Starship Magic 4: Extraction

by Mark Brandon Powell

  3

  Kat leaves the bridge and heads into the common area. Pleased to find an empty room. A small miracle in and of its own. Over the last year with everyone on the ship, the common area was always bustling with energy. To have everyone on the ship is awesome, and remembers when it was only her, Whisper, and Fury on the ship. How lonely being the only human felt.

  The smell still lingers from dinner, a meaty ziti pasta, courtesy of Gale. Reminding her that Knox and Gale insisted a few times they pay off Kat’s debt over the past year, but she refused each time. Not wanting the internal pressure to pay them back, which she would totally have. So instead of money they stayed and offered their help.

  Kat pulls out a chair and sits at the table. Taking in a deep breath she places her face into her hands. There is just too much happening at once. Magical outbursts, new Graven, Terra, Mark, debt to Gizmo, and now a stewardess. Sure the ship is working and stayed fixed for the last year, but the downside was being an indentured servant, like chains holding her down under the water. Which is one of the worst feelings to her. Bringing back memories of the time Ryker controlled her. Something she never wanted to experience again.

  Rescuing Terra was the right thing, and she would do it again. Terra, unlike Graven, has twenty or so Eydulans inside her memories, but she's coping. After her first few days of mumbling like a loon, she's been stable ever since. Kat didn't have much personal experience to go by with Terra as a barometer but Hanna seemed to think she's herself, which is a good enough endorsement for Kat. She might only be eighteen by human standards but the memories inside of her made her ancient. Showing even if Graven and Terra are both going through similar experiences there are different outcomes.

  With the peace and quiet she's found it gives her a moment to process what she understands. Where the friction between her and Graven comes from. First would be he isn't human anymore. Whisper confirmed both him and Terra have a similar DNA structure to humans but aren't human. The only thing they could be is Eydulan but since they don't have another to compare with, it's all hearsay. In the collective memories between Graven and Terra there hasn't been another being which didn't separate with their Eydulan core when brought back to Etchten. They are both in new territory.

  The next friction point would be Mark's feelings for Kat. Mark has been nothing less than spectacular since he confessed about originally wanting to steal her ship. Which was understandable looking back. Since then, they've had quite a few talks, each always ending with Kat calmer. He knows she's Graven's and doesn't interfere. Mark even helps Kat try to understand what's happening to Graven. Even if Mark never tries anything, Kat can see the longing in his eyes and the tension in the air between them.

  Mark has even gone so far as to explain his peoples process, in an effort for her to empathize. Explaining in the Foremid society each Foremid only lives about two hundred years at most. They have a process where their essence is passed on to an apprentice and their other body ceases to function. The apprentice then becomes the master. He's gone through the process a few times himself and his current human body is only about twenty years old but he's been around for a millennia. The sifting through memories figuring out who's is who's doesn't happen with Foremids. They have grownup within a society that accepts everything and go about their business because they are now what they are. Both the apprentice and master are the new entity.

  One thing Kat didn't like in his explanation is how, in his experience, the attitude and mannerisms come from the side with more years. She thinks Mark was trying to be reassuring in telling her, but it only made things worse. Because it means old Graven is losing his battle, and new Graven is really mostly Jinx.

  Kat lifts her head out of her hands and pulls the coin out of her pocket. A habit she started when thinking about Mark and Graven. How this simple looking piece of stamped metal makes Mark love her and how she wished the Eydulans had something similar. The Foremid might be trying to kill humanity but they sure have an easy and desired love life.

  "You and Graven have another fight?"

  Kat jumps, jerking her attention toward a man standing in a dark hallway, she calls forth a mass of magic to her hand. Mark's form comes to light. Everything about him is still as average as the first time they met but now she'd be able to pick him out of a crowd. It didn't mean he wasn't handsome. He is, but nothing overtly stood out. Nothing but his eyes. Robotic yellow circles, like two letter c's making an oval. The mark of being taken over by a Foremid, the eyes always come with the deal.

  She places her free hand on her chest, trying to steady her racing heart. Her other hand lowers and closes around the spell she called forth, taking it back into herself.

  "Mark. Its just you. Shouldn't you be asleep?"

  "Foremid don't sleep, and thanks for not blasting me. I remember telling you we go into, for lack of a better term, a low power mode. Like a form of meditation that we go about mindless tasks. We do that for a few hours at a time a few times a day. One reason this ship stays so clean."

  "Right. I keep forgetting to thank you for the constant cleaning. I'm still getting used to all of this. I know it's been a year now but there is so much."

  Marks shakes his head, "You have got more important things on your mind."

  "How is it you always know the right thing to say?"

  "Maybe the coin. My people don't really talk about our coins. Personal issues are private conversations. The coin being the most personal of all. The only thing I was told throughout my life was I shouldn't polish it or I would go blind."

  "What happens if I polish it?"

  Mark laughs, "Nothing. The story is an old healer class myth, a way to keep young Foremid from pulling out their coins in public and showing theirs off. If you polish the coin, you will only make the metal shine."

  "Good. I would hate to make you go blind."

  "So what are you avoiding talking about?"

  "I'm not avoiding anything. How are the engines?"

  "In great shape, like always. How's Graven?"

  "Fine..."

  "What did he do?"

  "Something romantic."

  "But he didn't take your feelings into consideration. He only thought about doing something romantic for you that he assumed you wanted without talking to you first."

  Kat's jaw drops, "Yes!"

  "You can't expect all Eydulans that were formerly human to be mind-readers. I'm going to take a stab here and say credits were involved."

  "Ok, creepy. How are you doing that?"

  "We talked about this a few times now and you thought we were going to be done with Gizmo's jobs the delivery before this one. Then we weren't. I took an educated guess."

  "Can you teach Graven how to do that?"

  "I think he has enough on his plate right now, don't you?"

  Kat sighs, "Yes, you're right. I just want the old Graven back."

  "Old Graven doesn't exist anymore." Mark stops leaning against the wall and walks over to Kat, placing his hand on her shoulder. His eyes seem to light up a bit more the closer he gets to her. "You need to remember not just what you're going through, but what he's going through, and what the two of you are going through together."

  Kat stares up into Mark's eyes and places her hand on his. She needs to have this. A friend she can talk to. Hanna and Gale have never had to deal with someone going through an identity crisis of this magnitude before. Mark has and is even a part of his culture. He's perfect for talking to about this.

  "Look, keep trying. I'll be here for you however you need me."

  Graven's voice comes out low and gruff from behind her, "How are you doing Mark?"

  Kat quickly pulls her hand away from Mark's as her pulse quickens and face heats up like putting her head into an open oven.

  Mark replies, "I'm doing good. Just keeping the ship clean like I always do. I'm still here for the help with the memory thing anytime you want."

  Graven ignores Mark's comment, "Kat, I wanted to find you and tell y
ou I'm going to bed." He turns to go down the hall.

  "Wait, Graven."

  Whisper interrupts over the com system. "Kat I still need you to help me dock at Illusion and you know how they feel about talking with VI's."

  Graven shakes his head, "Go, I'm tired anyway." His blueish green eyes sad and hurt. Kat feels like a knife was thrust in her heart and twisted.

  "It wasn't what you think."

  He sakes his head while raising his hand up slightly, "Get us docked Kitty Kat, we can talk later."

  Kat turns around to see Mark is no longer there and by the time she turns back to Graven, he's gone. She hangs her head letting a sigh out before standing. Of all the things to happen why now.

  Illusion space station is one of the largest stops in the universe, who prefer to talk to live humans. She still takes her time walking to the bridge. Illusion tower will let the ship pull up almost to the dock as long as weapons and shields aren't charged. Both of which Whisper shuts down shortly after coming out of FTL.

  Illusion tower was graciously waiting for Kat's call. She apologizes for the delay and requests landing for dock 13. They welcome her back and telling her everything is already good to go for her to dock. With as many runs as she's done over the last year for Gizmo the tower staff recognize her.

  With docking authorization out of the way she can now go take the shower she's wanted to take for the last two hours and go to bed. The only problem, Graven is in the room asleep, and doesn't want to wake him. The one empty room has a shower, but it's next to Mark's room. All she needs is someone to gossip about her coming out of the empty room next to Mark's.

  The door to her room opens with a swoosh. Light enters the room from the hall, breaking up the darkness, and reveals Graven sprawled out in the middle of the bed in only his boxer briefs. Kat can feel her pulse quicken looking at him. His skin is a light olive color, firm and toned. Bulging biceps and quads but not overly so. Then there's his chest and stomach. He maintains his body regularly and it shows with next to no fat anywhere on his body. A primal urge hits her, mixed with the thought of wake him and giving into it, but restrains herself. He didn't deserve such a treat right now, plus it would just start another talk and she's still mad after all.

  As quietly as she can, she tiptoes into the bathroom and closes the door. There is never enough water for her in these sonic showers. She even looked into switching out hers for a full water one, but then water on the ship would be scarce. Sonic water showers did the job better than straight water but she was raised on water only. It is more about the experience of soaking herself in it than getting clean for her.

  Getting out of the shower she puts on an old t-shirt. No need for drying off because sonic showers did that for her too. Another thing she misses about real showers.

  Turning off the light before opening the door makes it hard to see but she can tell Graven is facing the bathroom, and takes special care to make each step silent. Slipping into the silk cotton blend covers.

  Millions of thoughts run through her mind but she tells herself worrying about them won't do her any good. Sleep is her best next move because the next few days are going to be long ones.

  4

  The feeling of a kiss on Kat’s lips wakes her. Opening her eyes, Graven face comes into view. Which thank god it was him. He seems to be in a good mood just by looking at him.

  He smiles, “Good morning beautiful, how was your rest?”

  “It was surprisingly pleasant. What time is it?”

  “Don’t worry, Whisper already filled me in about everything. The cargo arrived an hour ago but the stewardess is running late. She is on another freighter in the Frontier and a Foremid ship is causing trouble at one of the check points. They had to change routes. She should be here in about another hour. I wasn’t going to wake you up but you looked too cute not to kiss.”

  “I’m still angry at you.”

  “I figured. Now about last night —”

  “I told you it wasn’t —“

  Graven holds up his hands, “I get it. After I thought about it I realized you were right.”

  “Can I get that in writing?”

  “Funny.”

  Kat shrugs, “I try.”

  “Look, I just want things to get better for us. So let’s just work toward that, together.”

  “So you’re going to try and butter me up in hopes that it takes my mind off your past digressions?”

  “Oo big word there.”

  “What I can’t use big words?”

  “No, you can. Look I don’t want to fight. I love you and I just want to have a good day. This seems like another easy job and a great way to start our newly freed lives. Don’t you think?”

  “Besides having a whore on the ship. Sure.”

  Whisper says, “I’m sorry to break into this lovely conversation but the stewardess’ ride just got here. She’s on her way.”

  Kat pushes Graven off the bed, “I thought you said I had another hour?”

  “Looks like the tower was wrong.”

  “Whisper, how long until she’s here?”

  “About five minutes.”

  Kat jumps out of bed and grabs her clothes, throwing them on as fast as she can. In between the getting her shirt and pants on she catches Graven just standing there watching her. She doesn’t mind, the only thing is the stupid grin on his face. On her way to the bathroom she says stop it and punches him in the arm lightly. He just chuckles and keeps staring.

  With herself finally feeling presentable she asks, “What is your deal anyway?”

  Graven smiles, “I thought she was a whore?”

  “She is. That doesn’t mean I lower myself to her standards.”

  “Wait.” Graven says as his arms raise in front of him. “You’re intimidated.”

  “What? Where did you get that from?” Kat says with a stammer. She was a little intimidated. After all who wouldn’t be. With a high ranking stewardess about to come on to her humble - plus totally stolen and classified- little ship.

  Graven says, “You made yourself look nice. You even put on makeup. The last time you did that was like six months ago when we tried to have that date alone.”

  “Oh my god, yes, and that bounty hunter broke in and started to shoot the whole place up.” Kat laughs.

  Graven’s lips are still turned up in a smile from the laughing. “That was a good time.”

  Kat takes in a deep breath, “It was but now we have to go to work.”

  “Trying to avoid answering?”

  She turns around to him as she is leaving the room. “This is now a conversation for later. Later isn’t now.”

  Kat watches Graven roll his eyes and follow her out of the room. Whisper broadcasts across the ship that Stewardess Tia is about to arrive and is inside dock 13 now. Which meant by the time Kat got to the cargo hold Tia would be there too. Kat feels her heart race a little. She isn’t normally so anxious to meet someone but with all the stewardess she’s known they don’t respect unkempt appearances, man or woman. She going to have to hide Whisper and Fury’s true identity while she’s here, Mark will have to wear his sunglasses, then she’s going to need to sweep the ship for anything that’s possibly illegal and store them away in the smugglers shafts.

  Entering the cargo bay, she passes five ten-foot tall crates already strapped against the back wall. Which is good to see someone already did that. It gives them an air of professionalism. She’s going to need to find out who did that and thank them later. Everyone is already looking out of the cargo bay door and they all give a quick look and acknowledgement to Kat and Graven as they approach before turning their attention back to the doorway.

  Kat walks up beside Knox and Graven walks up beside her. There is a moment of pause in the air where no one takes a breath. Even the sounds that normally populate the dock are silent. The only sound that can be heard is that of heels on metal walking in their direction. A moment later she’s there with a collective inhale from the group.
>
  Tia walks up the cargo bay door with all the grace of a queen, as if she is gliding rather than walking. She stands about five feet tall, shorter than Kat thought she would have been, which makes her smile internally a bit but she is filled out in all of the right places. Tia’s purple dress flows from her noticeable but not bulging chest to her waist and down her hips like a second set of skin. It’s shiny and soft looking at the same time. Her skin is a milk chocolate color that doesn’t even look touched by the sun or hard labor.

  Kat watches Tia as she looks over the crew with her yellowish hazel eyes and brushes her pure white hair to her right side. She takes a step over to the wall and places her hand on it closing her eyes. Kat takes a quick glance around to see that everyone is mesmerized with Tia. Even Knox isn’t immune.

  Tia speaks softly toward the wall, “Are you alright?” A momentary pause then, “I’m glad.”

  Kat steps forward, “Welcome Mistress Tia, glad to have you onboard. My name is Katrice Wylde and I’m the captain of the Felicity.”

  Tia turns her alluring gaze toward Kat and for a split second she thought she saw cat like slits and not pupils.

  Tia voice comes out soothing yet powerful, “It is good to meet you captain Wylde. I hope you know how special of a ship you have here.”

  “Oh I do. Were you talking to it just now?”

  Tia raises an eyebrow, “Maybe.”

  From behind Kat she hears a squeal that she has to believe is coming from Hanna or Terra. A squeal like the could only come from a woman. She turns around to see that it isn’t either of them. It’s Graven. With his arms close to his chest and fists shaking back and forth under his chin in utter excitement. Kat has never seen him act this way and frankly doesn’t like his enthusiasm. One things for certain she isn’t going to be leaving the two of them alone for any extended period of time.

  Graven squeals out, “Sister!”

  He runs over and gives Tia a big bear hug and twirls her around in the air. Kat is pretty sure that she heard him say sister but knows he never had any siblings and his whole family got slaughtered by rebel and guild forces. Why would he be calling her sister.