“A few hours. The city where we parked seems to be abandoned,” I answered.
“Were there any Lith Dae Navy ships in orbit when you arrived?” he asked, and Z turned around in her chair to give me a grimace.
“None were here when we entered the atmosphere.” The statement wasn’t exactly false, but the reason the ships weren’t here when we entered atmosphere was that we had already destroyed them.
Captain Renalta might not believe that though. We were just one ship, claiming to be a passenger and trade vessel, and most would think it unlikely that we would be able to take out three military vessels. I wouldn’t have believed it, but now I knew Persephone wasn’t an ordinary ship, and we weren’t an ordinary crew.
“We’ve found evidence of their destruction on the other side of Uraniel. You didn’t see that?”
“Sorry, Captain Renalta, we heard this colony traded rhodium, and that is why we are here. Just wanted to barter for some and maybe book a passage.” The beast didn’t want to talk to this fuck anymore. He wanted to fill his ships with plasma fire and watch them dissolve into burning lumps of space wax.
He didn’t answer immediately, and Eve gestured that she was muting the line.
“I am somewhat confused,” the vampire said. “How do they not know we destroyed their ships?”
“They probably think that we did,” Z answered.
“Would they not have heard a distress signal from the three that attacked us?” Eve asked.
“Not necessarily,” I answered. “Captain Lachie could have sent out a signal to say she was attacking us, but the communication would have moved at light speed. The rest of the Lith Dae Navy could be weeks, or even months away. When a ship goes into hyperdrive, they might miss the signal because they are moving too fast for their scanners to pick up.”
“I see.” Eve nodded.
“Yeah, it’s kind of crazy. The only way news really travels fast is if another starship carries the information with them,” Z said.
“Much like our ancestors used to carry the news to different settlements by foot or horseback,” one of the twins said from their station behind me.
“That is an interesting comparison,” Eve said with a smile.
“That’s also why it’s really fucking weird that Elaka Nota found us in Gliese 876,” Z said. “They shouldn’t have been able to track us across such a long distance.”
“Captain Adam, occasionally, when I’ve encountered ships that claim to be ‘traders’ or ‘passenger boats,’ they are really slavers or mercenary types.” Captain Renalta’s voice came over the bridge speakers, and we turned our attention back to the conversation. His voice sounded surprisingly warm, and I began to wonder if he had come to the conclusion that we didn’t destroy the other three ships in his navy.
“We are open to employment opportunities, but we don’t want anything to do with slavingggg,” I growled at the end and then gritted my teeth in anger.
“Did you notice anything unusual when you were on the surface?” Renalta asked quickly.
“You mean the thousands of killer bird-drones?” I asked.
“Ahh. You saw them.”
“Yeah, my crew and I barely escaped. Is that the reason there is no one on the planet?”
“Yes, unfortunately. Uraniel is Lith Dae property. We colonized it some five hundred years ago for farming and mining purposes. The drones were there to take care of insect pests going after our crops. Their programming code became corrupted, and the drones began to attack anything living. We saved as many of our people as we could, but there are still many trapped down in the bunkers below the surface of the planet. They will be running out of food soon.”
“We like helping people, especially if there is trade involved,” I added the last part, even though it wasn’t true, so the captain thought we were open to payment for a mercenary deal. I didn’t like the idea of working for Lith Dae when it was apparent they had been a big part of this mess, but it was possible that they knew how to stop the drones.
“Good!” he exclaimed. “I’d like to meet in person so we can discuss the details.”
Z turned back to me and gave me the ‘fuck no’ look I’d come to appreciate. Eve also shook her head, and I didn’t need to turn around and look at the twins to guess at their feelings.
“Captain Renalta, you mentioned there were other ships in your navy here?” I asked.
“I found their wreckage on the oth--”
“Sorry to interrupt you, but I am cautious about other enemies. As a trader and transport ship, I’ve survived by knowing when to run. I would prefer not to meet in person. I’m sure you can understand.”
“It isn’t how I do things, Captain Adam. The job I have is important, and I have a good amount of rhodium to pay. I need to be able to look you in the eye and know that you’ll be able to get the job done.”
Z rolled her eyes and then blew the bangs of her blonde hair back with a puff of air from her lips. Eve just shrugged. She knew what I knew: if I decided to play hardball with this guy, he might tell me to leave, and then we wouldn’t be able to help the citizens of Uraniel.
If they were still alive to help.
“I can understand that. I’d like to meet in person also,” I said, and Z slumped in her chair. “But as I said, we’ve lived this long by being highly suspicious, especially of corporate military fleets. How much rhodium are we talking about here?”
“I’ve got two-hundred grams.”
“That’s a good amount.” I didn’t have to try very hard to feign interest. That amount of rhodium was miniscule compared to the shipment we had lost when the drones had shot up the crate Wayne asked us to deliver, but it would exchange for three times the amount of the supplies we had just delivered to Jatal.
I doubted Captain Renalta actually intended to pay us that amount.
“It is,” he agreed with a short laugh. “Why don’t you send a shuttle over this way? We’ll treat you to a nice meal, and we can talk about the job. If I feel as if you can handle it, then we’ll negotiate the terms. If I don’t think you can do it, then we’ll part ways, and I’ll look for another partner.”
I knew what the man was trying to do, but I tried to keep the beast’s rage subdued. His fleet could have taken us out easily, so he did need us for something. There would be no “looking for another partner.” I guessed that the job was on Uraniel’s surface, and he didn’t want to risk his own people.
“When we first landed, we had no idea about the drones. Then the sun began to set, and they attacked. Is that how they work? Do they only come out at night?” I asked.
“That is how they work, yes,” he confirmed. “I’ll tell you more when you come over.”
“Give me one moment, please?” I asked.
“Of course,” he replied, and I motioned for Eve to mute the communication.
“You can’t go over there,” Z spat.
“How long will the sun be on the other side of the planet?” I asked the four women.
“Seven and a half more hours,” one of the twins answered almost before the words left my mouth.
“You want to meet him down there?” the hacker asked. “That is even crazier.”
“I think it will be okay,” I said.
“Why do you think that?” Z asked.
“There is more going on here,” I replied. “Faddy was just a citizen on the surface of Uraniel. He didn’t know about any of the archeological dig sites. He didn’t know the exact specifics of the negotiations between Lith Dae and his government. All he knew for sure was the aftermath. If Captain Renalta really wanted us gone, he could attack right now, and we would have to run. He needs us for something. That doesn’t mean he won’t betray us later, but we can’t help the people of this planet if we run away.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you have to meet him face to face. Ask him to--” Z started to say, but I raised the palm of my hand.
“If I meet him face to face with Eve, we’ll know exac
tly what is going on,” I said.
“Hmmm,” Z sighed. “I guess you have a point there. Alright, I’ll allow it this time.” She chuckled, and the other three women let out short laughs.
“Captain Renalta?” I asked after I motioned for Eve to unmute the communications.
“I’m here,” the man said.
“I’d prefer to meet on neutral ground. There is a field where we just landed. We will meet you there when the sun has risen, and the drones have returned to their slummmmmberrrr,” I growled the last word and then cleared my throat.
“I’d prefer you to come to my ship. We will treat you like honored guests.” The tone of Renalta’s voice sounded a bit annoyed, but I was ready to call his bluff.
“You need our help, we want rhodium. You can’t argue with a meeting on neutral ground.” I kept my words slow and careful so that I didn’t risk a growl.
There was silence on the other side for a good ten seconds, and then Captain Renalta finally answered. “We can fly around to the other side of the planet and then meet there. I would like to get this done sooner rather than later.”
I thought through my options as I made eye contact with Eve. I couldn’t meet the man in my weretiger form, but shifting back to my human form would exhaust me. I needed time to rest, but I couldn’t explain that to Renalta. I would need to lie, but which lie would hold him off? I could tell him our ship was damaged, but if he thought we couldn’t escape, he might attack.
“My apologies, Captain Renalta.” The beast screamed in my soul when I apologized to the man. It apologized to no one. “Several of my crew members are injured, and we have to spend some time ensuring recovery. My navigators tell me the sun will appear down below us in seven and a half hours. That will give us enough time to tend to them. Can you wait?”
There was another pause, and I realized I was holding my breath. I let it out with a slow exhale and prayed that the man believed my lie.
“We have a medical crew we can send over,” he said at last. The man was a pit bull, and he wasn’t going to let this go easily.
“I thank you for the help, but we prefer to tend to ourselves. If we are unable to tend to our wounded, I might take you up on that offer. Will you give us some time? We will let you know when we are ready to land on the surface. We can take a shuttle and meet you there.”
A few more moments of silence passed, and the man spoke again.
“Very well, Captain Adam. We’ll wait until the sun rises down below. I’m trusting you with this, if I see any act of aggression, or if you try to run, I’ll assume you had something to do with the destruction of the other ships in the Lith Dae Navy, and I’ll attack.”
“Thank you for your understanding. We’ll open communications with you once we are ready to depart.” I motioned to Eve, and the woman gestured to say she ended our conversation.
“That gave us some time so I can rest.” I let out a long breath and tried to force my muscles to relax. I thought of the ocean, the trees, and the breeze moving across the salty water. I hadn’t been in my weretiger form for long, so the change back to my human body was somewhat easy. The shift was still painful though, and I had to resist the desire to rip apart the nice leather chair I sat upon.
Then the change was complete, and I opened my eyes to find the twins studying my face from only thirty centimeters away.
“Interesting,” the one on the left said.
“Very interesting,” the other said.
“What?” I asked as I inhaled sharply. It smelled as if Paula was the one on the left.
“How does it work?” the one I guessed was Kasta asked.
“My changing?” I asked, and they both nodded. It was like looking at a woman standing next to the mirror. They were absolutely identical in mannerisms and movements.
“You get larger when you change and then become smaller again,” Paula said.
“He’s still a big man though,” Kasta said as she bit her bottom lip.
“Antoine Lavoisier would go insane,” Paula laughed.
“I don’t know who that is,” I said as I looked between them.
“He was a scientist,” Paula explained.
“I don’t really like scientists.” I chuckled and then put my palms on the armrests of my chair to help me stand.
“He said that mass couldn’t be--”
“Lavoisier also wouldn’t understand how hyper or warpdrives worked,” Kasta interrupted her sister with a shrug.
“No, he would because of the energy transfer and the--”
“Ladies,” I interrupted. “I need to go to sleep.” I stepped out of my seat and they nodded.
“We can help take you to your room,” Paula said as she wrapped her hands around my right bicep.
“And help you with your armor,” Kasta said as her fingers grasped my other arm.
“Ahhhh,” Z’s voice protested as she stood from her seat and walked toward us.
“No,” I said as I pulled my arms away from the twins. “I need you three blonde geniuses to study the broken drones we have in the hold.”
“Oh, that is a good idea,” Z said, and the other two women nodded.
“I can walk myself to my room and take off my armor.” I laughed and then stepped down off the slight dais where the five chairs were positioned on the bridge. “Wake me up within an hour of the sun coming up. I’m hoping you would have learned more about the drones by then.”
I would like to come with you, but the timing is still not right. Z would be hurt.
Eve’s voice came to my mind as I walked past the holographic map projection. Her words made me sigh a bit, but I didn’t turn around to look in her direction. I felt as if we were both hiding our affections for each other because we didn’t want to hurt Z, but it was dumb because the hacker knew that Eve and I had feelings for each other. At the same time, I also had these feelings for Z, and I didn’t want to hurt her.
I understand your dilemma, but it is one of social construct, not one of honor. We both love and desire you. In time, Z will come to accept our relationship.
“Maybe, but that doesn’t mean I will. I have beliefs. They help keep me human when the animal rages. I love both of you, but I don’t know how to proceed without committing my mind and soul to one of you. Sorry, Eve,” I whispered to the hallway as I passed the elevator. I didn’t know if the vampire heard me, or read my thoughts because she didn’t answer.
And I didn’t want to have the discussion right now. I was too damn tired, and I had to worry about resting before I worried about Captain Renalta, his fleet, and the crackpot suicide mission he probably wanted to “hire” us for. I didn’t have time to puzzle through my complicated relationships.
I had told my friends that I would be able to take my armor off by myself, but my fingers couldn’t grasp at the seams on the metal pieces, and I gave up after three attempts. The suit was plenty comfortable, especially in my current state, so I just flopped on my bed face first. The last thing I felt was the pillow beneath my face, and the caress of a woman’s fingers across my scalp. The sensation should have startled me awake, but it felt like a dream, and the caress carried me into slumber.
Chapter 6
“Adam?” I thought a voice whispered to me, and I opened my eyes to see the blue sky and the ends of long stalks of green grass waving above me.
“Yeah?” I asked as I pushed my hand down into the dirt to bring myself up to sitting position. I heard the flutter of wings and thought that the drone-birds were coming to impale me, but I didn’t see any of the flying robots behind me in the field.
I was alone, and the fields of green grass stretched to the horizon like waving ocean.
“Hello?” I called out to the breeze, but no one answered. Didn’t I fall asleep on Persephone? Had I gone down to the planet’s surface to meet with the captain of the other ship? I couldn’t remember the man’s name, so maybe I dreamed of him as well. Where was Eve? Or Z? Or Kasta and Paula? They should be here with me, but instead
of feeling any panic, I only felt a sense of belonging. I was supposed to be here in this field, and I was sure my friends were close by.
I got to my feet and glanced around me. There were no landmarks, no trees, and nothing beside the flat lay of grass blowing in the gentle breeze. I turned my head around again and saw what looked to be a bit of a hill some six hundred meters in the distance. It wasn’t elevated that much, but I figured I could see a little better from on top of the small climb.
I enjoyed the warm sun on my shoulders, the soft sounds of the grasses dancing, and the scent of fresh plants on the air. The walk stretched my legs, and I had to resist the beast’s desire to run through the grass. I was a bit surprised by the emotions it was sending through my soul. It normally wanted to kill, or eat, or fuck, and I couldn’t recall it being happy unless it had done one of those three activities recently.
I reached the base of the hill and walked up the gentle slope. The ground here was squishy like mud, and I found myself stumbling a bit during my climb. I made it to the top without much difficulty and then glanced around to get my bearings.
“What the fuck?” I asked the breeze as I stared down below me. The hill was actually the lip of a valley, and the grass at the edge changed from a healthy green to a dying brown as it led down the slope. At the bottom of the valley, the grass was a charred black in color, and it looked as if something had come through and poisoned or burnt the entire floor of the valley. It might have actually been lit on fire by a starship passing too close with thrusters, but the transition from dead black grass to browned was not uniform, so I guessed that the vegetation had become diseased.
“Eye yahhh,” I heard a woman whisper in my ear, and I felt my heart leap into my chest. I turned around, but there was no one behind me.
There was a fluttering sound of wings at my back, and I spun back to the valley floor. A shadow of a bird passed overhead, and I tilted my head up to try to catch a glimpse of it. My vision was sharp and much improved over a normal human’s, but I still couldn’t see the creature that took flight. I only saw its shadow speed away from me and down the bottom of the blackened valley.
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