The Space Merchants

by Wendie Nordgren

  "What's that?" I whispered in awe.

  "The sun is reflecting off of frozen ice in the distance. Prisms of light are visible for a few minutes and then disappear," Yukihyo replied. Yukihyo pulled me back, letting me rest my head in his lap. We all listened to the music of the rocks, while the light surrendered to the darkness. I had started to fall asleep. Yukihyo lifted me to my feet and escorted me up the dark path to the land transport. I awoke curled up next to Hiroshi's side in the back as Tora's door was locking closed. Hiroshi pulled me into his arms, carrying me into the lift. He brought me to my room, sitting me on the edge of my bed. He pulled off my pink shoes and sweater and put me under the covers. I was asleep again before the door slid shut behind him.

  I was walking along the singing rocks. As I passed each one in my path, they sang to me. Spreading my fingers over them, I could feel their songs. I lifted my hands to the sky, filled with joy. Yukihyo stood behind me, and I turned to him and threw my arms around his neck, laughing with happiness against his shoulder. The birds were chirping. Their song competed with that of the rocks. Then, they chirped louder than the rocks could sing. I could feel my blankets rather than Yukihyo pressed against me. I woke up. I realized it had been a beautiful dream, the most beautiful dream I had ever had. Pushing the covers down, I saw my beautiful, but rumpled soft green floral dress, and I was happy because my dream had been based on my new reality. I had singing rocks, waterfalls, and people who cared about me. My life wasn't just garbage and loneliness anymore. I carefully got out of bed and saw that someone had placed all of my bags from Felicia's shop inside of my room. I walked over to my vanity and carefully removed the beautiful necklace Yukihyo had given me. I gave the stone that reminded me of his eyes a little peck. He was so kind to me. Next, I pulled the pretty hair tie from the braid Felicia had done. I carefully unbuttoned the back of the dress and went to get cleaned up.

  Wrapped in a towel, I began to put all of my new things in my storage unit. In one of the empty bags, I placed my old flip flops, jumper, undies, pajamas, and black uniforms. Felicia had destroyed everything that I was wearing soon after I entered her shop. I folded all of the bags and put them in one of the empty drawers. I made my bed. Then, I brushed my hair and dried it a little more. I decided to wear a long sleeved white V-necked top of a stretchy soft silk fabric and the long bright blue skirt that had threads of white and gold running through it. The top didn't go all the way down to the skirt. Felicia said it was on purpose. I thought having a bit of my stomach showing was a little weird, but the skirt went all the way down to my ankles. It twirled out wide when I spun around, too. I really enjoyed that. I put a gold metal belt around my waste, letting the end dangle the way Felicia had shown me. I put the matching gold sandals on my feet. I brushed my hair up into a ponytail and placed Yukihyo's beautiful necklace around my neck.

  I went to the kitchen. I could hear Hiroshi, Yukihyo, and Phillip's banter already. "Good morning!" I said, heading for the coffee. Phillip started to choke. Hiroshi started pounding him on the back. Phillip dragged in a breath and managed to clear his throat. "Are you okay?" I asked. He nodded. Satisfied that Phillip was okay, I got a cup of coffee and some oatmeal. I sat down. They were quiet. "Is something wrong?"

  "No," Yukihyo said. "I think you just surprised us. You look less like a little girl and more like a graceful beautiful woman this morning."

  "Yukihyo, you say the kindest things. You all do though. In these past two weeks, well, this has been, here with you all.... I've never been happier." My voice had faded by the end, and I became very focused on my coffee. Hiroshi walked over and kissed the top of my head.

  "Yukihyo we have deals to make. Phillip will take you into town for a while today, Teagan. We will have dinner tonight." They left. I finished my breakfast and cleaned the kitchen.

  "Let's go, kid." Phillip said. We got into the lift and headed down to the transport. Leaving Tora Phillip took us to a different street. I saw a large mountain and asked if on the other side was the waterfall the restaurant terrace had overlooked. It was. "Teagan, one of the main attractions on Scipio are the mineral baths. It is where we will spend the day. Prepare yourself for a day of luxurious pampering." He parked, helped me out of the transport, closed my door, and walked with me into the baths.

  "Phillip!" A woman with a large bouncing chest hurried to greet him. She threw her arms around Phillip's neck, and grabbing her around her waist, he picked her up and spun her around. When he did it caused her hair to fall free of the little pins that had held it up. The hair pins tinkled when they hit the stone tiles of the floor. It was warm in the baths. The water came from somewhere underground and not from the cold mountains. When Phillip and the woman withdrew from their embrace, she tossed her red hair over her shoulder.

  Phillip gave her a sexy smile and said, "Becca, you remember me! I never thought such a beautiful woman could remember a poor interstellar trader such as myself." Becca smiled at Phillip. She wore a short, white, sleeveless tunic like all of the attendants who were visible. I thought it was plenty warm in the room, but judging from her chest, Becca was very cold.

  Becca smiled, "I remember you Phillip, often when I am alone."

  "I intend to replace all of those memories with new ones today, Becca. First, however, this is Teagan. Consider her my little sister, please. This is her first trip to Scipio and to the baths, and I want the kid to have a nice time." Phillip reached over and patted me on the head. I thought it really odd behavior, even for him, but since he was paying, I kept quiet about it.

  "Aww, a little sister. You are such a sweet man, Phillip. I will arrange everything," Becca told him.

  Phillip checked to be sure no one was listening. "Thanks for playing along. No reason to make Becca jealous. Now, promise you won't leave the bath complex without me. It's my job to keep an eye on you, okay?"

  "I won't leave, but how will I find you if I need you?" I asked.

  "Just tell someone who works here. It's safe." Becca came back with another lady.

  "Hello, my name is Tina, and I will be your attendant today. Please follow me." Phillip shooed me off, and I followed Tina. She led me to a dressing room with long white drapes, stone benches, and a fountain that was in the center of it all. "Please remove all of your clothing and slip this on." It was a white bathing dress and very short, but looked like it would cover everything. "You may lock your dressing room with a palm scan. I will be here when you are done." When I came out and locked the door, she was standing there with a tall glass of sparkling juice on a tray. I took it and thanked her. "This way, please," Tina said. We entered another room where another attendant waited. They had me sit and several awkward and embarrassing minutes later, I had been divested of what they considered all unapproved body hair. This must have been the reason Phillip had made me promise not to leave. Tina took me to another room. I was nervous and afraid of what they planned to do, and my palms began to sweat. Tina must have known. The room had a pool with stone reclining seats built into its bottom. A breeze made the white curtains billow. Two older ladies, speaking to each other in soft voices, laid on two of the seats in the water. Tina helped me to get into the pool. The water was warm, and I started to relax. The water felt odd against my skin. I felt my leg which was smooth and soft. An attendant came for each of the ladies, leaving me alone in the pool. Tina came back and helped me to dry off with a fluffy white towel. In the next room to which Tina led me, ladies fussed over my hands and feet. They finished by rubbing a mineral into all of my nails that made them all look shiny and pink. It covered the white ends of my nails, too. The attendants told me that the color would last for a month. Next, Tina took me to a room that featured a waterfall as its back wall. A table stood in front of it, and soon I was enjoying a message. Sometime later, Tina woke me up and wrapped me in a long thin robe. I got a restroom break. Then, on a shaded terrace, I had a delicate lunch a few tables down from the ladies I had shared the pool with earlier. Afterwards, Tina collected me and ha
nded me over to a lady who placed me in a chair, unfastened and brushed my hair, and then washed it. She then cut several inches off of the ends which she assured me had to go. Once she was satisfied, she massaged a thick substance through my scalp and out to the ends of my hair, wrapped it up in a towel, and had Tina take me to a steam room. Later, I was allowed to rinse off in a waterfall that felt even better than the shower on Tora. Tina helped me to towel off again and slip into a fresh robe. Tina took me back to the lady who had cut my hair. This time she dried it, and wrapped it in sections around long rollers. While I reclined in her chair with my hair full of rollers, a lady told me to close my eyes while she applied something to my lashes and lash line. She said that it would last for about as long as the pink color on my finger and toe nails. The rollers were being removed. I was allowed to sit up. My usual frumpy mess of dirty blonde hair had been replaced with a gentle cascade of spirals that fell across my shoulders and down my back. The dark mineral that had been applied to my eyes made me look mysterious.

  "You look amazing! Every woman needs a little pampering now and again," said Tina. She took me to my dressing room. Once again dressed and with Yukihyo's necklace around my neck, I looked in the mirror. I touched my hair. It fell past my shoulders in the back. I looked like a new person and felt practically boneless. Tina showed me to the foyer and entrance where she thanked me for my visit. I looked around for Phillip, but didn't see him. As I looked for him, I saw a tall man with black hair, wearing a Galaxic Militia uniform that was covered in pins, staring at me. I glanced away and tried to act as though I hadn't noticed. He approached me.

  In a deep sultry voice, he said, "I don't believe we've met. I could never forget meeting a woman as breathtaking as you." I blushed. He reached for my hand and brought it to his lips, but opened my hand and placed his kiss on my palm. His lips were warm and soft against my skin. I drew in a surprised gasp and lifted my eyes up his uniform, decorated with many pins, to eyes the color of a cloudless sky. "What is your name?" I could feel his words against my palm. He remained bent over my hand which brought his face closer to mine. He held me with his eyes.

  "Teagan," I whispered. "What's your name?" I managed to ask.

  "I am Captain Eric Alaric, at your service." Captain Alaric had moved my hand to his arm. Captain Alaric had a strong square jaw and a dimple in his chin. The top of my head reached almost to his shoulders. "Have dinner with me tonight, Teagan."

  Mesmerized by his eyes, voice, shoulders, and handsome face, I almost agreed, but I stammered, "Thank you, but I can't. I'm having dinner with Captain Hiroshi, Yukihyo, and Phillip. It was kind of you to offer, though, Captain Alaric." He flashed a beautiful smile at me, and I struggled to lift my gaze from his mouth back up to his light blue eyes. I felt my pulse hammering in my throat.

  "Are they friends of yours?" he asked.

  "Yes, but more like family. I'm one of the crew now."

  "I see," he said. "Teagan, from now on whenever you see me, I want you to call me Eric." I caught myself looking at his full lower lip. He caught my eyes with his. "Say it for me," he smiled. I blushed again and smiled.

  "Eric," I said. Eric again kissed my palm. That was when Phillip decided to show up. Eric kept my hand as he turned to Phillip.

  "Phillip do you know this lovely creature?"

  Phillip took my hand away from Eric and responded, "Why, yes. Captain Alaric, the kid here is with me." Phillip put his hands on my upper outer arms and turned me toward him. "Well, don't you look all grown up, Cupcake! Your hair looks real pretty!" Pleased he had noticed, I accepted his one armed hug and said thank you. Phillip's cheerful words and tone didn't match the look he exchanged with Eric. "You've had a busy day. Let's get you home," Phillip said.

  "It has been a pleasure meeting you, Teagan. I hope to see you again."

  "It was nice meeting you, too, Eric." He flashed a satisfied smile at me and nodded to Phillip, and then entered the baths. Phillip drove us back to Tora.

  Later that evening we were all seated near an outdoor fireplace. Our table overlooked a frozen lake. Snowcapped mountains rose to majestic heights in the distance. We had taken the land transport to a train station that had sped us to our destination on rails suspended high above Scipio's tree line. The trip had been breathtaking. Yukihyo hadn't let me out of his sight since our return from the baths. Our dinner consisted of platters of seafood, fish, and sauces. "This is the best food I have ever had," I said. I had to lean back in my chair to make room for my stuffed belly. I looked at Hiroshi. "Please don't tell Mr. Lee," I added. Hiroshi laughed. Hiroshi turned serious a moment later, tossing his napkin into his plate.

  He said, "The Hadrian brings word of disturbances in the Laconian sector suggesting a delay of travel there while the militia ensures its stability. I am rerouting Tora to Malta to give things a chance to calm down."

  "Aww, yes. The Hadrian. Our little Teagan met Captain Alaric this afternoon." Phillip said.

  "Indeed?" asked Hiroshi. Yukihyo snorted. I gave him a look.

  "Yep, it was like watching a baby seal with a shark," Phillip said. They erupted into laughter.

  Later that night as I got ready for bed, I realized my pajamas had been recycled. Last night I had been tucked in wearing my green floral dress. Deciding to sleep in undies, which I felt was kind of inappropriate, I crawled into bed and dreamed of frozen lakes and warm fires.

  After my coffee the next morning, I discovered we would be spending the morning together and disembarking after lunch. Washing my hair had no effect on my curls after it had dried that morning. I thought it looked just as pretty today and wore it down. I wore a soft pink dress that fell past my knees, a brown jacket, and my pink flats. I felt to make sure that my necklace was around my neck. In town I asked if I could look in the stores. Yukihyo volunteered to go with me. He held my hand and asked if there was anything in particular that I wanted. "I need some pajamas. I recycled mine."

  "I see," he responded.

  We walked under the flower covered trellis and entered a shop. It was a busy place. Ladies were purchasing items as we entered. A couple of soldiers were being assisted by a shop girl. The ladies left with their bags, and the shopkeeper who had helped them came toward us. She was a tiny woman with multiple long thin braids that reached the backs of her knees. She smiled at Yukihyo and gave him a slight bow of her head. Then, smiling she turned toward me and said, "Welcome. I carry only the finest Arachnean silks and have beautiful choices for your lady." She turned back toward Yukihyo with her last words. "How may I be of service?" she asked. I pulled Yukihyo down so that I could whisper into his ear.

  "Yukihyo, Arachnean silk? I just need some pajamas. This is a bit, no, this is way too expensive." He ignored my words.

  "My lady," he smiled, "wishes to buy sleeping attire."

  "Allow me to show you some gowns of our highest quality silk," she said. I tried to think of how many credits I had. I selected a gown and was trying to complete my transaction, when Yukihyo pulled her away and added two more gowns and a shawl. I held my bracelet out so that she could scan my credits, but Yukihyo pulled my wrist down, tucking my hand between his arm and side. While he had me trapped, he paid. The price wasn't as awful as I had expected. She folded everything, placed it all in a bag, thanked us for shopping, and asked Yukihyo to give her mother a hug for her the next time he visited Arachne.

  Back on the sidewalk, "You know her?" I asked.

  "Of course, I know her. I know all of the shop owners. Tora is a trade vessel. Merchandise and supplies are our business," he said in his deep monotone. The breeze lifted the ends of his soft dove grey hair. That must have been why Felicia had put together all of those nice things for me and only charged five hundred credits. She could have made at least twice as much.

  "Teagan, some relationships are mutually beneficial. When we reach Arachne, would you like to check on Sashka's mother with me?"

  "Yes, sure." We met the others for lunch and then headed back to Tora. A massive m
ilitary deep space vessel that I hadn't paid attention to underwent repairs. Hiroshi saw my curiosity.

  He said, "That is the Hadrian, Captain Alaric's ship."

  "Yikes. I wonder if he gets lost trying to find the kitchen," I said. Back inside Tora we took the lift up to the habitation deck. Yukihyo handed me my bag of silk gowns.

  Hiroshi said, "Teagan, we will be on the bridge preparing to leave Scipio."

  "Okay, I'll be in my quarters," I said. I put my things away. I changed into exercise clothes and went to the treadmill. A mile and a half later and Phillip hopped onto the treadmill next to me. "So, why did we leave early?" I asked.

  "Don't worry. We'll head back here, eventually. We always do. The Parvacs are causing problems along the outskirts of our system. Malta has evacuees coming in, and we got a message asking for medical supplies, so off we go. Don't be afraid. You're safe."

  "If you say so, Phillip. How long will it take to get there?"

  "At our speed it takes two weeks to get to Malta from Scipio. What are you going to do to pass the time? Tora is already so clean, she sparkles." I thought about it.

  "Well, I'll spend some time learning about Malta, but I was wondering."

  "What about, Cupcake?"

  "Phillip, do you think that I could learn how to drive a land transport? I know I can't learn while I'm on the ship, but one day, maybe?" Phillip stopped his, and then my treadmill.

  "You sure can. You can start learning right now," he said.

  "How? We're not even on the ground anymore."

  Phillip said, "There are rules to learn, instrument panels to study, and I can set a simulator program up on any vid-screen." Phillip looked excited. "You want to learn to drive? I'm the best. This is going to be great! I'll go create a program. See you later." Phillip left. Wow. If I could learn to drive, that would be so cool. I resumed my walk a few seconds later. Tora's course must have been laid in because a few minutes later, Yukihyo and Hiroshi came in to spar on the mat. They moved so fast that from the corner of my eye, they were a blur. Yukihyo did something with his feet, and Hiroshi went down to the mat on his back. He sprang back up without using his hands. Hiroshi flipped Yukihyo. He came up from the mat with a kicked aimed at Hiroshi's knee. He moved just in time. Realizing my jaw had dropped open, I turned off the treadmill and got off of it.