments to the school ship and they hadn’t gone exploring, he’d just assumed Pathal and crew had stayed back at school. Having him at the Galaxeria made Skylar nervous. The sooner they checked into the Galaxeria rooms they’d reserved for the night, found Del headphones and got back to the ship to leave the airlock, the better he’d feel.
Solaria flexed her claws. “You know, I really could just shred that little corp-brat. We still haven’t gotten back at him for trying to break into your room and steal the drake.”
Skylar patted her arm. “I think we all could shred him. Why don’t we go check into our room? I think you guys said that was the first priority.”
Del nodded. “Exactly. Being checked in will help us cover not being here. The rooms we normally get are just around the corner. Once we check in, the chaperones won’t worry about us until tomorrow afternoon when we’re supposed to report in.”
“Won’t they think it’s odd that we don’t have any luggage?” The only time Skylar had been to a hotel back on Hummassa had been when he and his mother were on vacation, and they always had a bag or two with them.
“They probably won’t.” Solaria turned them down the next hall. “We’re with the school. We’re here for shopping. Kids always leave with more bags than they came with.”
Skylar wished they had the pack that the fledgling was in—it would at least make him feel more legit—but they’d left it on the ship. If they had to get a security person to let them back onto the ship, it was their excuse for being there. Since they were in the school’s computers, the ship should let them back on without question. Del figured it would.
After they checked in and had their key cards to their two rooms, they headed into the chaos of the main body of the Galaxeria.
“Should we try and find you some headphones, Del?” Skylar asked.
“Sure, why not?” Del didn’t sound overly excited about shopping.
There were even more species in the Galaxeria than there were at Stars’ End. Skylar wasn’t surprised that he didn’t recognize all of them. Sentient beings of every shape, skin color, skin type, and atmosphere walked, flew, floated, or danced through the large galleries that separated the shops. Even out in the galleries, vendors had small carts where they hocked their goods.
Skylar had to sidestep to avoid a short creature with bright green skin wearing a dark suit accented by tiny pale stripes. In doing so, he bumped into a large Tursiops man who was completely bald like Professor Aduncus, but instead of gray skin, his skin was black and white.
“Watch where you’re going, human!” roared the man.
Del grabbed Skylar’s hand and pulled him away. “We’re really sorry, sir. My friend is new here.”
Skylar shook his head and followed Del into an electronics store. Solaria already stood just inside the door. “Wow, he was huge and not at all as friendly as the Tursiops at school.”
“That wasn’t just any Tursiops,” Del explained. “That was a member of the Orcan clan. They are the single most dangerous clan on Tursiops. They came close to taking over the planet years ago, until the rest of our people rose up and put them down. On Tursipia, they don’t cause trouble anymore, but off world, there are rumors they control a good bit of the black market. Not folks you want to get on the bad side of.”
“So, even your peaceful people have their trouble makers?” Solaria asked, falling into step with them. “That’s nice to know. There might be hope for you yet, Del.”
Del didn’t respond. His gaze traveled the store, then he headed to a rack of headphones that looked like they would fit almost every race.
As Del picked out a pair, Skylar looked at Solaria, who looked like she was on guard for something. The only thing missing was her short white and gray fur standing on end. “What’s up?”
She shrugged. “Not sure. There’s something in the air.”
He had no idea what she was talking about, and changed the subject. “Why don’t you two just use the dermal coms for music?”
“Since the coms’ nanobots communicate directly with our auditory nerves, they don’t actually muffle outside noise as they do it. The headphones help block background sounds while they play music or com conversations. We use them more for the blocking than the sounds.”
Shouting erupted out in the galley.
“Something’s going on.” Solaria started for the door. “Come on, let’s see what it is.”
Skylar looked at Del, still trying to make a decision. “We’re going out to see what the excitement’s about.” He turned and hurried to catch up to Solaria.
In the gallery, the Orcan from before was shouting at someone who looked like a giant pig, complete with white tusks and strange pointed ears, dressed in thick leather. The pig guy had a large cane that he swung at the Orcan. The Orcan caught the cane in a huge webbed hand and yanked it away from the pig.
A high, shrill whistle came from the pig guy.
“The Boarisk is calling for help,” Solaria said as they stopped a few feet outside the electronics shop.
“That’s a Boarisk?” Skylar asked, staring at the pig. The pictures he’d found online while investigating their movements and habits hadn’t done them justice. “They’re the ones who attacked Hummassa and killed my mother.” Hot rage built up in him. For a moment, he thought about yanking off the dampening bracelet and projecting all the fear and sadness he’d felt that night at the Boarisk.
Then he realized the chaos he could cause as his anger swept through the crowded shopping station. Everyone would know members of the school were there, and they’d all get in trouble. It would probably screw up their mission to get the Solar Drake home.
Solaria put a hand on his arm. “We have to stay out of this. Let the Orcan deal with him. He can wipe the floor with the Boarisk.”
True to her words, the Orcan punched the Boarisk hard enough that the tusks protruding from its lower lip shattered as it went down on the purple and blue wood-grained floor, and lay there writhing. Several more Boarisk pushed their way through the crowd.
“Unless you want what he got, you’ll take him and go,” roared the Orcan.
The Boarisks grabbed their fallen friend, tusks and all, and disap
peared into the crowd. Seeing them retreat from something gave Skylar hope that eventually he’d have his revenge against them too.
“Well, that could’ve been scary,” Del said from behind them.
Solaria turned. “That was probably the most excitement we’ll see all day. Did you find some headphones? We need to get going.”
A security bot appeared and scanned about for the source of the disturbance. The Orcan and Boarisks had already disappeared into the crowd. The security bot rolled over to where the Orcan had dropped the Boarisk cane. It picked it up, carried it over to a trash receptacle, and deposited it.
Skylar stood there for a second. “Wait a minute.” He waited until the security bot was several doors down and hurried over to the receptacle. The head of the cane was still sticking up above the other trash there. Skylar removed it.
“Why do you want that thing?” Del asked.
Skylar looked at the ornate silver hog’s head that formed the cane’s top. There were tiny red stones set for the eyes.
“You’re taking it as a trophy aren’t you?” Solaria piped in. “Sorta like counting coup. Not bad Skylar. We’re going to make a predator out of you yet.” She graced him with a huge grin.
He grabbed a piece of paper out of the trash receptacle and wiped off some of the other garbage that stuck to the cane’s shaft. “I guess. I don’t know. They took everything from me. I might as well have something of theirs. Now let’s get out of here before something else happens.”
“What’s counting coup?” Del asked as they took off through the crowd.
“Taking something special from an enemy when they aren’t looking. It’s something you can wave around in their faces later,” Solaria explained.
Skylar glanced at the cane in his hand. He would definitely like to wave it around in some Boarisk faces later. It felt like he was taking the first steps in taking from them what they had taken from him.
They hurried through the crowd, heading back toward the school ship. Skylar’s heart pounded. He couldn’t tell if it was from what they’d just seen or what they were about to do. Either way, he knew his life was changing. Again. He just hoped this was the right change. He’d never forgive himself if something happened to the Solar Drake after they returned it to the wild, or if Del and Solaria got into trouble because of what they were about to do.
20
To Armstrong’s Ring
HOPING NO one could hear his nervous thoughts, Skylar peered around the last corner before they reached the airlock for the school ship. Solaria was already there with her hand pressed to the biopad that would either grant them access or keep them locked out. A green light flashed above the pad. She nodded and gestured for Skylar and Del to follow her onto the ship.
Skylar still couldn’t believe they were actually stealing the school ship. He didn’t doubt they would get into a lot of trouble if they got caught, no matter how good their intentions were, but it would be worth it to make sure the Solar Drake got home safe.
As they passed through the airlock, Del stopped and tinkered with the biopad. After a moment, he stepped past the heavy airlock doors and they slid shut behind him. “That should make it look like there’s just a biopad problem if someone tries to get back on the ship before we return.”
“And you really think no one’s going to try and get back on the ship before tomorrow afternoon?” Skylar asked as they closed the airlock door on the ship side.
“Come on, you’ve been in school with these kids for almost two months now. Do you really think they’re going to want to go back to the academy so soon?” Del started up the metal stairwell that would take them to the upper level of the ship and the flight deck. “This ship never leaves for the academy on time, because the driver and any chaperones normally have to spend hours rounding up students. We’ll be fine. While you’re warming up the engines, I’ll upload a fake signature into the station’s computers to make it look like the ship is still docked here. Since there’re no windows on this part of the station, they’d have to send a maintenance crew out on an exterior walk to actually notice we’re gone.”
“Or an arriving or departing ship could spot the empty bay.” Skylar opened the flight deck door. There were more than a few holes in their plan, and he just hoped none of them became real problems.
“And how would they know we’re supposed to be here?” Del asked as he hurried into the right seat. He frowned as he settled down. “These controls look a bit more complicated than the holofile I found. So far, it’s not responding to me. This might take a few minutes”
Skylar sat in the left chair. A rush of adrenaline surged through him. He was actually sitting in a pilot’s chair. He was about to fly a starship. It’s something he most likely never would’ve done if he stayed on Hummassa. Something good was finally coming out of the Boarisk attack on his home. His world had expanded, and with any luck, they weren’t about to throw it down the drain.
Skylar pushed the negative thoughts aside and tried to focus on what they were doing. Del had calculated the odds of their success—they weren’t huge, but not horrible either. So much of their worlds were automated, there was a good chance they might slip out and make it back in one piece without being missed. If everything worked out perfectly. “These controls look a lot like what were on Phil’s ship.” He touched the steering yoke.
“Scan accepted,” an automated voice announced.
“That was quick, Del,” Skylar said. He grinned and gripped the yoke. Things were off to a smooth start.
Del glanced at him and shook his head. “That wasn’t me. That was the ship’s automated scan. I didn’t have time to put in the information to get the ship to accept us. It’s still fighting me. Somehow you’re already in the system. That doesn’t make sense.” He frowned. “Now it’s letting me in”
“Wait a minute, so if we’re already registered with this ship, then we’re not technically stealing it. Right?” Skylar’s hopes for getting out without landing in a huge amount of trouble rose.
“No.” Del shook his head. “We’re definitely still technically stealing it. Um, let’s not use that word… we’re commandeering it for a vital mission. Yeah, that sounds so much better. I’ll worry about why you’re already in the system later. Right now, it just makes my job easier. Let’s get going.”
Del danced his fingers across his tablet and began explaining to Skylar how to get the engines started so they could disconnect from the Galaxeria. The flapping of leathery wings heralded the arrival of the little Solar Drake, Solaria not far behind. The little drake landed on Skylar’s left shoulder as he tapped the last button of their pre-launch preparations.
“Stars’ End beta, this is Galaxeria control.” A stern male voice came over the ship’s com. “You are not scheduled for departure until tomorrow afternoon. Please explain why you have started your engines.”
Skylar glared at Del. “I thought you had this handled,” he hissed, hoping his voice didn’t carry to Galaxeria control.
Del’s face darkened. “I forgot about their control. It’s not like I’ve spent a lot of time flying on flight decks.”
“So, what do we say?” Skylar struggled to keep his voice low.
“Sorry,” Solaria said at a normal volume. “We have a special-needs student who has fallen ill and needs to return to the academy before the others are ready. We’re just doing a quick run there and will be back in time to pick up the other students tomorrow afternoon. Everything’s in order.”
Skylar was amazed at how official she sounded.
“We’ll adjust your flight plans then,” Galaxeria control replied. “Next time, remember to update us before you start your engines. You’re clear for departure in three minutes. Galaxeria control, out.”
Skylar let out the breath he’d held. “I can’t believe we forgot about their control. Of course, they’re going to have a control system in place. Wait a minute, why did they buy your story?”
“Because I transmitted the proper
access code while she was talking,” Del said. “It clicked with me that there should be an access code for the ship, something to identify that we had a right to use it. Since there are multiple teachers and staff who might be piloting it, I figured it would be here somewhere.” He pointed to a large label on the top of one of the control panels. “It’s right there. If anyone asks us for ID, we transmit that code; it matches the ship’s automated code it’s always broadcasting. If those codes don’t match, they could shut us down and arrest us for stealing the ship.”
“Stars’ End Beta, you’re cleared for departure,” said Galaxeria control.
“Here we go then.” Skylar hit the button that would disconnect the ship from the airlock. From their window above the airlock, he watched the umbilical retract to the space station, then he pulled back on the yoke to slowly move the ship away from the docking portal.
“I’ll get the codes for the Armstrong system fed to the stargate,” Del said. “We should be close enough to the gate in a couple of minutes.”
“Well, our first step is going smoothly,” Solaria said.
Skylar looked over his shoulder at her leaning against the doorframe at the back of the room. “Don’t say that. Please don’t say that. Every time someone says anything about things going easy—”
“That’s when things get interesting.” She grinned mischievously.
He turned away from her and pushed the yoke forward to get the ship to move down below the station and toward the stargate.
“Codes for Armstrong have been accepted,” Del announced. “I had to put in our visitation permit number, but it went in just fine.”
The stargate caught hold of the ship and started pulling it forward, so Skylar let go of the steering yoke.
“Hey, are you all supposed to be flying the ship?” asked a human girl from behind Solaria. She looked to be just younger than Skylar by a few years, but otherwise had similar brown hair and dark blue eyes to his.
The three of them and the Solar Drake turned and stared at her. Solaria looked almost deadly with her brows drawn together and her lips twitching like she was about to snarl or hiss.
