by Lynnea Lee
Why did women have to choose between living a life they love and being loved by someone else? Why couldn’t a girl have it all?
CHAPTER TWO
Mia rolled the kink out of her neck and finished wiping down the counter. The morning rush at the Daily Dose refreshment bar where she worked had just ended, and she finally had some time to breathe between customers.
She was lucky she’d landed this job. Some of the men who came in on the Second Chance took jobs as physical laborers, but most of the women from the ship were still unemployed.
The colony took care of basic needs for new refugees during their first two planetary years. For the first year, it provided dorm styled housing, access to public use computers, basic clothing and personal products, and a cafeteria to keep everyone fed and healthy. The second year, housing was subsidized, and computer access and other necessities were still provided. Anything extra cost credit.
Mia had visited the hiring office on her second day. Many of the jobs available either required physical strength she simply didn’t have or literacy in the Tallean language. The translator implant only worked for spoken words. And the computer’s written translator left much to be desired; it also didn’t work for paper documents. She would have to learn to read and write the old-fashioned way. Mia didn’t mind. She already started using the tutorials provided by the colony.
She tossed the towel to her co-worker. Sala was Tallean, and she was Mia’s first friend in the colony. They talked a lot while they worked, and Mia was glad to have someone to both learn from and confide in.
Earlier that morning, a Tallean male had come into the refreshment bar. He made Sala visibly upset, asking a bunch of questions about the colony. Sala couldn’t get the male out the door quickly enough. When he left, Sala cursed and called their boss.
“Hey, Crox, it’s Sala. I think I just served a Dominion officer.”
There was a pause as Crox, the Tallean who owned the refreshment bar, spoke on the other end.
Sala replied, “He wasn’t wearing a uniform, but his hair was cut in the same style required by males serving in the Dominion fleet. And his boots were Dominion issue, too. He asked a bunch of questions about the colony, things a local should know already. That’s all I was going on. Maybe I’m overreacting, but my gut feeling screamed Dominion.”
Another pause. “No, I said nothing, just served him like normal.” She paused again. “Okay. Thanks, Crox.”
She ended the comm.
“Do you think he’s here for some nefarious purpose?” Mia asked. “Maybe to get the slaves back?” Mia rubbed her arms, suddenly chilled. She’d made a lucky escape and didn’t think she had enough horseshoes left to do it again.
“I don’t know. It’s never a good thing to find the Dominion poking around. But don’t worry, Mia, you are safe here.”
“Can you explain something to me? I understand why the humans here hate the Dominion. They stole us from Earth to use as slaves. But what about the Talleans? At first, I thought the Galactic Dominion just meant the planets ruled by Talleans, but everyone I’ve met here has a bone to pick with the Dominion. What am I missing?”
“Talleans don’t actually own the Dominion. We just do all the dirty work for them.” Sala picked at the hem of her apron.
“So there’s another species out there I haven’t met yet? And the Talleans that stole me from Earth were just following orders?”
“That’s a simplified way to look at it, but it sounds about right. Didn’t they give you a collection of vids to watch that explained our history?”
“Yeah, they did, but I haven’t had the time. I jumped on this job right away. And in my spare time, I’ve been focusing on the language videos.”
“Okay, I’ll give a rapid rundown before the rush arrives.” She wiped her hands on her apron as she spoke. “There are two races of people on Tal. The ones like me call ourselves Talleans. Another race calls themselves the Favored. It’s short for Favored of the Goddess.”
Mia wrinkled her nose at how pretentious it sounded.
Sala laughed. “Wait till you hear more. Being bigger and stronger, Talleans used to rule over the Favored. We aren’t proud of it now, but that’s just how things were. Talleans were warriors, and we conquered. It was a long time ago.
A few centuries back, there was a revolution that gave every person on Tal equal rights. And for a while, our planet enjoyed peace. It was our golden age. It didn’t last long. The Favored infiltrated our politics, our educational system, and our media. They started controlling everything and brainwashing everyone. And the Dominion was born.”
Sala picked up a bar towel and polished the counter as she spoke. “My grandfather did everything he could to get his mate and child out of the Dominion. He worked in the fleet and bribed enough people to smuggle my grandmother and my mother on board. He was supposed to meet them at a colony when it was safe.”
“What happened?”
“There was a couple, a Tallean male and a Favored female who fell in love. Cross-matings are illegal. The Favored believe it will dilute their genes. My grandfather tried to help them. He brought them along when he left. All three were caught.
My mother told me stories of how life was under Dominion rule. Schools were just glorified re-education camps. They prayed to the Goddess four times a day. Children were taught the Goddess made the Favored in her likeness, and then created the cruder Talleans only to serve them. Talleans were stronger because they were meant to do all the heavy lifting and hard labor. The Favored were more refined because they were meant to rule.”
“Geez! That’s messed up!”
“I’m glad I’m here now. I assume many of the Talleans here have a similar story,” Sala finished.
The Dominion sounded like if crazy religion met North Korea met superiority complex and had a three-way bastard child. She was glad Reka 5 was free from their rule.
Then the morning rush had started, and they were busy filling orders. Mia enjoyed the work. Most patrons were pleasant and chatty. The humans who came in were eager for new updates on Earth, and Mia told them what she knew.
When the rush died down, Mia updated Sala about her mother’s non-stop matchmaking marathon.
“I overheard her speaking with Daniel again,” Mia explained as she rinsed off her equipment. “They want to surprise me tonight. They’re going to bring the evening meal into my room and set up a ‘private, romantic setting.’” She air quoted the words the best she could while still holding a tumbler. “Then, she’s going to leave us alone to get to know each other.” She rolled her eyes. The thought of spending any time with Dr. Ives creeped her out. Yuck!
“I can’t believe your mother would go through all that effort,” Sala said.
“Oh, I believe it. She’s done worse,” said Mia. She thought of the time her mom set her up with an already married lawyer. “I know she does it out of love. She got lucky with my dad. He was the first lawyer my mom latched onto, and luckily, he was a great guy too.”
“And now she wants the same for you?” Sala guessed.
“Yeah. She doesn’t want me to be alone, and she wants to make sure I live well. But damn, it’s annoying.”
“Sounds like mothers are similar everywhere in the galaxy. Mine is always telling me to settle down and find a mate. She’s been better about it since my sister got mated. But your mother sounds so much worse.”
“What am I going to do?” Mia dried her hands on the towel before sitting next to Sala on the bench. “I can’t go back there after work. I refuse to walk into this trap!”
“Why don’t we go to the bathhouse after our shift? There’s a cantina attached in the same building. We can eat there after. The food is affordable and good. Not the healthiest but tasty. Besides, it’s about time you experience the baths and see what is on the market.”
Mia knew about the public baths. Talleans were totally relaxed with their bodies and their sexuality. The baths we
re co-ed, and nudity was not only accepted, but it was also expected. It was common to head over to the baths after work to clean up and relax before the evening meal. It was also a prime location for unmated Talleans to check out the market and meet their next sexual conquest.
Not particularly inhibited herself, Mia was curious to see what the baths were all about. Besides, she just got her first paycheck yesterday. She was glad to have some credits to her name. Since she was still living in the dormitory, she could save most of what she made. Going to the bathhouse and experiencing the local culture sounded like the perfect way to celebrate her first minor victory.
Every Tallean male she had met so far was very attractive. She didn’t mind doing some man-watching herself and seeing, as Sala put it, what was on the market.
Sala cleared her throat and nudged her elbow.
“Look who’s coming this way,” she tittered.
It was Vore. After Arus had walked Mia home that evening, Vore and Arus showed up at the Daily Dose, well, daily. Mia had been wearing her “Welcome to the Daily Dose. My name is Mia!” name tag when they met that night, and he clearly noticed it.
Vore was leaner than Arus, wirier. Vore reminded Mia of a wolf while Arus reminded her of a bear. Today Vore was alone. Mia tamped down her disappointment. Taking Arus’s order was the highlight of her day.
Sala poured on the charm as she served Vore, flirting shamelessly. Her friend viewed the big male as a challenge. The two mercenaries were here for some rest and relaxation between missions, and Sala wanted to add Vore as another notch on her bedpost before he left.
Mia thought of Arus. She could get behind a little no strings attached fun and games herself, especially if her playmate had Arus’s beautiful light green eyes and his gorgeous body.
“So, are we going?” Sala asked, pulling Mia out of her reverie.
“What?” Mia asked. She wasn’t paying attention and hadn’t heard the question.
“The baths.”
“Oh yeah, of course! Count me in.”
“Perfect!” Sala turned back to Vore, who Mia just realized was still standing right there. “So, I guess we’ll meet you two there after work. Our shift ends in three hours.”
Mia froze. Did Sala just invite Vore and Arus to join them at the baths?
She waited for Vore to leave the bar before she spoke, “What the hell just happened?”
“I’ve been watching you and Arus make sexy eyes at each other for days now. Don’t you dare tell me you aren’t interested because I won’t believe you.” Her friend shot her a victorious grin. “Oh, and you’re welcome!”
Arus was supposed to be enjoying his time off. Instead, he had gotten roped into taking a side job for the colony. Since his arrival at Reka 5, the perimeter fencing in the new colonist area had failed twice. It never had a history of failure, and the colony suspected foul play. Since Ryek, the colony director, had worked with the Defiant in the past, he hired Vore and Arus to look into the matter. They needed an external agent they could trust.
So instead of rest and relaxation, Arus worked in the security office. The room was stark and barren. A long table took up the center of the room with chairs on either side. He sat at a computer terminal and went through the list of suspects Ryek had given him.
He wouldn’t admit it, but Arus had other motivation to take the job, besides the extra credits. Mia, the human female he met on his fourth evening on the colony, lived in the new colonist area. Arus wanted to make sure she was safe. He didn’t understand why he felt so protective over the little human.
Arus could still smell her scent when he closed his eyes. And when he tried really hard, he could still feel her soft little hands in his. Having met his share of humans during his travels, he knew what a handshake was. He had deliberately pretended to misunderstand her action, so he could keep touching her. It embarrassed him, but he didn’t regret it one bit.
He regretted not convincing her to share a meal with him. Arus loved food. Not just eating it, but making it as well. There was a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant across from the park where they met. It served the most delicious and authentic home-cooked meals from the mountain regions of Tal where Arus’s ancestors hailed. He had been on his way there, taking a shortcut through the park, when they met.
He wondered if Mia would enjoy the flavors. Unlike the more reserved humans, she was honest and open with her feelings. Arus remembered the way she had snapped at him, all venom and curses, only to switch to genuine remorse and apologize in the next sentence. All with no hint of artifice. She showed no fear of him, not even when he smiled at her with his fangs showing. Instead, the heady scent of arousal had permeated his senses. It drove him nuts.
He wondered what she tasted like. Arus imagined giving her a human-style kiss, the type they used for seduction.
A neatly wrapped package of pastry hit him square on the forehead and landed on his lap.
“Stars to Arus. Stars to Arus. Can you hear me? Come in, Arus!”
It was Vore. How long had he been standing there? Mia had him all distracted.
“Thanks.” Arus grabbed the pastry. It was his favorite from the Daily Dose.
He had been stuck in a meeting with colony security all morning and most of the afternoon as well. He missed their daily visit to the refreshment bar. Seeing Mia was his favorite part of the day.
“You’ll never guess what we are doing in about three hours,” Vore said with a playful tone.
“What did you get us into this time? I can never leave you alone.”
“We are going to the baths,” he singsonged.
“We do that all the time. What’s the catch?”
Arus opened the package and started eating his pastry.
“Let’s just say that certain hot little number and her human friend are meeting us there.”
Arus choked on his bite and coughed. Vore gave him a thunk on the back. He handed him a cold drink, and Arus chugged it down. Mia? At the baths?
“I thought you’d be happy, not try to end your pathetic life with a piece of dough.”
“We are meeting Sala and Mia at the baths?”
His friend looked at him like he was slow of intellect. “Yes, I just said that. Are you okay? You seem a little distracted today.”
“Just tired from going through the files,” Arus lied.
“Any extra information on the fence?” Vore asked.
“Yeah,” he began, glad for the change in topic. “The colony director thinks some of the new arrivals are behind it. They found two separate sets of prints at the fence.”
The prints were human. There was no doubt. Human feet were not only much smaller, but they also lacked talons and instead had nails like those on the hands. Tallean shoes had raised soles and openings at the front that accommodated their claws. Talleans evolved from a warrior race that needed capable innate weaponry to survive. Centuries after conquering the stars, they still kept their claws and fangs.
Even the cheek crease, another difference their species had with humans, was an adaptation for fighting. During a fight, Tallean fangs descended from their semi retracted position, and their cheek creases unfolded to allow their jaws to unhinge. This gave them the advantage of a wider bite and leverage for increased bite strength.
“The fence failures only started after the Second Chance dropped off their humans. But why would anyone fuck with a system meant to keep them safe? And how did they escape notice from all the cameras?”
“I don’t think they are working alone,” Arus admitted.
“You mean it might be an inside job?” asked Vore. “Did you mention it in the meeting? What was the director’s reaction?”
“Ryek wasn’t one bit surprised, actually. Even gave me a few names to look into.”
“That’s an excellent start. I will head out to the fence and check out the failure points myself. See what I can find that they missed.” Vore threw his crumpled-up pastry packag
e across the room. It hit the back wall and bounced into the garbage. “I’ll see you in a few hours. Try not to think too hard about seeing your little human naked at the baths.”
And then he left.
That bastard! How was Arus going to get any work done now?
That reminded Arus; this was supposed to be a vacation. In addition to the fresh group of humans brought in by the Second Chance, Reka 5 already had an established community of relocated Earth citizens. The original plan had been to charm the pants off some lucky females, have some fun, and then leave with the Defiant once it docked planetside again. That plan went down the drain the moment he had met Mia.
Other females, Tallean or human, didn’t pique his interest. It wasn’t for lack of trying, either. The evening after he walked Mia home, he had gone to the bar with Vore. A leggy human female with flame-red hair was more than eager to return to the inn with both of them. But Arus wasn’t interested one bit and insisted Vore take the beauty back without him.
In the past, he had shared females with Vore. But the thought of sharing Mia with anyone, even Vore, made him feel outraged. What was happening to him? Even mated couples sometimes shared if everyone involved wanted each other. Most mated males could not get it up unless their mates were there. Sharing was sometimes accepted, but cheating was never done.
Maybe he just needed to get Mia out of his system. Arus wasn’t the type to settle down. He worked a dangerous job on a mercenary ship. He spent most of his time floating in an overpriced tin can, albeit a rather well-armored and weaponized overpriced tin can. That tin can was returning to pick him up very soon. A mate was not for him.
Mia knew he was only at Reka 5 until the Defiant returned. Yet she still agreed to meet them at the baths. If Mia was willing to meet him and enjoy their time together until he left, then Arus could do no less. He would spend the next few days with her and give her some mind-blowing memories to keep. Then, with her out of his system, he would go on his merry way. Yes, that sounded like a brilliant plan. What could go wrong?