A voice piped through the ship’s communication system. “Welcome to Luxoria Spaceport Alpha. You are cleared for thirty-six hours to refuel and reload. Please register with the dockmaster upon disembarking. Enjoy your stay.”
With a loud hiss, the hatch pulled open and lowered itself to the hardened surface, forming a staircase. Captain Danverse and Sergeant Jacks were the first to disembark as the rest of the crew shut down the final systems.
A short, wide man in an olive jumpsuit, carrying a flat holographic pad terminal, walked up to the ship. He stopped short of the ship’s hatch and waited as information about the Santa Claus was displayed over the device in his palm. With quick fingers, he filed and sorted through the floating information until he stopped, smiling with a raised brow on the image of Danverse. After an extended pause, he took a cursory glance through the rest of the ship’s command staff.
“Greetings, Captain Danverse, Sergeant Jacks.” His attention focused almost solely on the captain. “I’m Daniel Wallings, the Alpha Gamma dockmaster. I’ll need a DNA ID scan, please.” With a swipe of his finger, the data pad’s graphics changed. Both men took turns placing their hands into the holographic display to confirm their identities. The pad’s lettering turned green and Wallings smiled.
“Thank you, gentlemen. You are cleared for a thirty-six-hour stay. Fueling crews will begin their procedure in one hour. For safety and liability purposes, once fueling has begun, no one may enter or leave the ship for the following six hours. Customs scans and cargo loading and unloading will be done afterward. Passengers may board no sooner than within the last six hours of your leave. Do you have any questions?”
“Just where I can find a decent bite to eat.” Danverse flashed a charming grin and a subtle growl. He puffed out his chest and subtly towered over the smaller man.
“The market district has the best range of cantinas, sir.” Wallings began stuttering and a blush colored his cheeks. “It’s where most visitors go to, um…eat. There are transports to every district.” Wallings shivered slightly as he lowered his head, looking up at the captain through his lashes.
Danverse leered at the dockmaster. “Thank you, Daniel. I will be sure to get in touch with you if I need anything else.”
Gaze locked onto Danverse, Wallings missed Liam rolling his eyes. With a polite nod, Liam and Danverse strode out of the landing reception area and headed for a transport to the market district.
Liam shook his head and sighed. “Was that really necessary?”
“It never hurts to get the man in charge on your side during business. If I have to fuck the little guy to get us out of here on time, I will.” Danverse chuckled. “It’s nice to hear you talking again, by the way. You’ve barely spoken since you woke up.”
A sadness crept into Liam’s features as he shifted, turning his face away from Danverse. He was feeling sane again, but an incredible shame came along with the method.
“I’m fine.” Liam was a strong man, but being in the presence of the man who had seen him at his weakest, at his most unguarded, unsettled him. It wasn’t the first session with his best friend, but this time had been more severe than any in the past. The force of his climax was devastating and mind-numbing; he had never come so hard before. The need for the pain and submission to release the rending guilt made Liam feel soiled. Not because he liked it so much, but because he couldn’t be more than a good friend to the man who could bring that out in him.
Danverse had, on more than one occasion, been witness to the demons Liam harbored; his ability to help was one thing that drew Liam to him. Their sessions beat down the guilt and terrors, but it wasn’t right. It wasn’t romance bringing them together. They used each other to find something they couldn’t find anywhere else, and they both knew it. Liam needed more even if he sometimes felt he didn’t deserve it. They would always be connected in some fashion, but life mates? No. In the end, that wasn’t possible.
The captain’s firm hand wrapped around Liam’s biceps, pivoting him and forcing his attention.
“Did I take you too far?” Danverse’s focused blue eyes bore into Liam.
“No.”
“Liam. Talk to me. I know I pushed you hard last night, but it’s how I read it.” The words were hushed, meant only for Liam.
“I know, Marc. You didn’t do anything wrong. But it’s still too fresh.” Liam turned his head away and raised his outstretched hand. “Give me a little space. I’ll be all right. I just need to clear my head a bit. Don’t worry. I’ll be back in plenty of time for cargo changeover.”
With a gentle pull, Liam released himself from Danverse’s hand. It didn’t take much. The captain didn’t resist as Liam put some distance between them and flagged a transport. He chanced a glance over his shoulder as Danverse stood unmoving, his demeanor deflating. Liam turned away when he couldn’t look anymore at the pleading stare in his best friend’s eyes.
AN ARTIFICIAL BREEZE wafted through the port. Every station had a similar texture. The miniature cities were the transition between the real world and his life among the stars. Danverse had little need for the real world and rarely visited it beyond the spaceports. His little piece of reality where he was king suited him better. Only right now he couldn’t enjoy it. The transport carrying his best friend glided away and he wondered if he had harmed Liam more than helped.
Danverse had always been in the scene. He could barely remember his own indoctrination, but it began shortly after the death of his mother. The how and why never seemed to be important; it simply was. Danverse never apologized for his tastes and never hid them. He dominated his partners and they responded in kind…when he could find them.
Liam was never intended to be a part of it. They had become friends in the Marines well before Alpha Centauri plunged itself into civil war. Being five years older, he found himself taking Liam under his wing. He mentored Liam through his training and the two bonded. Finding two non-heteros without a sexual agenda was uncommon in the ranks. Danverse being the superior officer was never a factor in their jobs or their friendship. They found a common interest in vids, alcohol, and locker-room talk about their sexual conquests. Before long, they were inseparable.
Liam had never flinched over Danverse’s tastes. He even seemed to enjoy the stories. Their relationship was a perfect camaraderie.
Then Belathius Pointe had happened.
Danverse closed his eyes tight as he paused and took a deep breath. It would be better if some memories never resurfaced.
Following Belathius Pointe, Liam had been swallowed by guilt and horror. His moods were uncontrollable and sudden; he’d vacillated between sullen and enraged without notice. He had been drowning. The captain had his own regrets but more self-control and managed far better than his best friend. Two weeks after the incident, Danverse had been having a drink with Liam, trying to help him find a way to cope.
He wasn’t even sure how it happened. It hadn’t been planned; he had no intention of ever bedding Liam. The whiskey, emotion, and closeness allowed them to cross a line. Liam begged to be fucked harder and rougher, and in the heat of the moment, Danverse complied. Afterward, once they were sticky and sated, Liam seemed to find a sense of peace.
There was some awkwardness the next morning, but they managed to survive it. The civil war had ended, and with the surplus of personnel, they were both offered buyouts on their military contracts. Danverse purchased the Santa Claus and began his life away from the chaos of the real world. Liam wasted no time in accepting his offer to be his first mate.
Before long, Liam began periodically appearing at his door, distraught, and the rough sex that followed would give him some form of absolution. It started simply enough, but over time, it escalated to a level more extreme than Danverse had expected Liam capable of. The sessions had become more and more brutal.
Last night had been especially scary. As exciting as Liam’s complete submission was, Danverse was all too aware how tenuous his own control had been. Accepting Liam�
�s trust came with an immense obligation, and Danverse had nearly abused him beyond his need. There had to be a better way to help Liam, but he wasn’t ready to let him go. He felt too responsible for him and too connected to him.
With a heavy sigh, he drew a small com-pad from his pocket and pulled up his station itinerary. His time was limited, and he had errands to run. He tapped out a quick message to Gamin, the ship’s cook, and then went back to his list. With a quick analysis, he put things in order to make the chores as efficient as possible.
Dropping the pad back into his pocket, he flagged a transport of his own. Liam had said he was coming back and would find his way home; Danverse had to believe that. He wasn’t prepared for any other possibility.
LIAM EXITED THE transport and stepped into the herd of travelers and merchants in the market district. Distance made the earlier events seem smaller, and he began to immerse himself in the foreign place.
Luxoria had a reputation for opulence and quality, having been settled centuries ago by the wealthiest families and corporations during the Great Migration. The spaceport was no exception. The marketplace’s architecture was immaculate and beautifully designed; the flawless construction was the obvious mark of the highest quality. Maintenance droids kept the rows of businesses free of dirt and clutter. The many shops occupying the district were stacked over each other in multiple levels connected by gravity lifts.
Not wanting to risk becoming lost, Liam walked over to a holographic information kiosk in the center of the walkway.
“Restaurant list, please. Moderately priced. Cooked, not synthesized. Quiet.”
A list of options floated before him. Choosing one at random, Liam reached forward and touched its name. The blue text flashed yellow and, with a quick-sync transmission, a golden arrow graphic projected itself from the communication device around his ear. Liam followed the pointer as he looked around at the various stores along the way.
One store showed a menagerie of exotic pets from various worlds in the cluster. What an awful thing to deal with in space. Mac would have a stroke cleaning up Argarian bird shit. Liam was glad they didn’t allow pets on the Santa Claus.
He walked past several women’s boutiques and stopped in a men’s shop where he ordered a few tunics and breeches to replace ones he’d torn over the last few months. He also picked out a few new jockstraps. Never have enough of them. Payment was made by DNA ID scan and Subspace Link to his private account. Once he’d ordered the purchases sent to the docking bay, Liam was back on his way.
Rising up one level via the lift, and following one more row to the end of a long string of establishments, Liam found himself at the entrance of Café Aroma. He stepped inside the darkened, intimate space and was greeted by the fragrance of exquisite spices that left him with an instant hunger.
The host led him to a tall bistro table barely large enough for two, leaving the menu pad in front of him. He felt ridiculous climbing onto the tiny stool and considered asking to be moved to a larger space, but he didn’t have the energy to complain. Paging through the choices, he settled on a glass of whiskey and a large bowl of Bandish stew. Another DNA scan placed the order, and a server brought over the drink in a squat tumbler.
It was between main meal hours so the café population was sparse. Liam sipped the full-bodied drink as he surveyed the room’s few occupants. A young couple talked quietly as they ate, their heated stares only for one another. An older gentleman chewed his meal while engrossed in his Subspace Link browser.
Liam was fascinated by the last customer. The man was covered in a knee-length hooded cloak made of worn leather, and heavy black leggings. He sat sipping his drink and eating his meal, doing nothing out of the ordinary. In the darkness and with the hood drawn, Liam was unable to see what the man looked like, and the bulkiness of the robe disguised his shape. Having the hood up indoors struck Liam as unusual, but having seen enough culture variations over the years, he let it pass. Other than looking in Liam’s direction when he’d entered, the hooded man had done nothing to draw attention to himself.
Liam couldn’t understand why he found the hooded man so alluring. He couldn’t even see his face. Perhaps it was the way the man tried to be nondescript. It was subtle. Most wouldn’t see it, but a good security chief would have a talent for noticing things that were out of place.
The man was sitting in a restaurant on a planet Liam was unfamiliar with. Maybe he just wanted to be left alone.
He finished his drink and signaled for a second. Minutes later, the server appeared with a steaming bowl of Bandish stew and a fresh drink. The savory aroma made Liam’s mouth water. It had been long weeks since he’d had the opportunity to enjoy his favorite dish. For him, it was the ultimate comfort food, and he eagerly tucked in.
The server walked away in the direction of the hooded man. The man reached out, without looking, a split second before the server tripped on the rug and dropped the empty glass into the man’s outstretched hand. He handed the glass back to her, and she stood there looking startled. She stammered a quick “Thank you” before rushing into the back.
How odd. That almost seemed rehearsed. His hand was out before she tripped.
Liam shook his head. It had nothing to do with him. He levered another heaping spoon of heaven into his mouth. The stew was far more important, and he still had at least five hours to burn before it was time to go back to the ship.
“PASSENGER BOARDING FOR the Santa Claus to Alpha Centauri Prime has now begun. Please stay within the yellow safety markers and have your itineraries available for review.”
Liam always hated this part. He waited at the hatch with Captain Danverse to greet passengers. Well, Danverse greeted them while Liam verified their IDs and assigned quarters. It was a tedious project. As a cargo vessel, the Santa Claus was hardly a luxury excursion. Amenities were minimal and the ship was old. Passengers typically chose them because the cost was affordable. The trick was to make sure you didn’t have someone on board who was homicidal or on the run from the authorities. Danverse had created a nice little world for himself with few issues. He wouldn’t tolerate anything that might put himself and his crew at risk.
Station protocols required them to allow passengers a three-hour window to board, and there were only four reservations on this run. He knew Danverse didn’t mind. The cargo was where he made the most money, but the occasional traveler kept things interesting. In near silence for almost an hour, the two men sat patiently in a pair of comfortable collapsible chairs from the ship, awaiting the first voyager.
Danverse finally broke the quiet. “Find a good batch of Bandish stew?”
Liam’s brow arched as he turned to the captain. “How did you know?”
“It’s what you always crave when everything implodes.”
“Am I that predictable?” Liam grunted.
Danverse shrugged. “I wouldn’t say predictable. I just know you.”
“Bandish stew reminds me of my mother. She’d make it for me whenever I had a bad day. She never made it any other time.”
“That’s a nice way to remember her. My family life was a lot less maternal. No wonder I joined the military as soon as I was old enough.”
Danverse turned to him, and Liam could see the question before it was asked.
“Liam, are we going to be all right?” Danverse hadn’t stopped fidgeting since he returned to the dock. The air of unease was so out of character for the captain. Liam didn’t like it. Danverse not being in charge would upset the sense of order to his universe.
Liam sighed. “Yeah. We’ll be fine. I’m just a little embarrassed by it all. I wish I could find a better way to bury the past.”
“You will. And you let me know if you need help with anything.”
Liam snorted. “Pervert.”
“Not just that.” Danverse laughed. “I mean with anything you need.”
“I know.” It felt like the first time he’d smiled in days.
Soon after that, the first p
assenger came aboard. Dr. Davis Cellus was a professor in his fifties who had been on sabbatical and would be heading back to his regular life. He was heavyset, with a thin goatee and shaved head, dressed in comfortable clothing that spoke of a meager wage, but his manner indicated a modest lifestyle. Liam was convinced his accounts were heavier than he let on.
They turned the second passenger away. Clearly she had ignored the “No Hetero, No Female” rule. She had to be escorted off by station security when she started arguing. Danverse maintained that Mrs. Claus insisted she would be the only female on the ship. Liam knew better.
Danverse hadn’t always placed such restrictions on passengers, but the ship wasn’t designed with separate facilities. Privacy wasn’t a focus on a military vessel, and he didn’t want to spend the currency on making the changes. Voyages lasting easily six or more weeks at a time became tedious with complaints from hetero passengers unhappy about walking in on crew members having sex in the shower room or other areas. Danverse had no interest in changing the men’s habits. Non-hetero passengers complained less or joined in. According to Danverse, since they didn’t have passengers on every trip, removing orientation and gender issues made the whole process a lot easier. The captain liked it that way. Liam never saw the need for the policy and discussed the sense of it to Danverse on several occasions, but in the end, Danverse had final say. It was his ship after all.
Marley Keyes was next. He was a rough-looking man with a medium build heading for a new job opportunity on Alpha Centauri. He seemed uncomfortable and maintained an iron grip on the satchel strapped around his shoulder. Marley claimed to have never been off planet before. Liam was suspicious of the twitchy man, but the background check came up clean, so Marley joined the ship.
The boarding period was almost over before the last person on the manifest appeared. Liam had to remind himself not to stare. It was the hooded man from the café.
“I am Hadrian Jamison. I should have a reservation for passage to Alpha Centauri. I hope I am in the right place.” The man’s rich voice bore a delicate accent. Liam checked his list and scanned the man’s hand. He seemed hesitant to be registered. Wanting him to feel welcome, Liam gave the data a cursory glance and then turned the pad off. Danverse threw a questioning look in his direction.
The Luxorian Fugitive Page 3
