by Nate Johnson
Doctor Simpson simply stared back at Amanda with a blank look on her face and Nick realized just how right Amanda had been. The older woman had no regret and no remorse for her actions.
He reminded himself to keep an eye on her. A woman like that could be dangerous.
“Come on guys,” he said as he grabbed a bench and leaned it up against the door. Adjusting it so that the slightest movement would tip it over. “I don’t know about you,” he continued, “but I’m looking forward to sleeping on something softer than a stone floor.”
“What are you doing?” Doctor Simpson asked, indicating the bench against the door. “That won’t stop anyone getting in.”
“No,” Nick said. “But if Grynd has one of his soldiers sneak in during the night to slit our throats. They won’t be able to do so quietly. At least I’ll have a little bit of a warning.”
His words brought some reality back to the others. They were on an alien planet, guests and or prisoners of alien creatures. Who knew what their plans were.
Chapter Thirteen
Nick woke to the memory of Valerian star fruit.
‘Damn,’ he thought. Even after all this time, and the woman still smelled as sweet and as enticing as a goddess. How was that possible?
He could feel her curled up around his back, drawing in his warmth. A fact that he found completely enjoyable.
But the morning called, and he’d never been one to lay about in bed. His father would have grabbed one of his legs and pulled him from the bed an hour ago. Nick smiled to himself at the memory.
When it came to the morning, His father made even the Imperial Navy look lazy.
Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he adjusted his sarong and stood up, glancing back to see Amanda asleep. Curled up like a kitten as she absently reached for her missing warmth.
Laughing, he made his way to the back room.
When he came out, the others were up and waiting their turn. Not long after, a young Eundai female walked into the room without knocking, holding a tray with four wooden bowls.
“Breakfast,” Amanda said with a smile.
The Eundai handed out wooden spoons and bowls filled with an oatmeal-like substance that ended up tasting like raisins.
“Why couldn’t they have served us this stuff in the Julatd?” Nick said as he scraped the bowl for the last bite.
“I would have preferred an omelet,” Professor Robinson said.
“No cheese,” Amanda answered. “No milk products of any kind. Remember, no mammals.”
The Professor shook his head with disappointment. “You’re right, and I think if we tried to introduce it, they might find it quite disturbing. A congealed mess made out of secreted body fluids. Not something the Eundai would take to, I imagine.”
“No milk, means no vitamin D,” Doctor Simpson said. “We need to make sure we get enough exposure to the sun to make up for it.”
Nick looked down at his bare chest and laughed. “Maybe that explains the dress code around here.”
Before anyone could respond, the front door opened and the guard from the day before stepped in.
“You,” he said in Eundai, pointing at Nick. “Come, Grundal has sent for you.”
Nick’s insides tightened up. What was this about? The other three each blanched for a moment as if they were also worried about the thousand things that could go wrong.
“It should be me he talks to,” Doctor Simpson said with a serious pout.
Nick ignored her and asked Professor Robinson if he wanted to tag along to help with interpretation.
“I think Amanda should go,” the Professor said. “She is almost as fluent as I am and has a better understanding of the social niceties.”
Nick thought about it for a moment then glanced at her, cocked an eyebrow, and said, “Well?”
Her giant smile told him all he needed to know. This was a chance she had dreamed about.
Turning to the guard, Nick said in Eundai, “She go too.”
The guard looked at Amanda then rolled his eyes before turning and leaving.
“He didn’t say no,” Amanda said as she hurried to catch up with their escort.
“Have you noticed how many of their facial expressions and body language are similar to humans?” he asked her as they walked behind the guard.
“Yes,” Amanda answered. “I think it is a consequence of group dynamics, the distance of communication between two Eundai when they talk. Their sense of personal space, etc. But they aren’t all the same. So be careful.”
Nick nodded as he tried to figure out what in the hell she had just said. “Yeah, and they don’t seem to have a strong sense of privacy. Did you notice how both of them this morning just walked in without knocking?”
Amanda smiled. “That’s a culture dictate vice a non-verbal communication.”
“Whatever,” Nick said, “But I’m figuring out a way to lock the door when we get back.
Amanda laughed, her eyes lighting up with pure pleasure. As they walked, she constantly scanned her surroundings. Not out of a sense of fear, he realized. More a desire to see something new.
She’s loving this, he thought.
The guard led them down the long street to the main path then through the plaza towards the West Gate.
After twisting and turning down the back streets, he stopped before a small house set away from the others.
“Grundal’s house,” Amanda whispered, “I recognize it from our observations.”
Instead of walking into the house, the guard made his way around the corner, waving his hand, beckoning them to follow.
After rounding two corners, the group stepped out into a small garden. Tall trees shaped like New Kansas poplar trees ringed the area. Flowers and bushes had been planted, creating a small alcove with a couple of wooden benches at the closed end.
Circling the small enclave were a dozen guards, each armed with a spear and the typical short sword. Each staring at them as if they wanted to skewer them for dinner.
“Remember, don’t tell them anything,” Amanda hissed.
Nick laughed, “No need to whisper, they can’t understand you.”
Her stern expression let him know she wasn’t too sure.
“As for not telling him things,” Nick continued. “That cat is out of the bag, that genie out of the bottle, that ship has left orbit, pick a metaphor. It’s a little late now.”
“Still, be careful,” she said as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
He shook his head, “My job is to keep you and the others alive. If that means giving him the control codes to the Discovery’s Higgs engine, I’m going to do it. The Empire can pick up the pieces later.”
“It’s not the Empire, I’m worried about,” Amanda said as she stared at the Eundai Headman.
Grundal, who had been sitting on one of the benches stood up and motioned them forward. Grynd stood behind the bench, his arms folded across his chest. His glare let Nick know that the hate still remained.
The guard stepped aside to let them past then scurried away to other duties.
“Grundal,” Nick said with a slight dip of his head. He wondered how a king should be greeted.
“Nick of Taurus, well met,” Grundal said then looked at Amanda with a slightly surprised expression. “You brought your woman?”
Nick glanced at Amanda and caught a pretty pink blush on her cheeks.
“No,” he said to the Headman, fighting to not add the words ‘not yet’ to his statement. “A friend,” he added. “To help me with your words.”
Grundal stared at her for a moment then glanced at Grynd. A dozen messages were passed in that brief look. Grundal sighed, then nodded and indicated that they should sit on the other bench.
“She may stay,” he said, then added, “for now.”
Nick had to bite back a smile, he could almost hear Amanda grinding her teeth at the sexist attitude. He wondered briefly if at some point in the future she’d have the females of this planet
organized and protesting their second-class citizenship. Well, more power to her, as long as it was after they had been rescued and they had a company of Imperial Marines nearby, then go for it, he thought.
Grundal continued to stare at him, examining his body, obviously trying to catalog every detail. He hasn’t had nine months of observation, Nick reminded himself.
Hesitantly, the Eundai reached out and touched the black bruise on his upper arm.
“Your skin records your prowess,” he said with just a hint of admiration.
Nick nodded “As does yours,” he said pointing to the scar on the Eundai’s lower side.
Grundal smiled, the lips of his short snout pulling back in what could either be a happy grin, or a preparation to attack. Nick was betting on the former.
“You are of the warrior class?” the Headman asked.
Nick hesitated, what should he say, how deep into Imperial sociology should he delve? Glancing quickly at Amanda, he raised an eyebrow. If he started down this road, there was no telling where they ended up. No telling what information might be exposed that could cause harm.
She looked back at him with a blank stare, refusing to give him permission.
Sighing to himself, he nodded. “Both warrior and craftsman class,” he said.
Grundal’s eyes narrowed, and his head tilted slightly to the side as he pondered what must seem like an impossibility.
“Which class was your father?” he asked.
Nick laughed, “Farmer class.”
Grynd snorted from behind Grundal.
Grundal slowly shook his head, ignoring his advisor's dismissive comment as he processed Nick’s words, then looking up, he asked, “And the others?”
Nick paused for a moment as he tried to think of the right words. “What is the word for teacher?” he hissed to Amanda.
“Placher,” she answered, “and there is no need to whisper, they can’t understand you.”
He tried not to smile, the woman was perfect.
“They are Placher,” he told Grundal. “Well known Placher.”
Grundal nodded and said, “Ones of such low status, to be sent to the stars? It does not seem right.”
Nick had to put a hand on Amanda’s thigh to stop her from responding with a sharp retort. They needed Grundal to think of them as friends.
“Placher are very high status in our ... worlds,” he told Grundal, catching his surprise at the use of the plural. “Once we return to our people, the Placher will be hailed as even more important. I will be but a warrior/craftsman, assigned to simple tasks.”
Grundal thought about it, then smiled and called out over his shoulder, “Gryopic, bring the treasure.”
The young Eundai stepped out from behind two guards, dragging Nick’s tool bag to his father.
Nick held his breath. The Navy had issued him those tools the day he graduated from the Machinist course. He could still remember the Chief yelling at him that if he ever lost one, he’d have to pay for its replacement and they didn’t come cheap.
He probably had a good six month’s salary tied up in those tools. And here they were, being drug through the dirt by a lizard. No way would the Navy cut him some slack.
Grundal took the canvas bag from his son, then pulled him in tight for a quick hug and indicated he should join him on the bench.
Gryopic climbed up on the seat next to his father, never taking his eyes off their two visitors. Nick could see the burning curiosity fighting with the fear of the unknown.
He smiled at the boy and slowly winked.
The young Eundai froze for a moment, then smiled slightly and tried to wink back, failing miserably.
“These do not burn,” Grundal said, pulling out the pipe wrench and holding it up.
“Ha,” Nick barked, “I should say not, those are made of Corona steel. You’d need a fission powered furnace to melt those.”
Amanda punched him on the leg, reminding him that he had responded in standard vice Eundai.
Taking a deep breath, Nick began again, this time in the correct language. “No, they are made a special way, will not burn, will not ... melt.”
Grundal nodded, then said, “You teach my craftsman.”
Amanda grunted next to him and gently elbowed him in the side. This was getting serious, he realized.
Turning to Amanda, he said in standard, “I know. It doesn’t matter though, even if I could explain it, they don’t have the capability.”
She shook her head, “Even the fact that such metal can be produced is going to push them to try.”
He slowly nodded, then said to her, “Keep talking to me, I want to keep him off balance while I try to come up with an answer that isn’t going to piss him off.”
“What should I say?” she asked.
“I don’t know, but make it sound stern like you are upset with me.”
Amanda frowned for a moment then said. “Why do you still have a scar on your lower back? They can be removed you know. We are not animals.”
He nodded somberly, glancing out the corner of his eye to catch both Grundal and Grynd studying them intently.
“So, you’ve been examining my body?” Nick said to Amanda, fighting to keep a laugh from bursting out when he saw the shocked look on her face.
“No,” she said, “of course not.”
He nodded slowly, “I got the scar a couple of years ago. We were changing out a Higgs engine when the chain fall failed, the engine caught me before I could get out of the way.”
“But why is it still there?”
He shrugged his shoulders, “I’m a spacer, we look at scars a little differently. They are part of us. Not something to be ashamed of.”
She nodded slowly as she thought about what he had said.
Nick turned back to Grundal. “I would teach your craftsman,” he said, shifting back to Eundai. “But I do not have the tools to make the tools that can make such tools. Perhaps, when our people arrive, they might be able to help. There are many things we can help your people with.”
Grundal continued to study him for a long moment, then moved his attention to Amanda. “Is this true?” he asked her.
Amanda, caught by surprise, fumbled for a moment then nodded emphatically. “Yes, Headman,” she said. “He is true, an honest man. There are things we can help you with. But ...”
Grundal raised his brow, obviously waiting for her to continue.
“But,” she continued. “We worry that our help will change you and your people.”
Grundal barked a quick sound that Nick could only interpret as a snort. “You are worried the Eundai will become like you. Star travelers.”
Amanda slowly shook her head. “That would take many generations.”
“How long will it take to reach the stars if you do not help us?” the Headman asked.
Amanda swallowed hard, “Many, many, many generations.”
Grundal frowned and glanced down at his son for a moment.
“We do not have the time. You will help. Your people will help us, or you will not be allowed to return to them.”
Nick noticed a brief grin cross Grynd’s face. Probably for the first time in his life.
Chapter Fourteen
Nick held very still for a moment. That was a threat. No doubt about it. They would be held hostage until the Eundai got what they wanted.
He wondered if it had been Grundal’s idea or Grynd’s.
Of course, the Headman had no idea what he was dealing with. Sitting next to him was the Minister of Sciences daughter. For some reason, Nick couldn’t imagine the man letting anything happen to his little girl.
If Grundal was not careful, he’d end up with a plaza full of Imperial Marines, and someone else running his world.
But now was not the time to confront him about that. After all, the guy could have them killed at any moment. Especially if he decided to listen to his chief advisor.
The sudden tension between the two pair felt like a heavy blanket had been d
raped over the conversation.
“What of your world?” Gryopic asked, breaking the silence.
Nick smiled at the kid, silently thanking him for helping pull them away from threats and thoughts of death.
“Worlds,” Nick corrected. “The Imperial Empire covers many worlds.”
“Show me,” Grundal snapped. “How many?”
Nick paused for a moment as he desperately tried to figure out how to explain Higgs engines and wormholes to someone who still thought his world was flat and the mountains were the backbone of a great monster.
It was like trying to explain plate tectonics to a Valerian squirrel.
Standing up, Nick searched the ground for rocks. Collecting them in his hand, he moved to the center of the garden and placed the biggest of the rocks on the ground.
“Earth,” he said. “Human’s first home.”
Grundal leaned forward and nodded slowly.
Putting the next stone about a foot away, He told them that it was Taurus. Then he grabbed a twig and broke it, putting the two pieces between the two stones, creating a symbolic gate and drew a line in the dirt from Earth to Taurus making sure it passed through the gate.
He glanced over at Grundal who was still nodding. Amanda smiled, encouraging him to go on.
Next, Nick began laying out the stones in a line on either side of Taurus, naming the planets as he did so. “Valeria, Corona, Chung Hu, Montlake,” down one side. Then, starting in the opposite direction, “New Kansas,” he said pointing to himself, “my world.”
He finished laying out the rest of the stones and said, “Finally Intrepid.” Between each pair of stones, he laid another twig gate.
Then, he went back to the original gate between Taurus and Earth and removed the sticks. “Broken,” he said as he wiped out the path between the two stones.
“We cannot return to our original planet.”
Grundal looked up, trying to understand the significance of that.
Nick shrugged his shoulders. How could he explain the sense of loss that the Empire felt at being cut off from humanity’s birthplace?
