by K. Rowe
and I found Krodus there.”
She stopped just short of sitting down. “Krodus? The very Krodus who used to beat you up?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you hated him?”
“Oh, for many years, I did. But when I saw him there, starved and broken spirited, I realized that purebred Satirens are becoming increasingly rare. As much as I hated him, I know our species needs healthy purebreds to survive.” He shifted in the chair. “So I bought him at auction for two thousand drig—please, if you see his father, don’t tell him.”
“I won’t. You did a very noble thing, Dar.”
He reached in his pocket. “And I have something special for you.” Taking out a small rolled cloth, he presented it to her. “Something else I picked up on Uyoninis.”
She took the cloth and unrolled it, revealing a fine gold bracelet. “Oh, it’s beautiful!”
Dar smiled. “Only the best for my mother.”
“Do you have time to stay for dinner?”
He glanced at the time piece on the wall. “I should think so. Gwog isn’t hurrying us like last time. We’re off to Newrillis to pick up some arms.”
Denrika stood and went to the kitchen. “Oh? For whose war?”
“The Bodnarians and Sirrixians. I think this shipment is going to Sirrix.”
“Does he provide both sides with arms?”
Dar got up and joined her. “He only delivers them. Each planet has already paid for the shipments. It’s not like he’s contributing to the war.” He put his arms around her. “I know you don’t agree with it; and I really don’t either. But this is business, and there’s lots of drig in it. One day I may be in the same position to transport arms to them.”
“I’d prefer you not.”
“Well, it’s my life, and I have to earn a living too.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a large wad of drig and placed it on the counter next to her. “I make good drig doing what I do.”
“I see that.”
“And how come there’s some little Tridun working at the store?”
She turned to him. “Dar, I’m in my fiftieth year, I’m not getting any younger. Work is getting harder for me.”
“Jartis is in his seventieth year, and he’s still going strong—well, for the most part.”
“With no male in my life, it’s not been easy.”
Dar sighed. “I wish Jartis was younger. He’d make a good mate,” he said softly.
“Mmm, he is rather handsome, but I’m afraid taking up with a half breed would only get the tongues flapping harder around town…They haven’t forgotten your father yet, it seems.”
“But he was an Earthling, and that was an accident. They shouldn’t hold that over you.”
“Dar, it’s a small town; the gossip never stops.”
“Then why don’t you go back to Satiris?”
“No, I can’t; that’s not a place for me.” She started getting ingredients ready for dinner. “My home is here, as it has been nearly all my life…Don’t worry, I’m happy. Cogg is a good worker, and I enjoy hearing stories of his planet. Have you been there?”
Dar chuckled. “Tridius? Yes, several times. But I do have an inherent problem when there—”
“What’s that?”
He held his hand over his head. “I’m much taller than their doorways and ceilings!”
Denrika laughed. “Can you see if Jartis would like some wine with dinner?”
“Mother, I’m not gonna bother asking him. Since when have you ever met someone from a freighter crew that didn’t drink?”
“I thought my son didn’t.”
“Sorry, I’m an adult, and Malikin port is just too nice to pass up.”
She went to the cold box and got out a bovidis shoulder. “When do you expect to be back this way?”
“I dunno. It all depends on what shipments Gwog takes.”
“Well, it’s good to see you anytime you’re over this way in the galaxy.”
He took the meat from her, placing it on the counter. Then he took her hands in his. “Sometimes we’re close, and I beg Gwog to stray off course. But he’s got a business to run, and I understand that. I’ll come see you every chance I get.”
“I’ll look forward to any day I can see my son.”
13
Gwog stood in front of Dar’s bunk; his crewmember was fast asleep. “Coming, little one?” he asked softly. There was no response. He reached out and tapped Dar on the shoulder. “Hey, are you coming with us?”
Dar opened his eyes. “Huh?”
“We just docked at Sirrix. You wanna come along?”
“Oh, yeah, what are you going to do?” He sat up and threw off the covers.
“Well, the space station is rather small, but they do offer gambling and a little shopping. Sorry, they aren’t licensed for a pleasure barge, but let me tell you, it won’t stop you from finding a partner to join with.” Gwog straightened up. “I’ll probably find a bar and maybe a female.”
He rubbed his eyes and face. “Uh, okay, lemme get dressed and I’ll tag along.”
Crawling from his bunk, he grabbed his clothes and dressed. He stopped by the bathroom on the way out and decided not to bother shaving. If a female wanted to join with him, she’d take him how he was. Making his way forward, he met the rest of the crew at the front hatch.
“Ah, Dar, coming along? You were sleeping so peacefully I didn’t wanna wake you,” Jartis joked.
“Yeah, I’ll have a look around.” He waited while Gwog worked the heavy door open.
“All right, crew, I don’t want you to cause any trouble. Behave, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow,” Gwog waved his arm, ushering them out.
Dar walked along with Jartis. “So what are you going to do?”
“Oh, I’m probably gonna find a nice place to get a drink,” Jartis replied.
“Can I join you?”
“Sure, I don’t mind the company. But I doubt hanging out with this old half breed will attract a female.”
“Mmm, I’m not actively looking. If it happens, it happens.”
Jartis put his hand on Dar’s shoulder. “That’s the spirit.”
They walked along for quite a while. Finally Jartis spotted a bar. “Ah, that place looks quieter than the others.”
“And what is this need for silence?”
Jartis tugged at his ear. “The older you get, the harder it is to hear.”
Dar stopped and took a few sniffs. “Does your sense of smell dull too?”
He sniffed the air. “Ah, females!”
“I guess that sense never dulls.” Dar opened the door for Jartis. They went in and found a table tucked away in the corner.
A waitress arrived shortly. “What can I get for you?”
“Two Malikin ports, please,” Dar said.
“Sure, I’ll bring them right out.” She disappeared.
Jartis surveyed the area. Most of the patrons looked to be older aliens of varying species. No one looked particularly threatening, so he figured a nice quiet evening was in order. “Dar?”
“Yeah?”
“I think you’re the youngest one here.”
Dar looked around. “Yeah, guess so,” he chuckled.
Their drinks arrived and they sat back, savoring them. They talked about various different things, nothing of any importance. After several more rounds, and a couple of hours, Jartis yawned widely. “Well, youngling, this old body needs some sleep. I’m gonna head back to the ship.”
“Suit yourself; I’m wide awake.”
“Of course you are. You were fast asleep like a cute little youngling—all tucked in your bunk.”
“Jartis, hey!”
“Well, you were.” He got up, reached in his pocket and pulled out a few drig, tossing them on the table. “I’ll see you later.”
“Have a good sleep, my old friend.” Dar waved good-bye as Jartis shuffled out the door. Sitting alone now, he wondered if any of the females he’d seen would approach. They were a bi
t older, but he wasn’t worried about age; it was the experience and the choice of a free-will joining that had him curious. He didn’t like paying for joinings, he liked it much better if a female approached and wanted him without wanting drig. Although, he mused, there was one time on Thokin where an Elemenel approached and offered payment to join with him. He told her he wasn’t a prostitute, but she just kept after him. Finally, he could take it no longer and gave in. They joined, and Dar gave her every ounce of magic he could. He had to admit, it was amazing. Over and over they joined, and finally in an exhausted state, watched the sunrise, lying naked on a blanket near the top of a hill.
Ah, Regia, Dar pondered. She was the most intense Elemenel he’d ever joined with. When all was said and done, Regia wanted to pay him for his services. He happily declined, stating that he joined of his own free will, and it felt fantastic. A few years later, he returned to Thokin and sought her out. To his dismay, she’d life-joined with a male and was expecting her first youngling. Dar wondered if perhaps he loved her but kept denying it. She filled his dreams many nights after their one night of passion.
He glanced up and noticed two males approaching. One was a Sirrixian, and the other, perhaps a half breed Skrinnian. “Hey, are you interested in some action?” the half breed asked.
“Action of what sorts?” Dar replied warily.
“You look like an alien of means, how about a game of Sirrixian poker?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know how to play.”
“Oh, come on, we’ll show you,” the Sirrixian said.
Dar felt unsure if this was a ploy to get him out of the bar so they could mug him. Space stations weren’t the safest places to be. He reached back and made sure his trusty knife was there. “Where are we going?”
“Just to that table over there. No tricks, my