by Heather Karn
We played for hours, and I almost beat Mortan once. It had to be about midday when Kilani entered the room followed by a very furless human man. His wavy hair was dark and graying around the temples and he wore the same clothes that I’d first seen him in. They were rough and worn, and he was skinny, his skin appearing like leather. If I had to guess he was middle aged, but he appeared much older.
“You must be Cammie,” the man stated, stepping forward and offering his hand in a human greeting. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You as well,” I stated with a smile, standing and gripping his hand in a firm handshake. Kilani’s brows furrowed, watching our actions. “It’s another form of greeting, Ki. Hugs are for people you’re familiar with. Handshakes are for strangers, professional relationships, and people you generally don’t want to hug.”
“I see.” Kilani nodded and turned to Mortan. “I’m hungry a little early. Can you show me what you have available?”
Mortan led the way to the kitchen, and his murmured words drifted to my ears, “A little hungry? Didn’t you just eat yesterday?”
I almost giggled at the men. They were giving us humans privacy but still remaining close. Close indeed as they hung out behind the crystal case of food, watching us without being too obvious. After this morning’s attack, I didn’t blame Kilani.
“Would you like to sit?” I asked the man, motioning to the chair Mortan had vacated. It gave the men spying on us the best view of both of us.
“Thank you. I’m Mike, by the way. From Philly.”
“Indiana.”
“Small town?”
“Small enough.”
Mike nodded. When we were both silent and an awkwardness was growing, he cleared his throat and stared around the room. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when I woke up in that laboratory. I thought someone had drugged me. Never in my wildest imaginings would I have thought I’d be abducted by aliens, and that they’d actually have fur instead of being little green people.”
“Yeah, I kind of freaked out,” I muttered, though kind of was an understatement. I’d definitely freaked out, big time.
“I imagine you did. I guess after you, they gave me a light sedative so that I didn’t panic and could come to reality and accept it without hurting myself or anyone else.”
“How did you handle the news?”
Mike shrugged. “There was no denying what I saw once I realized I wasn’t drugged. They said they just needed some blood every now and again and I’d have a place to sleep and food to eat. At first it seemed too good to be true, but thus far, they’ve kept their word, and the captain even lets me work on the ship. What human can say they’ve ever done repairs to a spaceship?”
His utter excitement made me giggle. “Not many, that’s for sure. Were you able to explore the outpost planet?”
He shook his head. “No, and it was by choice. Being on a spaceship is one thing, but I wasn’t ready to make the leap to visiting other planets. Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Absolutely. It did get a little crazy at the end thanks to some not so friendly locals, but otherwise it was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. The friendly natives were so hospitable and their food was amazing.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I’ll have to step off the ship at our next stop.” Mike cleared his throat again, his tones hushed as he tried to turn his body away from our two spies. “Are they treating you all right?”
I grinned, my cheeks flushing as my gaze locked with Kilani’s until I turned away. “They’ve been very kind and considerate.”
“What about this bruise?” Mike reached between us to feather a touch over my left cheekbone. It had been tender to the touch all day, so I’d assumed a bruise was forming, but I hadn’t seen it for myself. “Who did that?”
The heat left my face as I recalled that morning’s events and I backed away from Mike, fidgeting with my fingers. “Okay, so you know Saren, the guy who’s been studying you?”
“Yeah, nice guy.”
“Yeah...well....he attacked me this morning.”
“What? Why?”
“Apparently he wanted blood and I wasn’t willing to give it to him. It’s a whole big explanation but it comes down to the Lutharians refusing to study females and Saren purposefully changed his target to take me and study me without Kilani knowing I was even on the ship. Only his plan backfired. So he was trying to force me to give him my blood, and it got a bit physical.” Again, I was under-exaggerating.
“I’m so sorry. Is Kilani punishing Saren for his behavior?”
I contemplated how to explain this and decided the straight up truth would be best. “He...kind of killed Saren.”
Mike’s eyes widened the next instant. “Killed him?”
“Saren attacked Ki after Ki had pulled him off me. At that point I’d say it was self-defense since Saren had the stick of pain in his hand.”
“I see.” The way Mike nodded and the understanding in his eyes showed he did understand what had happened. “Listen, it was nice to talk. I should let you get back to what you were doing. Captain Kilani said you’d wanted to meet me and I was as ready to see another human as I’m sure you were. Let’s meet up again soon, shall we?”
“I’d love that.” Smiling, we both stood, and this time we hugged. Though I didn’t know him well, we’d made a connection over common experiences. We likely wouldn’t see much of one another, but I was glad that Kilani had given us this time to meet.
A member of the crew I recognized by now, but couldn’t put a name to yet, escorted Mike out of the mess hall while Kilani and Mortan rejoined me at the table. Mortan took his chair again and made his move on the game, but my attention was on Kilani. His facial expression was carefully blank. Never a good sign with him.
“Wanna talk about it?” I asked, ignoring the game.
Ki’s gaze narrowed, but even I could tell his confusion was fake. “About what?”
“And this is where I take my leave again,” Mortan muttered, standing and walking away. This time he truly did disappear.
Setting my elbow on the table, I rested my chin in my hand. “I know something’s bothering you. You can either tell me willingly, or I’ll figure out a way to pry it out of you.”
Ki stared at me for several long seconds and I could see the debate going on of whether or not he should tell me what was wrong. Finally, he chose to spit it out. “I don’t like him touching you.”
“Because your people don’t believe in physical touch.”
“And because I don’t want him to think that he’s an option for you to choose as a mate.”
My thoughts exploded in a hundred different directions. “Okay, first of all, he’s probably older than my dad, and that’s just sick at my age. Second, you don’t want him to think of me or me think of him as a potential mate, why? Because you don’t want the competition?”
The shock of my question hit Kilani hard and he sputtered for an answer before going quiet, staring at his hands. He wasn’t going to get out of it that easy. I’d wait him out, and I finally did.
“I would very much like to be considered a possible mate when you have your Courtship ceremony.”
“You mean when I’m supposed to choose a Mate?”
“Yes.” He hung his head lower, ears almost a little slouchy if it were possible. “I’m not asking for you to choose me, but to give me some small consideration. There will be better, more honorable options, but I’d like a chance.”
And that was all he’d ever asked of me, was consideration. Not just about him, but about his people and his planet. And though I wouldn’t tell him to his face, I liked seeing this side of the strong and confident captain. It almost made him appear human in my eyes.
“You’ve always had a chance, Ki.”
Kilani’s head snapped up, his mouth hanging open. “I have?”
“Okay, maybe not that first day, but soon after. Your charm is kind of hard to resist.”
He snorted. “Dou
btful.”
“Okay, well it’s definitely your ability to be understanding. I’ve always appreciated that. But I will also say that I’m not saying I will choose you, or anyone. I don’t feel ready.”
“Then don’t. Not yet.” He grinned wide, showing his teeth. “By the way, when did I become Ki?”
“Is that wrong? Do you mind?”
“We usually only go by our given names, which is why I’m curious why you dislike yours, but also why I was shocked the first time you called me Ki.”
“I’m sorry, I should’ve asked.”
Kilani shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. If it bothered me, I would’ve corrected you before now. I’m only curious why you did it. Are these nicknames as you called them, common among your people?”
“Very. Some don’t even have anything to do with your name at all. Most everyone has a nickname, and that name depends on who’s talking to you. Besides Cammie, I can think of three right away that people have called me over the years.”
“I see. So, it’s a sign of affection?” Ki’s eyes twinkled with a mischievousness that I hadn’t seen in him yet.
“Sometimes yes, sometimes no. There are rude nicknames.”
“Okay, so shortening my name?”
“Friendly. Don’t get ahead of yourself Mr. Affection.”
“Is that a nickname?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not one that’s going to stick around.”
“Still, you called me a nickname.” And I’d never seen anyone prouder to be called something other than their given name.
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“What does that mean?”
“Never mind.”
“Fine.” Ki’s grin grew wider and he leaned over the table, his eyes sparkling. “Are you ready to see another planet?”
Kilani had known there was no way that I planned to say no to visiting another planet, even after the attack at the end of the last world I’d visited. There had been so much I’d learned and done since then that I was positive Ki knew that if he tried to keep me on the ship, I’d find a way off. Since I knew my way around the corridors better, it was a high possibility I could sneak off.
But Ki also wanted me to see this planet, and as he strode with me through the corridors, there was brewing excitement just under the surface of his skin. He was so giddy I almost laughed at him. Who knew by looking at him now, almost bouncing with excitement, his ears and whiskers twitching with it, that he could become a roaring nightmare of death?
“Do you remember the condition that allows you off this ship and onto the planet?” Kilani asked, sliding inside a room that appeared like a storage room.
“That I don’t wander away from you.”
“Correct. Well, I’m adding a condition. You have to wear one of these.”
In his hand, Kilani held out a device that appeared quite similar to the rectangular device on his wrist that controlled his uniform and comm unit. When I didn’t move, because I was too busy trying to figure it out, Ki grabbed my wrist and lifted it up, setting the device on my skin. A thin strip of whatever metal Ki’s uniform was made of slid around my wrist, hooking the device to me like a thick bracelet.
“Here, press this button once.” Kilani pointed to a circle in the center of four other buttons that circled it on the upper side of my arm. “This section controls the suit. The lower section is the comm unit.”
I did as he directed, pressing the circle once. A yelp escaped me as shimmering metal shot out of the device, creating a full suit to cover my entire body, except for my head. Once in place, it dimmed and appeared more like clothing than armor. In fact, it felt like cloth against my skin: soft and flexible. Yet, I’d seen it deflect the Hydandros’ darts.
“Now what?” I asked him, eyeing his short-sleeved version of the uniform.
“First, if you are attacked, press and hold the center button and the full uniform will engage, including a helmet...and I’m curious to see if the design will follow ours or morph to your form.”
“What do you mean?”
“You didn’t see my helmet while we were attacked?”
“Not from a great angle. I just saw you had one.”
A sly grin twisted his lips as Kilani pressed and held the circular button that would activate his full uniform. When it did, I saw what he meant. Grinning, I shook my head. Yup, I’d missed that part.
“Even your helmet has ears built into it?”
He shrugged, his voice sounding more muffled, but still quite loud, like it was being amplified in a small area. “We have to be mindful of our ears. A helmet shaped to your head would cause our ears to be flattened at an odd angle, or they’d get cut off. This allows them to stay free.”
“And you’re wondering if my helmet will keep the intended shape or not?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want me to try it?”
Kilani nodded, so I pressed and held the designated button. A flash of claustrophobia hit me as the weird armor moved over my face, but like the rest of the uniform, it was comfortable and fit my features like a glove. The crystal over the eyes was tinted like Kilani’s was, but it was still easy to make out what lay beyond. There wasn’t any extra techy stuff that showed in front of me like it was on a screen, like in some movies, but I was okay with that. Just getting used to the feel of the suit and breathing in it was enough for now.
“Well?” I asked, my voice sounding the same altered state as Kilani’s to my ears.
I could hear him smiling. “You have beautiful ears.”
“Thanks. Now how do I make it short sleeved like yours usually is?”
Stepping closer, Ki held out his arm and pressed one of the four buttons that surrounded the center circle. His uniform retracted to its usual state. Following his example, mine did the same, leaving me staring down at the uniform covering me.
“This is amazing. Can I keep this?”
Kilani shrugged. “Sure. You probably won’t need the armored protection on the ship as everyone is fully aware of what will happen to them if you’re attacked again, but I can teach you the comm system so you can reach out to me or Maltak at any time.”
“That would be awesome. So...why do I need this?”
“I’m not going to risk another incident like at Outpost 545. That was too close. The locals here are the most peaceful race I’ve ever seen, but I don’t want to take any risks with your life. Not again.” He nodded behind me. “Let’s go.”
Too excited, he didn’t have to tell me twice. This time, I led, trying to remember myself how to get off the ship. He had to correct me twice when I took a wrong turn and then missed a turn, but I did far better than I’d anticipated.
I hadn’t been on the deck to see what this world looked like before stepping out of the ship, and I couldn’t help but grin when I saw it. Unlike Outpost 545, there were no buildings surrounding us, which Kilani had told me later were there as a barrier to keep the Hydandro away from the ships. Instead, there was a lineup of four ships, ours being the largest, and a few thousand feet away from us were the edges of a village.
The ground wasn’t grassy like I hoped, but reminded me of pictures I’d seen of New Mexico and Arizona. In fact, the buildings were made of similar looking material. It wasn’t stucco or other Earth materials, but it was the closest I could compare it with. The roofs glinted brown metallic, but even those I couldn’t figure out what they were made of. Then again, I didn’t know enough about Earth building materials, so who was I to even guess at what any of this was made from?
While the buildings were similar to Earth, the people were far from it, or what I could see and not see of them. Not a single one was under six and a half feet tall, and each was covered from head to toe with cloth of varying colors. There was no way to even tell what their skin or eyes looked like. Nothing showed but their tall, skinny frames and the material that draped over them, which appeared rough instead of soft like cotton.
“Don’t try to see what they
look like,” Kilani warned as we strode side by side through the village. “Their culture believes that to see one another you lose the true identity of an individual. It is the worst disrespect to look upon someone without their permission, and usually then it is only immediate family.”
“Is that why none of the buildings have windows?”
“Yes. They don’t want to accidentally be seen without their coverings. Having everyone covered brings a sense of equality to the group as well. There is no class system here. Like I said, they’re the most peaceful species we’ve ever encountered. When one is in need, the village pulls together to help solve it. I don’t believe there has ever been a war on this planet.”
“Wow. That’s kinda insane.”
“It’s their way of life.”
“I like it.”
Kilani led me through the village, passing many of the locals who waved to us, called a greeting, or just nodded. The translator which Ki’s scientists had implanted into me when they’d first brought me on the ship worked its magic and I was able to understand them all.
The translator tech was still an argument that Ki and I went rounds about. I still believed I should’ve been given the choice to have it implanted inside of me, but he argued that without being able to understand him when I first woke up, my first impression of them would’ve been far worse. Though he was completely right, I still didn’t have to like it, not even if the tech was like the size of a needle’s head.
We passed a few other odd-looking aliens that I didn’t get a good look at as Kilani steered us away from them. Apparently they belonged to one of the other ships we’d parked near. They weren’t violent, but they weren’t altogether peaceful and Kilani didn’t want to draw any attention to me.