by K. Rowe
As they walked on board, Karnis, his son Xetroiss, and Vikkis were waiting. “What’s this? A shore party?” Dar asked, taking his seat at the helm.
“No, Gwog is sending us down for supplies. Next stop is Newrillis and then onto Sirrix,” Jartis said as he closed the door.
“Lemme guess, picking up a shipment of arms?”
“Of course. Although Gwog isn’t very happy providing arms for a war he doesn’t believe in.”
“Yeah, I wonder just how long the Sirrixians and Bodnarians will go at it,” Dar said.
Jartis sat down in the copilot seat. “Oh, they’ve been going at it a few hundred years; don’t see them calling it quits any time soon.”
“If Gwog disapproves, why does he do it?”
“The drig’s good.”
“So is running rum for the Jamaraians.” Dar started up the engine and eased them out of the shuttle bay. Making a right turn, he headed for the planet. He sighed when he saw the big, tan, dusty planet. It wasn’t pretty, but it was home. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Krodus gazing out the window. In a way, he looked sad. Dar supposed that returning him to his father would bring a bit of shame on him. Krodus thought he’d escape Erotis and be on his own, living his life, and forgetting about everyone. Now he was being returned in a sorry state, to face his father as a complete failure.
Ten minutes later, they were settling on the planet. Dar shut down the engine, and Jartis opened the door once most of the dust cleared. “You said your mother worked at the general store?” Jartis asked.
“Well, she did. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her. But let’s stop there first.” The motley bunch walked down the street. The weather was quite warm for the month of Jukniss, the rains seemed strangely absent. Not much was going on, in fact, the town looked rather empty. Dar wondered if the settlement might be dying out. Perhaps those who could were leaving to try and find something better. Erotis was anything but a paradise; some farmed the patches of arable land, and the rest ran businesses in towns.
“When was the last time you saw her?” Vikkis asked.
“Oh, shit, I can’t remember.” He reached in his pocket and made sure the Uyonin bracelet he’d brought as a present was still there. “I wonder if a male has taken any interest in her?”
Jartis looked around. “Are there any here?”
“Yes, there are, but my mother isn’t a young female anymore, and we both know it’s rare for a purebred to take up with a female that has a half breed youngling.” Dar walked onto the porch of the store and peered into the window. “I don’t see her.”
Vikkis opened the door. “Well, we need supplies anyways.” He went in, followed by the others. “Hello?” he called.
“Just a minute,” a male voice replied.
“That doesn’t sound like your mother, Dar,” Jartis said, grabbing a few cans of Priddin jerky off the shelf.
“No, definitely not.” He watched as a small, young, purebred Tridun came from the storeroom. “Who are you?”
“Cogg. I was hired to work part time.” Cogg stood probably four and a half feet tall, had large frontal lobes on his forehead, and big blue eyes. His tan skin was stretched over a thin, almost emaciated body. Dar always thought the species looked odd, but that’s the way they were. Triduns were revered in the galaxy for their sharp business skills. The planet Tridius was a mecca for trade and commerce.
“Where’s my mother?”
“Denrika? She’s your mother?”
“Yes.”
Cogg went around the counter. “I suppose she’s home.” Taking a heavy glass, he dipped out two scoops of frozen bovidis cream, added three scoops of Erotin sage, stirring it in, and finished it off with some clear, fizzy sweet water. Then Cogg flipped open a small covered dish, garnished the drink with a Darminian cherry, and slid it over to Dar. “She told me you like these.”
He picked up the glass and took a sip. “Yes, I do…And not a bad job of making it.”
“She said you always put a little extra sage in it.”
Dar leaned against the counter. “And what else has she told you about me?”
“That you’re a crew member on a really big freighter.”
Jartis stepped up to the counter, dumping his cans of jerky on it. “Can I get a sage root float too?”
“Certainly,” Cogg said and went to work.
“We’re part of the crew of the Cunik, the largest freighter in the galaxy,” Jartis replied.
Dar looked over at Krodus, seeing the wanton expression in his eyes. He pulled a few drig out. “Make a float for him too; he’s been without for quite some time.”
Krodus stepped up to the counter. “Thank you, Dar,” he said softly.
When the glasses were empty, and the supplies purchased, Vikkis, Karnis, and Xetroiss headed back to the shuttle. Dar continued on with Jartis and Krodus. His next stop was the Aknarra Tavern, to return the lost son to his father. They stopped outside the door. Krodus faced Dar. “For all the years I tormented you, I am truly sorry. I can’t repay you enough for freeing me from the bonds of slavery, and the horrible life I would be facing…From now on, you will never pay for a drink at this tavern.” He offered his hand, Dar took it.
“Thanks.” Dar let a smile curl to his lips. “How about a nice Malikin port?”
Krodus chuckled. “Coming right up!” He opened the door for them. Dar and Jartis went to the bar. Only a few patrons were about. Krodus approached the bar. “Can I get a drink for my two friends?”
The bartender turned slightly. “What would they like?” He didn’t immediately recognize Krodus.
“A Malikin port and—”
“Make that two,” Jartis quickly said.
“Two ports for the friends who saved me…” Krodus leaned in closer. “…Saved me, and brought me home to my father.”
The bartender finally got a better look. “Krodus!” Forgetting all about the drinks, he snatched off his apron and ran around the counter to embrace his son. “My son! Oh, I’d figured you for dead.” Tears streamed down the old Satiren’s face. He couldn’t believe Krodus was alive and home.
“I would’ve, had it not been for Dar.”
He hugged Krodus for a few moments; then he stepped back. “Dar? You found him?”
“Yes, sir. On Uyoninis.” He decided it best not to say exactly where he found Krodus, or the fact he had to purchase him; and that technically, Krodus was his slave. His heart warmed at seeing the bully no longer in a position to make his life miserable.
“Thank you, thank you so much for returning my son to me…And for doing it even though he was your worst enemy.”
“We may have never been friends, but I understand Satirens need to be with other Satirens; otherwise the species will die.”
“Father?” Krodus said.
“Yes?”
“I told Dar he’ll never pay for a drink here, ever.”
His father regarded Dar. “And you won’t.” He went behind the bar and grabbed a full bottle of port. “Drink up, the bar is open for you.” Sitting four glasses on the counter, he poured out the rich, dark, heady alcohol. “There’s always a bottle here for you and your friends.”
Dar raised his glass. “Thank you.”
After a few drinks on the house, Dar and Jartis left Krodus to be with his father. They walked down the street toward his house. “Well, feel better now?” Jartis asked.
“Mmm, part of me does…The good part…The bad part is still trying to envision Krodus bent over a fallen Ickbahk tree with two Kiburgins having their way with him.”
Jartis laughed. “Oh, I don’t even wanna picture that!”
“After everything he’s done to me, I just couldn’t let him suffer. Am I too nice?”
“No, you have a good heart, and you care about others.” Jartis kicked a rock down the street. “Gwog would call that rule number three of being a freighter captain: ‘Turning enemies into friends will have greater rewards later on.’ You never know when you might
need the services of a big, dumb Satiren.”
“True, I suppose.” Dar continued down the long, fairly empty street.
“Think she’s home?” Jartis asked.
“I’d hope so.”
“Think a male has taken up with her?”
They walked in silence for a while. Dar really didn’t want to answer that question. He hoped she’d find someone, but at her age, and with a half breed son, it was doubtful. “I guess we’ll find out.” He pointed to a small house at the end of the street. “There it is.”
Jartis nodded. “Nice house.”
“Her parents left it to her when they died. They came here from Satiris.”
“Hmm, purebreds from the home planet; rather rare nowadays.”
“Where did you come from?” Dar asked.
“I was born on Priddis. I’ve never been to Satiris.”
“Why not?”
“Just never have.”
Dar went to the door and knocked. He felt a bit odd about knocking, but figured it’d be best to announce his presence, especially if his mother had company. A few moments later, the door opened.
“Dar!” Denrika cried, grabbing him in a tight embrace.
“Hello, mother. I’m so sorry I haven’t been to see you; we’ve been busy.” He pulled her closer, kissing her on the top of the head, getting the scent of Softsuckle flowers. “I’ve missed you.”
“Oh, I’ve missed you too, son.”
He gently slid from her embrace. “Mother, this is my friend Jartis, he’s the engineer on the Cunik.”
“Hello, ma’am,” Jartis said politely.
“Hello. I can see why you and Dar are friends.” She gestured to his patch of green hair.
“Ah, not so much that, but I’ve tried to be a good Satiren influence on him—for the most part!”
She laughed and held the door open. “Come in out of the dust and heat,” she said, ushering them inside. “What brings you this way?”
“Had to bring someone home,” Dar replied, taking a seat in the living room.
“What?”
“We were on Uyoninis at a slave auction, and I found Krodus there.”
She stopped just short of sitting down. “Krodus? The very Krodus who used to beat you up?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you hated him?”
“Oh, for many years, I did. But when I saw him there, starved and broken spirited, I realized that purebred Satirens are becoming increasingly rare. As much as I hated him, I know our species needs healthy purebreds to survive.” He shifted in the chair. “So I bought him at auction for two thousand drig—please, if you see his father, don’t tell him.”
“I won’t. You did a very noble thing, Dar.”
He reached in his pocket. “And I have something special for you.” Taking out a small rolled cloth, he presented it to her. “Something else I picked up on Uyoninis.”
She took the cloth and unrolled it, revealing a fine gold bracelet. “Oh, it’s beautiful!”
Dar smiled. “Only the best for my mother.”
“Do you have time to stay for dinner?”
He glanced at the time piece on the wall. “I should think so. Gwog isn’t hurrying us like last time. We’re off to Newrillis to pick up some arms.”
Denrika stood and went to the kitchen. “Oh? For whose war?”
“The Bodnarians and Sirrixians. I think this shipment is going to Sirrix.”
“Does he provide both sides with arms?”
Dar got up and joined her. “He only delivers them. Each planet has already paid for the shipments. It’s not like he’s contributing to the war.” He put his arms around her. “I know you don’t agree with it; and I really don’t either. But this is business, and there’s lots of drig in it. One day I may be in the same position to transport arms to them.”
“I’d prefer you not.”
“Well, it’s my life, and I have to earn a living too.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a large wad of drig and placed it on the counter next to her. “I make good drig doing what I do.”
“I see that.”
“And how come there’s some little Tridun working at the store?”
She turned to him. “Dar, I’m in my fiftieth year, I’m not getting any younger. Work is getting harder for me.”
“Jartis is in his seventieth year, and he’s still going strong—well, for the most part.”
“With no male in my life, it’s not been easy.”
Dar sighed. “I wish Jartis was younger. He’d make a good mate,” he said softly.
“Mmm, he is rather handsome, but I’m afraid taking up with a half breed would only get the tongues flapping harder around town…They haven’t forgotten your father yet, it seems.”
“But he was an Earthling, and that was an accident. They shouldn’t hold that over you.”
“Dar, it’s a small town; the gossip never stops.”
“Then why don’t you go back to Satiris?”
“No, I can’t; that’s not a place for me.” She started getting ingredients ready for dinner. “My home is here, as it has been nearly all my life…Don’t worry, I’m happy. Cogg is a good worker, and I enjoy hearing stories of his planet. Have you been there?”
Dar chuckled. “Tridius? Yes, several times. But I do have an inherent problem when there—”
“What’s that?”
He held his hand over his head. “I’m much taller than their doorways and ceilings!”
Denrika laughed. “Can you see if Jartis would like some wine with dinner?”
“Mother, I’m not gonna bother asking him. Since when have you ever met someone from a freighter crew that didn’t drink?”
“I thought my son didn’t.”
“Sorry, I’m an adult, and Malikin port is just too nice to pass up.”
She went to the cold box and got out a bovidis shoulder. “When do you expect to be back this way?”
“I dunno. It all depends on what shipments Gwog takes.”
“Well, it’s good to see you anytime you’re over this way in the galaxy.”
He took the meat from her, placing it on the counter. Then he took her hands in his. “Sometimes we’re close, and I beg Gwog to stray off course. But he’s got a business to run, and I understand that. I’ll come see you every chance I get.”
“I’ll look forward to any day I can see my son.”
13
Gwog stood in front of Dar’s bunk; his crewmember was fast asleep. “Coming, little one?” he asked softly. There was no response. He reached out and tapped Dar on the shoulder. “Hey, are you coming with us?”
Dar opened his eyes. “Huh?”
“We just docked at Sirrix. You wanna come along?”
“Oh, yeah, what are you going to do?” He sat up and threw off the covers.
“Well, the space station is rather small, but they do offer gambling and a little shopping. Sorry, they aren’t licensed for a pleasure barge, but let me tell you, it won’t stop you from finding a partner to join with.” Gwog straightened up. “I’ll probably find a bar and maybe a female.”
He rubbed his eyes and face. “Uh, okay, lemme get dressed and I’ll tag along.”
Crawling from his bunk, he grabbed his clothes and dressed. He stopped by the bathroom on the way out and decided not to bother shaving. If a female wanted to join with him, she’d take him how he was. Making his way forward, he met the rest of the crew at the front hatch.
“Ah, Dar, coming along? You were sleeping so peacefully I didn’t wanna wake you,” Jartis joked.
“Yeah, I’ll have a look around.” He waited while Gwog worked the heavy door open.
“All right, crew, I don’t want you to cause any trouble. Behave, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow,” Gwog waved his arm, ushering them out.
Dar walked along with Jartis. “So what are you going to do?”
“Oh, I’m probably gonna find a nice place to get a drink,” Jartis replied.
“Can
I join you?”
“Sure, I don’t mind the company. But I doubt hanging out with this old half breed will attract a female.”
“Mmm, I’m not actively looking. If it happens, it happens.”
Jartis put his hand on Dar’s shoulder. “That’s the spirit.”
They walked along for quite a while. Finally Jartis spotted a bar. “Ah, that place looks quieter than the others.”
“And what is this need for silence?”
Jartis tugged at his ear. “The older you get, the harder it is to hear.”
Dar stopped and took a few sniffs. “Does your sense of smell dull too?”
He sniffed the air. “Ah, females!”
“I guess that sense never dulls.” Dar opened the door for Jartis. They went in and found a table tucked away in the corner.
A waitress arrived shortly. “What can I get for you?”
“Two Malikin ports, please,” Dar said.
“Sure, I’ll bring them right out.” She disappeared.
Jartis surveyed the area. Most of the patrons looked to be older aliens of varying species. No one looked particularly threatening, so he figured a nice quiet evening was in order. “Dar?”
“Yeah?”
“I think you’re the youngest one here.”
Dar looked around. “Yeah, guess so,” he chuckled.
Their drinks arrived and they sat back, savoring them. They talked about various different things, nothing of any importance. After several more rounds, and a couple of hours, Jartis yawned widely. “Well, youngling, this old body needs some sleep. I’m gonna head back to the ship.”
“Suit yourself; I’m wide awake.”
“Of course you are. You were fast asleep like a cute little youngling—all tucked in your bunk.”
“Jartis, hey!”
“Well, you were.” He got up, reached in his pocket and pulled out a few drig, tossing them on the table. “I’ll see you later.”
“Have a good sleep, my old friend.” Dar waved good-bye as Jartis shuffled out the door. Sitting alone now, he wondered if any of the females he’d seen would approach. They were a bit older, but he wasn’t worried about age; it was the experience and the choice of a free-will joining that had him curious. He didn’t like paying for joinings, he liked it much better if a female approached and wanted him without wanting drig. Although, he mused, there was one time on Thokin where an Elemenel approached and offered payment to join with him. He told her he wasn’t a prostitute, but she just kept after him. Finally, he could take it no longer and gave in. They joined, and Dar gave her every ounce of magic he could. He had to admit, it was amazing. Over and over they joined, and finally in an exhausted state, watched the sunrise, lying naked on a blanket near the top of a hill.
