by Ruby Dixon
“Uh. That’s a problem,” I hear Mathiras say over the comm link, interrupting my morose thoughts.
“What is it?” Adiron asks. “I’m still on the bridge. There’s a safe here I’m trying to crack open—”
“Come here and take a look,” Mathiras says. I can’t tell from his tone of voice if he’s troubled or not.
I sit back on my heels, listening and waiting.
After a moment, Adiron whistles. “That is definitely a problem.”
“Magnificent,” Kaspar says. “I’ve never seen one this close before. They go for a fortune on Three Nebulas Station.”
Something growls, sounding like a wildcat, and I freeze.
“Kaspar, get the kef away from that.”
“We can’t leave it. It’s worth a fortune.”
“What are we going to do with THAT?”
“Feed it?”
“Very funny.”
The brothers’ voices run together, all sounding similar from the tinny comm and the fact that they’re talking over one another.
Something howls again, the sound dangerous, and there’s a scuffle.
“Should we get Sophie?” one of the brothers asks. Mathiras, I think.
“Might be our only choice.”
I wipe my hands on my jumper, worried. Only choice for what? I don’t know what they’re talking about and it makes me nervous. I can pipe up and ask, interjecting over the comm, but I feel like I haven’t earned my place here, and the last thing I want to do is irritate them by jumping in. So I sit and wait, curious to see what’s going on.
Sure enough, Adiron jogs through the docking tunnel a moment later, waving me over with his gun. “We need you. Come on.”
They need me?
Me?
This is a first. It also fills me with a flush of happiness. How long have I waited for someone to say that? For me to be important?
“What’s going on?” I ask as I get to my feet and follow behind him. I’m nervous crossing over to the enemy ship, but if the va Sithai brothers are fine with leaving the Little Sister for a bit, I guess I can be, too.
“We found something worth a lot of money,” Adiron tells me, glancing over his shoulder to make sure I’m following. He crosses into the other ship, and steps over destroyed machinery, heading down a narrow hall. I try not to look too hard at the wreckage, afraid of seeing dead bodies. I keep my gaze focused on Adiron’s broad back, letting him lead the way. These were bad guys, I remind myself. They would have killed me.
It doesn’t make it any easier to step over a lump that had once been someone, and I swallow hard. I’m really not cut out for this, but what other options do I have? What’s left for me if not this?
I hear the angry, terrifying growl from somewhere up ahead. It sounds like a wild animal—a very large one, and I worry this is exactly the “expensive” thing that they’ve found. Which makes me wonder…why do they need me? “Um, Adiron?”
“It’s caged. Don’t worry.”
Well, now I really am worried. What the hell? My body breaks out into a fear-sweat as we head into the large, nearly empty cargo bay of the enemy ship. Sure enough, at the far end of the large bay, Kaspar and Mathiras stand, hands on weapons, talking quietly. They’re in front of what looks like an enormous square box, and as we approach, the entire thing shakes and rattles and the creature roars its outrage again.
The brothers look up as we approach, and relief crosses Mathiras’s face. “Good. You’re here. Come closer, Sophie.”
My mouth goes dry and I want to suddenly hide behind Adiron. Is this the use they’ve found for me? Feeding me to a monster? “W-what’s going on?”
“You’re scaring her,” Adiron says, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder and tugging me forward. “Just show her already.”
Mathiras nods. “I promise you’re in no danger, Sophie.” He gestures at the shaking, furious box. “We’ve found a rainbow carinoux.”
Kaspar clears his throat. “Not really ‘found.’ More like ‘acquired.’”
His brother flashes him an irritated look. “We’re taking it back with us. They sell for a fortune in the right circles.”
I look at the cage, the sides blacked out and shielded so I can’t see inside. The entire thing shakes as if it’s about to come apart, and my stomach clenches with dismay. We’re taking THAT thing aboard the Little Sister? While the ship is a decent size, its halls and rooms are cramped and I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. I cross my arms over my chest, trying not to show my alarm. “What does this have to do with me?”
“Do you know what a carinoux is?” When I shake my head, Kaspar moves toward the cage, ignoring the way it comes to life, rattling and thrashing. He taps a code into the locking mechanism and the shields slide back, revealing the caged creature inside.
It’s utterly beautiful and completely and totally alien in a way that makes my human brain struggle to process. I try to match it up to creatures that I’ve seen before—there’s a lizardlike sinuousness to its body and the long, lashing tail. The head and body are more like an enormous lion, but the muzzle and nostrils are flat, the mouth full of serrated teeth. The thing has eight legs, all of them moving in time as it paces back and forth, snarling and glaring at Kaspar.
I see why it’s called a “rainbow” carinoux, too. Instead of fur, this cat has a scaly-looking hide that gleams iridescent even in the ship’s poor lighting. Myriad colors dance across its skin like a living opal, and I’m fascinated even as I’m terrified.
“You can come closer,” Kaspar says, sticking a finger through the bars and wiggling it. He barely manages to pull away before the fanged maw snaps at it.
“Why?” I blurt. Why would I want to come closer? I’m not crazy.
“Carinoux are a breed of protector-kin from the Slatra system,” Mathiras says, watching the cat-like thing pace back and forth in its cage. “They hate men, but they’re extremely protective of females. Rich families like to get them to guard their wives and daughters. If we can get this one sold, we’re talking millions of credits. You’d get a quarter, of course.”
My mouth goes dry at the thought of all those credits. Money of my own. Enough to be independent…theoretically. There’s nowhere safe for a human on this end of the universe.
But money helps, and I want that money.
Adiron scratches at his chin. “And if they just came from the Slatra system, there might be a way for us to pick up a few more, if we can find their nav charts.”
Kaspar makes an enthusiastic sound in his throat. “And here I thought you were dumb, little brother.”
Adiron just gives him a dopey grin.
More of these things…but more money. Hesitant, I take a step forward.
“We need you because you’re female, Sophie,” Mathiras says. “Can you get this one to calm down enough so we can take him on the Little Sister?”
Oh jeez. I lick my lips. “You’re sure it won’t hurt me?”
“If it did, it’d be the first carinoux in history to do so,” Kaspar says, his half-feral gaze on the cage, as if he wants to rush in and wrestle the damn monster.
That’s not exactly comforting. I take another step forward, just as the creature starts to growl angrily at Kaspar. I swallow hard and take another step. “Here now,” I whisper. “Let’s calm down, shall we?”
The carinoux’s small, pointed ears flick, and the wide head swings in my direction. It looks over at me, big, dark eyes blinking, huge teeth gleaming.
“Nice kitty,” I offer. “You’re kind of a kitty, right?”
The thing tilts its head, then thumps down on its haunches, tail flicking like an excited dog’s. It gives a kittenish mew, then rolls onto its belly, wiggling.
Mathiras lets out a breath. “Well, that answers that—”
The carinoux suddenly snarls at the sound of his voice, leaping up and throwing itself at the bars. We all jump, and Kaspar and Mathiras stumble backward a few feet.
“He’s all you
rs, Sophie,” Adiron says with a chuckle.
“Lucky me.” I take another brave step forward, and I can’t help but notice that each of the eight paws are tipped with huge, nasty claws that look razor sharp, because of course. When I step forward again, though, the rage disappears and it begins to rub its head against the bars, as if begging to be petted. I move to the edge of the cage and quietly offer my hand, just close enough.
The carinoux promptly gives my fingers a sloppy lick, mewing again.
I look over at the va Sithai brothers, and they’re watching me with a pleased expression on their faces. They need me for this, I realize with a sense of wonder.
For the first time, I’m necessary.
It’s a good feeling.
3
SOPHIE
I name the carinoux “Sleipnir.” Not that he looks much like the mythological horse, but the eight legs makes the name pop into my mind and it sticks.
The carinoux is surprisingly complacent as I harness him and lead him back to the Little Sister. If anything, he’s actually affectionate and kittenish, rubbing his head against my hand and making this rumbling sound that’s not quite a purr. He nuzzles at me at every chance he gets, and looks at me with adoring, liquid eyes. He’s sweet and clever and follows commands really well, and I have no trouble getting him on board the ship and into my quarters. Sleipnir immediately hops onto my bed, taking up the entire thing, and then rolls on his back, as if he’s wallowing in my smell. I sit on the edge and pet his head, marveling at how a scaly-looking hide can feel so supple and smooth, and how something so incredibly deadly can be so affectionate to me.
Sleipnir still doesn’t like the guys. He makes low, growling noises in his throat whenever he runs across their scents, and steps in front of me like he wants to protect me. The brothers remain on the other ship, stripping it and searching through their records, looking for the carinoux’s home. I stroke Sleipnir’s small ears and wonder why that makes me feel so…weird and uncomfortable.
“Maybe because you were stolen from your home, like me,” I murmur as I pet the animal. “Maybe because you’re nothing but a product, just like I was. No one’s interested in taking you back home, just the credits you can give them.”
Sleipnir just mews and rubs against my hand, blissed out.
The comms have gone quiet and as a few more hours tick past, I worry. The longer we spend in one place, the more of a chance of getting caught. Has something happened to them? Is that why they’ve been gone for so long? Eventually, I can’t stand the waiting and get to my feet. Sleipnir tries to come with me, but I guide him back to the bed and pat the mattress until he lies back down again.
I emerge from my quarters and head for the docking tunnel, intending to go after the brothers, but to my surprise, it’s gone. The hatch is sealed shut again and we’re no longer linked to the enemy vessel. I’m hurt by this revelation—no one bothered to tell me?—and head for the bridge. Sure enough, the brothers are there, all crowded around the same station. They’re filthy, streaked with grease and blood, and they look tired.
Well, no, Mathiras looks tired. Kaspar looks elated. Adiron…looks like Adiron.
“Looks like you’re done with the other ship? Thanks for letting me know.” There’s a snap to my voice as I cross my arms over my chest and stride over to them. “Guess I’m only important when you need a cat-wrangler or a maid.”
At least they have the decency to look guilty at my arrival. “Sorry, Sophie,” Adiron says.
“The carinoux is fine, by the way. He’s on my bed and I have no idea what we’re going to do for a litter box, FYI.” When they just exchange looks and say nothing else, my skin prickles with worry. “What is it?”
Mathiras just rubs his face. “We’re just trying to figure out how to proceed with what we just learned.”
“Which is…”
Adiron turns in his chair, his broad face lighting up with enthusiasm. “We found a map of the Slatra system, but it doesn’t show a planet. It’s something else entirely.”
So much for their vision of finding more like Sleipnir. “Like what?”
“Like the Buoyant Star.”
The what? It takes me a moment to realize they’re referring to a thing. “It’s a ship? Or a station?”
Kaspar speaks. “Three years ago, it was rumored to be carrying a massive amount of wealth to an infamous Slatra cartel, the Voo Rees.” When no recognition shows on my face, Kaspar continues. “They were going to use the money to pay back a lot of the debts they’d acquired, but the ship never showed. Some say it was hijacked, and others say it got caught up in a random solar flare. No one’s heard of it since.”
Mathiras adds, “But if we’re the ones that find it, we could be rich beyond our wildest imaginings.”
“I can imagine a lot,” Adiron says, grinning.
“So we’re going after this ship? The Buoyant Star?” I ask.
“The Slatra system is a forbidden system,” Mathiras continues. “It was ceded in the Threshian Wars and mesakkah are forbidden to fly there.”
“So we’re not going?”
“All of our star charts and maps have been classified or incomplete,” Kaspar says, flicking his fingers across the nav screen and pulling up star chart after star chart. “Until now. Now, we just might have a chance to find that ship.”
“But it’s dangerous,” Mathiras continues, and looks over at me.
“We’re pirates, right? Isn’t everything dangerous?”
“This is a different kind of dangerous.” Mathiras exchanges a glance with his brothers. “One we’d never risk Zoey on, and one we shouldn’t risk you on, either.”
So…wait. There’s a creeping sensation of fear moving over me. “What am I supposed to do, then?” I gesture down the hall. “And what about my new best friend?”
“The carinoux can’t stay on board. It’s too dangerous—for it and for us. The last thing we need is some overgrown expensive pet chewing through the Sister’s wiring.”
“Should we put it back?” Kaspar asks.
I gasp. “You can’t abandon it! You just killed the other crew! You’re scuttling their ship!”
“Yes, but this could be the job that makes us,” Kaspar continues, stabbing a finger at the star charts. “We need to get on this!”
“Sophie’s got the thing under control,” Adiron butts in. “And it’s still worth a lot of money to the right buyers. Be stupid to pass that up.”
Mathiras holds up a hand. “We’re not passing up anything. There’s a way to keep Sophie safe and offload the carinoux somewhere until we can organize a sale.”
“How?” Kaspar asks, impatient.
The oldest brother just grins. “Remember who owes us a favor?”
Kaspar’s eyes widen. Adiron chuckles. “Un’Rok? He’s going to shit himself if we show up with a human and a carinoux.”
“He owes us a favor,” Mathiras reminds them, a stubborn expression on his face. “I don’t care if he shits himself as long as he keeps them safe while we check out the Slatra system.”
They’re talking around me as if I don’t count. I hug my arms to my chest, hating it, and hating that I almost agree with them. I don’t count. I couldn’t even kill the enemy earlier. But…shouldn’t I have a say in my own fate?
Here I thought things would be different after joining the brothers’ crew, but I feel like a thing—an object—just as much as I ever did. Me and poor Sleipnir both. “Is this un’Rok guy…another pirate?”
Adiron snorts. “He wishes.”
“He’s a junker and a mechanic,” Mathiras explains. “Lives alone on an abandoned outpost. It’s perfect. You’ll be safe there until we come back.”
“It’s decided, then,” Kaspar says quickly, and Adiron nods.
I…guess it is. The brothers go off in search of adventure, and I get to cat-sit at some stranger’s house. Lucky me.
4
SOPHIE
In the three days it takes for the Little S
ister to approach the Vogli asteroid belt, Sleipnir chews up all of my bedding, my favorite chair, three control panels in my room, and nearly eats a hole through the door.
The carinoux is apparently a bored chewer, and even metal or the strongest plas doesn’t stand a chance.
It just reinforces the fact that the va Sithai brothers want Sleipnir off the ship for this next adventure, and where the big carinoux goes, I go, too. I’m not happy about it, though. Sleipnir no longer tries to attack the others; he watches me for my reactions to the other males and adjusts accordingly. He’s smart, Sleipnir, and utterly affectionate. I tell myself not to get too attached, because he’s going to be sold off. He’s just another “thing” to make money.
I try not to let that eat at me too much.
Adiron, Kaspar and Mathiras are wrapped up in plans for this missing ship. They spend all day discussing star-lanes to take, fuel, and poring over every inch of the star maps. Since I’m not going to be allowed to help out, I’m pretty much on my own. I make my food, clean up after Sleipnir, and re-read the old copy of Outlander on the ship for the seventh time in a row. Even though I’m still on the ship, I feel isolated and it sucks.
When the Vogli belt appears on every screen, Kaspar and Adiron both take to the controls, skating us through the floating minefield of massive asteroids. I stare out the ship’s windows in wonder, marveling at the sheer number and size of the rocks that float past. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s also a little terrifying as crater-covered asteroids the size of stadiums drift close enough to the Sister to make me sweat.
“It’s a great place to hide,” Mathiras admits as we look out the window together. “Only the most danger-loving flyboys would head out here. There’s no stations anywhere near this system, no big star-lanes. All is quiet on this end of the galaxy.” He puts a hand on my shoulder. “You’ll be safe out here.”
From behind me, there’s a low warning growl.