The Space Merchants

by Wendie Nordgren

  "Really? What can we do?"

  Hiroshi said, "There are many beautiful sights to see on Scipio." Phillip seemed to be enjoying my glee.

  The next days on board Tora continued in much the same way. I felt comfortable on Tora, and it was starting to feel like what I supposed a real home must feel like. I was carrying my basket of clean clothes from the laundry room when Phillip stopped me. "Teagan," he took my basket from me and carried it to my room. "You got a minute?" he asked.

  "Sure." He put the basket on the floor.

  "Come here for a second." Phillip sat on my couch. He moved a few pillows to the floor. I sat by him. "I made you something," he said.

  "You made something for me? That was so nice of you! What is it?" Phillip had a thin gold colored metal band in his hand.

  "This," he said, "is an identification bracelet complete with spending credits, tracking device, and a vital signs monitor all synced with Tora. If you wear it, I won't have to worry about you getting lost on Scipio, and anyone you encounter will see it and know if he messes with you. your big brothers will blast the hell out of him." I gave him a copy of a Hiroshi eyebrow raise.

  "How would this imaginary 'he' know all of that?" I asked.

  "He'll know," Phillip said with a smile. "Which wrist do you want it on?" I held out my left one.

  "So," I said, "you don't want me getting lost?"

  "Absolutely not. I've gotten used to having you around. Your sweet disposition is a refreshing change to the two grumps on board." I laughed at him and threw my arms around his neck. He patted my back. I let go.

  "Thanks, Phillip. I can't remember anyone ever wanting me to stick around or caring if I came back or not." Embarrassed, I felt my eyes start to fill.

  "Well, that's over, kid. Now, enough of this mushy crap." He took my left wrist and asked, "Is that too tight?" The bracelet could twist around and move about an inch up and down my wrist.

  "It's good." Phillip took a small soldering device from his pocket and spent a few seconds sealing the edges together.

  "Off world planets don't use hand scans. They'll scan your credit chip when you make a purchase. I've got some work to do on the bridge. I'll see you at dinner." Phillip left, and I put my laundry away. I kept looking at my bracelet and twisted my hand so that I could watch it move.

  Yukihyo and Hiroshi were looking right at him when he entered the bridge. "You got her to laugh," Yukihyo said.

  "I wish I could have heard the sound," said Hiroshi.

  "It was a nice sound, but she could use more practice. Load my winnings onto the kid's brand new credit chip. That bracelet won't be coming off of her wrist and getting lost since I sealed it with a bonded molecular structure."

  "She was not offended by it?" Hiroshi asked. Thoughtful, Hiroshi said, "The first time my father took me off world, I was a young boy. He insisted I wear a tracking device. I bristled and told him I could take care of myself. Father punished me for my defiance and at our first port, made me stay on the ship. I learned to follow his orders and did not argue again." Hiroshi chuckled at his memory of his lost battle of wills. Phillip shook his head.

  "No, I think it made her feel special."

  "It made her feel wanted," Yukihyo said. They heard the door to her quarters slide open. Hiroshi walked to the entrance of the bridge.

  "Teagan, please come to the bridge. There is something I would like for you to see." I walked to Hiroshi who placed his body in front of mine. "Close your eyes." I did. I heard Hiroshi as he moved to stand behind me. He placed his hands over my eyes. "Please walk forward," he said. After a few steps, he said, "that is far enough." He removed his hands. "Open your eyes." I did. I was facing the large viewing windows of the bridge in the front top section of Tora. Through those large windows, I saw a small blue and green planet far in the distance.

  "Is that Scipio?" I breathed out in a rush. "We're there?" I asked.

  "We will land in the morning," Hiroshi answered.

  "How long until morning?" I asked. Phillip laughed.

  "About fourteen hours," Hiroshi said.

  "Oh, can't we go any faster?" They all laughed.

  "No. It is time for dinner. You can tell us what you want to see on Scipio while we eat," Hiroshi answered. Somewhat mollified, I followed Yukihyo to the kitchen.

  Chapter Nine

  I heard birds chirping and opened my eyes. My skylight was closed. I jumped out of bed. My feet got tangled in my sheet and blanket, and I fell to the floor. "Oof," the breath whooshed out of me. Kicking myself free, I hurried through my morning routine and put my damp hair in a high ponytail. I put on black pants, shirt, and boots. My new bracelet shined prettily on my wrist. The men weren't on the bridge, and I had never used the lift by myself. Disappointed, I headed to the kitchen. That's where they all were. A cup of coffee waited for me. I didn't want to waste time drinking it. "What would you like for breakfast, Teagan?" Yukihyo asked.

  "Coffee is fine," I said.

  "No, you will eat something before we leave."

  "Ugh, fine. Yogurt." Yukihyo got it for me, and Phillip handed me a spoon. I ate so quickly that I choked a little. I rushed to clean my breakfast dishes and put them away. "All done!" I said. They laughed at me. We took the lift down to the first deck in the transport section. Puzzled, while Yukihyo opened the middle door for me behind the passenger seat of the land transport, I asked, "Aren't we unloading the cargo?"

  "No we hire workers to do that," Hiroshi answered.

  "I thought that was one of my jobs," I said.

  Hiroshi shook his head from side to side and said, "I will monitor their work." Phillip drove us out and remotely closed the ramp. He stopped around the other side of the ship where men were already unloading cargo. Hiroshi began to get out of the seat next to me. "I have orders for you, Teagan."

  Remembering our agreement, I said, "Yes, Captain Hiroshi?" His eyes glittered in amusement at me.

  "While in town here in Polybius, you will buy yourself a new wardrobe. Pretty young girls should not always wear men's black work clothes. And don't forget to get shoes and attire for the exercise room. I put an additional five hundred credits on your chip last night." My eyes grew wide.

  "Five hundred? That's too much."

  "It is a gift. Use it as I wish, if you want to make me happy." Hiroshi closed the door, tapped his hand against the top, and Phillip pulled away toward the land port's exit and the city.

  "The most I've ever spent was the fifty I spent on these three new black dock worker uniforms," I said.

  "Cupcake, he ain't the only one who loaded credits on your chip. Get everything you want." Phillip drove down a stone street lined with tall tapered trees that swayed in a gentle breeze. He parked against a curb amid a line of shops. Shutters were pulled open on windows, and pillars along the sidewalks held up long flower covered trellises that spanned the entire block of stores. Phillip said, "Our first stop, my lady. These shops are girlie lady stores. After we get you fixed up, we can do other things."

  Yukihyo opened my door, helping me to not stumble while I paid attention to everything but my feet. In the next moment, we were inside the first shop. A beautiful woman, her hair piled in intricate loops on top of her head, greeted us. In a sultry soft voice, she said, "Phillip, have you traveled the galaxy to see me?" Taking her hand and lifting it to his lips, Phillip brushed a kiss across her delicate white knuckles.

  "Felicia, you remain one of the most beautiful sights in the universes." Felicia's hands bunched the front of Phillip's shirt, and her arms rested against his chest down to her elbows. She smiled and looked at him through half-lidded eyes.

  With a slight purr in her voice, she asked, "Who is this new face?" She forced herself away from Phillip and smiled at me. I peeked out at her from behind Yukihyo.

  Phillip said, "This is Teagan. Teagan, meet Felicia."

  "Hello, Teagan," Felicia said.

  "Hello. It's nice to meet you," I blushed feeling really out of place. I was afraid to tou
ch anything. Yukihyo stepped over to my side, lifting my chin until I met his eyes.

  "You are here to have fun and to follow Captain Hiroshi's orders," he said. He released my chin.

  Phillip said, "Felicia, Teagan has five hundred credits to spend in your store. Can you help her put some things together?" Felicia clapped her hands together in anticipation.

  "Oh, yes. We will have so much fun together." Phillip turned to me.

  "Okay, kid. Yukihyo and I will be across the street checking on some orders. We'll return for you in a little while."

  "Okay, Phillip," I said. They left. I didn't know what to do with my hands and felt kind of scared.

  Felicia said, "Little darling, come with me and let's see what you might like. Please, look." She directed me to a rack of long dresses. One was a soft pastel green with little tiny flowers in the pattern. Felicia lifted the fabric and draped it over my hand. "What do you think of this one?" It was so soft.

  "It's beautiful, but it probably costs a fortune," I replied. She laughed.

  "Nonsense! You will try it on." She took me to a lovely dressing room with a long flowing white curtain that draped across its entrance. She made me remove my boots and clothes. Then, she left and came right back. Felicia said, "Remove those and put these on instead." She was referring to my undies. She placed new ones in my hands and left again. I did as instructed, slipping into a pair of cute pink undies and a matching shape conforming bra. The set was seamless, stretchy, and soft, but supportive and nicer than the two rather worn sets I had. Felicia came back and hung the pretty floral dress on a hook. She helped me step into it. The dress flowed out at the bottom, but cinched in at my waist. The scooped neckline had buttons at the back between my shoulder blades, but I could reach them. It had short little sleeves with a button on each one. I twirled around, and the skirt billowed out around my ankles. "Do you like it?" Felicia asked.

  "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever had on," I said finally taking my eyes from its reflection. Felicia held out a sweater for me to slip my arms into. It had long sleeves, but a short waist that was just a little bit longer than the waistline of the dress. She put a pair of shoes in front of me. They were pink like the sweater, matching the larger of the little bouquets in the dress's pattern. I thought I looked pretty, wasn't used to it, and started to cry. Felicia took me into her arms, holding me and making soothing noises, while she swayed with me from side to side. It made me cry harder because I couldn't remember ever having been held by anyone before, especially not a woman, like a mother might. "I'm sorry," I sputtered. My throat felt like it was swelling closed. Felicia had a handkerchief in her hand and used it to dab at my eyes.

  "It's okay, baby. Don't cry." I hiccupped a bit before I managed to stop. By now my eyes and nose were red, and Felicia put her handkerchief in my hand and sat me in a chair by some mirrors right outside the dressing room. She brought me a cup of tea and was then moving around her shop, pulling dresses, sweaters, jackets, skirts, tops, and shoes, and piling them into the dressing room. I drank the tea, dried my eyes, and calmed down, but I felt really stupid. I couldn't remember ever having cried like that. Felicia came back, took the cup from my hands, and drew me into the dressing room. At least two hours later, I was dressed again in the beautiful green dress, pink sweater, and shoes. Felicia had brushed my hair and arranged it in an intricate braid. She had created ten outfits for me complete with undies, and shoes. She had folded and arranged them into separate bags, so I would be able to put them away together and not become confused about what went with what. Felicia scanned my credits on my bracelet. Then, she walked around to me, gathered me into her arms, and kissed me on each cheek. "Sweet, baby. You will visit me when you come back to Polybius, yes? Promise? We will go to lunch, and until then, I will order more things I think you will like." She looked in my eyes.

  "I promise, Felicia. Thank you for everything." Phillip and Yukihyo walked in just as Felicia kissed me on the forehead.

  "Such a sweet child, Phillip. Be good to her or I will steal her form you," she said. Phillip took my hands and twirled me around.

  "Well, well, well. Felicia, you turned a black depressing uniform into a little princess! Look at you, Teagan! Now, you look like your personality," Phillip smiled at me in approval. He walked over to Felicia, wrapped an arm around her waist, wound his other hand behind her head, cradling her head in his hand, and kissed her passionately. I blushed and turned away. She moaned before he ended the kiss. Yukihyo ushered me out of the store to stand under the flower covered awning. He began loading my bags into the back of the land transport. Yukihyo took my hand.

  "You look beautiful, Teagan." I blushed. He led me into the next shop. Everything in the shop sparkled. A counter ran all along the walls of the shop. Yukihyo went to the left and began looking at the artfully arranged jewelry resting against colored silks. Stones of all shapes and sizes mounted in various ways glinted in the light. A large white stone with veins of pink and gold running through it had been framed in a working of overlapping gold leaves like those of the trees lining the street. The gem reminded me of the way Yukihyo's eyes looked when he was relaxed. I saw Yukihyo's hand reach down for it. He picked it up, the long gold chain attached to the pendant of leaves across his strong fingers. "This pleases you," he said. He draped the necklace over my head, pulling my braid out to hang down my back.

  "Yukihyo, put it back or we'll get in trouble," I whispered. The shop owner had seen and was right by us. Yukihyo held up a scan card to the shop owner, who scanned it, and thanked him. My cheeks were on fire.

  Yukihyo, taking my hand in his said, "Phillip gave you a gift" touching my identification bracelet, "as did Hiroshi. Why can't I buy you a small token? You will look at it and think of me together with you here on this day. Will you not?" His gift was in my hand. It was beautiful.

  "I will. I could never forget. Thank you." He raised our clasped hands to his lips and kissed my fingers. My heart thrummed in my chest, and I was afraid to breathe. I said, "Shouldn't you let me buy you a present?" He lowered our hands to his heart.

  "You give me a gift each day just by waking up, Teagan." Yukihyo walked with me back outside of the shop. Before I could think of a reply, Phillip left Felicia's shop. It looked like some of her lipstick was on his jaw. He looked really relaxed and had a huge satisfied smile on his face. Felicia must have made him a cup of tea, too.

  "Got the bags loaded up? Good job! What's next?" he asked. We went into another store. This store had activity clothes and shoes. We all bought soft athletic shoes. They picked out things for me to wear in the exercise room and a pair of shorts and a tank top for any excursions involving water. We paid and drove back to Tora to pick up Hiroshi for lunch. He was closing the cargo bay door when we arrived. Hiroshi climbed into the back with me, and Phillip returned us to town. Hiroshi smiled and made the grunt he made when he was satisfied with something.

  "You are beautiful, Teagan," he said in a soft voice.

  "Thank you. Felicia put eleven outfits including this one together for me, with all of the credits you gave me."

  Hiroshi grinned, "Excellent! Perhaps you will consider recycling your former wardrobe?"

  "Captain Hiroshi, are you suggesting that after a mere two weeks you have grown tired of my black pants and shirts?" I asked.

  "Yes!" the three of them said together.

  "Well, okay then. You can teach me how to recycle them at your discretion."

  Phillip stopped and parked the transport. Yukihyo opened my door and helped me out. I was careful with the hem of my dress. Yukihyo closed my door and took my arm. We all walked up a wide set of stone steps that were shaded by tall overhanging trees. At the top of the stairs, a restaurant spread before us. Half of it was inside, but the ceiling ended and opened onto a terrace with open sky above. Past the railing of stonework, a rock cliff rose so high that I had to lift my eyes to see the top. Water fell from it, sliding and spraying down the side. A beautiful woman with hair like sunl
ight that trailed down past her hips led us to a table near the waterfall. I noticed small blue and green flowers growing from the rocks, faces turned to enjoy the spray. The scent of the flowers combined with the fresh water into an intoxicating fragrance. It was the most beautiful natural thing I had ever seen. The woman came back. She was wearing a long white silk dress and had thin braids artistically arranged with tiny white flowers in her hair. She filled our glasses with a sparkling juice, smiled angelically and left. Hiroshi raised his glass. "A toast to new beginnings and family," he said. Yukihyo and Phillip raised their glasses, and uncertain what to do, I did, too. They clinked their glasses to mine and drank. I copied them. The woman served us delicate plates of fruits, a chilled soup, and a frozen dessert made of ice chips, sugar, and another type of fruit with edible flowers. It was so much better than ice bear. Phillip paid for lunch and we left.

  "We have one more thing planned for today," Phillip told me.

  Phillip drove while Hiroshi and Yukihyo discussed a deal they were making with one of the local merchants. Phillip parked. There were a few other land transports around. Hiroshi went to the back and pulled a large blanket out from under my bags. Yukihyo helped me out and closed my door. We began walking down a flowered path. Sometime later, we stopped. A large field covered in rocks spread out in front of us. We walked through the grass toward the left until we were well away from other people. Phillip helped Hiroshi spread the blanket over the grass. Yukihyo helped me sit down on it, and they all joined me. "I don't remember seeing this place on the documentary or in the picture book," I said.

  Yukihyo said, "This is the Valley of Singing Rocks." The sun had begun to set. I heard it then, a soft trill. Then, a deeper thrum. The different rocks in the vast field began to resonate. Their different sizes and shapes made them give off different vibrating sounds. As the sun lowered, lights began to dance low on the horizon.