The Space Merchants

by Wendie Nordgren

  "Hello, Hiroshi. May I get you something to drink?" He had opened the cold storage unit.

  "Please, tea," he said. I made it for him and placed it on the table. "Did you clean all day? Tora looks good."

  "Thank you. I still need to clean the bridge though." I didn't break that rule, ever. I made myself something to eat. "Where is everyone?' I asked.

  "Phillip, the last I heard, went to the brothel to check on patients recovering there. Yukihyo may be on deck two running weapons diagnostics." Hiroshi finished eating. "It has been a very long day. I am going to bed." He started to pick up his dishes.

  "Leave them," I said. He nodded to me and left.

  I waited up for Yukihyo for as long as I could. When I woke up the next morning, it was just me and the birds. The covers and pillow next to me proved he had slept there at some point. I showered and dressed. I spent the entire day alone. I completed all of my simulation hours, driving in a very proper manner. I walked a few miles on the treadmill. I ate. I started reading a biography about Captain Espanoza. I watched a movie. On the vid-screen in my room, I learned that fifteen miners had lost their lives in the Parvac attack. Refugees helped salvage what remained. Recovery efforts were underway. A memorial service would take place tomorrow at the site with a dedication of a monument a few of the miners had created from stone and inscribed with the names of the friends whom they had lost. That was all that I could learn from the news. Trapped on Tora with nothing else to do, I went to sleep.

  The next morning when I woke up, Yukihyo was holding me the way he was supposed to. I hugged him tightly. "I've missed you. Where have you been?" He kissed me.

  Then he said, "I made sure our weapons were completely operational. Then, I began repairs to a section of the hull. I supervised the refueling of Tora. Finally, I found Devan and apologized both to him and also to Ms. Laura."

  "You've been busy." Yukihyo ran his hand down my arm.

  "Hiroshi took an order for new drilling equipment. The refugees, some of them, have decided to stay and work under supervisors to establish a new facility. We are making a quick run to Amphictyon to make the purchases and then bringing them back here."

  "When do we leave?"

  "Tomorrow or late tonight. We will attend the service for the miners today."

  "Did you know any of them?" I asked.

  "We knew all of them."

  "I'm sorry, Yukihyo."

  "I know." I kissed his neck. He had already lost his entire clan. Now, the Parvacs had taken from him yet again.

  "You helped avenge them. I watched through the vid-screen. I watched as you fired all of those shots and destroyed them." Yukihyo kissed me, rolling me underneath him. As I spread my thighs apart for him, his weight settled against me, and I could feel the soft hairs from his legs tickle my skin. Yukihyo buried himself inside of me. He cradled my head with one hand and with his other, he clutched at the back of my thigh. He rocked into me over and over until my thoughts shattered. Once we had disentangled ourselves, much of the morning had passed. We showered and I dressed. Yukihyo went to his quarters for clean clothes. I made the bed and went to the kitchen.

  Phillip teased Yukihyo. "I'm glad you finally took my advice about that rigid appendage that has been plaguing you for so many mornings. Your ability to walk and think seems improved." Hiroshi kicked Phillip under the table.

  "Thank you, Hiroshi. Now that I actually understand what Phillip is usually joking about, I appreciate your efforts." Still, I couldn't help the blush covering my cheeks. It didn't feel like the blush was going away either. I made myself a cup of coffee while Yukihyo brought me some yogurt and granola. I got a spoon. Thankfully, Hiroshi changed the subject. We would leave for the memorial service in an hour. Hiroshi filled us all in on the load of mining equipment we would pick up on Amphictyon. It was at one of the manufacturing compounds located on the very industrialized planet. Unlike the abundant fuel resources found under Malta's surface, Amphictyon had an ample wealth of the ores used in the construction of all manner of metal workings. The inhabitants made their livings in extraction, processing, and manufacturing. The project leader of the new mining installation had already made contact with an administrator. The equipment Tora was picking up was being packaged for safe shipment. Hiroshi and Yukihyo left to check the cargo bay. Phillip stayed.

  "I want to thank you, Teagan." I turned to him.

  "You're welcome. I'm glad you aren't angry that I went into your quarters for it without asking." Phillip shook his head and laughed.

  "Not for my laundry, but that was nice, too. Your volunteer work at the hospital helped us a lot. You were thoughtful to put that food in a clean break room. That gave us a boost in morale and some much needed energy." I blushed, again.

  "Yukihyo helped along with some men who I don't really know." Phillip stayed seated at the table.

  "Teagan, you realize I'm a doctor. You have been, and I still consider you to be a patient, as well as a younger sister. I know you and Yukihyo have begun an intimate relationship." I wanted to crawl into the floor and disappear. This could not be happening. "I also know, since treating you, that this is unfamiliar territory. I'm not trying to embarrass you. Just know that if you have questions or concerns, you can come to me, and I promise I will never tell anyone. Okay?" I thought my face might catch fire. "Teagan?"

  "Fine," I managed. Phillip stood up and hugged me.

  His mouth against my hair, he said, "I managed to save Yukihyo's body, repair the damage, all of those years ago, but his life only came back to him when he met you." Phillip kissed the top of my head, pulling away to look into my eyes. "Don't ever feel ashamed of that, Cupcake." I nodded.

  "I just really don't feel right talking about the private physical stuff out loud."

  "I know. It's okay." He left the kitchen. I was relieved. I knew he meant well, but the conversation had just about killed me.

  The service for the miners was held at the site of the attack. Captain Espanoza and her officers presided in full dress uniform. She thanked Captain Hiroshi Lee for his brave assistance in the defense of Malta. Captain Espanoza assured Malta's citizens that another Galaxic Militia ship would arrive within hours. She and the captain of the other ship had already formulated a planned defense grid that soldiers would set up around the perimeter of each mining facility to better protect them against any future aerial assaults. The miners expressed their gratitude for the security upgrades.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After the service we returned to Tora. Not long after, Captain Espanoza gave Hiroshi clearance to depart for Amphictyon, since the other ship was within planetary range. Our destination was only about a day and a half away. Yukihyo and Hiroshi spent most of that time on the bridge scanning for Parvac threats. The trip was uneventful. Tora arrived safely. At Amphictyon's land port, workers waited to begin loading the heavy mining machinery. I stood with Phillip on the dock. "Will Tora be able to get off of the ground with all of that stuff?" I asked.

  "It won't be a problem for her. They will be at this for hours, Teagan. There isn't much to do on this planet, but it does have lots of pavement for all of the trucks bringing deliveries to the port." Phillip had my full attention now. I started to get excited.

  "Phillip, are you saying what I think you're saying?"

  "Come on." I followed Phillip to the back of the ship and up the ramp. I went to the driver's side, but he stopped me.

  "I thought you were letting me drive."

  "Yes, but not where it is crowded with people, ships, and expensive cargo." I went around to the other side, and for the first time, I opened my own door. Phillip drove us out of Tora, through the land port, and to a road that led out to a factory far in the distance. He stopped the transport, and we traded places. My palms were sweating. I wiped them on my skirt. Phillip noticed.

  "Okay, Cupcake. Let's go." He had completely powered down the land transport. I took a deep breath, cleared my thoughts, and remembered all of the rules. I liked rules. I po
wered all of the systems. I checked all sensor readings for clearance. With each of my hands on the steering grips, I pushed my right thumb down on the acceleration button, and we began to move forward. I pressed forward on the grips to accelerate. I kept my hand grips parallel to keep going straight.

  Phillip said, "Now, please bring us to a stop." I released the pressure on my right thumb while pulling back on the hand grips and pressing down with my left thumb.

  "Alright. Good job. Now, take us to within a mile of that facility. Then, turn us around." I did. I followed all of the rules and was very careful. I drove us to our starting point. "Okay, stop here. How are our power levels?" I checked.

  "We have a full charge and reserves from the solar collectors."

  "In that case do you want to pick a new direction and keep driving?" I gave Phillip an enthusiastic yes. "Check your map, find an unpopulated area, and go." I pulled up the menu on the collapsible vid-screen. I brought up the course map and decided on the route with the fewest red population dots. I turned the transport and accelerated down the new path. I drove forward until we reached the intersection, and then I turned left.

  "Is it okay if I drive along the perimeter of the city? It looks like the roads form a square around the edges of it."

  Phillip said, "That's fine by me." Once we had skirted two edges of the city, I checked our systems. Everything was fine. I drove back to the area where Phillip had let me begin.

  "Well, you're a natural. Do you want to try a few more populated streets now?"

  "Sure!" I said. I didn't want to stop anytime soon. Phillip told me to drive to Flora's. I entered the name, and the vid-screen showed me the route. I had to turn around twice after making wrong turns, but eventually, I got us there. It wasn't very crowded.

  "Now, I want you to park and power down." It took me a little time to park correctly, but I did it and powered down. We got out and walked toward Flora's.

  When we entered, the beautiful smell of hot coffee hit me. I breathed in deeply. "It smells so good in here," I said.

  "Phillip! Is that you?" A woman darted around the counter and threw herself into Phillip's arms. Phillip twirled her around. Then, he placed her on her feet and kissed her. Phillip tickled her ribs, and she jumped back, laughing and swatting at him with her hand. A second lady behind the counter had finished serving a customer and waved at Phillip. Being no stranger to this behavior, I stepped toward the counter. I ordered a fancy coffee with chocolate and raspberry flavorings and whipped cream. The lady scanned my credit chip. I sat at a small table in front of a window and enjoyed my treat. Phillip approached me.

  "How would you like to take the transport out around the city again, but by yourself this time?" he asked. I perked up.

  "By myself? Really? Do you think Hiroshi would be okay with that?"

  Understanding, Phillip said, "It's fine. It's my land transport. Just don't scratch it. Come back here to pick me up."

  "It took over an hour to make it all the way around," I said. Phillip looked thoughtful.

  "You're right. The bathroom's that way," he pointed, "and I'll get you another coffee to go." Phillip went to the counter. I went to the bathroom. When I came out, Phillip handed me a lidded cup of the yummy chocolate raspberry coffee and told me to have fun.

  In the transport I raised a beverage holder on the left panel, brought up the systems, pulled up the clearest route, and carefully made my way to the roads surrounding the city. The power I commanded gave me an incredible feeling. I was in control and knew what I was doing. Phillip trusted me with his expensive transport. I, Teagan Green, navigated the roads of a distant planet, while sipping a fancy coffee. Not only had I accomplished learning to drive a transport, which most of the population would never do, but I was also seeing the galaxy from a spaceship. Then, of even greater magnitude, I had a beautiful, fierce, alien boyfriend, who loved and adored me. I had a family. I had never been happier. When I arrived back at Flora’s, I did a better job of parking this time. I sat down at a free table with the last bit of coffee in the cup and waited. Phillip and the lady entered from a door behind the counter. He looked like he was in an even better mood than I. Phillip walked over to me.

  "Ready to go?" he asked.

  "Sure." I put my coffee cup in a reclamation unit. Phillip walked over and got in on the passenger side. I got in.

  "Take us to Tora," Phillip said. Once there he let me drive up the ramp and maneuver the transport into its place. In the lift, he said, "Let's use the vid-screen in the kitchen." I followed him.

  Phillip pulled up official looking screens and filled in some information. He pressed his hand to the screen for a scan, and then had me to do the same. "Congratulations," he said. "Teagan Green possesses official galaxy class credentials for land transport operation," Philip said.

  "Seriously, Phillip? This is huge! If you guys were to fire me and kick me off of the ship, I could get a job making credits anywhere!"

  "Well, yes, but that will never happen. Do you want to learn how to operate the large land transport next?"

  "I'd love to. Phillip, thank you. I really enjoyed today."

  He responded, "So did I."

  "Yes, you seemed to enjoy grinding those coffee beans at Flora's." Phillip's eyes almost dislodged. Then, he burst out laughing. Yukihyo came in with Hiroshi. The workers had finished loading. After some dinner, we were heading back to Malta. "Phillip are you going to create another course for me for the large transport operations?" He smiled at me.

  "I sure will." I was eager to begin.

  "How did Teagan's first real driving experience go?" Hiroshi asked.

  "She's a natural. I linked the transport computer to central enforcer licensing and let her go. Her miles were recorded and monitored. I gave witness authorization, and the monitoring enforcer approved her on her first try. Teagan's credentials have been officially recorded." Hiroshi was pleased.

  Yukihyo said, "Way to go. I'm proud of you."

  "Thank you," I said. The guys stayed on the bridge most of the time on the return trip. They worried about a Parvac attack with the ship full of mining equipment. The program Phillip created for me went quickly. The controls for the large land transport, while very similar, were less of an issue. It was the maneuverability that was much different. More of my time was spent in simulation with the large land transport.

  Tora arrived on Malta. The cargo got unloaded. Hiroshi was paid. He also received a sizeable bonus from the Galaxic Militia. The higher authorities expressed appreciation for the speedy delivery of the mining equipment. Fuel production was important to the militia. Workers topped off our fuel reserves, and we left Malta. "We are about a week behind schedule. Our buyers wait for our deliveries. We should make good time to Arachne with an empty cargo hold," Yukihyo told me.

  "Arachne is where the lovely silk gowns you bought me are from, right?" Yukihyo's head rested on my chest.

  "It is, and I have plans to buy you much lovelier things once we arrive." I stroked my fingers through his hair.

  "You have spoiled me plenty already," I said. He nipped gently at me. "Stop that," I admonished.

  "Hiroshi and I will buy from many different producers while on Arachne. We may not have much time to spend together. The demand for Arachnean silk is high throughout the galaxies and for us, very profitable."

  "I can find something to do. Maybe I'll get to practice driving some more." Yukihyo raised up on an elbow to look at me.

  "With all of the credits Hiroshi just dumped into your account, you could do some shopping of your own. At some point in our brief stay, I must pay a visit to Sashka's mother. Do you remember her?"

  "Yes, of course. She had braids down to her knees, right?"

  "That is her. Will you go with me when I visit her?" Yukihyo asked.

  "Sure."

  Chapter Fifteen

  Through my vid-screen, I watched Tora's approach to Arachne. The planet looked like a green ball. As Tora grew closer, clearings, lakes, and streams
became visible. Arachne was famous for its silk. The inhabitants bred and raised spiders and then harvested their webs that were processed into silk thread. People took the threads and wove the beautiful fabrics designers used to create stunningly luxurious masterpieces coveted by people all over the galaxies. Highly specialized groups participated at each level of the process. After landing we all took the lift down to the transport bay.

  "Are you ready to invest those nice bonuses we made on Malta?" Hiroshi asked.

  "I sure am," said Phillip. "I've got some lady friends who might enjoy some gifts from here," Phillip said as he puffed out his chest.

  "Right, Felicia, Becca, Flora, and who knows who else," I said.

  Phillip frowned, "You're making me feel guilty. I was so overworked on Malta that I neglected at least two ladies there." Phillip winked at me.