Shalia's Diary Omnibus

by Tracy St. John

  Wow. What drama, and for once it’s not mine. I sure hope Matthew pulls his act together for everyone’s sake. In the meanwhile, Katrina can enjoy being with the clan she loves.

  August 23

  I heard from Clan Aslada. Jaon’s contacts reported a Nang sighting on a small outpost at the far end of Alneusian space. That was a couple of weeks ago. He’s moving slowly, but he’s coming. Jaon continued to insist Nang won’t get anywhere near me once I’m on Kalquor because he’ll keep an eye on things.

  The rest of their message was what I’d requested: sharing everyday events. Jaon was about to go on a trip to track down a Nobek suspected of terrorist threats against Joshada. Good heavens, who threatens Joshadans? Those pretty little furballs are as peaceful a race as can be imagined.

  Aslada is campaigning for a second Matara Complex to be built on his continent ... and specifically in his territory. “Once other Earthers understand how much we wish to take care of you, we’ll need the second facility. In the long run, we’ll need several complexes. Many of you will join us,” he said with proud assurance.

  Ah, wait until he discovers what complicated creatures we Earthers are. He might be in for a few surprises, but I believe his heart is in the right place. Who knows? Maybe he’s correct.

  Meyso has three surgeries scheduled this week. “I’m tired just thinking about it,” he grinned. “That’s what I deserve for working so close to a Nobek advanced training camp.”

  “As long as you operate better than you cook,” Jaon snorted.

  Meyso rolled his eyes. “I burned breakfast this morning. I’ll have to listen to Jaon’s complaints about it for at least two days.”

  “All you had to do was hit the monitor switch to keep it from happening. How hard is that?”

  “And you’ve never forgotten anything, have you?” Meyso winked at me. “There’s a Nobek who has a terrible habit of leaving his portable com everywhere he goes. Last week alone, the Nobek in question lost it at three restaurants, the shuttle service garage...”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know.”

  “...the local police station, the courthouse...”

  Jaon bared fangs at his clanmate. “You realize people have permanently disappeared for telling my secrets.”

  Meyso was not impressed. “...under the seat in his shuttle, at the gym – am I forgetting any others?”

  Jaon offered a rude gesture to the Imdiko. Aslada laughed at the pair. It’s great to see them loosening up more and more. Betra’s idea to regularly send messages has been excellent.

  For all the lightheartedness I enjoyed however, Jaon had reminded me that I still had a major problem on the loose. Nang was a long distance off, but he weighed heavily on my mind.

  I’d discovered a problem in my knife training lately. It’s my favorite form of combat, and everyone has been pleased with my progress in it for the most part. As far as form and basic skills, I’m doing great. I can defend myself pretty well against a blade attack. Still, Kalquorians are much larger than me. My instructor Nobek Idow and I have worked hard to overcome the issue of reach. I’m finding it hard to sneak in close enough to make a hit without him tagging me first. No matter what we do, I can’t mount a decent offensive unless it’s by surprise. Idow and I are frustrated, because he hasn’t had to train someone as short as me. He’s only dealt with adult male Kalquorians.

  Idow had already mentioned I should ask the advice of my circle’s best expert in the matter. With Jaon’s report fresh on my mind, I shot off a message to Nobek Larten. I described to him what we’d tried and how our attempts were coming up ... no pun intended ... short. Hopefully he’ll have some kind of fix.

  Having finished that bit of business, I turned to check on Anrel, who was lying on a blanket in the middle of the sitting room. I’d set up the vid recorder, along with the monitor so that she could watch herself. It was recording, because there is not an instant unworthy of preserving when it comes to Anrel. I’m a bit crazy when it comes to that. I’ve never met a picture of her I didn’t adore.

  She’d been lying on her back, kicking her feet in the air and gurgling at her own image to her right, occasionally squealing with delight. She enjoyed seeing the ‘other baby’ next to her.

  My mouth dropped open. Anrel had rolled over on her tummy, the first instance she’d done so. She faced her doppelganger, making chattering sounds as if telling her new friend all the secrets of the world. She raised herself on her elbows as I watched, jerking with excitement. Apparently, she’d gotten to the adventure portion of her tale. She sank down, but by no means lost a beat in her conversation.

  I got down on the floor and crawled over. “Look at you! Look at my big girl rolling over and raising herself up. Good girl, Anrel! I have to send this to your granddads and grandmom Joelle. They’ll be so proud!”

  She gave me a broad, toothless smile. Oh, she is so amazing. I am the luckiest woman ever.

  August 24

  We had another evacuation alarm go off. Once again, an Earther battlecruiser, Bi’isil hunter-killers, and Tragoom vessels were detected. Once again, they flew out of sensor range as soon as our ships alerted.

  There was no way to positively identify them as the same spacecraft that had interrupted our dance club opening, but it’s plenty clear we’re being tracked. Regular ship evacuation drills have been increased. Oses told me that the empire is sending more destroyers to meet up with us. Our slowpoke transport is about two weeks from the border of Kalquorian space. The additional destroyers should reach us in five days.

  Wow, I just realized how close we are to Kalquor. From the border, it is a two-week trip to the home planet itself, give or take a day or two. I’ll be there in an Earth month.

  That’s not all the news. Katrina changed her mind about joining Wotref’s clan in a few years. She went ahead and did it.

  “Fuck it,” she told me and Candy when we came to her quarters, answering her invitation. She poured us all drinks to celebrate. “I was going to do it anyhow. I love the lugs. We’re running out of time before we reach Kalquor, and word is this ship is returning to Earth after a two-week layover. I’m spending every second I can as the Matara of Clan Wotref.”

  “And your son?” Candy’s tone was hesitant.

  “Matthew can think what he will. If he believes I’m doing it to irritate him, then he doesn’t know his mom at all.” Katrina looked at her glass of bohut, her eyes misty. “As for the grandchildren ... well, I believed they had to be dead when I left Earth. That they’re not can keep me sane for a little while. Maybe if Matthew doesn’t pull his head out of his ass before they’re grown, they’ll come to visit me on their own.”

  “You can send them messages through your daughter,” I suggested.

  “I’ve considered that too. Life is now, my dearest friends. We can’t postpone it in the hopes of what tomorrow might or might not bring us. Toast me, Matara Katrina of Clan Wotref. May God have mercy on my men.”

  We laughed and raised our glasses to her. Anrel sat on my lap, and I helped her raise her bottle to her Grammy’s wonderful fortune and joy.

  After our initial sips, Katrina asked, “Who’s up for helping me pack all my crap?”

  That brought on cries of anguish from me and Candy. Katrina would be moving in with her mates. Duh. We hadn’t thought of that in the excitement of the announcement.

  “Why aren’t the guys helping you?” Candy asked when the rush of dismay ebbed.

  “Ret will when his schedule allows. He’ll probably do most of the moving itself. Wotref is busy with those enemy vessels following us around. Siko has his hands full for the same reason since all of Security is on alert. Besides, as deft as he is with a blaster, he’s hopelessly clumsy when it comes to pretty decorations.” Katrina narrowed her eyes at the vases, statuettes, and other mementos she’d brought from home and collected during our voyage. “I think that Nobek drops stuff on purpose. If it doesn’t have a practical use, he doesn’t want it ‘junking up’ his space. The ma
n pretends he doesn’t have a sentimental bone in his body.”

  I reflected on how the battered warrior treated Anrel, hugging and kissing and calling her his becu. “We know better.”

  Katrina grinned at me. “Yes, we do. I told him for each of my tchotchkes that hits the floor, he’ll have to watch me cry for an hour. What I can’t win through violence, I’ll take through manipulation.”

  We burst into laughter at her means of controlling the ferocious Nobek. Katrina is wonderfully devious. I should take lessons from her. I can’t get over on Oses or Betra to save my life.

  “Are you going to have a ceremony of some sort?” Candy asked. “Anrel could be the flower girl! She’d be so cute. Shalia could carry her down the aisle. You should do it up and knock your clan’s socks off. I saw the most delicious wedding gown in Acquisitions. No one has claimed it yet.”

  “Because it’s a frothy horror of bows and lace.” Katrina wrinkled her nose. “Prophets save us, Candy, I’ve already been married three times. And fucked a platoon of Kalquorians! If I put on a white dress, the universe will turn itself inside out.”

  We laughed again. Anrel crowed with us. Katrina gasped in horror and slapped a hand over her mouth as she realized what she’d said in front of the baby.

  “Shalia, I’m so sorry! Anrel, don’t listen to Grammy’s nasty mouth. Come here and sit with me so I don’t forget myself again. I swear worse than Siko.”

  I let Katrina hold Anrel. There is nothing like a having a baby around to remind us how bad of potty mouths we have. I speak from experience. I shudder to think what my daughter’s first word might be.

  “I’m forever forgetting to watch my language. Don’t worry about it.” I excused Katrina for the lapse. “Is there to be a ceremony?”

  “Right here on the ship. My guys have spent most of their adult lives with this crew, and their immediate families are deceased. Matthew wouldn’t come anywhere near such a thing. Hope, as understanding as she is, wouldn’t be comfortable. You girls are my family, so I want you there along with the friends I’ve made on board the Pussy ‘Porter.”

  I had my own romantic turn. “It’s perfect, Katrina. Committing publicly right here where you met and fell in love.”

  It sounded sappy, but Katrina got watery-eyed again. She took a swallow of bohut to cover it up before continuing. “They’re leaving most of the details to me as far as the ceremony is concerned. Wotref and Siko aren’t spiritual, but Ret did say he’d prefer the Temple of Life priest who’s on board to oversee the spoken commitments. I’m considering a quick, painless exchange of vows, then a major party in the club.”

  “Make yourself and your clan happy,” I encouraged. “It’s your day after all.” I finished my drink and refused a refill. I rarely drink when Anrel is awake, but this was a special occasion. A glass wouldn’t make me an incompetent mother. “Are you still planning to work at the Matara Complex?”

  “I’ve got to keep busy while my boys are out here saving the universe, don’t I? Besides, I enjoy making my own money and contributing to our future. Until they retire, the plan stays the same.”

  We chattered on, discussing options for the ceremony and reception. We decided we would pack Katrina’s belongings over the next couple of days. “Except for necessities, I may not unpack any of it,” she said. “Is it me, or didn’t we just leave Earth? Where did the last eight months go?”

  Some of it is a blur. I can’t believe we’re nearing the end.

  I was feeling bittersweet as Candy and I left Katrina that evening. She was having dinner with her new clanmates and wanted to take a shower. Candy noted my quietness.

  “Weird to be almost to Kalquor, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “Yeah.” I hugged Anrel close to me. She had fallen asleep and was warm against my chest. “How are you dealing with it?”

  Candy shrugged. “Okay. I’ve noticed Ama and Mihi starting to pull away. They’re preparing for goodbyes.” She gave me side eye. “What about Oses and Betra?”

  I swallowed against the sudden constriction in my throat. “We’re the same as ever. We’re doing as Katrina says; living in the now as much as we can. Thank the prophets they’ll have each other when I’m gone.”

  “Are you going to be okay with it?”

  I drew a deep breath. “I have to be. I’ll always care about them. But I knew from the beginning this is temporary. I’ll be fine when the end comes.”

  “So you say today.”

  “I won’t pretend I don’t wonder how it could have been if things were different.” I paused and turned to Candy. “I wouldn’t change a thing though. Maybe this is wonderful because it can’t be more. It could be the intensity and danger have made us what we are to each other. Who can tell how we’d do in a quieter life, day in and day out?”

  Candy laughed. “You can’t do normal, Shalia. One scrape after another. Yeah, a normal existence might be something the three of you wouldn’t cope with so well.”

  I had to join in on her humor. “I’d sure like to try normal and quiet. I’ve had enough adventure to fill two lives.”

  We kept walking. By unspoken agreement, we ended up in the dining room. Food was coming out of the ovens.

  I settled my slumbering baby against my shoulder as I ate. “As okay as I am to go on to the next chapter of my life in four weeks, I still wish I could make the days slow down. It’s as if every hour flies by in a second. I’m feeling robbed of the time I want to spend with Oses and Betra.”

  Candy nodded. “It can’t help that Oses is preoccupied with those ships stalking us. He’s having to spend most of his waking hours on the bridge, isn’t he?”

  My mood turned glummer than ever. “He did tell me he would try to free up a couple hours tonight. Betra’s supposed to sleep over.”

  Candy considered for a few seconds. “I don’t have any plans tonight. Ama and Mihi are as busy as everyone else with us being on high alert. Why don’t you let me keep Anrel? Get some fun in with the guys while you can?”

  I felt a rush of warmth for my friend. “Really? Are you sure?”

  “Of course.” Candy snickered. “If Anrel sleeps, I could work on my list of prospective clans. If she doesn’t, it’ll be an excuse to continue putting it off.”

  “Thanks, Candy.” I beamed at her. “I owe you.”

  “Nah. It’s what friends are for.”

  After dinner we went to my quarters and collected Anrel’s diaper bag. She was awake when Candy left with her. The pair were cooing at each other as they departed.

  I wondered if Oses would be able to break away. I knew Betra would show up, so I freshened up my makeup and made sure my hair was as tidy as my lackluster styling abilities would allow. Then I opened my closet.

  I didn’t have a ton of clothes, but what I had collected for myself was pretty nice. Still, I couldn’t find anything I wanted to wear. I filed through everything five times. Nothing appealed to me.

  “Ugh, at this rate I’ll end up answering the door naked,” I said out loud.

  There was an idea. Which led to another idea. Okay. Problem solved.

  When the door announce went off I called, “Enter,” from the bedroom. I’d thought about waiting for Betra in the sitting room, but worried someone else might pass by and spot me. Um, no thanks.

  I heard the expected single pair of footsteps, but it was four booted feet that showed up at my bedroom door. Oh goodie, Oses had shown up. I’d know those big hooves anywhere, especially since I recognized the scratches along the toe of his right boot and the scuff marks on both.

  I didn’t see his or Betra’s faces. I knelt in Oses’s favorite position for me: legs wide open, hands laced behind my neck with elbows flung to the side, breasts lifted, eyes cast down to gaze at the floor.

  “Look at what we have here, Imdiko,” rumbled the Nobek’s approval. “A sweet pet to play with.”

  “Very nice.” Betra’s tone was almost as dark as his companion’s. “I’m feeling very playful tonight.”
>
  “As am I. How long before you must fetch the baby, pet?”

  I licked my lips. Holy smokes, I was already wet in anticipation. Contemplating their reaction to finding me in such a state had aroused me. “Candy says whenever we’re done. My masters may spend all the time they wish with this grateful pet.”

  That got a couple of growls. My skin erupted into goosebumps at the sound.

  “I have an idea.” Betra’s voice was thick.

  Oses: “I’m listening.”

  “We’ll take turns telling her what to do with each other. She serves you under my command and vice versa.”