by Brey Willows
If there was another way, she’d have taken it. The memory of those sharp teeth piercing her skin made her shudder. “I need a favor, and I’ll owe you one.”
Maana’s smile widened, making her even more menacing. “I like the sound of that more than you know. What is it?”
“I need you to arrange a flyer pickup for five people at the edge of the Versach Forest. West entry. And then deliver them to Auntie Blue in Quasi.” Cosmos be damned, this wasn’t a good idea. She should have let the strangers fend for themselves. If they couldn’t survive on someone else’s planet, well, that was their issue. Not hers. But if the slavers got them…
Maana tapped something into the screen on her desk. “They’ll be there just after mid-sun. And when can I expect you back to pay your debt?”
Kylin sighed and closed her eyes, but the memory of her last foray with Maana quickly made her open them again. “Not for another seven first sunsets, at least. I’m scrounging out in the east. I’ll comm you when I get back. You know I pay my debts.”
Maana’s laugh was like splitting rocks in a cavern, harsh and hollow. “Oh, I remember, sweet scrounger. And tasting you again is worth transporting any number of people.” She looked interested for a moment, unusual for someone who gave a damn about very little. “Who am I picking up, anyway? I can’t imagine what would be worth owing me a pound of flesh.”
Just then, Jessa appeared behind Kylin and touched her shoulder. Damn it.
Maana’s eyes widened and her laugh was even louder. “I should have known it would be a woman. You’d think you’d learned your lesson from the last time.” She leaned forward, clearly trying to get a better view of Jessa. “And a sweet piece of flesh at that. She’d be so tender—”
Kylin pulled the comm closer to block the view of Jessa. “She’s not part of our deal. Me, and only me.”
Maana grunted and leaned away. “You’ll do.” The screen went black.
Kylin put her unit back in her bag and pushed away the thought of an unpleasant future. At least she wouldn’t have the lives of these people on her conscience. They could figure out how to get themselves to the Heathers from Quasi. She’d done her bit, and now they could fend for themselves.
“Friend of yours?” Jessa asked from behind her.
Kylin turned and tried to look like she wasn’t fazed. “Business associate with a lot of history. But she’s the only one I know with a flyer big enough to get all of you to safety. She’ll take you to Quasi, to my auntie Blue. You’ll be safe there, and you can figure out how to make your way to a station.”
Jessa’s big green eyes were lovely in the morning light, and Kylin had to look away.
“You’re not going with us?”
Kylin began to reorganize her pack, more for something to do that didn’t require her to look at Jessa’s pretty face than because it needed to be done. “I want to see what the rest of the crash brought down, so I don’t have time to go back yet. But Maana loves making deals with me, and she’s never broken one. You’ll be fine.”
When Jessa didn’t respond, Kylin finally looked up at her. She was biting her lip and looking out over the forest. When she finally looked at Kylin, she could see a layer of steel beneath the pretty surface, and in that moment she saw what had made her a captain.
“I’d like to go with you. My crew can go to Quasi.”
Kylin shook her head. “Nope. I don’t work with other people. I go where I need to go and I move fast. I don’t need someone with no survival knowledge slowing me down.”
Jessa put her hands on her hips and raised her chin. “I got us onto this ledge, didn’t I? And I managed to avoid my pursuers.”
Kylin grinned. “You did. But if I hadn’t pulled you onto that platform, you’d be in a cage headed toward the sea right now.”
Jessa flinched. “Maybe. But I want to go with you. It was my ship that came down, and I have a right to see what’s left of it.”
“Captain, you don’t have a right to anything down here.” Jessa’s tone set Kylin on edge. She wasn’t about to be ordered around by a princess who bypassed her planet on a regular basis. “I don’t care what you do when you get to Quasi, but you’re not coming with me.” She pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. “I’ll take you to the entry point where you’ll get picked up, and then you’re on your own.”
Jessa turned away without another word, but Kylin could see the anger in her eyes. Why should she care what burned up pieces of her ship had made it down here? Surely she’d want to get to a station as quickly as possible? Kylin shook her head and rammed the wire deep into her pack. Women were a mystery.
The rest of the crew began making their way out of their domicile units and Jessa explained what was happening. Kylin stayed out of the way, eager to get going and not wanting to get attached to any of them. But when one of them touched her arm, she turned.
“Thank you for helping us.”
The woman had gills, and it made Kylin smile. “You’re from Gestix. I hadn’t noticed.”
“Asanka. You’ve known others from Gestix?”
“I have.” Kylin noticed Jessa listening to their conversation, though she kept her distance. “Indemnion gets a lot of people who are looking for a different way of life than is allowed on their planet. When I was a kid, a family from Gestix moved in next door. I was friends with their daughter until they left about five years ago.” Kylin pointed. “There’s a saltwater lake just north of where you’re being picked up. We can stop there so you can replenish your internal stores, if you want. We just need to leave soon.”
Asanka took Kylin’s hand in hers and pressed it to her forehead in the traditional Gestix greeting. “That would be greatly appreciated. The universe has seen fit to bless us with your presence.”
Kylin smiled, uncomfortable with the sentiment. She wasn’t anybody’s blessing. “No problem. But we should get going.”
They went about pulling down their domicile units, and Kylin tried not to show how impressed she was with the technology. Those huge units folded into perfect squares not much bigger than her backsack. The superlight substances of thin, expandable tubing and cloth-like materials they were made of meant that, despite all the comforts they included, they weren’t all that heavy, which was incredible in and of itself. Their tech on Indemnion was always years behind other planets, since trade ships almost never stopped here, and even if families came from elsewhere, they rarely brought with them enough to build the kind of tech they were used to.
While the others were busy, another of Jessa’s crew came over. Kylin recognized his type. His stance, the way he looked around. He’d been trained in combat as surely as Kylin had learned to fly. “Will they still be looking for us down there?”
Honesty was the only option. “They’ll be keeping an eye out, yeah. But after the amount of prowlers we heard last night, they’ll assume anyone not in a group was food.”
He nodded, his expression inscrutable. “And how do we know you’re not leading us into some kind of trap?”
She nearly laughed. If he had any idea who she’d had to bargain with… “You don’t. And you’re welcome to turn down the ride to Quasi and make your own way. I won’t try to stop you, and my conscience will be clear because I tried to help.”
“I don’t like that you won’t be there with us. At least we have an idea who we’re dealing with when you’re around.” He looked at the rest of his little group. “Jessa feels responsible for us, but the truth is, she’s not. In this situation we’re all just people trying to survive. We don’t have to take orders, and we don’t have to stick together.”
So much for loyalty. Kylin wondered if Jessa knew he felt that way, and if it came down to his own skin or theirs, she doubted he’d jump in front of a gun to save the others. “Yeah, well, that’s up to you guys. Get on the flyer or don’t, stay with people I trust in Quasi, or don’t.” When she looked into his eyes she saw the kind of fear that made people do stupid things. He was trying to hide it, bu
t Kylin knew the signs.
“I think we’re ready.” Jessa came over and her officer nodded and walked away. “Everything okay?”
Kylin watched him go, uneasy in the sense he wasn’t thinking properly. “I think so. They’re your people, so you’d know better than I would.” She looked around and saw that the ledge was clear. “Let’s get going.”
One by one, they climbed down the cliff side and then walked single file down the almost invisible paths. Kylin made sure to stay far away from the ruined escape pod. The last thing these people needed was to see their friend’s chewed up body parts. When the path widened, she was surprised that Jessa moved up beside her.
“Can I ask you something sensitive?” she asked.
Kylin couldn’t fathom what sensitive meant coming from a stranger. “Sure.”
“Why does Asanka need a saltwater lake?”
Kylin looked at her incredulously. “Isn’t she your crew member? Shouldn’t you know that kind of thing?”
Jessa’s cheeks flushed and she stared at the ground as they walked. “I rarely ask any of my crew personal questions about their state of being. It always seems too intrusive.”
“But how do you get to know about people if you don’t ask questions?” Surely a ship’s captain wouldn’t live in that kind of ignorance just because she didn’t want to intrude?
“I read, and if it comes up in conversation that’s fine. But it never has.”
They walked in silence and Kylin wondered if she should make Jessa go back and ask the Gestixian herself. But she looked embarrassed, and it wasn’t like she didn’t care… “Gestix is a planet with a high saltwater content. Their people are amphibious, and while they mostly live on land, they can just as easily live in water. They tend to take saltwater baths a few times a month to keep their skin supple. Otherwise it gets dry and flaky. Not deadly or anything, but really uncomfortable. The humidity here will be making her sweat, and she’ll dry out really fast.”
Jessa stayed quiet, but Kylin could tell she had heard her and was thinking it over. She let her think. It wasn’t any of her business.
“I need to ask more questions.” Jessa’s tone was decisive, like she was saying what she wanted for dinner.
Kylin wasn’t sure how to respond, so she didn’t. She didn’t want to answer a bunch of questions, and she wasn’t sure if Jessa meant she wanted to ask Kylin more questions, or if she wanted to ask more in general. Either way, questions meant getting to know someone, and Kylin didn’t want to know these people. Under different circumstances, yeah, maybe she would have taken Jessa home for a few nights of no-strings sex. But Jessa was a ship’s captain, someone used to being in command and getting what she wanted. She gave orders and she expected other people to jump when she wanted them to. And she had that upper-class thing going on, like she wasn’t just used to the finer things in life, she was one of the finer things in life.
No, as soft and beautiful as she was, Jessa was way out of Kylin’s league, and Kylin wasn’t good with taking orders from anyone, for any reason. Staying in control meant less risk, and she was always in control of her sexual relationships, whether they lasted a night or several days. So it was just fine that the captain was out of her league. She’d get on the flyer, and there was a good chance she’d be gone from Quasi by the time Kylin got back from scrounging. She’d be nothing more than a hot fantasy on a cold night.
Chapter Six
The saltwater lake was one of the most beautiful things Jessa had ever seen. She’d pictured something far smaller, but this could easily have accommodated several boats at once. Swirling greens mixed with ribbons of blue and edges of pink. Though she desperately wanted to see how Asanka did what she needed to do, Jessa turned away with the others and gave Asanka her privacy.
“Where are we going again?” Benika had been quiet for the most part, though Jessa knew she was anxious.
“Quasi.” Kylin sat on the ground cross-legged, plucking at patches of moss. “We’re set up in districts here. Quasi District is kind of a central ground, closest to the main trading markets and where people go when they need to find things. Or if they’re looking not to be found.”
“And who are we staying with? Your relative?”
Kylin shook her head. “Kind of. Auntie Blue is everyone’s auntie, but she’s actually really close to my family. She’s looked after me for a big chunk of my life, and she’ll be fine with having you stay with her. She runs an inn, so you’ll have plenty of room.” She shrugged. “Maybe she can help you figure out what step to take next.”
“Is there anything we need to understand about where we’re going? Etiquette?” Peshta asked.
Kylin seemed baffled. “Don’t pick fights with people bigger than you. Try not to go out after dark. The usual, I guess.”
Jessa couldn’t imagine picking a fight with anyone, ever, and the likelihood of going out after dark was about as likely as her growing a horn in the middle of her head. Most planets had codes of conduct. Not this one, evidently.
“Do any of you have any linari? Or just credit chips?” Kylin asked.
“My linari went down with the ship.” Teckoe looked at the others, who nodded agreement.
“No big deal. Credit chips can be used pretty much everywhere. Auntie Blue can help you get what you need.” Kylin smiled up at Asanka, who’d returned from the lake. She was practically glowing, her eyes bright and her gills pink. “Okay, let’s get to the pickup point. They’ll be here anytime.”
She hefted her pack over her shoulder and the others followed. Jessa was working out how to approach Kylin about her plan, but couldn’t seem to find the right moment. They moved beyond the trees and Jessa stared at the long, low landscape of rippling green hills that went on for as far as she could see. But she didn’t have much time to look at it before a medium sized flyer settled onto the hill in front of them. The lower door opened, but no one came out.
Kylin turned to the group. “That’s your cue. Good luck, if I don’t see you when I get back to Quasi.”
Jessa watched her crew head for the flyer, but she didn’t follow them. Instead, she turned to Kylin. “I’m not getting on that flyer. I’m going with you.”
Kylin sighed dramatically. “I’ve already told you no.”
“And I’m telling you I’m not getting on that flyer, so if you don’t take me with you, you’re leaving me to the prowlers or slavers.” Jessa crossed her arms, hoping Kylin wouldn’t call her bluff and leave her there.
“Why? What do you possibly hope to find?” Kylin’s exasperation was clear.
The problem was, Jessa didn’t know the answer. She rarely stepped foot on a planet even when they were docked for a few days, and she hadn’t spent this much time on one in many, many years. But if there was any chance another escape pod had been hit and had crashed here, if there was any chance there were other survivors, she had to know. Her ship, her responsibility. Instinct told her Kylin was trustworthy, and her small crew would be safe with Kylin’s contact in Quasi, so Jessa could rest easy knowing they’d be okay until she returned. And, if she were honest, she didn’t want to leave Kylin’s side. The thought of going to a strange city without the only contact they’d made here was terrifying, and something about Kylin made her feel safe. But that point was secondary, of course.
“I told you. That ship was my life. It was my home. I was responsible for the crew and the passengers. If any other escape pods came down, I want to know. And if there are survivors, I can be with you to tell them they’re safe.” It sounded lame, but it was true. Mostly.
Kylin glared at her. “And how would you know they’re safe? I’m not out to rescue the world, Captain. I probably shouldn’t have rescued you. But I did, and I’m going to owe someone with very pointy teeth, bad breath, and a penchant for using things with spikes a favor because of it. So, no.”
Jessa felt her stomach turn at the callousness of the statement. But actions were clearer, and Kylin’s showed she wasn’t as jaded as she
sounded. “Like I said. I’m not getting on that flyer.”
Kylin gave a huff of irritation and then raised her hand in a thumbs-up gesture. The door closed and the flyer took off. “And what are your crew going to think now that you haven’t gotten on the flyer?”
“They’ll be safe with your auntie until we get back. And if I return with anything useful, it can only help us get back to where we need to be.” She was grasping at straws, and it wasn’t really an answer. She should have told Teckoe, as her second in command, what she was thinking. But she didn’t want anyone talking her out of it, though she knew it was foolish.
Kylin slung her pack over her shoulder. “Fine. But if you fall behind, I’m leaving you.”
Jessa had no intention of getting left behind now that she’d set her course. “I can keep up.”
They made their way to Kylin’s flyer, which was a two-seater that looked hand built. Jessa eyed it, wondering just how air safe it was. Kylin rolled her eyes and stowed her pack.
“Feel free to head back to the ledge and set up camp. I can stop and see if you’re still there on my way back.”
Jessa threw her pack behind her seat and climbed in. She’d made her decision and she needed to stick with it, even if that meant falling out of the sky. Again. “No chance.”
Kylin got the flyer off the ground and headed east, in the opposite direction Jessa’s crew had gone. She was pleasantly surprised to find that the flight was smooth and quiet. “Where did you get this?”
Kylin glanced at her and then looked away. “I built it.”
Jessa waited, but no more information was forthcoming. “What do you mean, you built it? I thought you said you were a…what was it? A scrounger?”
“I am.” Kylin stroked the control panel like it was precious. “But I always wanted to be a pilot. Whenever anyone arrived who could fly or engineer, I made myself a pest. I learned everything I could, and a mechanic from Orwellian stayed here for almost two years once. She taught me everything she could, and gave me hands-on instruction in building this.”
