by Elin Wyn
Whatever progress we’d made, we were losing. This was what he told himself, often enough to believe it.
“Who are you to decide what those women are allowed to do with themselves, their bodies?”
I'd seen the women Aavat and Shenna had rescued from the auction. Even ignoring the one traitorous bitch, they'd been frightened. Traumatized.
Men like this would put our human crewmates in an auction just like it.
In a flash I could see Lynna, terrified and shivering, dressed in nothing but wisps of silk.
The red haze that had become my constant companion narrowed my vision just a touch further.
“Those women didn't have a choice.” I stepped past Dejar and Aavat, looming over Itair as he collapsed in his chair.
I knew I needed to pull back, but the red haze had its grip on me.
Cold rage was all I felt now.
“The people you're protecting are targeting us.”
“For hired muscle,” Itair said, struggling for composure, “you're very mouthy.” He shrugged, nothing but bravado. “All for some women.”
My temper snapped.
I knelt down beside him. “It’s very simple. You can either tell us the information we need, or I begin feeding parts of you to the water-life you have outside.”
I kept my voice low and calm as I spoke. I even reached out and lightly patted him on the cheek.
“Then I’ll reach down your throat, pull out your intestines, and make you swallow them back down. And if that doesn’t work, I am interested in seeing how far you would bounce if I threw you off this floating rock.”
As I spoke, I could feel myself saying and speaking the words, but was almost powerless to stop myself.
I could see Aavat and Dejar staring, stone-faced, in my peripheral vision, but I kept my gaze steady on Itair.
I took deep breaths and tried to regain control of my faculties. I didn’t want to let Itair see me struggling.
He looked close to breaking, then with agonizing slowness, he smiled. “You are a refreshing change to this entire discussion. However, I would like to remind all three of you, that although Katzul’s security force is corrupt and untrustworthy, they are more than willing to come to the aid of those of us that, how should I say this, keep their coffers full.”
That’s when I noticed a button on the underside of the arm of his chair, and his finger hovering just under it.
“Fine,” Dejar said. “We’ll be leaving, apparently.” He brought his hand to my shoulder but didn’t touch me.
For the best.
“Yes, yes, you will,” Itair said, never taking his eyes off mine.
I imagined putting my fist through that smug face, but couldn’t.
He smiled as we left.
Lynna
The one thing in the med bay that I didn’t check obsessively was the supply closet. Zayn had told me early on that he preferred to handle the medical supplies, since he was familiar with everything the Rogue Star needed and could more easily read the labels.
But if there was no going home, if this med bay was going to be my office and hospital room and everything wrapped up into one for the foreseeable future, it was time for me to learn it all.
Without any patients to attend to, I opened up the supply closet with the intention of memorizing more medical symbols.
Instead, I found a nearly empty closet.
“What the hell?” I swore under my breath.
From the look of things, Zayn hadn’t gotten any new supplies since I came aboard. I left the med bay in a rush, eager to find him. I didn’t know where his room was, so I checked the bridge first. No one there knew where he was, so I moved on to the dining hall.
I walked in as the cook, Sars, was speaking to someone, but no one was at any of the tables.
It looked like he was talking to someone behind the counter. Maybe Shenna was helping again?
“Sars,” I called.
Sars favored me with a bright smile. “How’s the good doctor?”
“I’m looking for Zayn. Have you seen him?”
“He’s back here,” Sars nodded. As he spoke, I heard someone frantically shushing him.
“What?” I demanded. I stepped over to the counter and pushed myself up so I could see the back of the kitchen. Zayn sat in the back on a stool with a bottle of spirits. “What are you doing?”
“Catching up with my old friend, Sars,” Zayn grinned.
“Can you tell me why the supply closet is almost empty?” I demanded.
“We barely have any injuries,” Zayn shrugged sloppily. “I figured we shouldn’t spend money on things we won’t use.”
“That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard.” I rarely lost my temper, but I was quickly reaching my boiling point. “What if something happens? The Terror could’ve attacked us the other day. Have you forgotten we’re being hunted by the most powerful organization in this universe? We should be prepared for every eventuality!”
“Well, I didn’t sign up to be a wanted criminal, yet here I am,” he said bitterly. “I’d go home if I could, but I can’t. I might never be able to. So, forgive me if I want to forget about that fact for a little while.” He took another long sip from his bottle.
Before I could continue, Sars stepped between me and Zayn.
“He’s been coming here for a few days now,” Sars said quietly. “He’s got a family depending on him for income. He’s worrying about them at all hours and, honestly, I don’t think he’s fit for work at the moment. You don’t mind taking over the supplies until he’s straightened out, do you?”
I felt a pang of sympathy deep in my chest and immediately felt terrible for going off on Zayn the way I had.
“Of course,” I agreed. “Zayn, is there a supply list somewhere?” I called over Sars’s shoulder.
“Right drawer in the back.” Zayn refused to meet my gaze.
“I’ll look after him, Doctor,” Sars assured me.
“Thanks.” I offered Sars a kind smile, since Zayn wouldn’t look at me, and hurried out of the dining hall.
The supply list was exactly where Zayn had said it was. I grabbed it, tucked it into my back pocket, and left the med bay once again.
With the security upgrades, I needed Dejar’s permission to leave the ship, as well as a code to disarm the system when I left and when I returned. However, Dejar wasn’t in his office. Neither was Aavat. Oddly enough, Kovor was alone in the office, looking over the three-dimensional holomap in the back corner of the room.
“Kovor?” I called gently.
He turned to face me. His eyes were unfocused like he’d been lost in thought. “What can I do for you, Lynna?”
“I need to go purchase more medical supplies. Can you give me a code?”
“Absolutely. Take the ship’s credit chip, as well. Try to only get the essentials. We’re on a tight budget,” Kovor warned me.
I nodded and slipped the credit chip into my pocket next to the list. Kovor went to the console on the desk and programmed a new code for me. He scribbled the code on a piece of paper and passed it to me.
“Thank you.” I was halfway out the door as I spoke.
“Don’t forget to change your appearance!” Kovor called.
I winced. If he hadn’t said anything, I would’ve forgotten.
Other than our ill-fated trip to Outpost Nine, I hadn’t left the Rogue Star.
I hadn’t had reason to don the array of cosmetics necessary to alter my appearance enough so that I wouldn’t be recognized as an unauthorized species.
Once in the closet, I flipped through a tablet showing species the other women thought we’d resemble enough to make the disguises easy, but without constant repetition.
I snorted. Surgery, sure. This? I wasn’t convinced.
I picked up a vial of shimmery pink skin dye and applied it everywhere my skin was exposed. With dark purple ink, I traced swirly lines along my cheeks and up onto my forehead. Feeling adventurous, I used a colored powder to
change my hair from its usual dark blonde to a striking aqua.
One glance in the mirror told me I looked nothing like a human anymore.
Satisfied, I left the closet and hurried toward the main loading door. The code Kovor had generated for me temporarily disarmed the security system and allowed the door to open. Cool air hit me as I stepped onto the dock. I’d been breathing recycled air on the Rogue Star for so long, I'd forgotten how sweet fresh air felt.
As I moved through the crowded streets, I tipped my head up to look at the floating slabs that supported gorgeous mansions that housed the city’s wealthiest citizens.
Down on the ground lived all of the beings who worked in the service of those rich citizens. The streets were grimy and damp, even though there was no rain. Everything had an oily sheen to it, even the buildings. No one looked twice at me as I walked. Compared to some of the citizens I passed, I looked rather bland.
Before long, I came to a shop with a variety of symbols scrolling over the door. And one of them was the Shein word for medicine. Perfect. I pulled out the list and grabbed a basket. I grabbed two of whatever I could find, along with ten rolls of bandages and an extra-large bottle of disinfectant, hoping I was totaling the prices in my head correctly as I went.
“That’s a lot of supplies you have there.” The multi-limbed clerk looked at me with a critical eye.
“My employer has recently fallen ill,” I explained quickly. “I wanted to get everything we might need.”
“Who’s your employer?” the clerk asked.
“I’d rather not say. I don’t want to encourage gossip about his illness,” I said. “He’s very protective of his reputation. You may know of him. He lives in the floating palace that looks like it’s made of onyx.” I named a random mansion I’d seen from the viewing deck and hoped a male citizen resided within its dark walls.
“Oh, I completely understand,” the clerk gushed and rang my items up promptly. I noticed he’d given me a hefty discount.
“Thank you so much!” I grinned.
“Wish your master well for me,” he called after me as I left. Clutching my bag with both hands, I hurried back the way I’d come.
When I passed by the dark mouth of an alley, a hand reached out and gripped my forearm.
“Hey!” I squeaked.
“You look lost,” a deep voice purred.
A male stepped out of the alley. Four more flanked him. All of them were different species, but I quickly noticed that they all possessed mouths filled with golden teeth filed into points.
“I’m not lost,” I insisted. “I’m actually in a hurry.” I looked at their exposed arms for the Enclave sigil but didn’t see it. At least that was one thing I didn’t have to worry about.
Probably.
“You should come with us,” the leader grinned and ran his tongue along his teeth. “We can get you home safe.”
I highly doubted that. I held the bag containing all of the medical supplies in my free hand. Before I could talk myself out of it, I swung the bag into the face of the alien male that held me. Surprised, he released his grip on my arm. I bolted into the streets.
He scrambled after me, knocking the bag loose, the contents clattering down the pavement. I heard them behind me, calling after me and whistling. Citizens moved out of my way as I ran, but none of them tried to help me. Perhaps this was a common occurrence on this street.
In a panic, I realized I couldn’t lead the males back to the dock. I couldn’t risk anyone discovering the Rogue Star. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know where to go. My legs began to shake with effort. I couldn’t keep my current pace much longer.
A flash of bronze streaked by me. I looked over my shoulder just in time to see Valtic slam his fist into the leader’s face. The leader cried out in pain and crumbled to the ground. Blood gushed all over his clawed hands.
The other four sized Valtic up, confident they could take him, but Valtic wasn’t cowed in the least.
They came at him. With speed and agility that should’ve been impossible for someone of his size, Valtic evaded their attacks. He grabbed one male by the arm and twisted it around his back. Bone snapped, followed by a shriek of pain. Valtic kicked another one square in the chest, certainly breaking some ribs. With three down, the remaining two looked uncertain.
Before they could make up their minds, Valtic charged at them. He grabbed them both by the collar and slammed their heads together. They crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
It was all over before I’d even caught my breath.
Valtic turned to me, his eyes burning with rage.
“Come.” He strode past me, back in the direction of the ship. I followed a few paces behind him. I could almost feel the hot anger rolling off his shoulders, trailing behind him.
“I just—”
“Not now,” he snarled. He reached behind me and with surprising care clamped his hand around my wrist. I clamped my lips shut.
As I walked, I noticed my empty hands were shaking.
Valtic
I stalked through the streets back to the docks, my hand locked around her wrist.
I couldn't believe Lynna had left the safety of the Rogue Star, gone out where anything could have happened to her.
Almost happened to her.
If I hadn't been there in time. . .
The haze that had wrapped over me during the brief fight with the scum that had hassled her threatened to take over again.
I pushed it back. I was still stronger than it.
For now.
I felt her stumble behind me.
Scro. I couldn't even keep her safe when I was next to her.
I slowed my pace, scanning the crowd for threats.
At least she had disguised herself well, the bright pink with purple swirls a reasonable facsimile for a Blitioon woman.
If you weren't particularly familiar with it, that was. And most people wouldn't be.
But still, to be alone. Vulnerable.
It would not stand.
“What in the cosmos were you thinking?” I growled.
She glared at me, the fire in her eyes unmistakable, no matter what nonsense she did to her lovely skin.
“I was thinking that we needed supplies for the med bay,” she snapped. “And I was thinking that, since the crewmember who was supposed to be keeping an eye on it hadn't been, I had better take care of it.”
I’d have words with Zayn later.
Strong ones.
Her voice grew quiet. “I thought with so many people around,” she trailed off, still shaken. “I didn't think there'd be any trouble.”
For a brief moment, I had the ridiculous urge to take her in my arms, let her lean on me, tell her nothing would happen to her, ever again.
But leaning on me, relying on me, was foolish. It got people killed.
As we re-boarded the Rogue Star, crewmembers scattered out of our way, eyes averted.
Suddenly she whipped her wrist out of my grip. “I am not a child,” she snapped, “and I will not be treated like one.”
I turned, forcing my eyes away from every lush curve of her form. “I am more than aware of that.” I growled “You are an adult, a grown woman. And a beautiful one. And what they would have done to you—”
I couldn't say it, couldn't even think it if I was going to retain even this thin veneer of control. My gorge rose and even under the dye, her face paled.
“I know,” she whispered. Unlike every other member of the Rogue Star’s crew, she didn't back down, didn't step away from me.
Instead she came closer, putting her hand on my chest.
I stared down in shock.
“Thank you for being there. I know it would've been bad. I've seen. . .”
Her voice faded, eyes fixed on something I couldn't see
I knew that look. I'd seen it on myself far too many times, caught it in my peripheral vision when I passed by random reflective surfaces. Not mirrors. I still avoided those.
&n
bsp; “Let's get you back to the med bay.” Careful not to startle her, I put an arm around her shoulders.
Just to help support her, guide her while she still seemed to be in shock.
It wasn't because being near her made the rage subside. Not because even the air around her tasted cleaner, brighter.
Not at all.
I led her into the med bay, got her settled on a chair and, grabbing a glass for water, I glanced at the supply closet.
She hadn't been kidding. It was barren. If something happened, it would be a disaster.
The list of items to discuss with Zayn grew longer.
“Here, drink this.” I knelt in front of her, steadying the glass as she drank.
“Sorry,” she said, shaking her head, her eyes refocusing, rejoining me here in the present instead of trapped in whatever ghost of a nightmare that had held her.
“Before I went to Persephone Station, I was a first responder in a pretty dark area of town. I wanted to help, thought I could make a difference. There were things, awful things.”
My mind blanked for a moment.
I knew from my review of the records that most of the women assigned to Persephone Station had been there to get them out of the way, or as a punishment, or alternative to an actual prison sentence.
It seemed something closer to a prison for political misfits than an actual research station.
Lynna was one of the few exceptions. She had volunteered to go, to conduct research.
I'd assumed that before her transfer, she'd worked in a hospital, or maybe a laboratory. Some quiet, peaceful place that suited her.
Emergency response, with all the horrors her voice implied, didn't match my imaginings.
“Then you should know to be more careful,” I barked, then clenched my fist, willing myself back under control.
With infinite grace, she set the half empty glass down on the examination table and rose to confront me, eyes blazing.
“I know exactly what's out there. Oh, maybe not the exact species or the technology, but I'd be amazed if there are any forms of depravity that could surprise me.” Her laugh was bitter, entirely unlike anything I’d expected.