by Tracy Lauren
“Docking locked. Cruise set,” Da’vi reports.
The guys relax a bit in their seats. It seems like there is some invisible thread pulling us towards the spaceport. I see a hanger… or a garage, or whatever it might be called. It gets larger and brighter as we quickly approach. I feel butterflies tremble in my tummy, but it isn’t fear I’m feeling. Well, maybe it’s a little fear, but mostly it’s adrenaline. I’m excited. We finally land and through the viewing window I see dozens of aliens moving around, busy and working.
“Is anyone going to recognize we don’t belong here?” I ask, “Like humans, I mean.”
“There are so many cultures that convene at spaceports no one should notice one from the next.” He pauses and takes me in, “Though, many will recognize your beauty is unique,” Rennek tells me smiling.
“And if anyone does recognize you as humans we should capture and interrogate them,” Da’vi says strapping an extra holster around his waist to match the one around his shoulders.
“What? Why?” I ask.
Rennek frowns, like he knew this too but was trying to keep the mood light and Da’vi spoiled it. “If anyone does recognize you, it may be because they have dealt in the trafficking of your people before Kate. If they recognize you, it is because they recognize you as merchandise,” he tells me sadly.
“Oh, yeah. That makes sense.”
Rennek pulls another blanket from a cupboard and easily tears it in two with his sharp claws.
“Wrap this around your head and mane. You might also draw attention from those who honor the Goddesses. Though, in a place like this, there are few that do,” he says frowning.
Soon, Allison and I have the blanket pieces draped around us kind of like hijabs and we are disembarking from our pod. The bay where we leave our pod is intimidating. There are big open doors looking right out into space. I try not to worry about whatever shield is holding the air--and us--in and hurry to keep up with Rennek’s wide strides. He holds my hand tightly in his. I feel for my charger, it’s secured to my belt. Weapons are allowed in most areas of the spaceport, but restricted in certain places, Rennek tells me. There are so many aliens bustling around us, at first, I don’t notice how not human they are. I see lots of creatures with face masks on--they look something like gas masks.
“It is a breathing apparatus. They do not breathe the same composition of air we do,” Rennek whispers as we make our way through the crowd.
Many of the aliens wear hearty woolen looking clothing that appears to have seen much wear and tear. There are very few females we come across. Those we do see either look like prostitutes or real bad asses. Allison and I look like neither, but if we get mistaken for anything I hope it’s bad asses. We go down a long, wide corridor and there are hundreds of people pushing in all directions. Eventually, we get to an inner part of the port. We step close to a rail and it seems like the levels of this place go on forever in both directions. The men speak in hushed voices and then tug us along beside them. Da’vi grips onto Allison’s arm. She, smartly in my opinion, doesn’t try to shake him off. It seems easy to get lost here.
We find some good old-fashioned elevators and go up a few floors. Looking around, it appears we’ve entered a giant market space. It’s almost like a mall. There are lots of little shops along the walls and tons of kiosks set in the center of the walk way. Aliens push carts and carry bags whose potent smells assault my nose. Some are delicious, others repulsive. I can’t help but look at all the eye candy surrounding me. Everything here is a little dirty and dingy, it doesn’t have the shine and presentation of the malls back home--but everything here is also so foreign and amazing. Half of the stuff I see I am completely confused by. Is it a vacuum? Is it a weapon? Are you supposed to ride on it? Who knows! The stuff I can recognize is a joy, because I’m proud I understand anything going on around me at all. Then… I see a clothing store. Rennek feels the change in my body and follows my gaze.
“If the situation allows us Kate, we will buy new clothing for you and your people.”
“Oh my god, Rennek. If that can happen, we will totally pay you back. We would appreciate it so much.”
Rennek looks at me sternly. “You will never need to repay anything to me, my Kate. I will take care of you and your people.” Before I can thank him, Allison interrupts.
“Good to know,” she says. “Someone buy me that.” She points to a kiosk selling kabobs. I guess it doesn’t matter what kind of meat it is. It does smell delicious though.
Da’vi pushes forward and navigates the rowdy crowd easily. He returns with kabobs for both Allison and me. They are as good as they smell and I try to focus on the taste and not let my mind imagine some kind of scary alien rat that I might be chomping into right now. As we eat, I see Da’vi speaking to the vendor. The vendor’s bubble eyes shift back and forth and he gestures in a direction with his three-fingered hand. I try not to stare but remember my promise to Rennek, that I’d be an extra set of eyes. I stop looking at all the wonderful things in the shops and start paying better attention to the crowd. I look for anyone who might be watching us too closely.
When we finish eating, the guys bring us down a corridor between some of the shops. The path is not so wide here and the aliens we pass look a little rougher than the rest. Steam pours through grates in the floor and the smell of the air becomes stale. Finally, a plaza opens up and I spy a handful of bars. It’s easy to tell these are bars. Even in space the windows are filled with tacky neon signs. Some tough customers loiter around the outside of each entrance and I’m not eager to walk past any of them. Some of them look even bigger than Rennek, though there aren’t many of those.
Allison and I are even more out of place here than we were back in the market area. I can feel eyes on us. Rennek puts his arm around me possessively and I remember what a badass I’m with, so I relax a bit. Da’vi indicates one of the establishments and we make our way inside.
The interior is much like the exterior. It is smoky and all of the patrons I can see are male. Rennek leads us to a table in a back corner. I do notice one other girl besides Allison and myself. She is a singer, standing on a small stage a short distance away. She sings in a voice that sounds underwater. I can pick up every couple of words. She is singing a love song. I guess lots of things are universal.
“Why can I only understand part of what she says,” I ask Rennek.
“The translator. It is loaded with dozens of languages, but not all. On ports like this, many speak an amalgam of languages because they come into contact with so many cultures.”
“Huh. Cool,” I tell him.
“Are you cold my Kate?”
“No,” I laugh, “just a language thing.” He beams a smile back at me. Dang, this dude could be a model I think to myself as I admire his features. But suddenly his face changes and he is looking past me, I follow his gaze. Standing at the bar is an alien that looks like Rennek and his friends. His eyes meet Rennek’s and the older alien has to grab onto the bar to steady himself.
I think back to what he told me of his parents. His mother was a politician on Mother World and his father was a soldier who occupied her planet and assaulted her. I saw Tennir, Rennek’s brother, on the message he sent and he looked… well kind of standard alien. Grey, no hair, black eyes. Not like Rennek. This guy standing in front of us though? He looks like Rennek. There is one thing about Rennek that is different from Bossan, Dax, Kellen, as well as this older alien in front of us… Rennek is the only one with wings.
“Rennek…” I start, but I don’t know what to say. Da’vi seems to get the gravitas of the situation and I feel bad for Allison for a second before I remember we are the only people here who understand English. I see she has her hand on her charger, so I figure I better fill her in with the little I know before she starts shooting from the hip.
“I think this might be someone like Rennek,” I tell her in whisper, even though it’s not like anyone can understand us anyway.
“Well, fu
cking duh Kate.”
“Sorry, I mean he wasn’t raised by his own kind,” I explain, struggling to find the right words, since I don’t really know too much of the particulars. “His mother’s side of the family raised him and his dad’s side… they were soldiers who invaded and… well, raped his mom.”
“Holy shit, Kate.” She says and glues her eyes to this new guy, her hand still resting on her charger.
“Yeah, I know. I don’t think Rennek has ever met anyone else like himself, except for his friends.”
Just then the dude at the bar wipes his hands on a grungy old towel and picks a bottle and some glasses from the shelf and makes his way over to us. My heart pounds in my chest. I have no idea what this means, if it’s connected to Rennek’s brother or some weird unrelated coincidence. I’m on the edge of my seat here, I can’t imagine what Rennek must be thinking.
Chapter 25
Rennek
The feeling inside me has no words to accompany it. I have wondered my entire life about my sire’s people… my people and here before me stands a being like myself. Does this male have information? Answers? Answers to questions that are now even more salient because Kate has awoken a mating instinct within me. Do I even have time to spend selfishly seeking those answers while Tennir is somewhere here searching for me? Or did Tennir set this up? Could this male have all the answers I seek. Those regarding myself and those regarding my brother as well?
As he nears I see him more clearly. Though he is an old he is still a force. One horn is badly damaged, broken at the base. That side of his face is scarred. He has no wings, but everything else is like me. He sets a tray with liquor and glasses on the table and crouches before me.
“By the six kings,” he chokes. “Your reverence, Sir. My pledge to you: I am your watcher, your protector, now and forever.” His voice catches and I see unshed tears in his eyes.
“Get up,” Da’vi orders. “You draw attention to us!” He hisses.
“Sit,” I tell him and he pulls up a chair. “Who are you?”
“My name is Gorrard. I am from the Grey King’s land,” he tells me proudly. “Though that was many yets ago… ages ago, but it is still in my core. It is who I am and who I ever shall be.” He toys with a pendant at his neck.
“I am looking for someone. A scientist, perhaps you know him. His name is Tennir?” I ask.
“I am sorry, Sir. I do not know him, but I have many connections here. I can quietly find the person you are seeking, if that is what you wish.”
“We would appreciate that Gorrard,” I tell him.
“Anything for you, Sir.” Despite his heavy scarring I can tell he is anxious. “Forgive me, but I must ask. It has been so many yets since I woke from the crash of my ship. I was on one of the scout ships you see, but when I woke from deep cryo the others in my crew were either dead or gone. I was young then, still apprenticing to my master. If I had been older, more experienced… I always wonder if there might have been more I could have done...” he trails off.
“What is it you ask Gorrard?” he speaks as though I should be familiar with what he is saying.
“Where are the others? Did they make it? Did they find Elysium?” He leans forward in his chair, desperate to hear my answer. All the sorrow in me from yets of not knowing who I am and where I come from, I see it reflected in this male’s eyes. Silence stretches between us.
“Gorrard, my brother. I do not know of what you speak.” I can think of nothing else to say, I can think of no words of comfort. He searches my face for a long while.
“Where do you come from?” He asks finally.
“Rennek,” Da’vi sends me a hard look to remind me of our task.
“Gorrard, I would very much like to continue this conversation, but for now I must resume my search for this scientist, Tennir. You say you can help?”
“Yes, of course. I would be glad to aid you in any way I can. Give me a few moments. Enjoy this drink--on the house for you and your companions, Sir.” He bows and steps away. Da’vi and I watch him as he speaks quietly to a pair of large Sivoleans. They nod and exit the establishment.
“Rennek?” Kate touches my arms.
“I do not know Kate, this is a mystery to me. One I hope we will have the chance to unravel.” Her fingers intertwine with mine and she smiles sweetly at me. For a moment, I think I do not need any answers, all I need is my darling mate. But then I think if we are to have fledglings of our own one day, I want to pass along to them the history of our people--good or bad. It is always better to know than to live with questions in your core.
We sit without speaking. Waiting, listening to the female on stage warble her sadness. An unhappy song, but it is beautiful nonetheless.
Eventually one of the Sivoleans comes back in, he leans over the counter and speaks low to Gorrard. Da’vi and I stiffen and watch their body language, looking for any indicators that our safety might be in jeopardy. I do not know if we can trust these males. I do not want my curiosity to cloud my judgment while dealing with Gorrard. My instinct is telling me he is an honest male, but lately my instincts feel foreign… like they do not belong to me. We will have to wait and see. Gorrard looks to us as the Sivolean speaks. He nods and clasps the other male on the shoulder in thanks. Gorrard hurries over to us.
“You must go to the lodging district on level 134, look for Tranquility. There seems to be a key waiting for pick up for a winged male, if he has a clearance word. My guess is that will lead you to the person you are looking for, but this station can be a dangerous place if you don’t mind my saying so. My friends and I can accompany you, offer you and your companions any backup you might need.”
“My thanks to you Gorrard. I think we must travel on alone from here, my brother.” Gorrard nods, but lingers by our table side.
“May I meet with you again Sir, before you depart? I have questions…” he tells me.
“I have many questions as well, I will try to return so we may speak,” I tell him, hoping the opportunity presents itself. It is hard for me to walk away from this male who might have knowledge that no one else in the galaxy has been able to give me.
“I am always here, if you don’t see me at the counter--just ask for me and I will come,” he bows and begins to walk away, but hesitates. “You know, you look just like your father,” he says and my blood runs cold. “Though I only saw him once in person… the day we departed. He touched the shoulder of every Vendari boarding his ship. I will never forget that day. It was a day of great hope,” he looks teary again and nods before he walks away.
I am so stunned by his words, all I can do is nod to him in return. I watch him walk away. His tail is like mine. His mane is proud and wild, though grey streaks run through it. Perhaps this is how I will look as I age. Though his horns are damaged they remind me of myself, my friends waiting for me aboard my ship and a handful of others who were interned on Javan. This is the only other being like myself I have ever met, the only being that might have answers about who I am and I let him walk away.
We rise from our seats and I numbly follow Da’vi. Though my core and thoughts are heavy I am ever aware of Kate’s presence. I see the worry on her face, so I force a smile and pull her close. All is as it should be, I tell myself as I look upon her. I have all I need in the universe.
We make our way to the lifts and find ourselves in the lodging district. I feel uneasy about bringing Kate to such a seedy location. I hope she does not think this is all the United Planets has to offer. There is so much beauty I wish to show her. Even the deserts of Javan offer more “tranquility” than this awful little inn Tennir has led us to.
We pass hordes of beings. Many live full time on the station yet have nothing more stable than rooms rented by the night. We step over dozens who sleep in the streets and beg for creds as we pass. Some of the inns try to offer an air of superiority to the others, but any amenities offered in places like these are tacky and superficial. I want to offer Kate the best… but there certainly is
not much to choose from. I suppose Tennir did his best when he chose this place. Though his main concerns were likely safety and discretion, not caring for a mate.
When we go inside we find ourselves in front of a counter. Yellowing poster advertisements cover the metal walls. There is a chair and a lamp in the corner, they are older pieces and made of wood. Usually the furniture in places like this are made of recycled metal, the light weight stuff… aluminum. Someone, long ago, took some care in trying to decorate this place. I’m sure it is an attempt to make the inn seem more warm and welcoming, but it just feels run down. A worn carpet covers the floor. It is cheap replica of the hand-woven rugs on the Inayan moons. I would like to take Kate there one day, I think. They make the most beautiful textiles. I would buy her trunks full of clothing. I look at her makeshift dress. I appreciate her beauty in anything that adorns her, but she deserves more.
Chain link separates us from the innkeeper. She wears a half mask breathing apparatus and I am grateful her eye slits are exposed. I want to see if there is deceit in them.