| |
––––––––
Rei caught her breath at the top of the stairs and let her eyes adjust to the blue light of the bridge.
“Looking good, Boss,” Foniac, her helmswoman, greeted as Rei smoothed the black material of her knee-length dress. “Nalju will definitely give us full price for our loot.”
“I’m not wearing it for that,” she snapped. “I’m wearing it just because it’s clean.”
“Like she’d want to wear something for him anyway.” Yeke leaned against one of the weapons consoles. “Maybe she’s wearing it for me.”
“Wishful thinking. It’s too long to be for you,” Foniac muttered.
“Don’t you both have jobs to do?” Rei demanded as she took her seat.
Foniac turned toward the main window and overlapping holographic screens. Her green hands moved gracefully over the controls before she reached up and ran them over her fleshy, golden Mohawk. The peaks came off her head like leaves of a plant. “Not much for me to do. She goes down easy since Chia did her thing to the engines.”
“I still want to avoid crashing.”
“Whatever you say, Boss.”
Vantani’s golden skies opened before them, twin suns shone high above the horizon. Foniac guided their vessel past ships cruising to and from various docks that dotted the main trading city. It’s shining metal structures served as a beacon of civilization in the middle of a desert planet.
“Identify your vessel,” a sharp voice ordered in heavily accented Banal over the shared comm frequencies.
Aede raced over to a nearby console. “This is the Kathya, identification Alpha sixteen.”
Silence hung over the bridge. “I always hate this part,” Foniac whispered. “They could always tie us to The Power at any time.”
“I doubt it,” Rei replied, her voice low. “Vantani has been pretty neutral in galactic affairs and the Federation won’t touch them. They’re too useful to them as an independent power.”
“Which still surprises me considering how that’s never stopped the Federation before,” Yeke muttered. “I almost wish that we could base ourselves here so we don’t have to deal with them that much.”
“Well, we can’t. We’d be chased out in a matter of weeks due to our law-abiding natures,” Aede replied with a roll of her eyes.
“Access granted,” the voice interrupted. “Dock at access nine hundred and sixty-five.”
Foniac guided them around the city. Smaller vessels darted out of their path, wasting no time before vanishing among the tightly packed buildings. The access they were directed to was far from their approach.
“Where are we meeting Nalju?” Yeke whispered, taking a seat next to her.
“We’re not meeting him anywhere. I’m meeting him in his shop while you guard the goods outside.” She raised a hand to stop his protests. “You know full well that he prefers to deal with the head of an operation, not subordinates. We need every edge we can if we’re going to get a good price. And we’ll need every credit we can if we’re going to investigate that other thing.”
“What other thing?” Foniac asked, turning slightly.
“Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to eavesdrop?” Rei’s brown eyes bore into Foniac’s back. “You’ll find out soon, but I’m not ready for the whole ship to know.”
“I’m not that bad,” Foniac protested. “But maybe tell us over drinks tonight in the Drunken Inventor?”
Aede’s nose wrinkled. “That name gets me every time.”
“Blame Chia.” Rei laughed. “Well, Chia and the rule you all made that you were able to name what you discovered. You know she’ll never turn down a chance to shove the importance of innovation down our throats.”
“That’s because you still won’t accept it.” They turned as a pair of furred ears appeared at the railing of the stairs. “So, how long is our stay here going to be?”
“Going to upgrade the engines some more?” Rei swore she heard a hint of longing in Foniac’s voice as she asked.
“No, another project has my attention and I need some items for it.” Chia’s dark eyes fell on Rei. “I need to know how much time I have so that I know what I’ll need to improvise on.”
“I plan on leaving tomorrow evening at the latest.”
“Splendid.” Chia clapped her hands. “Twenty hours should be more than enough.”
“Ever feel like you’re missing out on all the fun stuff?” Foniac whispered to Aede.
“Who said I was missing out?” Aede replied.
Rei ignored them. “Come on, Yeke. Let’s get this show on the road.”
She strode from the room without waiting for his reply. In the transparent hallway, she paused and looked out over where hundreds of bodies formed a rippling swarm on the docks below. Her gaze rose to the city itself. This close, the buildings appeared to pierce the sky like twisted spears.
“If I get everything, I should be able to open it tonight,” Chia murmured at her side. “I’ve been trying since you left me with it, but nothing has worked. Whatever is inside must be big.”
“Are you sure you will be able to get in? I know you—there has yet to be a box you have had trouble getting in or out of.”
“Kind of like yourself, hmm?”
Rei felt her face redden. “I just do what I need to.”
Chia chuckled. “Anyway, I’m confident that I should have no issues once I get these last pieces of the puzzle.”
“Then don’t let me stop you. Let me know if you need more time.”
“Great!” Chia bounced out of sight and down the stairs at the far end of the corridor.
Rei waited until Chia had enough of a head start before following her down. A sliver of her hoped Chia wouldn’t find what she was looking for on the planet. She dreaded finding yet more mysteries around her parents. But I only have myself to blame since I started this whole quest in the first place.
She took the stairs two at a time while ignoring paths that lead her to the cargo bay faster. She couldn’t project uneasiness going into this meeting; she needed to maintain their credibility. When they had made contact yesterday, they had used the excuse of engine issues, but something in Nalju’s voice told her that he didn’t entirely buy it. Being an experienced seller of contraband, he had likely heard every excuse in the book by now. At the very least, he’d take a closer look at their goods before trying to pay them as few credits as possible. Though not receiving payment was also likely. Rei doubted it would happen; Nalju needed their goods to stay afloat. Regardless, she wasn’t about to take chances.
Once Rei opened the door to the bay, the hive of activity before her drove the dilemma from her mind. Yeke stood in the center, directing orchestrated chaos. Crewmembers hauled crates to the large Essence-controlled wagon where they were stacked five tall before being secured down.
“Would have thought you’d be done by the time I got down here,” Rei said as she stopped beside him.
“Almost,” Yeke said as he noted something on a handheld computer. “You sure you want to go in alone?”
“Yes.” Her tone left no room for argument. “I’ll be fine.”
“True. Usually, it’s the other guy that comes away in pieces if they piss you off enough.” Yeke led her to where Kuv, the head of their security, waited.
“Let’s go,” Rei told them. She heard the engine of the wagon power up and start moving behind her. Outside the Kathya, warm, dry air assaulted her skin, carrying a fine mist of sand. She squinted in the bright light. Foniac wandered past in a daze.
“This is your first time here, isn’t it?” Rei asked.
“Yeah, and there are definitely some things you don’t see every day here,” she replied as several small, winged forms zoomed past a troop of furred humanoids ahead of them. Grey tusks protruded from near their mouths. They spoke in a short, growling language to one another before heading in the direction of a stall with exotic birds hanging from the roof. Meanwhile, a man stood talking to some younger women who didn’t look too different from Rei herself, except their hair was replaced with long feathers. They giggled as the feathers gave an elaborate display of colors in the sunlight.
“Is that what you’re going to do while we’re here—alien watch?”
“I’ll probably get some shopping in too.” Foniac’s grey eyes caught sight of something in the crowd. “Among other things.”
“Don’t get into trouble. We’re already walking a line with Yeke and Kuv going near Nalju.”
“I won’t. I’ll probably just take a quick jaunt and then hold things down here. Have fun, Boss.” Foniac disappeared behind the boxes and wagon.
Rei led the way through the market. Along the left side, animals cried out from their stalls as potential buyers examined them. Their yelps were just barely discernible over the laughter and chatter of the shoppers. On the opposite side, several open-air stands had produce and meats that could handle long trips through space. Venders called to potential buyers in every language imaginable, with only a handful sticking to Banal. A few remained silent, relying on fans to waft the scents from their steaming pots into the crowd.
After politely declining the tenth merchant who approached them, Rei’s hand itched toward her thigh and the gun that wasn’t there. Yeke, as though sensing the danger, quickly led them down the side street that would take them to Nalju’s. Here, the more common sight were the natives of Vantani. Towering humanoids, they generally kept to these quieter areas of the city where outsiders rarely traveled.
The road was lined with massive stone buildings. Some were plain, others had taken great care to paint and adorn the small yards with hardy, deep green plants. Nalju’s squat storefront, with its dirty brickwork, stood out like a sore thumb.
They separated at the front door. Kuv led their crew down the neighboring alley while Yeke remained at Rei’s side, “Be careful, huh? We have no idea if he’s pissed that we were late.”
“I’m not the one who needs to be told to be careful.” Rei gave him a pointed look.
“Why do I need that warning?”
“Because you’ll charge in the moment you think something is up inside.”
“It’s mine and Kuv’s job to protect the crew. If we can’t protect our captain, then we don’t’ deserve our jobs.”
“Well, I don’t need it right now. Now shoo, we’re going to attract odd stares before too long.”
She eyed him long after he disappeared then opened the door. Nalju was an ancient at heart, despite the fact he had the best Essence based security on or off the market protecting him. The door was still manually operated; a little bell that hung above it rang to alert whoever he had on duty that someone was entering the shop.
Rei slid the door shut behind her and looked around. The woman behind the counter disappeared into the back immediately. The air was fragrant with spices and herbs, almost suffocating in some areas. The shop walls were cluttered with various odds and ends with very little tie to one another. Crystals and gems set in gold adornments were piled in a display near the front of the store. Rei picked up a piece and smiled at the chipped, golden paint that disguised the wood beneath. Ornately carved blades and guns rested behind glass near the front caught her eye as she set it down. They were pretty to look at, but neither had any real purpose.
“There she is,” a voice in heavily accented Banal said. “The Mistress of Plundering. Rei, how are you?” She turned to see a heavier set Vantani man bustling in from the back room with open arms. His arms and fingers were laden with crystal rings and bracelets. “What wonders do you have for me? I must say, I’ve been giddy with anticipation since your message retrieving something of interest.”
“Nalju, you sure know how to flatter a girl.” Rei leaned against the counter. “It’s around back. A few of my men are guarding it.”
Nalju barked orders in Vantan and Rei could make out a flurry of footsteps in the back of the shop. He guided her toward the cramped sitting area off to the side of the counter. Rei took a seat while Nalju busily closed the front display windows. The woman from the counter came in from the back bearing a tray of snacks and purple wine. Rei accepted the glass the woman offered her. She raised it toward Nalju as he seat across from her.
“May prosperity be blessed upon your home,” Rei said in Vantan.
“May your ship always sail true,” he replied in the same tongue before drinking eagerly from his glass. He set the half-empty cup on the table, looking amused as hers lowered from her lips. “I’m surprised you didn’t try to test the drink first,” he said in Banal.
“Who’s to say I didn’t?” Rei switched back as well. “We’ve dealt with each other for how long now? I think we’re both above those types of tricks.”
“You’re saying there’s honor among us scavengers?” He laughed throatily. “Now you flatter me.”
Rei took another sip of the wine, the fruity liquid flooding over her tongue as another woman brought in a small case from the back. She knelt at Nalju’s feet in a state of reverence, offering it to him as one might have offered a sacrifice to the Gods of the Old Worlds. They’re afraid of what we brought and hope her pretty face will save them if Nalju isn’t happy with the merchandise. Rei thought, trying to keep the nervous look from her face.
Nalju showed no sign of noticing her change in mood as he accepted the case. Two more women emerged from the back room. The jewels on the hems of their skirts shone in the light as they joined the first in her state of reverence, offerings on their laps.
Nalju opened the first case, his eyes scanning the contents before he set it aside and beckoned for the next. The second woman offered hers with shaking hands. Nalju pursed his lips as he considered the contents. The women waited in a line on the hard floor. Rei frowned as the tension around them filled the air to unbearable levels.
“The rest are like this?” he asked the women.
“Yes,” the first woman spoke.
She squirmed under Nalju’s glare. He used his Essence to lift the lid of the box the woman still held and pulled out a gold bar. He bounced it in his hand as though he were testing the weight.
“Take them away and test it.” He ordered. The women scrambled out of the room.
“If this turns out to be real... How did you manage it?” he asked once they were alone. “Actual precious metals are impossible to find, and the few mines that are still around are under Federation control.”
“True.” Rei chuckled. “But the Federation is full of humanoids like the rest of us.”
“Maybe, but I swear the Federation is getting closer to becoming an empire of automatons by the day. Just look in the market if you need proof.”
Rei suppressed her shock at the casual statement. “Well, they’re not there yet. In fact you’ll find many in deep space who are in need of... companionship. Just find a decent bar at a scheduled stop and wait for them to walk in and spill their secrets. After that, it’s a simple illusion to make fantasy become reality...” She took a sip of her drink. “They have some exotic tastes.”
“And then?” Nalju was on the edge of his seat.
“A professional doesn’t divulge all her secrets.”
Nalju frowned and flopped back in his seat. “You can’t tell me that it was that simple to get this.” A man exited the back room and gave the two a low bow. “Well?” Nalju asked.
The man nodded and handed him another bar. Nalju looked from it to him, then waited until the man nodded again. He raised a hand and the first woman was back. She refilled the glasses, then offered them snacks from the tray she’d brought.
“Everything check out?” Rei asked as she waved away their offerings.
“Yes.” He didn’t sound too happy about it. “I can’t believe it though. It’s too good to be true.”
“Oh?” Rei’s voice lost all humor. “Well, believe what your own people are telling you. You’re holding one of the last gold bars in the universe. You’ll make a fortune on it.”
“You’re right, but–” he let out a laugh “–I see why those folks were interested in you, though I don’t think the metal was why.”
“What people were interested in me?” Rei struggled to keep her voice as even as possible while her heart pounded in her chest.
“Not sure who they’re loyal to. They didn’t strike me as Federation regulars, but they were very clear about what they were looking for. Or should I say, who.” He smiled widely. “Someone who is very gifted with both fighting and Essence. Someone with your basic look.”
“What did you tell them?”
Nalju shrugged. “That I didn’t know who she was. Like we said. We’ve known each other for a long time and there’s honor among the scavengers of the galaxy.” He drained his glass with a pointed look. “I didn’t like how some of them looked. They were shells. Like early model automatons before they started using Essence to add personality.” Rei opened her mouth to point out that it wasn’t how it worked, but Nalju continued, “It’s not all selfless. You’re my best supplier. Usually always on time and truly the Queen of Plundering.”
“They say anything else interesting?”
“Only that I should tell the authorities immediately if we saw each other. Then they’d be called in to take you into their custody.” He refilled his glass and raised it to her. “Apparently, you have a level ten sanction on you because of your threat level.”
Rei raised her glass in reply. “Do you believe it?”
“Only an idiot wouldn’t. You shrug off breaking into a top security vessel and stealing their entire cargo from right under their noses. Sure, your crew played their roles in the mission, but you had a crucial role in their success. No offense meant to your crews, but better crews have tried and failed.”
Rei eyed him for several minutes in silence. Her fingers gripped and let go of the armrest of the chair repeatedly. “Will you keep quiet?”
Nalju leaned forward, his eyes gleamed in the dim light of the shop. “Keep bringing me loot like this and it’ll be my pleasure. Trialg!” The first woman reappeared from the back as he stood. He took a small computer chip from her. “Your payment that we agreed on. As you pointed out, I’ll make a good price with all this when everything is done, so it’s worth every credit.”
The woman offered Rei the chip in the palm of her hand. Rei accepted it, then cast her Essence over it. The chip responded; an ability built into the weakest computer chips to tell the inquirer what was on it. Putting it away, she stood. “If we come across anything else I think you’ll like in our travels, you’ll be the first we call.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it. Tell me,” he began after she had taken a few steps. “What did you do to get them to come after you?” Rei glanced back over her shoulder and he shrugged. “I’m keeping your secret. I might as well know why.”
Rei considered it for a moment, her hand resting on the door handle. She slid it open. “I escaped and they haven’t found another cage for me yet.”