He introduced himself as Thounerlin, but I wasn't sure if that was a first or last name. I felt awkward knowing we were being ogled by people at least thirty years our senior.
"Oh, now you've done it, Thoun. You've made him blush," Sophie said. She pronounced his name Thee-ooh-en.
"Which of you would like to unload first?" I asked. I had no doubt I was blushing.
Sophie produced a reading pad and bumped it against mine. She had half a dozen crates loaded with textiles. As was the routine on Nuage, I recognized it was my responsibility to call the stevedore bots. I'd need to make sure I had their costs loaded into future transactions. They weren't expensive, but it was cutting into our expected profit margins.
"Will you be on Gros long?" Sophie asked. She had an easy manner about her.
"Five or six days, I believe," I said.
"You should stop by my shop. I'd like to dress your girlfriend there," she said referring to Marny.
"Oh, she's not…" I stopped myself. "She doesn't like shopping."
"Bring her along. I'll make it worth your while," she said.
The stevedore bots had her crates loaded onto the cargo lift.
"I'll see what we can do," I said.
Sophie nodded with a tiny smile and waved goodbye as the lift closed.
Thounerlin had eight crates, including two of the beer that Jake had brought from Mars.
"You should take her up on her offer. You won't be sorry," he said.
"I'll be sure to pass that along to the crew."
"What's that?" Marny asked. I couldn't help but notice Thounerlin's awe as he appraised Marny. I chuckled to myself. I'd grown used to her powerful presence, but I still remembered how I felt the first time she'd entered my bridge near Baru Manush.
Just then a new group of people arrived, which I assumed to be the rest of our shipping customers.
"I'll fill you in later," I said and moved to introduce myself to the new group.
We worked as quickly as we could and finished forty minutes later.
"I need to take the ship to the shipyard. Feel free to take off from here," I said to Marny when we were finally standing in an empty cargo hold.
"I'll come along for the ride," she said.
Negotiate arrival with Meerkat Shipyard, I directed the ship's AI.
Marny and I stripped out of our armored vac-suits and hung them in the armory.
"I guess we're down to civvies," I said.
"What do you think Ada and Tabby have in mind?" Marny looked worried.
"I think they'd like to upgrade your wardrobe," I said.
"Lipstick on a bulldog," Marny said as I stepped on the lift to the bridge.
It was one of her favorite sayings and I was dismayed she saw things that way.
"Would you mind a personal observation?" I asked as she joined me in the cockpit.
"What's on your mind, Cap?"
"I believe you'll dismiss what I'm about to say, but I'd really like you to take it to heart."
"Oh, this must be bad. Spit it out, Cap. I can take it," she said.
"I'm not sure you can."
She turned to me, no longer working through the quick checklist we used for short flights.
"Now I'm concerned," she said. "What's on your mind, just say it."
"You've got to stop denigrating yourself. I feel like you believe it," I said.
"Don't take that too seriously, Cap. I think I've got a pretty realistic view of myself," she said.
"You're a beautiful woman, Marny. We all see it and it's a common belief that you don't."
"I think you're making too much of this."
"Do me a favor, then," I said.
She chuckled. "You're a funny man, Liam Hoffen. What's the favor?"
"Humor Ada and Tabby when you're shopping," I said.
"You're too much. Eight days ago you were minutes from dying and today your biggest concern is that I have low self-esteem. If it'll make you feel better, I'll let the girls dress me," she said.
"It's a start."
We finished the checklist in silence. I knew I'd made things awkward between us, but there was nothing to do about it now.
I gently lifted the ship from the floor of the loading bay and slid out the door. Like Léger, the loading bays were designed for smaller ships than Hotspur and I only had four meters of total vertical clearance, so I had to be careful.
The shipyard was located on the lowest level, just above the antigravity devices that held up the entire city. Raw power radiated from the machinery and I could hear a deep hum as well as see a distortion of the airspace beneath. I didn't think it would be a very good idea to fly directly beneath the city.
"Captain Hoffen, you're right on time." A man in a bright red jumpsuit stood inside the open bay and was motioning to us. The HUD showed an outline around him, letting me know he was the speaker.
"Roger that, where do you want us?" I asked.
He made an exaggerated tossing motion and instructions popped up on my vid-screen. I swiped them over to the auto-pilot and let go of the controls.
Marny hadn't said anything while we'd made the short trip down to the shipyard. She stopped me before we got on the lift.
"I appreciate what you're trying to do, Cap. It means something to me that you're concerned," she said.
I gave her a side hug as we approached the lift.
We met the Meerkat foreman and exchanged security protocols. Nick had set up the appointment and we were on our way to the elevator almost immediately.
Our destination was Level-53 on the Star-Side, which was just eight levels below the top of the city. According to my AI, Nuage Gros was home to fifty-five thousand inhabitants and unlike Léger, it was close to fully occupied.
The elevator was busy and we stopped twice on the way up to add passengers. I paid special attention to what people were wearing, as I knew Tabby and Ada wouldn't let go of the shopping idea anytime soon. We really did stand out like the aliens we were with our Sol-styled clothing.
"Where are you in from?" A man asked as we continued the ride upward.
"Most recently, Mars," I said.
"Welcome."
It was a common interaction. Overall, the Nuagians were more outgoing than the people of Mars. I wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that the Léger nation's entire population was less than two percent of just the city of Puskar Stellar.
Level-53 reminded me of Léger Nuage in design and overall styling. There were more people, of course, but the wide hallways spoked out from a central core just like Léger. Residences and businesses were immediately accessible from these hallways.
What was different, however, was when we got to the Star-Side tower. A five meter long cat-walk joined the main city with the slender outrigger tower. I discovered that the Star-Side designation meant that this particular outrigger was oriented toward the Tipperary star. When we stepped onto the cat-walk we were bathed with bright, white light and a gust of fresh air.
We stepped through a transparent pressure barrier and into the lobby of the hotel where Nick had made our reservations. Glass extended ceiling to floor, which gave the feeling of floating as I looked out over the clouds.
A man in a hotel uniform approached us. "Mr. Hoffen, Ms. Bertrand, we've been expecting you. I see you're traveling light," he said. "If you'll follow me."
The lobby reminded me of the resort we'd stayed in on Coolidge; brightly colored wood tones and comfortable seating groups littering the floor. Nuage Gros was a trading hub for the eighteen Nuage cities and I imagined the hotel had quite a lot of business from visiting traders.
"What do you all do for fun around here?" I asked, making conversation as we descended on a smaller elevator.
"If it's one thing we enjoy, Mr. Hoffen, it is entertainment. There are plays, musical performances, art shows and fine dining on Nuage Gros. If your tastes lean toward the more active, we have first class pod-ball competitions with Double-A class athletes. The hotel also boa
sts a beautiful spa with luxurious swimming pools that are an experience you'll never forget," he said. "We also have the finest shopping establishments in all of Nuage."
"Right, speaking of, do you know where we'd find Sophie Fillium?" I asked.
This stopped him. "Your taste surprises me, Mr. Hoffen. Ms. Fillium is a high-end designer. It might be difficult to get an appointment with her on short notice. But to your question, Flair Fillium is located in the Lee-Tower, on Level-32. You can't miss it."
"You may be getting in over your head, Liam," Marny said, smiling.
"It comforts me to know that you'll be right there with me," I said.
"And here we are," the bellhop announced as he swung a beautiful high gloss, wood-grained door open. I felt bad that I hadn't even learned his name.
He held a small reading pad out suggestively to me and I accepted it. One of the things I appreciated about my AI was that it recognized when I didn't understand a common social norm and provided prompts. The bellhop was asking for a tip and my AI presented me with three options, which it had somehow identified as appropriate. I chose the middle ground, tipping him ten credits which amounted to roughly five Mars credits. It seemed like a lot for walking us to our door, but he smiled appreciatively when I handed it back.
"There you are," Tabby said, greeting me at the door with a hug. She'd changed into jeans and a tight, short-sleeved black top.
We walked into the central room of the suite where there was a living room styled group of couches and chairs. Ada had her legs draped sideways over a chair and was staring out at the clouds and the many passing ships visible through the floor to ceiling glass.
"What a view," I said.
"You better be talking about the clouds," Tabby said with a warning note in her voice.
I looked at her, confused, and then back to Ada, who was wearing a sleek, blue dress that accentuated her lithe form. I jerked my head back, realizing it had been a trap.
Tabby looked at me sternly for a moment until she and Ada couldn't contain their laughter. Somewhere along the way, I'd missed their transformation from competitors to friends.
"Very funny," I said.
GUESTS
"The bellhop said something about a pool. Anyone want to go?" I asked.
"Don't even think about it," Tabby said looking between Marny and me.
"Thanks, Cap, but I don't think they're going to be distracted that easily," Marny said.
Ada popped up from the chair. "Aww, don't be like that, this will be fun."
Ada looped her arm through Marny's and leaned in to the bigger woman. The warrior presence Marny almost always commanded had abandoned her and in its place stood a woman who looked completely lost to the moment.
"Where do you want to go first?" Tabby asked.
"I'd really like to get into those full length jumpers everyone here is wearing," Ada said. "Can you imagine Marny with that one we saw on the way up here?"
Tabby grabbed Marny's other arm and turned her back toward the door we'd just entered.
I moved over to the couch where Nick was and started to sit down.
"Don't even think about it, Hoffen. And you too, James. Get your asses up and don't be whining. We've been cooped up for months eating meal bars and swabbing decks. It's time to spend some quality shopping time," Tabby said.
"I was just helping Nick up," I said, extending my hand to help Nick out of his chair. "I might even have an idea of where we could go."
"Not sure I want to hear this, Hoffen. We're definitely not going to a commissary or chandlery or anywhere they sell bulk food with their clothing," Tabby said already through the door.
"I'll have you know, I made friends with one of the city's top designers," I said defensively. Sophie Fillium was hardly a friend, but she had suggested we stop by. Not only that, she hadn't been able to take her eyes off Marny.
"Seriously?" Ada asked.
"Level-32, Lee-Tower, you'll see," I said.
Whether to prove me wrong or otherwise, Tabby led the way through the lobby and to the center of the city where we took the elevator down to Level-32.
"You better not be trying to slow us down, Hoffen, 'cause we're doing this either way, even if we have to be out all day," Tabby said.
"No, no," I said. "Have some faith."
With the help of the AI, we found the breezeway that led from the main city over to the Lee-Tower. It was on the opposite side of the city, but it felt nice to get out and walk. Tabby was wearing red high heels and I couldn't imagine how she was able to walk so easily. I knew that her synthetic skin had superior wear characteristics and as a result she wouldn't likely get blisters, but even so, it was like she was tiptoeing the entire way. I had to admit that I liked how it caused her to sashay when she walked.
Level-32 in this tower was clearly one of the shopping districts. We passed jewelry stores, shoe stores and even an electronics store. We pulled up and stopped in front of Flair Fillium. Compared to the other stores, it was understated and caused me to remember Sophie's gray pantsuit that was considerably less flashy than others I'd seen around town.
Inside, the décor was simple – wood plank flooring and textured gray walls that I suspected were actually built in vid-screens.
"May I help you?" A woman in her early twenties asked. She was slightly built, tall, wore a simple dark-grey dress and had dark straight hair cut to hang at an odd angle. She exuded what I imagined 'fashionable' might represent on just about any world.
"I met Sophie this morning and she recommended we stop in. Is she around?" I asked.
"I'm not sure. She's very busy so… I'll be right back," the girl said.
"You get two points for actually remembering where this place is and having her name right," Tabby said. "You might even get another point if she comes out and talks with us."
"What a delightful surprise." I recognized Sophie's soft voice as she appeared. "I do hope you've come to at least try on a few things. Tell me your name, dear."
She'd walked straight up to Marny who had that deer-in-the-headlights look again.
"Marny Bertrand," she said.
"You hide in the company of delicate beauties, hoping to not be seen for who you are, my dear," Sophie said.
Marny raised her eyebrows not knowing what to say so she opted for the safer, "Pardon?"
"Do not be coy. You're a warrior princess but you dress like a man. You must let me fit you," she said.
"She's already agreed to it," Ada said.
Ada pulled Marny forward into the alcove where Sophie was standing. Up to that point, I hadn't realized the function of the different alcoves in the room. Now, I saw them as locations where a store representative could show customers the different fashions that were being offered.
"Are you shy, my dear?" Sophie asked.
Marny paused and Ada stepped in, "She'll need a modesty screen."
Sophie nodded her head and a semi-circular transparent panel emerged from the floor stopping just below the level of Marny's collarbone.
"Please remove your clothing," she said.
"I have under clothes that I will keep on," Marny said.
"We'll see. It is impossible to construct a great work with a poor foundation," Sophie said.
Her helper had re-entered the room and pulled comfortable bench seats from the floor. Apparently, this was meant to be a spectator sport.
"I can see from your body language that Mr. Hoffen is not your other half. Is it this gorgeous, unassuming, but poorly groomed man here?" she asked, looking at Nick.
Marny smiled and started to speak.
"No! Keep it to yourself. Your smile is all I needed. Pauline, make an appointment for Ms. Bertrand's lovely man to have his hair styled. Use Terrie," Sophie said. "Now, off with those dreadful rags, my dear."
Tabby looked at me with interest. I think her question was if I was going to watch as Marny removed her clothing behind the screen. I just shrugged. I'd seen Marny in tight fitting clothing for most of t
he time I'd known her. I didn't believe we were about to cover new ground.
Marny reached out to stack her belongings on the provided shelf. First, her quarterstaff, which was a flat, third of a meter-long stick. Next came the nano-blade and then her neatly folded civilian clothing. Marny had worn the faded jeans and loose top for her civvies since the first time we'd met.
I discovered it was one thing to casually see someone in tight clothing on a regular basis and another thing entirely to know they were almost completely naked and only obscured by a thin screen. I realized I was in trouble and looked over at Nick.
"Okay, Buddy. I don't think I'm going to stick around for this. How about we go get that hair-cut?" I said.
Tabby guffawed. "Is there a problem?"
"Maybe. I don't see how this is going to go well for me," I said.
"Mr. Hoffen. Your reaction to this beautiful female form is completely natural. I'd offer that no one in this room is not similarly affected. I would prefer if you stay," Sophie said. "Ms. Bertrand, are you uncomfortable learning that your Captain finds you attractive."
"Hey, wait," I started to protest. I'd leapt without thinking of where I was going. I didn't appreciate being singled out and needed to get out of the hot water Sophie had dropped me into. But what could I say? Marny was attractive, I'd always thought that. It didn't mean I wasn't committed to Tabby… I hoped.
"As entertaining as it is to watch your internal conflict, please be seated Mr. Hoffen," Sophie sighed. "To be so young as to believe we actually control how we feel."
I sat back on the bench. My face burned and I wished everyone would just look away. Tabby rested her hand high on my thigh and squeezed suggestively. I just shook my head in embarrassment.
"I'll reward your loyalty later," Tabby whispered in my ear, allowing her hand to cross the line between suggestive and naughty as she withdrew it.
"I'm afraid this won't do," Sophie continued.
I was glad for the privacy screen, as in a single deft movement Sophie removed Marny's bra and flung it across the room. Pauline, predicting the event, handed her something black and lacy. Sophie put it on Marny, swatting at her hands as she tried to help.
"I thought we were keeping that," Marny said.
Buccaneers (Privateer Tales Book 8) Page 22