“No, it’s not there yet, thank you, we’ll go later.”
The Anawoka bowed to them, and said, looking at Lori, “You are the Saxon?”
“Yes,” she said, the question inevitable.
“Great is your lineage. Honorable is your family. I am in your service at any time.”
“Yeah? Could you have someone get these bags, bring them up to us?” Hunter said, and Lori cringed.
“It’s a metaphor, Hunt,” she said. “Not a literal offer.”
“I shall be honored to be of service to the Saxon companion, and arrange for pickup immediately. You will be where?” the Anawoka said.
Lori looked at him, glanced at Hunter, who raised his eyebrows at her, and she nodded down the corridor. “In the restaurant. Thank you. You are most helpful to these travelers.”
The Anawoka chirped once, and hurried away, two of his companions joining him.
Lori led the way to the café, leaving the crowd behind. “These birds are trustworthy?” Hunter said, watching the three disappear.
“Hmph,” Lori said. “With your life. Or theirs. There’s been one or two around everywhere we go. I think they’re guarding us here.”
“Bodyguards?” Hunter said, as he pointed to a window table with chairs to the Kobi standing at the entrance to the café. The Kobi led the way there.
“Yeah,” Lori said.
“Good,” he said.
“Yeah, but you never should have asked him to get your bags, really, Hunter.”
“No? He seemed willing enough. Maybe I should tip him good?”
“No, just say thanks, is all.”
They sat and looked out the window. Rain poured down in sheets, driving rain, some hitting the window, recessed below a shallow overhang. Buildings and roads disappeared in the mist and fog.
“This was an old spaceport, now a transhipment depot for stuff going off world,” Lori said as they looked at the video menu. Buildings, large, squat ones, occupied the old runways, trees now grew here and there, and roadways ran between them.
“They still use ground vehicles here?” Hunter said, pointing at a small caravan of cargo haulers.
“Yeah, for the local shuffling of stuff. On and off world, and any distance, it’s all aerial, of course. But they still like working on the ground. Those passage storms three times a day might be one reason.”
“Yeah, and one of the Anawoka said they can charge handling fees and taxes then, too. Still, there’s a certain efficiency with it, they have plenty of fuel, and they can haul a lot of stuff on one of those wheeled carriers.”
They watched the scant activity outside, a few Kobi here and there, covered in bright yellow raincoats.
“Where’s that other planet now?” Hunter said, peering outward.
“Overhead, lost in the clouds.”
“That what makes it so gloomy?” Hunter said. Pointing to a couple of things on the menu he asked, “Earth foods?” Lori nodded, ordered a chicken cordon blue special, and iced tea. Hunter ordered the wings, a fruit salad, and coffee.
“You have dinner yet?” he said.
“No, you?”
“Yeah, on the ship. Big lunch, actually, just before you called. Am I out of sync here?”
“Oh, yeah, but not by much. Worse where we’re staying.”
Hunter said as their order was accepted, “You gonna be ready for bed soon, then?”
Lori licked her lips, slowly, and said, “Yeah. You?” He smiled.
The drinks arrived almost immediately, and Hunter began showing Lori some of the news reports from Earth about the latest incident. She glanced at them, fast forwarding through the videos, not even activating the sound. “So, what do they say, I’m the Kobi Killer now, or something?”
“What? You kidding? You haven’t heard?”
Lori shook her head, sipping the tea.
“Lori, you’ve gone from being a...what, priest killer, that’s what you remember, right? But now, you’re a victim, and the whole world’s offering you sympathy.” He ran another clip, and turned his screen toward her. It showed her tear streaked face, clearly enhanced, while the narration said, “Ms. Sloane’s reaction to the death of her long time assistant reflects her deep admiration and close association the two explorers established during their adventures together.”
Hunter ran a couple of additional clips, saying they were all he could get before he went out system, but they were pretty much the same–sympathetic to Lori, angry at the Earth Only group, and questioning the security at Florez.
She interrupted, her head seemed fuzzy at the news. “When’d you leave? Earth, I mean. And how’d you get here again?”
Hunter smiled. “You wouldn’t believe it. On a space yacht, the Beautiful Swimmer. A gift from one of my father’s clients. To us, for us, I mean, the wedding. Not the yacht, the trip. Came directly here, ten days out of Berlin Station.”
“A yacht? A space yacht? Nice?”
“Plush. Fast. Plus, as the only passenger, I was spoiled endlessly.”
“Yeah, well all that’s over. The next ship out is a cargo tramp, from Florez. Not at all plush. Leaves in nine days...”
“Lori,” Hunter said forcefully, leaning forward. “We go back on the Swimmer, any time we want. I got a round trip. It’s waiting for us at mid-station.”
Lori’s mouth opened. “Waiting? Hunter, my air car, I can’t leave without that. And the Damai.”
“Plenty of room, they got four bays, and two of them are empty. And extra staterooms, too. A lounge, not large, but adequate. No pool, though, sorry. So, when do you want to go?”
Lori glanced back into the room. “Well, now, that’s a problem. Tarue is in deep discussion with traders, for the return expedition. That’ll take a while to sort out. And I’ve sorta committed to a visit to Lucipara, expect the invitation momentarily. I suspect it’s arrived now,” and she nodded toward two Anawoka standing nearby, looking at them. Hunter glanced at them. “It’ll take a few days there, I think. Maybe a week. I thought I’d have plenty of time before the tramp left.”
“You still do. No rush.”
“They’ll wait for us?”
“For however long we want. A few days, a week, more, whatever. I’ll update the crew later.”
She pointed upward. “A week there, at least, then. But then it’ll be cutting it close for the wedding...”
“No, it’s been moved back a week at last report. And the yacht is fast, and direct. We’ll get there in plenty of time, no matter when we leave. Just as long as it’s before the 21st.”
Lori stared at him, impressed. “You did this for me?”
“Well, the Count did, for us both. And my father, and mother, I guess. Yours, too.”
“The Count?”
“Yeah, a client of my father’s. Long term. Very nice. German.”
“I’ll have to thank him. He’s invited to the wedding?”
“Yes, and coming.”
“Good.”
Their food arrived, hot and steaming, and they began to eat. Lori kept looking at Hunter as he chatted about people and things back on Earth, but her mind was on him. More and more she loved his easy going demeanor, his attention to her, his gift of gab, his smile, everything. And most of all, his presence, here with her.
The Anawoka waited until they ordered dessert, and coffee, and then presented an elaborate scroll, gilded and sealed. The official invitation to visit the planet Lucipara, as guest of the several flocks united, to stay as long as she wished, and to see the many improvements since she left eight years ago.
“This is my fiancee, my life-mate to be,” Lori said, opening her hand to Hunter. “May he accompany me?”
The Anawoka gave a short, sharp screech. “Your life-mate to be is most fortunate, and honored, and is welcomed with you. Also welcome, and beseeched, are the new visitors from the Tucana world, the Damai. May they join you also? Much is to discuss with them all.”
“I will ask Tarue, but know she expressed a great i
nterest in visiting your world. I will call her now.”
Tarue answered the call on the first ring. She and the kits asked if Hunter was there, and they all greeted him. Dayu said, “We had to stay here, we could not go, so you could be alone. But you are with many people, why cannot we be there, too?”
Tarue hushed him, and Lori relayed the invitation. “I would like to go to Lucipara tomorrow. You and the kits are invited also. Is that acceptable to you?” she asked her.
“Tomorrow is free, after the mid-day passage. Is that satisfactory?”
The Anawoka screeched acceptance, shaking with expectation, at that news.
Tarue added, “I have several meetings this day and tonight. Others after that can wait. What are your plans?”
Lori smiled and said, “I plan to talk to Hunter about many things this night. I have no other plans.” Hunter smiled broadly at her comment.
The Anawoka hurried away with news of Lori’s commitment. She would call them with an exact departure time as soon as she confirmed it with Tarue.
As the two lingered a bit over cooling coffee, the first Anawoka returned, leading a Kobi pulling a small sled containing Hunter’s bag. Lori gave him the docking gate where she’d left Eagle One, and he sent the Kobi there with a few quick words. Bowing, he said, “I understand you will visit our world. All the people await you, and are anxious to greet you. Great will be the day when a Saxon returns, especially when she brings new visitors never seen before in our trees.”
“Will you be there...um, I never got your name,” Lori said.
“Indeed, I shall, I leave on the next shuttle, few birds will remain here for the duration of your visit. I am Ameca, and I am at your service at any time.”
“Your assistance has been invaluable, and of great worth to this traveler,” Hunter said, standing up. “You have eased my arrival, and I shall remember you always, Ameca,” he said.
The bird shook once with pleasure at the praise, bowed once again to both of them, and said, “Follow me, I shall lead you directly to Eagle One.”
At the cashier’s station, the attendant waved them through, refusing the credit card Hunter offered. “Now, that’s a first,” Lori said, “These people are not know for their generosity.”
“Mmm. But I think it’s the Anawoka who are generous, I saw that one talking to the cashier when he returned. I don’t see that guy with my bags. Think they’re OK?”
“Oh, yeah, the natives know better than to mess with an Anawoka...”
“Physical, they get beat up, or something?”
“No, it’s more economic, and endless litigation and harassment, and believe me, the birds are expert at it, they learned the local system very well, and can use it to their advantage any time they want, and the locals know it. Your bags will be there, probably guarded by the Kobi.”
They were, two duffels sitting next to Eagle One, a Kobi standing by them, but no one else was anywhere near them.
“You’re right. Should I tip the Kobi, or the Anawoka? What are the customs?”
“Not the bird, for sure, I’ll ask about the Kobi.”
To her question, Ameca said, “Remuneration has been attended to, none additional is required. Now, I hope you will have a pleasant night on Kali, and we will see you tomorrow on Luci.” With yet another bow, and then a light caress of their shoulders, the Anawoka turned and walked away.
Lori kissed Hunter once more after they settled in the air car. Eagle One greeted him enthusiastically, Lori making a wry smile at the extent of its hello, and announced a five minute ground delay while traffic cleared. The two humans put the time to use in an additional embrace.
As they lifted, Lori told Eagle One to return to her hotel, normal speed, and that she would sit in the back with Hunter. After another brief delay, the air car announced departure. Lori let it fly them outside into the pouring rain, up through the clouds into the travel lanes, and beyond, into the sunlit low orbit course that would take her half way round the planet in a few hours, the projected route on the screen showing a slight diversion around the passage storm ahead. She sat next to Hunter. Before they’d left local control, he had his arms around her in a tight hug.
She leaned against him, feeling his warmth, and his strength, knowing this was what she’d missed, this was what she’d wanted, for weeks. And the fact he’d come to her, across the void of space, to be with her, warmed her the most. She stayed still, feeling his arms around her, and stayed that way, till he lifted her chin, and began kissing her.
They arrived at the hotel in the dark in another driving rain storm, Hunter commenting about how much it rained on this planet. Part way down the short corridor to their room, a door opened, and two furry creatures shot out, and raced down to him, calling his name. He stooped to greet them, letting them jump up onto his knees, nearly getting bowled over in the process.
“How did you get here?” Nif asked.
“Earth is far, very far, how long did it take you, many days?” Dayu said.
“What did you bring us?”
“Any presents?”
Tarue arrived, trying to shush her kits, and welcoming Hunter in a more quiet manner. She took one of his duffels, and walked with them back to their room, while the kits held onto Hunter’s hands.
“Your trip was quiet?” she asked.
“Yes, fast and easy. On a marvelous ship. You’ll get to see it, if you want, on the way back.”
“Yes, very much. When must we leave?”
“Anytime you want. You and Lori.” He shut the door behind him, looking at the smallish room. “This is hardly bigger than the stateroom on the starship.”
“Yeah, but we needed connecting rooms, and this is the best we could do,” Lori said. “Tarue, we received that invitation to visit Lucipara. When would you be free to go?”
“The other planet?” the kits said in unison? “Up in the sky? Let’s go, Mama, let’s go.”
Tarue glanced at her children, and said, “I am overwhelmed with trade offers. Already, I am over committed to what my small planet could provide, I fear, I should end it now, this is a good excuse. Here, what do you think?” she said, handing a thick folder to Lori. “Perhaps Hunter might advise me on what to offer, and accept?”
Lori and Hunter sat on the small sofa along the wall. More rain pelted the window, and fog and darkness obscured everything beyond a few hundred meters. Lori looked at the incredible amounts, the huge variety of offerings on the list, and glanced at Hunter.
“Quite a catalog. I bet you could commit to some of everything, depends on what they want in exchange, but this would be a challenge to meet, even on one of the dev...closer worlds,” he said, flipping page after page. He looked up at Tarue. “Could you sort these by priority–what your people need most, rather than just what is offered?”
“If you would help me, yes. And then what to pay–what to offer.” Tarue shook her head. “After everything that Florez promised, and the many useful things already ordered from Ixixil, I fear we will be many, many bright clus...years, in preparing payment. I do not want to be the person sending my planet into debt for ages.”
“Yes, OK, let’s go over the lists, see what we can pare it down to. I can help with the financial arrangements, it need not be paid for all at once. When do you need to confirm the orders?”
“Anytime, we have many months until we return to Uta, is that not right?”
“Yes. We have some time,” Lori said, as she ticked off several items on three pages. She asked Tarue, “Do you have to meet with the trade reps again? I ask because we are expected to visit Lucipara, tomorrow, if we can. If not, later.”
“No, tomorrow now would be fine with me. Give me an excuse to make decisions, or some of them anyway, tonight. The Anawoka–they will wish to trade, also?”
Lori smiled as she shook her head. “No, not in goods, only in intellectual products– translators, banking expertise, teaching, business administration, medical, all things you can use on Uta, however. Yet
, more costs to bear,” she said. “But they should be manageable.”
By the time they finished working on Tarue’s lists, the storm had cleared, dawn approached, a few stars showing, vapor and wisps of fog trailing away over the nearby roofs and clumps of trees in the street lights surrounding the hotel. As the sun rose, Tarue led them all to a walk in a park nearby, letting the kits run and romp, to the amusement of a growing gathering of native Kobi, they also interested in the two humans watching the kits. Later, they returned to the hotel for some breakfast, a long day past, another starting, now winding down for Lori, and especially for Hunter.
“You gonna have any energy for later?” she asked him as they took a place in the nearly empty open plaza-like dining room of the hotel. Tarue raised her head to look at him.
“Oh, I think I could rise to the occasion as necessary,” he said.
“That means they will have the sex,” Nif said. “I want to watch.”
“No, this time you will give the people some privacy, so they may be alone, and rest or sleep as they wish. Hunter has had a very long trip, and needs to rest.”
“They will not rest,” Dayu said. “At least, not at first.”
Lori and Hunter just smiled.
As they left the dining area, Lori noticed the darkening outside. She pulled Hunter’s arm, saying, “Let’s go out for a moment.” He went along with her, out the doors, and into the open past the entryway roof.
Hunter looked upward toward his right. He spun back and away from Lori, pulling her hand, nearly tripping, his right hand going upward, as he called a cry of warning, trying to get her to duck.
“Lookout, lookout, oh, good god...” he said, stumbling over a low curb as he kept backing away.
He stopped and stood looking upward, his mouth open, his face stressed.
“Don’t worry, Hunter,” Nif said, going to him and taking his hand as she looked up at his face. “The other planet won’t fall down and hit us. Lori’s ancestor mother fixed that a long time ago.”
“My god, it looks like it’s going to land on us at any moment.”
T-47 Book II (Saxon Saga 6) Page 14