by K. Rowe
isn’t very happy providing arms for a war he doesn’t believe in.”
“Yeah, I wonder just how long the Sirrixians and Bodnarians will go at it,” Dar said.
Jartis sat down in the copilot seat. “Oh, they’ve been going at it a few hundred years; don’t see them calling it quits any time soon.”
“If Gwog disapproves, why does he do it?”
“The drig’s good.”
“So is running rum for the Jamaraians.” Dar started up the engine and eased them out of the shuttle bay. Making a right turn, he headed for the planet. He sighed when he saw the big, tan, dusty planet. It wasn’t pretty, but it was home. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Krodus gazing out the window. In a way, he looked sad. Dar supposed that returning him to his father would bring a bit of shame on him. Krodus thought he’d escape Erotis and be on his own, living his life, and forgetting about everyone. Now he was being returned in a sorry state, to face his father as a complete failure.
Ten minutes later, they were settling on the planet. Dar shut down the engine, and Jartis opened the door once most of the dust cleared. “You said your mother worked at the general store?” Jartis asked.
“Well, she did. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her. But let’s stop there first.” The motley bunch walked down the street. The weather was quite warm for the month of Jukniss, the rains seemed strangely absent. Not much was going on, in fact, the town looked rather empty. Dar wondered if the settlement might be dying out. Perhaps those who could were leaving to try and find something better. Erotis was anything but a paradise; some farmed the patches of arable land, and the rest ran businesses in towns.
“When was the last time you saw her?” Vikkis asked.
“Oh, shit, I can’t remember.” He reached in his pocket and made sure the Uyonin bracelet he’d brought as a present was still there. “I wonder if a male has taken any interest in her?”
Jartis looked around. “Are there any here?”
“Yes, there are, but my mother isn’t a young female anymore, and we both know it’s rare for a purebred to take up with a female that has a half breed youngling.” Dar walked onto the porch of the store and peered into the window. “I don’t see her.”
Vikkis opened the door. “Well, we need supplies anyways.” He went in, followed by the others. “Hello?” he called.
“Just a minute,” a male voice replied.
“That doesn’t sound like your mother, Dar,” Jartis said, grabbing a few cans of Priddin jerky off the shelf.
“No, definitely not.” He watched as a small, young, purebred Tridun came from the storeroom. “Who are you?”
“Cogg. I was hired to work part time.” Cogg stood probably four and a half feet tall, had large frontal lobes on his forehead, and big blue eyes. His tan skin was stretched over a thin, almost emaciated body. Dar always thought the species looked odd, but that’s the way they were. Triduns were revered in the galaxy for their sharp business skills. The planet Tridius was a mecca for trade and commerce.
“Where’s my mother?”
“Denrika? She’s your mother?”
“Yes.”
Cogg went around the counter. “I suppose she’s home.” Taking a heavy glass, he dipped out two scoops of frozen bovidis cream, added three scoops of Erotin sage, stirring it in, and finished it off with some clear, fizzy sweet water. Then Cogg flipped open a small covered dish, garnished the drink with a Darminian cherry, and slid it over to Dar. “She told me you like these.”
He picked up the glass and took a sip. “Yes, I do…And not a bad job of making it.”
“She said you always put a little extra sage in it.”
Dar leaned against the counter. “And what else has she told you about me?”
“That you’re a crew member on a really big freighter.”
Jartis stepped up to the counter, dumping his cans of jerky on it. “Can I get a sage root float too?”
“Certainly,” Cogg said and went to work.
“We’re part of the crew of the Cunik, the largest freighter in the galaxy,” Jartis replied.
Dar looked over at Krodus, seeing the wanton expression in his eyes. He pulled a few drig out. “Make a float for him too; he’s been without for quite some time.”
Krodus stepped up to the counter. “Thank you, Dar,” he said softly.
When the glasses were empty, and the supplies purchased, Vikkis, Karnis, and Xetroiss headed back to the shuttle. Dar continued on with Jartis and Krodus. His next stop was the Aknarra Tavern, to return the lost son to his father. They stopped outside the door. Krodus faced Dar. “For all the years I tormented you, I am truly sorry. I can’t repay you enough for freeing me from the bonds of slavery, and the horrible life I would be facing…From now on, you will never pay for a drink at this tavern.” He offered his hand, Dar took it.
“Thanks.” Dar let a smile curl to his lips. “How about a nice Malikin port?”
Krodus chuckled. “Coming right up!” He opened the door for them. Dar and Jartis went to the bar. Only a few patrons were about. Krodus approached the bar. “Can I get a drink for my two friends?”
The bartender turned slightly. “What would they like?” He didn’t immediately recognize Krodus.
“A Malikin port and—”
“Make that two,” Jartis quickly said.
“Two ports for the friends who saved me…” Krodus leaned in closer. “…Saved me, and brought me home to my father.”
The bartender finally got a better look. “Krodus!” Forgetting all about the drinks, he snatched off his apron and ran around the counter to embrace his son. “My son! Oh, I’d figured you for dead.” Tears streamed down the old Satiren’s face. He couldn’t believe Krodus was alive and home.
“I would’ve, had it not been for Dar.”
He hugged Krodus for a few moments; then he stepped back. “Dar? You found him?”
“Yes, sir. On Uyoninis.” He decided it best not to say exactly where he found Krodus, or the fact he had to purchase him; and that technically, Krodus was his slave. His heart warmed at seeing the bully no longer in a position to make his life miserable.
“Thank you, thank you so much for returning my son to me…And for doing it even though he was your worst enemy.”
“We may have never been friends, but I understand Satirens need to be with other Satirens; otherwise the species will die.”
“Father?” Krodus said.
“Yes?”
“I told Dar he’ll never pay for a drink here, ever.”
His father regarded Dar. “And you won’t.” He went behind the bar and grabbed a full bottle of port. “Drink up, the bar is open for you.” Sitting four glasses on the counter, he poured out the rich, dark, heady alcohol. “There’s always a bottle here for you and your friends.”
Dar raised his glass. “Thank you.”
After a few drinks on the house, Dar and Jartis left Krodus to be with his father. They walked down the street toward his house. “Well, feel better now?” Jartis asked.
“Mmm, part of me does…The good part…The bad part is still trying to envision Krodus bent over a fallen Ickbahk tree with two Kiburgins having their way with him.”
Jartis laughed. “Oh, I don’t even wanna picture that!”
“After everything he’s done to me, I just couldn’t let him suffer. Am I too nice?”
“No, you have a good heart, and you care about others.” Jartis kicked a rock down the street. “Gwog would call that rule number three of being a freighter captain: ‘Turning enemies into friends will have greater rewards later on.’ You never know when you might need the services of a big, dumb Satiren.”
“True, I suppose.” Dar continued down the long, fairly empty street.
“Think she’s home?” Jartis asked.
“I’d hope so.”
“Think a male has taken up with her?”
They walked in silence for a while. Dar really didn’t want to answer that question. He hoped she’d find some
one, but at her age, and with a half breed son, it was doubtful. “I guess we’ll find out.” He pointed to a small house at the end of the street. “There it is.”
Jartis nodded. “Nice house.”
“Her parents left it to her when they died. They came here from Satiris.”
“Hmm, purebreds from the home planet; rather rare nowadays.”
“Where did you come from?” Dar asked.
“I was born on Priddis. I’ve never been to Satiris.”
“Why not?”
“Just never have.”
Dar went to the door and knocked. He felt a bit odd about knocking, but figured it’d be best to announce his presence, especially if his mother had company. A few moments later, the door opened.
“Dar!” Denrika cried, grabbing him in a tight embrace.
“Hello, mother. I’m so sorry I haven’t been to see you; we’ve been busy.” He pulled her closer, kissing her on the top of the head, getting the scent of Softsuckle flowers. “I’ve missed you.”
“Oh, I’ve missed you too, son.”
He gently slid from her embrace. “Mother, this is my friend Jartis, he’s the engineer on the Cunik.”
“Hello, ma’am,” Jartis said politely.
“Hello. I can see why you and Dar are friends.” She gestured to his patch of green hair.
“Ah, not so much that, but I’ve tried to be a good Satiren influence on him—for the most part!”
She laughed and held the door open. “Come in out of the dust and heat,” she said, ushering them inside. “What brings you this way?”
“Had to bring someone home,” Dar replied, taking a seat in the living room.
“What?”
“We were on Uyoninis at a slave auction,
