Kranow (Mate the Stars Book 4)

by Loretta Johns

  “And since there are no Bride Registry Offices here, you’re acting on behalf of their department today?” prompted Charteesie.

  “That is correct. Marley here contacted us, asking if she herself could apply to the scholarship program we offer to her species. We’ve ascertained that she truly harbors no ill intentions towards anyone and believes that the programs are as stated.”

  “So you’re applying to the Bride program? Are you hoping to find true love like your sister? Surely you know that even if you are matched, and I understand the odds are something like a million to one or something rare like that, you probably won’t get to live up the street from your sister?” Jackie asked Marley.

  “I know that. I’m actually wanting to show my appreciation for the forgiveness I’ve been shown and make something of myself. I was a teacher before the school I worked for closed, and I’d like to study for an advanced degree in education. My depression from losing the job I loved probably helped feed my anger. I should have dug in and looked far and wide for another job. To be honest, if I had, I probably would be standing in a classroom right now, having been too busy to sit in chats and plot disruptions. There is a shortage of teachers in Hawaii where I was living, so I likely would not have stayed unemployed for long.”

  “So what will you do if you’re matched?” Charteesie asked, curiosity written across her expression.

  Marley took a deep breath before replying. “If I am lucky enough to be matched, I plan on doing my very best to be the best wife to my mate. This includes not ever giving him reason to be ashamed if my past by doing all I can to show that I’m not that woman anymore. I’d still pursue my education if it’s feasible.”

  Lopert leaned forward slightly. “Marley filled out the forms earlier and gave us s fresh DNA sample. Tethis simply needs to run the program. Marley has requested we scan the entire database, not just those profiles within the Fleet, so that is what we will be doing.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs casually before casting his eyes up theatrically. “Tethis, please run the Bride Registry matching program, all profiles.”

  “Analyzing,” came the reply.

  “This may take several minutes, perhaps up to an hour,” he informed the group. Marley shifted nervously in her chair, drawing his direct attention. “Marley, you wrote an open letter, to any match you might get, I believe.”

  “Yes, I did,” Marley admitted. She took a data pad from where it sat on her lap, previously hidden by her hands. “I’d like to read it out loud, and if I do get matched, I hope he hears this and believes me.” She began to read the missive that she’d written and submitted for official approval to do just this, unaware that she already not only been matched, but that he’d read her heartfelt words and agreed to the match becoming official.

  Everyone present looked moved by her words, the weight of the sound of her emotions as they bled through her voice pushing her sister, Jackie, and Charteesie to visible tears which they wiped at. Marley herself was struggling against tears as she finished.

  “That was beautiful. And you are not worthless. If you were, so many would not have struggled to catch you and get you the help you needed,” Charteesie said.

  “I think anyone who doubts the sincerity of her change of heart after hearing this must have s heart of stone,” sniffled Jackie.

  A series if chimes sounded, startling the group. “Match confirmed,” Tethis announced. “Notifications have been sent.”

  Marley lost her battle then, sobs erupting as her hands flew to cover her face.

  Charteesie and Jackie sat with stunned expressions upon their faces as Lopert appeared to gather his wits to ask, “Who is she matched with?”

  “Lieutenant Kranow of the Bride Fleet at Earth,” came the reply. “Receiving confirmation of notification. He requests she be brought to him so he may see to their change of quarters.”

  Lopert glanced off to the side at Sachuu who stepped forward. “I will happily see to her transport,” Sachuu said, his lips thinning at the change to their plans.

  “Do you think he heard me?” Marley asked hoarsely between sobs.

  “I’m sure he did but in case he isn’t watching the live broadcast, Tethis can send him a copy right now,” Lopert assured her.

  “Sending now,” Tethis said, sounding smug.

  “This has certainly been a show to remember,” Charteesie said. “You’ve been matched and need to pack and leave without delay lest your mate enters into the fever.”

  “It has been incredible,” Jackie agreed. “Thank you for inviting us and I hope you follow up with us as you settle into married life.”

  “I am certain she is grateful for having a second chance,” Sachuu said, determined to get things back on track.

  Marley nodded her agreement, her mind still reeling from being matched, tears pricking her eyelids, her emotions an equal measure of relief and apprehension. She barely registered the two hosts saying good bye to their viewership, too immersed in her own thoughts for anything else to register. He’s in the Fleet. I hope they really have forgiven me all the way deep down because if they haven’t, things are about to get very awkward.

  Chapter Eight

  Kranow had deliberately not opened the official notification that contained the news of his match. He knew that within he’d find his mate’s image and it would trigger his display response, the sight of her igniting his drive to find and claim her. He was in enough turmoil as it was, knowing what he did and the media scrutiny that no doubt would continue. This was in addition to the quandary he now found himself in, facing their new neighbors.

  Commander Gundar’s desire to keep close tabs on Marley apparently meant just that- being close at all times. As in across the hall by way of proximity and next door to the very woman whose abduction Marley had arranged. It had been bad enough knowing that news of their match and Marley’s return would probably upset the female but quite another to find her, the Commander’s mate, and another neighbor who appeared to be close friends with both of the females waiting outside of his and Marley’s new quarters.

  “You look like a deer caught in the headlights!” The woman who’d introduced herself as Melissa said.

  “Well, he’s got good reason to!” The human male said. “His new bride kidnapped you and did gods knows what else!”

  “Just protests and things,” Melissa said.

  “Just,” the one called Darla said.

  “Oh come on,” Melissa said. “Surely you’ve protested or signed a petition or something about something you thought should be changed.”

  “Okay, yeah, I gave. But protesting my school’s dress code and against too lenient sentences for drunk driving aren’t the same thing at all.”

  “I hate admit it, but they kinda are. They’re causes you really believed in. Okay, not racist ones but still, it’s using a legal right to protest. We don’t have to like it, but we can’t take away the right to do it without taking everyone’s. I looked deep before I forgave her. She simply protested against the Bride part of the treaty. She never said they were monsters or anything, just that it seemed sketchy and that maybe we were being used in breeding farms.”

  Kranow flushed. They were talking as if he wasn’t even there and that made him even more uncomfortable than the topic itself.

  “Fine,” Darla said. “Admittedly, that is one if the reasons Gundar agreed to start the programs he did. Better visibility and more transparency makes for less mistaken beliefs.”

  The male turned to face him. “I’m sorry. We’re being quite rude! Melissa already introduced herself and you probably know Darla as the Commander’s wife. I’m Steven.”

  “I am Kranow. If our presence will cause distress, I will petition Commander Gundar to move us elsewhere.”

  “Oh no,” Melissa said in a firm tone. “I said that I accepted her apology and decided to let her make amends. I want to see her do it and also get to know her better. She will better understand what she did to me and Junrig p
ersonally as she gets to know us. Besides, she’s going to work with Charlotte, teaching the kids.”

  Kranow raised an eyebrow at this.

  “Gundar will explain to you both when Marley gets here. It’s to be like community service. She’ll be an assistant teacher, contributing to our social network in a meaningful way,” Darla said.

  Kranow nodded. It made sense. His mate had been an educator previously.

  “Now,” Steven said, clapping his hands, “I’m not entirely convinced, but I’m willing to give her a fair shake, since Melissa’s dead set on it. And you’ve done nothing wrong anyway, so I definitely have no beef with you. None of us here do, and so, as the welcome wagon, we’re here to help you get your new digs into shape before your bride gets here.”

  Beef? Wagon? Did they leave a grav pallet somewhere? And what did cow flesh have anything to do with things? Kranow couldn’t shake off the surreal feel to it all. The odd behavior didn’t stop there, either as Darla gave a big grin.

  “Indeedy do! Your boxes were delivered along with your couch, chair, and side tables, oh and just one nightstand. You’re going to need more than that! You need a bed, another nightstand, a table, chairs, and do you have pots and pans in any of those boxes?” she asked excitedly.

  He shook his head numbly. Kranow had eaten at the mess hall, and his quarters had come equipped with a replicator unit so he’d never seen the point of putting in a small cooking unit and chiller. “Just clothes, towels, and a few other personal items.”

  “Good thing we are here then! Let’s go in and get shopping! We only have a few hours before she’ll be here,” Darla said, looking pointedly at the door to his quarters.

  Help would be nice and if they have helped me prepare a home for Marley, perhaps it will help them come to terms with her presence. His mind made up, he opened the door and gestured for them to follow him inside.

  Steven looked around “Any preferences as to style?”

  Kranow shook his head. “As long as it is made from natural materials and comfortable, I’ll be satisfied.”

  “When she was sentenced, I was shown pictures of her condo where Sachuu had arrested her. She seemed to like the whole tropical thing,” Melissa said.

  Steven pursed his lips. “Like wicker?”

  Melissa nodded. “And Aloha prints.”

  Steven sighed. “That might be tricky. Xero, please show me home furnishings with immediate availability made of tropical woods, including rattan and bamboo.”

  The view screen activated. “This is what is available immediately. There is more that can be delivered as early as tomorrow,” the ship’s AI informed him.

  “There’s not much,” Melissa noted.

  Steven snapped his fingers. “When outdoor park space was added to the shopping and recreational areas, so was patio furniture. It’s how the coffee shop got to add the sidewalk tables, and then the cafes on our sister ships followed suit.”

  “Oh yeah!” Darla exclaimed. “Xero, please add that stuff too.”

  The screen populated with the additional items. Steven grinned “Now we’re cooking with gas!” He turned to Kranow. “If you’ll trust us with this part, you can go ahead and unpack your other stuff. I’d advise putting your single nightstand in the spare room, though, as the new bed will come with two that match.”

  Kranow nodded. “Thank you,” he said, certain that the fleet commander would not have put him in a situation where he’d fall victim to malice.

  Darla smiled and reached a hand out to pat his arm. “You’re in good hands. Steven’s an interior decorator and before that, he worked for one of the furniture distributors.”

  Kranow gave a small smile. “I’ll leave myself in your good hands then.” He turned and walked over to his personal pile of boxes and opened one.

  “How about this table?” he heard Steven say. “It’s Koa wood so fits the theme.” Murmurs of agreement followed, followed by Steven ordering the table and matching chairs and barstools. By the time he finished unpacking his few boxes, furniture had begun to arrive. A rattan hanging chair was being hung by a warrior on casual duty, in a corner by a bookcase which was being filled by Darla with paper books, some which looked worn. “I had Gundar pack her books and personal belongings like jewelry and stuff and put into storage after they arrested her. I didn’t think it was fair for her to lose everything that might have sentimental value. I just couldn’t be that person. These are her books and umm, her jewelry and clothes are in those two boxes there.”

  Kranow’s heart swelled with emotion. These humans really were among the most big-hearted beings he knew. He hadn’t felt such unconditional acceptance since leaving his grandparents’ home six years previous. “I am humbled by your kindness and generosity. For you to have done this, when she was just a criminal who hurt you and your friends and no more, is beyond anything I could have expected.”

  Darla flushed a deep red and looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “Was just the right thing to do,” she mumbled. “If I couldn’t be a decent human being with some compassion, how could I hope for her to learn any?”

  “I am sure it will mean the world to her,” he said, opening one of the boxes she’d pointed out. A wooden box sat inside on top.

  “That looks like a jewelry box,” Melissa said peering over his shoulder. “They just put a vanity table in your room. How’s about I take that and the makeup stuff there and get it arranged? You can put away her clothes,” she added gently.

  Kranow nodded gratefully. There were only four hours left before his mate’s scheduled arrival. They needed to finish before then and stock the chiller unit. He hoped they would help him with that as well. He knew nothing about human food.

  Chapter Nine

  Marley had felt immense relief when she discovered that Jackie O’Hannigan was staying behind in order to do a short series on the Mylos and the other races they had treaties with. Charteesie had also remained, pleading prior commitments. This left her alone with Sachuu as they made the journey back to the Fleet around Earth.

  It made for an uneasy journey until he grew tired of her sighs and fidgeting and pulled up a menu of films. She’d been taken somewhat aback when she discovered they were all family films but when she realized he’d chosen Disney’s Aladdin, she couldn’t help but grin. Her worries didn’t stand a chance with Robin William’s wise cracking genie distracting her.

  As the film ended, she surprised herself by yawning. He handed her a meal with a hot drink that had an almond and vanilla like taste. She was surprised to find she was hungry and polished the meal off quickly. Afterwards, she leaned back in her seat and angled it so there was room to swing out the footrest.

  Sachuu dimmed the interior lighting and activated the view screens to give s window like view of the space they traveled through. Between the soft twinkling of the far away suns and nebulae and the soft multi-colored flickering of the warp field, she found her eyes drifting shut.

  She napped for hours, awakening only when Sachuu gripped her shoulder gently but firmly while calling her name. As she sat up and blinked the sleep from her eyes, he said, “We are now entering your home system.”

  He’d left the view screens on window mode and she watched wide-eyed as the small craft slowed to sub-light speeds. “Is that Pluto?” she asked, noticing a planet with several small moons off by itself.

  “No. That is the planet your astronomers guessed at existing.”

  She gasped at him. “Why hasn’t it been confirmed? You guys teach advanced astronomy!”

  “We teach advanced astrophysics and cosmology,” he corrected. “It is for your world to advance the tech and make use of it. If we handed knowledge over without your society advancing sufficiently to handle it by making some of their own discoveries, it could prove fatal for your people.”

  She thought about it and nodded slowly. “That’s Pluto,” he said, pointing to another point of light they were rapidly approaching closer to.

  She began naming the plane
ts that they passed, wishing their path allowed them to see them all up close but understanding that it would have made for an extremely circuitous route. Her heart clenched as she caught sight of the Fleet in orbit, ringed around her home world. This was it. Soon she would be facing Commander Gundar again and possibly see her victim face to face as well meet her mate for the very first time.

  Her palms began to sweat and she wiped them on her trousers, grimacing when she saw the light marks left behind on the pale fabric. She had to use the calming breathing exercises taught to her by her therapist as they began docking procedures. Then they were there, and Sachuu was opening the door and lowering the ramp. He ushered her out.

  Her first impression was of a cavernous space filled with shuttles and bustling Mylos working on various craft while unloading yet others. Her gaze then fell on her greeting party. Commander Gundar stood there alongside two other Mylos males and a human woman. She belatedly recognized the woman and the male clasping her to his side as Melissa and her mate, Junrig. Her heart plummeted and she felt lightheaded, stumbling as she took another step forward.