by Elin Wyn
Maybe I should quit assuming things about her, a quiet voice in the very back of my head whispered. I didn’t seem to be getting anything right.
“If you've got any historical records about Terra and her wars, you might want to look them up. Humans have long been very creative in doing terrible things to each other.”
I reached out for her, but whatever closeness we’d shared had burned away in her anger. I let my arm fall.
“If you know, then stay safe,” I commanded.
“Knowing what's out there, having been hurt before, doesn't mean I'm going to give up. The danger can't stop me, just make me more cautious.” She bit her lip. “And I'll be more cautious, I promise. But I won't let the darkness keep me from doing my job. That's letting it win.”
Her words struck like knives.
“Well, then.” I turned away. “It’s past time for me to do another round of checks on the cameras.”
She came behind me, her steps so light I didn't hear her over the howling of my own thoughts and lay her hand on my arm as I reached for the door.
“Still,” she said, her voice quiet once more. “Thank you.”
I nodded, not trusting my voice and strode down the corridor. Where she touched me, my chest and my arm, burned like a brand.
I found myself clenching and unclenching my fists as I walked.
By everything, that woman was the most frustrating person I had ever been around. How someone that intelligent, that beautiful, that talented, could be so lacking in common sense!
Did I say she was beautiful?
Kout.
Lynna
When all was said and done, I was still faced with the same problem of no medical supplies. I congratulated myself on my quick thinking when I’d launched the bag into that alien bastard’s face, but now Kovor was out several hundred credits and my supply closet was still disappointingly empty.
“Kalyn, will you go with me into the city? I have to rebuy all of the med supplies.” I poked my head into the office she shared with Dejar and Aavat. Both Kalyn and Dejar were bent over paperwork. I bet they had something to do with finances. Dejar always spent hours looking at papers when the Rogue Star wasn’t turning a profit.
“Can it wait for a few hours?” Kalyn asked without looking up. “We’re doing some major rearranging here.”
“It’s okay! I’ll ask someone else.” I ducked back out of the office and continued my search. I went to Orrin and Maris’s workshop next. Both of them were hunched over their workspaces working on tiny, complicated pieces of machinery.
“Maris, do you have a minute to spare? I need to go get medical supplies,” I asked.
“I never have minutes to spare,” she replied without looking up. “Ask Shenna. She likes errands like that.”
“Okay. Sorry to bother you!” I shut the workshop door quietly as I left.
I proceeded to ask Shenna, but she was frantically trying to corral her ever-growing collection of strange animals. When I knocked on the door to her and Aavat’s cabin, she screamed not to open it. I definitely heard the cat, Persephone, hissing, along with an array of other sounds I couldn’t begin to describe.
I walked back and forth through the corridors of the ship asking anyone I passed.
“I would,” Manda said nervously, “but after what happened yesterday, I don’t think it’s a good idea for any of us to go out into the city.”
“You’re probably right,” I frowned. That didn’t change the fact that I still needed to replenish the supply closet.
“Maybe the captain or one of the crew will get the supplies for you next time they leave the ship,” Manda said hopefully.
“I’m sure they will,” I smiled reassuringly. Manda went on her way to do whatever it was she did in her spare time. I stood in the middle of the corridor, unsure of what to do with myself. I was about to go back to the med bay to tinker with the outdated equipment when I, quite literally, ran into someone coming up behind me.
Large hands grasped my shoulders to steady me. I looked up to see Valtic. He wasn’t smiling, but he didn’t have his usual scowl, either. I took that as a good sign.
“I’m sorry,” I stammered. “I didn’t hear you walking.”
“Do you need an escort into the city?” he asked, releasing his grip on my shoulders.
“Really?” I blinked in surprise. “Even after what happened yesterday?”
“Especially because of what happened yesterday.”
“You’re not still angry, are you? I don’t think I want to be escorted by someone who’s angry with me.” I lifted my brow in a subtle challenge. A small smile flickered at the corner of Valtic’s mouth.
“I was never angry with you,” Valtic said roughly. “I was angry that you were allowed to walk around the city alone. So, if you still have business in the city, allow me to escort you.”
“All right,” I smiled. “Let me put on a disguise.”
“I’ll wait for you by the door.”
I slipped into the closet. This time, I picked out a shimmery metallic dye in an attempt to make myself look like a female Shein. That was the go-to look for the other human women when they left the ship. Once my exposed skin was perfectly dyed, I darkened my hair with chocolate-colored powder. The final touch was a smattering of tattoos. As I picked up the delicate brush and pot of black ink, I paused. Suddenly, I had a wonderful idea.
I opened the closet door. Valtic leaned against the opposite wall, arms folded over his chest.
“Let me see your face,” I said to him.
“What?” he blinked in surprise.
“I want my fake tattoos to look right,” I explained. Something about that amused him. He smirked as he walked over to me. He leaned down so his face was level with mine. Looking between his face and the mirror, I carefully copied his tattoos across my own cheekbones.
“How do they look?” I asked.
He gently took my chin in his hand to hold me still while he scrutinized my handiwork. I didn’t expect him to touch me. My breath caught in my chest.
“Impressive work.” Valtic nodded in approval. He released my chin. I felt a little breathless but forced myself to snap out of it.
“Let’s go before the shop closes,” I said quickly.
Valtic retrieved a new security code from Captain Dejar and together, we stepped out into the city. It was later in the day than last time. Katzul’s neon lights illuminated the damp streets. Puddles glowed as hundreds of feet sloshed through them.
Luckily, the store I’d purchased from the day before was still open. I acquired another bag filled to the brim with medical goodies.
Since we were in no particular hurry, Valtic and I strode casually through the city. I didn’t feel the need to look over my shoulder for those bastards that attacked me yesterday. I knew that as long as I was with Valtic, I was untouchable.
“What do the tattoos mean?” I asked after we’d been walking a while.
“It depends,” Valtic replied. Truth be told, I hadn’t expected him to give a straight answer, or any answer, for that matter.
“On what?” I asked. “If I’m borrowing their design, I feel like I should know what they mean. It’s not insulting that I copied your tattoos, is it?” I gasped, embarrassed that I only just now considered it.
“No.” Valtic didn’t quite chuckle. The noise he made was a cross between a sigh and a laugh. Subtle, reserved, but it still reflected humor. What was it about him that made me pay such close attention to his body language? It’s like I was eager to pick up every little bit of information about him that I could. He was like a puzzle, but instead of neatly cut pieces, he was made up of mismatched fragments.
“I think it’s flattering that you wanted to copy my tattoos,” Valtic continued. “I was very selective with the designs. It took me almost five years to have them finished to my liking.”
“Wow.” I nodded in appreciation. “They must be important.”
“Very,” he replied. “A Shein’
s tattoos can mean a great many things. It depends on what the Shein in question wants to celebrate in their life.”
“What are you celebrating?” I felt so greedy asking such personal questions. Aside from the lecture I received yesterday, I’d never heard Valtic talk this much.
“I’ve dedicated my arms to my family, going back hundreds of years.” He extended his arms. I leaned close to get a good look at the intricate designs. “Each larger symbol represents a clan member.”
“Are they in your native language?”
“Sort of,” he explained. “We have a proper alphabet that you’ll find in our books, but we have an entirely different system of symbols used only for our tattoos. We have to be fluent in order to receive our tattoos. It takes about a Shein year of studying.”
“That’s incredible.” I meant it. “Now I feel silly for wearing symbols on my face without understanding them.”
“On your face, you have my favorite places in Dominion space.”
“How many?” I asked.
“Thirty or so,” he shrugged.
“You’ll have to tell me all about them sometime.” I smiled up at him.
“You can see them all for yourself on that map in Dejar’s office.”
“That’s not as fun as listening to someone’s stories.” Valtic looked like he wasn’t sure what to say. Before he got the chance to say anything at all, we heard someone shouting.
“You!” A high, scratchy voice bellowed. At first, neither of us thought anything of it. It was a crowded city, after all. “Stop! I’m talking to you!”
A green hand wrapped around Valtic’s arm. His expression turned hard as stone as he whirled around, ready to throw a punch.
“Itair?” he sputtered in confusion and stayed his hand.
“You were in my house yesterday!” He pointed at Valtic with a shaking hand. “You know Dejar. You can help me.”
“What’s the matter?” I asked. Now that I was getting a look at the infamous Itair, he was not what I’d expected. I always imagined him to be more imposing.
“We can’t talk here. It’s not safe,” he hissed, spittle flying everywhere. I discreetly wiped at the wet spot on my cheek.
“I can take you back to your residence,” Valtic offered, though he didn’t sound happy to do so. “However, Captain Dejar should be present for all discussions.”
“No!” Itair’s piggy eyes went wide. “My house is being watched, it’s been attacked!”
“By who?” Valtic demanded.
“I don’t know! But I know someone’s keeping tabs on me. Take me to your ship,” he demanded.
“You’re being watched and you want me to take you to my ship?” Valtic repeated with a look of disbelief. He shook his head and reached for my hand to lead me away. Sensing Valtic was about to leave him in the lurch, Itair panicked. He grabbed Valtic by the shirt with both hands.
“I don’t recommend doing that,” I advised Itair, but he ignored me.
“I have information your captain wants,” Itair hissed to Valtic. “I will tell you everything I know about The Terror in exchange for protection.”
“Why should I believe you?” Valtic forcibly removed Itair’s hands from his shirt.
“I was under the impression you wanted to do something about the Enclave,” Itair replied. “If you want to stop them, you’ll bring me to your captain.”
“Fine,” Valtic said gruffly. “But one wrong move and I will make you wish Enclave found you.”
Valtic
Itair’s hysterics were quite bothersome. Just as I had been beginning to grow comfortable around Lynna, our portly benefactor on this planet rushed up begging for assistance. His incessant hiss to make us move faster irritated me to the point of homicidal thoughts. I imagined wrapping my hands around his fat throat and squeezing until it popped, spraying blood and flesh all over my arms and chest. The darkness sung in my veins, coaxing me, urging me on.
“Why are we not walking faster?” he hissed behind me. Desperation emanated from that hiss. “Did you not hear me? I’m being watched!”
Lynna put her hand in mine, causing me to look down at her in confusion. She smiled up at me and winked, then turned her head to look at Itair. “That’s why we’re walking so slow. If your watchers are keeping an eye on you now, then they’ll follow you, and us, right back to the ship. We’re taking our time so we can lose them.”
“Well, can’t we do that faster?” The despair was still in his voice, but the impatience and anger were not.
Lynna looked back up at me and mouthed, “It’s okay. Stay calm.”
I nodded and turned us down a small side street. It wasn’t as crowded as the main streets, which allowed us to pick up our pace slightly. I turned us down another street, then another, and then into a small store.
“Why are we in here?” Itair asked quietly.
“I’m thirsty and you’re buying,” I snapped as I grabbed three bottles of carbonated fruit drink out of a small cooling unit.
I placed them at the register and looked at Itair, my arms crossed. With a roll of the eyes and a shake of the head, he pulled out some coins, paid for the drinks, and grabbed the bag. I smiled at him, keeping it as cool and friendly as possible, then led them out the back entrance which was connected to another side street. This one was packed with various vendors preparing for the nighttime celebration of some random celebrity’s birthday or some such thing.
We made our way through the crowd, Lynna’s hand comfortably in my own as I gently pulled her along behind me. Itair followed closely, almost tripping over himself in his zeal to push us faster. After another few side streets and one short trip on a passing trolley, we were close to the docks.
“Stay close, but try to look casual,” I said quietly. Lynna gave my hand a reassuring squeeze and Itair nodded impatiently. With a slight huff of impatience, I took them back to the ship. As we stepped through the doorway, I turned around to survey the docks, to see if anyone stood out. The only people I saw on the docks were the people we’d passed, but I still wasn’t comfortable.
“Stay here,” I said, putting my finger on Itair’s chest. “I don’t trust you at all. So you stay here until the captain arrives.” Without waiting for a response, I turned to Shar. “Tell Captain Dejar and Commander Aavat that I’ve returned with company. They are needed here immediately.”
With a nod, Shar got onto the communicator. As he was speaking, I turned to Lynna. “Thank you.”
I seemed to have caught her by surprise, because her head tilted a bit as she asked, “For what?”
“For helping me to maintain my composure back there,” I answered. I jerked my head towards Itair. I wasn’t sure how she’d done it, but her presence had once again beaten back the haze, allowed me to regain control. “If he has information, it will be useful for him to be on-board.”
She smiled up at me. “No problem. Care to help me take this bag to the med bay?”
Of course I did. I’d be happy to help her with anything she asked for. But my responsibility was here, with Itair. “Unfortunately, I cannot. I need to stay here in order to safeguard our ‘guest.’ I can have one of the men aid you, if you wish,” I offered.
“It’s okay. And thank you, too,” she said.
Now it was my turn to be surprised. “For what?”
“For escorting me and telling me about yourself. It was nice,” she smiled. There was an old human saying that I had found in my research. Something about a person’s smile lighting up a room or some such thing. I had thought it was nonsense, but just now, when she smiled, it seemed as if the entire cargo bay was brighter. She reached out and gave my arm a light squeeze, then walked away.
Within moments, Dejar, Aavat, and Kovor all stepped through one of the inner doorways. As a unit, they stopped dead in their tracks. “Wh-what is this?” Aavat asked, pointing towards Itair.
I held up a hand to stay Itair’s words. “You don’t talk, not yet,” I growled, making sure my teeth were visibl
e. I turned back towards the men.
“This…person came running up to Lynna and me in the city, claiming that his house had been vandalized and that he was being followed. He demanded that I bring him here to see you, sir.”
Dejar looked between Itair and me, then let out a deep sigh. “Bring him to my office, now.” He spun on his heel and walked away.
“You heard him,” I said as I grabbed Itair’s arm. I wasn’t nice in my grip as I dragged him along. We were all in Dejar’s office within minutes. They were sitting, I was standing by the door.
“Talk,” Aavat said.
Itair was still shaking, even now. “My home, my home, was broken into and vandalized. They destroyed my office. Most of my artwork was destroyed, my statues broken, my desk…” he was starting to hyperventilate. “My desk was—was—was, they wrote on my desk, gouged a giant scratch into it. That desk is ancient, an antique. It’s worth more than your ship!” He was near hysterics.
Aavat, with a smile I hadn’t known he could produce, walked behind Itair and poured a glass of water over his head.
“Aah!” Itair yelled.
“Pull yourself together,” Aavat said. “We get it, your office and your home were invaded. Someone has freaked you out. You need help. Now, talk to us. Why should we help you?”
“I can tell you about The Terror, and Enclave.”
“I thought you didn’t know anything,” Dejar commented mildly. “You were really quite insistent about that when we visited you.”
“I was lying,” Itair sputtered, looking around, finally fixing on Kovor, who leaned casually against the wall. Most people would probably think he had the most sympathetic ear of our group. “I didn’t have a choice, you can understand that, can’t you?”
Kovor raised one eyebrow, and for a moment, let the Shein behind the mask show. He wasn’t nearly as unaffected by all this as he’d made out.
“I know more about making choices than you might think. What do you want to tell us now, and why should we believe anything you say?”