“Major Sun!” shouted Betty in her clicking voice. “Friend Branco! I bring news.”
* * * * *
Chapter Twenty-Six
Docking Plaza Agate, Station 5
Corralled by their tourist guides, the Jeha party occupied a large table overlooking the viewing windows near the customs channel exit. So many limbs scurried excitedly over its surface, on the deck below, and across the couches and seats surrounding it, that even the Jeha chief engineer of Midnight Sun couldn’t tell how many of his kind he was observing from the small table nearby.
Zarbi sat beside Jenkins. She crushed her empty cube of resin nougat and gave it a polite lick to show she had appreciated the treat from her superior.
“Thank you,” she said. “But I don’t understand why you brought me to this place. Docking Plaza Agate appears to be a minor commercial zone, designed to relieve arrivals coming to Five coming through Docking Ring 7 of their credits.”
“It is,” he replied. “Now stop clicking. I want to hear this disagreement.”
One of the guides had caught a pair of youngsters trying to sneak away from the group. She had lifted the front half of her body to vertical, but the pair were showing no sign of apologizing.
“The danger is very real,” she admonished them.
“But we need the restroom,” protested one of the rascals, though Jenkins found his antennae unconvincing. This reprobate was looking for illicit thrills.
“You will have to wait until the next supervised visit,” said the guide. “Only two years ago, one of our party left unattended and never came back.”
“Yeah, sure. I bet the others believe that kind of crap, but we’re not so dumb.”
The guide clicked her mandibles irritably. “Look it up and learn who’s the dumb one here. The guest’s name was Tk’ch’kl’l.
Beside him, Jenkins felt his junior flinch. Zarbi was so astonished, she pinched a manipulator limb with her mandibles to check she wasn’t hallucinating again.
“You are not imagining this, little one,” he reassured her. “That Tk’ch’kl’l and your esteemed superior and mentor are one and the same individual.”
“You’re my—No, never mind. Really? You were—” Her mandibles fell open when she saw a robo-vendor bringing the group not only resin nougat but ice cream, too. “You were part of a luxury vacation tour?”
Jenkins buzzed with laughter. “I was indeed, Zarbi. In fact, I was in such a tourist group when I encountered Captain Blue and Major Sun. At that time, those august personages were nothing but a pair of humanoid space bums who had literally just walked off their last ship and were seeking a new berth.”
“Station 5 does not strike me as the place one comes to spend one’s vacation.”
He circled his antennae with amusement. “You have a lot to learn, little Zarbi.” She was so irritated at his put down that she stamped numerous feet like a hatchling.
Realizing that maybe he was winding her up a little too much, he assumed a serious demeanor and explained. “This system, in fact this space station, is the gateway to the Spine Nebula. If you had grown up in the nearby region of the Tolo arm, you would have been raised on salacious and carapace-curdling tales of life within the dark nebula. Whipped up by whispers of unseen perils from the tour guides, visitors congregate in the viewing galleries where they can almost reach out their antennae and touch the danger of the nebula. In their overwrought imaginations, the background buzz of the station air scrubbers transforms into the throbbing resonance of debauchery that sends pleasurable tingles up their limbs. Their lungs struggle to process the air, so heavy is it with exquisite scandal.”
Zarbi’s mandibles quivered. Her breathing was suddenly labored.
But she was ever the scientist. She mastered the thrills flushing her little body and placed the tourists enjoying their tasty treats under observation. “I should dearly like to hear more of these tales one day. I researched the region during our hyperspace transit, naturally. The Spine Nebula is an intriguing region. It consists of fifteen systems, and all travel in and out is choked through the gate near Station 5. There should be tens of thousands of jump routes to the inner systems of the nebula, but there are none. Something must be causing the nebula’s seclusion, but what? And is it a natural phenomenon or by design? The stars within the nebula also possess erratic signatures. A lesser mind would think the two matters were connected, but Science Guild researchers have never found an answer. This region is most stimulating.”
“I agree. The nebula is an economic backwater, hence to the less cerebral races, it is of little interest. But to you and me, Zarbi, it is wondrous. One day, I should like to explore its uniqueness with you. We could write papers and develop theories, but I fear the party we can see here will not aid us in our understanding. They are simply here to be thrilled by the nebula’s reputation for danger.”
“Is it?” she said, ironically. What was amusing the silly creature now? “Dangerous, I mean.”
“When I came, yes, it was. An evil criminal organization was the scourge of the place. They were named Endless Night. A cannibalistic Goka pirate called G’Zyoulk was their leader, and he struck fear into all sentients in the region.”
“What happened to him?”
Jenkins drew himself erect. “Captain Blue happened to him.” Instead of being impressed, Zarbi drooped her antennae in a most disrespectful fashion. “Out with it, irritating hatchling. Why are you amused at me this time?”
“Don’t you think those individuals at the table are foolish? They came here for the danger, not to marvel at the natural phenomenon.”
“So what?”
“You were a tourist, sir. Did you come for the danger?”
“I…did not,” he replied, but she instantly saw through his denial. The truth was, his great friend, Professor K’Shkk’Zt, had remarked one lunchtime in the research institute canteen that proximity to danger could stimulate sexual desire in females. Before returning to his labors that afternoon, Jenkins had booked a short vacation tour to Station 5.
He regarded Zarbi. He would prefer to have his legs pulled off and used as Besquith toothpicks than admit that secret to his favorite junior.
The image of being hung from a hook at a Besquith dental supply stall was so intense that Zarbi was already advancing on the tourist group before he noticed.
“Zarbi! What are you doing?”
“Having some fun,” she replied. “Follow me, grandpa, and make like you’re a tourist. Which in your case, shouldn’t be difficult.”
“Why, you…”
Jenkins dropped to the ground and followed. In this, as in more technical domains, Zarbi had the most daring ideas. She was a little genius. One day, if he remained sparing with the praise she so richly deserved, and if he kept her hungry to better herself, Zarbi would grow into one of the finest minds in the galaxy. Superior even to his.
But that was decades away.
Which left plenty of time for fun.
* * * * *
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Zarbi waited until the tour guides were engaged arguing with a robo-vendor over its demands to be tipped, then she hurried into the heart of the group on the table.
“I’m getting too old for this,” Jenkins mumbled, but he was tingling with excitement as he leaped onto the table, bumping into a large individual as he landed.
“Pardon me, madam,” he told her, with his antennae lowered apologetically. “We’ve been visiting a gift kiosk.” He quietened his clicking. “Unattended.”
“No harm done,” the tourist replied. She indicated one of the guides. “Don’t let her find out. She’s so strict. Keeps saying the company lost one of its charges once. A foolish male walked off with a Human and was never seen again.”
Jenkins clicked something unintelligible. This wasn’t a topic he wanted to dwell on.
“A Human, you say?” Zarbi acted excited by lifting alternate pairs of motor limbs. “They are a ferocious species.”
“In that case, perhaps we should employ a mercenary company to defend us from their depravities. If we pool all of our resources, we may be able to afford a contract.”
The suggestion came from a young female with polished mandibles and such a divine smoothness to her carapace that Jenkins hissed, annoyed at the galaxy’s cruelty. Every time he encountered a female with an outward appearance of loveliness such as hers, she tended to have rotted leaf mulch for brains.
Zarbi egged on this female. “What depravities do these Humans commit?”
The female touched antennae to Zarbi and clicked in low tones, “They eat Jeha. For breakfast.”
Zarbi let out a scandalized shriek. “Are you sure?”
“Oh, yes. It’s well documented. They inject you with a paralyzing agent.” She faked a stab at Zarbi with a motor limb. “Then they smother you with herb-infused oils and roast you on your back.” She closed her mandibles with a pistol cracking snap. “And when you’re good and cooked they break apart your carapace and eat you right out of your shell.”
“Entropy,” muttered a male next to Jenkins. “Does your companion actually believe any of that crap? Tell me she’s paying you to escort her. I don’t want to believe anyone could actually accompany such a brain-dead retard through choice.”
Jenkins rounded on the male, gripping one antenna so tightly that if the lout moved as much as an inch, the organ would snap off. “For your information,” he said, clicking quietly so Zarbi couldn’t hear, “my companion is a genius with greater intellect than everyone in this group put together, including my own considerable brainpower.”
“Sorry. I guess I shouldn’t judge on first appearances.”
“Indeed not,” Jenkins stated fiercely. “Only the shallowest dullards would do such a thing. Now go away.”
He released his pinch grip and the oaf fled.
Zarbi gave him a most peculiar look, but before she could comment, the tour guides swept the party away.
“Stay very close,” said the leader of the guides. “Do not converse with sentients outside of our group. Stay well away from mercs. Stay even farther away from Humans.”
“What if we meet Humans who are also mercs?” called Zarbi.
“Pray.”
“Pray you can run faster than the individual beside you,” Zarbi replied, laughing.
Her words provoked a stampede, and the two of them took advantage of the panicked chaos to hide on the underside of the table.
The naughty little escapade had proceeded perfectly, with one exception: they weren’t the only ones clinging under the table.
Jenkins rolled his gaze over the beautiful female who’d spoken earlier. “Aren’t you going to follow the rest of your party, madam?”
“Aren’t you?” she replied.
“You really should, you know,” added Zarbi. “You heard the guide. If you don’t stick close to her, you’ll be eaten by space pirates, or roasted in your shell.”
“Oh dear,” said the female. “We all appear to have made assumptions that reflect badly on our observational abilities. I thought you two were foolish tourists.”
Jenkins noticed she was addressing him, almost ignoring Zarbi. His carapace felt inexplicably warm.
“However,” she said, reaching out to him with her antennae, “I now perceive you are something altogether more…interesting.”
“My Human friends call me Jenkins.” Why he said that was a mystery. Jenkins felt very peculiar.
“Hey, I’m here, too.” Zarbi wriggled a number of legs in protest.
“Yes. Yes, you are, and you’re very annoying. Are you his paid concubine?”
Zarbi dropped to the ground, hissing like a pressure system about to blow.
“I perceive you are not,” said the female. She dropped in front of Zarbi and lifted herself into an aggressive stance, fore-segments raised and mandibles flared. “Then you must be his mate. Know this, rival. I am not daunted by your youth. I exceed you in wisdom and experience, and your mandibles are barely curved. I shall fight you for mating rights to Jenkins.”
Zarbi snapped at the air in front of her challenger. “I tell you what, you festering husk, I’ll gladly fight you, but not for the right to do anything with anybody. I’ll rip your legs off for the heinous insult of assuming that I would ever mate with that cantankerous old flesh bag.”
“Oh.” The female froze. Then she curled into a cylinder and wouldn’t come out until Zarbi tapped on her shell and told her she was sorry for shouting at her.
The female uncurled slightly and explored the air with her antennae. Meanwhile, from his vantage point under the table, Jenkins looked on interest. He’d learned many years ago never to intervene in dominance battles between females. Besides, they were rather stimulating to watch.
“I’m very sorry,” said the female. “I’m not good with people. I’m better with math. Numbers are my only friends.”
Jenkins cooed. He’d never heard anyone say such a sweet thing. He was so overcome with admiration that he lost his grip and fell onto this epitome of grace. “I’m sorry, umm…”
“Kl’Kz’Ht,” she answered. “But you have such adventurous names. I should like a Human moniker of my own one day.”
“Hopper,” said Jenkins instantly.
“Hopper…? You mean, like a flea?”
“No, madam. After a Human woman of great intellect who was also named for her grace.”
“I would be honored to carry such a name.” Hopper uncurled a little more and offered Jenkins a teasing flick of her antennae before pointing them at Zarbi. “Sorry, but I am very poor with social cues. Would you please explain your relationship with this glamorous male?”
Glamorous male! Jenkins’ segments felt constricting as he swelled with pride. Well, he was glamorous. He was a daring spy and adventurer. Why, Captain Blue had named him after a great Human hero. No wonder females found him so irresistible.
Zarbi stroked Hopper until she relaxed fully out of her cylinder. “Jenkins and I are comrades based off a merc ship. According to the organization chart, Jenkins here is my superior. The reality is that I stroke his ego and bring him cups of hot nectar to keep him awake while I do the hard work.”
“Is this true?” Hopper asked Jenkins, who was entranced by the allure of her mouth parts.
As he always did in moments of crisis that demanded extremes of valor, he shook his spine in the hope he could summon the courage to channel Captain Blue. He practiced this frequently, and slipped easily into the mentality of his violent, thrill-seeking captain. “Why don’t we go somewhere private and talk equations?” he clicked at Hopper. “Then you can decide for yourself whether I’m the buffoon Zarbi describes.” He brought his head close to hers. “Or whether my mind is as sharp as my fighting mandibles.”
“Oooh!” Hopper’s mouth was trembling. “Jenkins, you’re such an animal!”
Jenkins reared up and tried his best to roar. He landed on his many feet and marched away, lifting his carapace high off the deck.
After a few seconds, the doubts started chopping away his confidence. The nearby patrons looked curiously at the prancing Jeha. He wasn’t really a vicious Human, just a silly old engineer making an ass of himself.
Hopper hurried over and marched alongside him in lockstep. Jenkins sighed inwardly. Everything about the universe was perfect.
In the background of his attention, Zarbi was saying something about needing to vomit. Jenkins left her to resolve her medical issues on her own and scurried off into the depths of the station with his new paramour.
* * * * *
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Gymnasium, Marine Country, Midnight Sun
A grunt escaped Sun’s lips as she pulled the weighted bar down behind her neck. The sound had nothing to do with exertion, and everything to do with the exasperation brought on by the overgrown milli
pede eager to boast of his sexual adventure during her gym time.
Jenkins was inhumanly persistent. There had been times when his unrelenting determination had saved lives, hers included. She didn’t want to suppress that, which meant it was her duty to take this one for the team.
“The things I do for this company,” she muttered. Sun released the weight and set the exercise machine to safe mode.
“What was that, Major?”
“Nothing. Just a Human thing. You may continue your boasting about what you got up to with this Hopper of yours.”
“Boasting? No, ma’am. I have merely been setting context.”
“You mean your story is only just beginning?”
“Correct. When I awoke with our legs entwined, I felt as if we were two minds bonded into one, a sum greater than our considerable parts. Any future that did not include us working together seemed dull, a criminal waste of potential. My pinplants replayed the equations she had screamed during the apex of our union, and when I listened to them again, I felt an elegance to them that made my heart pound with excitement all over again. Hopper was probing the deep secrets of the universe. I wished nothing more than to do so alongside her. Naturally, when I felt her stir beside me, I indicated my admiration for her work and enquired whether her research facility was here on Station 5. Would you not regard that as respectful behavior, Major Sun?”
“For a Human? Sure. Look, Jenkins, I want to help, but if you want a…carapace to cry on, we’ve several Jeha on Midnight Sun, and we’re docked at a station stuffed full of them. Go talk to one of them for advice.”
“No, I am quite sure it is you I must confide in, Major. Well, back to yesterday morning. I thought I was being respectful making polite enquiries of her work, but Hopper told me that I was a horrible male and not to mention her or anything we’d spoken about to anyone. She seemed afraid of me. Terrified. Then her fear morphed into anger, and she nipped at my legs with her mandibles. It really hurt. She chased me out of her quarters as if I had done something heinous. It was horrible. I thought…I thought she loved me.”
Endless Night (The Guild Wars Book 3) Page 14