Chapter Three
Ilid wandered the bucolic setting of the Earther-style home his parents had rented for the month. The property included an option to extend the lease should he deign to remain on Haven longer.
He was surprised at how taken he was by the wide-open countryside. He could see similar homes dotting the distance; free-standing structures of sprawling porches, fertile gardens of vegetables and flowers, and vast lawns. Close to Sunrise, these were getaways for those seeking quiet and the opportunity to unwind. Haven wasn’t a tremendously popular vacation destination, but for those invested in the sort of solitude that included the option of ready supplies in the nearby town, it was perfect.
Ilid was a city boy who’d temporarily traded the hustle and bustle of a major Kalquorian urban setting for the tight, congested spaces of a fleet spyship. Kalquor had its own wide-open spaces, but he’d eschewed plains and deserts for mountains and wooded areas.
He thought the wide space surrounding him should have been a void. He’d been prepared to be overwhelmed by the silence and loneliness. Instead, he felt incredible peace. He could see for what appeared to be miles at a stretch. Birds, frogs, and crickets imported from Earth and reptilian drils from Kalquor sang in a chorus as the sun sank into the horizon. Though darkness was beginning to spread, the absence of worrisome shadows made his heart light. For the first time in months, he felt a sense of real safety.
He heard the approach of someone behind him and recognized his mother’s tread. He marveled he had no instinct to whirl and search her for trouble. Less than a day on Haven, and he’d begun to accept he might be able to relax his constant vigilance for Darks.
She drew next to him and threaded her arm in his. “It’s so big out here. The sky goes on forever.”
He inhaled her scent and surmised she’d been baking stya rolls. Soft, airy breads, which practically melted in the mouth, they were among his favorites. He smiled at her.
I can finally breathe again. “I like it. I think Haven’s beautiful.”
“As is a certain young lady who shared our shuttle ride? Have you commed her to see how she’s settling in?”
“It’s a little soon, isn’t it? Are you in a hurry to clan me off your hands?” he teased.
“My home will always be yours. I simply want you to be happy. Jennifer made you smile more in three days than I’ve seen since you…since you returned from service.”
Since I was a prisoner of the Darks.
He warded off the sick memory. “She’s a special woman.” Vibrant and enthusiastic, Jennifer had helped him forget for minutes at a time the dangerous galaxy they lived in.
“She has promise. A mother’s instincts are seldom wrong when it comes to those who’d be right for her son.” Diju’s grin was self-assured.
Anguish rose again, determined to have its say. “What of her son’s rightness for potential clanmates? Can you guarantee that?”
Her smile faded. “You’re a wonderful man, Ilid. Caring, intelligent—”
“Damaged. Weak. After what happened, I might not be Dramok enough for anyone.”
“Stop it.” Diju tugged him to face her. “What you faced would have destroyed most men. You survived what no one else on your ship could.”
“And afterward? If it hadn’t been for a watchful security guard in the psych ward, I wouldn’t have lived to see today. I fell apart. There’s no getting around it.”
He regretted reminding her of his suicide attempt as tears brightened her purple eyes. “You’re here now. Yes, you had a bad spell. Who wouldn’t, considering what happened? But you were given a second chance. You faced down the fears and won in the end.”
“It hasn’t ended, my mother. Until the Darks or we are destroyed, it’ll never be finished, not truly.” He drew a breath and smiled for her sake. “But yes, I am feeling healthier. I have no wish to end my life any longer. I just don’t know if I’m the kind of Dramok any woman deserves. Particularly a lady as lovely as Jennifer.”
Diju’s sadness was palpable. When a few seconds ticked past, she visibly drew herself up. “You should let her make such a decision, shouldn’t you? Despite an inclination to have the sort of fun and excitement people your age tend to go for…or at least, her tendencies that I wish you’d try on for size now since rank isn’t your entire focus…and if your drive to succeed isn’t pure Dramok, I don’t know what is…” the slew of half-formed protestations faded as she ran out of breath.
Ilid chuckled.
She waved him quiet. “As I was saying, underneath a slight hint of irresponsibility a twenty-year-old woman is entitled to, Jennifer is an intelligent person. So be the wonderful man you are. Let her good sense tell her what a catch she’s found in you.”
“If she’s half the Matara you are, I could hardly do better.” Ilid hugged Diju, feeling how lucky he was to have lived, if merely to be near her.
“My son, you deserve the best.”
Ilid watched Diju go inside the pleasant home, smiling at her determination to find him someone special. Buoyed by her encouragement, he pulled his com from its belt sheath and scrounged up Jennifer’s frequency. He hesitated a moment as insecurity nibbled his gut.
What the hell, the worst she can do is say get lost . He clicked to connect.
“Ilid!” came the happy audio-only voice despite his having enabled vid on his end. “How was your first day on Haven?”
“Not bad. We’ve barely settled in at the place we rented, so I haven’t done much else but unpack. No vid picture of your gorgeous face? Did I catch you at a bad time?”
Her laugh made him smile. “My newly adopted little sister might come bursting in my room at any moment. There was quite the discussion during dinner when it comes to her dating.”
“Oh?”
“She’s twelve and not seriously thinking of it yet, but her Nobek dad is already having a coronary over the idea. If she comes in and sees me talking to a handsome Dramok, it might start a whole episode I’d rather avoid setting off.”
He chuckled. “It sounds as if Clan Amgar is all right.”
“They’re terrific. Such a sad story, though. Dramok Amgar himself died years ago saving the children from a fire. They’d clanned Sara mere months before. Sweet prophets, it’s a tragedy, starting with her first husband’s death just before her youngest was born. It breaks my heart.”
Ilid didn’t try to keep the reluctance from his tone. “I guess I shouldn’t stop by in a day or two if you’re trying to be a good influence on the younger generation. If you want me to keep my distance—”
“Are you kidding me? You’d better come visit. I refuse to cool my heels here on the ass-end of nowhere the whole duration of my sentence.”
“I hear Miss Behavior howling to break free.”
“Just because I’m not a nun doesn’t mean I’ll get into trouble. A girl’s gotta have some fun off the farm. But no hot and heavy where we might be caught. Keep an eye out for the inn you promised we could escape to.”
Ilid laughed, delighting as always in her enthusiasm. Also in the memory of the kissing and heavy petting they’d indulged in during the trip to Haven. Jennifer had made it plain she’d been up for more than the little they’d managed, but they’d both been conscious of his parents’ proximity to wherever they managed to be on the small vessel.
He’d also preferred a romantic setting rather than a quick do-me in the tight, spare shuttle quarters allotted for sleeping. He was too fond of Jennifer to treat her like a one-night stand, even if it was all they ended up enjoying.
“My parents and I are going to town tomorrow to look at the local bakery for sale. I’ll check to see what fun we can have there.”
“No pig wrestling. Or cattle branding.”
“I have no idea what those are, but I’ll stay clear of them.”
She laughed. “I miss you already, Ilid. Com tomorrow and we’ll make plans for as soon as possible.”
“Consider it done.”
* * * *
A couple hours later, Ilid lay in the large bed in the room designated for him. He gazed at the open window, through which the cool night breeze wafted drapes. An actual window, he marveled. On their home planet, Kalquorians used energy-efficient vids to give the illusion of the outdoors. Some had vents to simulate breezes.
Somehow the real thing seemed nicer. But then, everything about Haven had pleased him thus far.
Above all, there were no Darks to threaten him. The terrible entities, part of a larger alien force known as the All, had invaded from another dimension and threatened the galaxy. Ilid had been among the first to confront the terrible creatures while orbiting a planet called Bi’is. The Darks had destroyed Bi’is’ entire civilization in a matter of weeks after their arrival.
Few people could detect the Darks by sight. Ilid was among them. As an ensign on a spyship, he’d been aware of strange, transparent shadow shapes draped on the shoulders and necks of his fellow crewmates, controlling everyone around him. At the beginning, he’d thought he was going insane. The Darks had realized he was on to them and inflicted horrific experiments to learn how he was able to see them. Thanks to a fellow low-ranking crewmember who could also detect the malevolent creatures, Ilid had been set free. In his attempt to expose the Darks to the fleet, his rescuer had accidentally destroyed the spyship. Badly injured, Ilid had barely escaped alive on a shuttle, the sole survivor of his crew.
Other ships had honed in on his distress call, and he’d been able to warn the Kalquorian Empire of the Dark menace determined to wipe them out of existence. After the trauma he’d endured, Ilid had been remanded to a psychiatric hospital. He’d been unable to sleep because of nightmares, plagued by hallucinations of shadows creeping up on him, and terrorized by the knowledge the Darks were coming for Kalquor. The All and its Darks had taken control of the Galactic Council of Planets, the ambassadorial body of many worlds, including Kalquor and Earth II.
The idea of his parents having to cope with his ongoing overwhelming distress had sent Ilid into a greater blackness. A few weeks earlier, he’d attempted suicide rather than cause them further pain. The quick-acting hospital staff had kept him from succeeding, and his parents’ determination and love had lured him back into wanting to live. The trip to Haven, where safeguards had thus far thwarted the Darks’ infiltration efforts, was the latest effort to restore Ilid to emotional well-being.
It’s an escape though. I’m still not facing my fears.
Then, on board the shuttle taking him to Haven, he’d met Jennifer. She’d somehow made his hurts less in the three days he’d known her. She was a bright spot in an increasingly grim universe. It wasn’t just Diju’s eager matchmaking helping him consider a future with someone special.
Fertile Kalquorian women had become few, thanks to a deadly and often sterilizing virus. Kalquorian men had banded together in clans for several centuries, made up of three breeds: Dramok, Imdiko, and Nobek. Until recently, such a union had been the legal requirement to clan an increasingly rare female lifegiver, the celebrated and venerated Matara.
Earthers had changed everything. The numerous human women had been found to be compatible for carrying children fathered by Kalquorians, thanks to an ancient ancestor common to the two species.
Nowadays, a single Kalquorian man of any breed could clan, or marry, a human woman. Clanning of all the breeds continued to be a favored tradition among several, however. Prior to his encounter with the Darks, Ilid hadn’t been able to conceive of heading anything but the typical four-person clan, though he was perfectly willing for his future Matara to be Earther.
The Darks had destroyed his hopes. Ilid’s damaged psyche had challenged his view of himself. How could he be a true clan leader…a real Dramok…when nightmares left him screaming? When he’d run from Kalquor to escape the continuing Dark threat hanging over it?
Meeting Jennifer had allowed some of his dream to reassert itself, despite his misgivings. She’d shown him he still wished to have someone to share his life with.
An Earther might not have the expectations of a Nobek and an Imdiko. Perhaps Ilid was Dramok enough for such a relationship. He wondered if a human woman could accept a less than perfect man if she didn’t know the extent of how badly he’d been broken.
* * * *
“I’m concerned the sudden appearance of a young Earther woman on Haven at the exact same time Charity Nath vanished from Alpha Space Station might raise suspicions.”
Charity paused nibbling her toast smothered in homemade blueberry jam to consider Sara’s worried comment. She nodded her agreement. “Never underestimate the fanaticism of Earthtiques. Even before coffee. Especially before coffee.”
It was her and the lady of the manor, the kids having gone to school and the men to work. Charity had been allowed to sleep in after the excitement of arrival. She’d missed the breakfast rush, during which Clan Amgar’s dozen hired workers had also been fed.
Meals cooked by the incredible Utber and a paycheck. It sounded like a pretty great deal for the farmhands, Charity thought.
Sara chuckled, overtly banishing her concerns. “You’re probably not being watched so soon. Still, it wouldn’t hurt for you to be seen doing a few chores on the farm right away. We should establish your presence as a worker now, same as the rest of our ‘projects’ we’ve taken in.”
“Remember to explain in very small words how I can avoid killing your crops. Remember, I don’t know a weed from a carrot.”
“Don’t worry; as far as anyone knows, you’ll be doing most your penance in and around the house rather than the fields.”
“I’m fine doing whatever you think is best.” Charity gobbled her toast and sucked down her coffee. “Point me where I need to be.”
“I’d appreciate you taking the hovercart to the west field and delivering lunches. It would be a good start to make you known as just another face here.”
* * * *
Even if Charity hadn’t been a talented plotter of the stars and therefore fully capable of finding the west field of the farm, the hovercart had a map app which told her exactly where she was headed. A third of the workers were working there, where a variety of beans, squashes, and corn were growing.
She was impressed by the vastness of the west field’s twenty-acre stretch and its seemingly endless mounds. The trio of edibles had been planted together: the corn supplied the tall stalks for the bean vines to climb, and the broad leaves of the squash varieties kept weeds at bay from both plants. Among them trundled a number of AI machines, which tested the soil, adjusted nutrients and water levels, and basically kept the farm producing well. The four workers assigned to the field kept an eye on the machines and were ready to respond to any maintenance issues or malfunctions. They also checked the plants themselves for anything the machines might somehow miss.
Charity could have ridden on the hovercart…Sara had told her most usually did because of the distances between the workers…but she was thrilled to stretch her legs under the balmy sunshine. Living on Alpha Space Station for a few weeks had reminded her to appreciate the joys of being on a planet. Alpha hadn’t been a small, cramped station, but walking its corridors and promenade didn’t feel as roomy as striding on a terrestrial world. Particularly one given mostly to farming.
“I still don’t want to be on Yeehaw Central,” Charity told the waving cornstalk leaves she passed on her way to the hired hands. “Don’t feel too smug I’m currently enjoying myself, Haven.”
Her first stop was near a human male she guessed to be in his sixties. Though his hair was iron gray, he was hale and greeted her with a strong handshake. “Gus Fremont,” he introduced himself. “I heard we’d see you around. Pleased to meet you, especially since you’re bringing lunch.”
Charity chuckled. “I’m glad someone’s happy to see me. Cranky machine?” She nodded to the yellow and black field monitor lying on the ground instead of floating among the plants. It was about the size of a German shepherd. Its myriad of nearly a dozen arms were flung wide on the rich brown soil, as if it had been killed in a shootout in a saloon.
“Yeah, it’s insisting stuff is ready to harvest. Caught it before it started picking, thank the prophets. Probably a bad sensor. Those go faster than anything else on these beasts.”
A little small talk, and Charity moved on. Gus hadn’t asked her what had brought her to Haven and the Amgar farm. Had Sara informed the fieldhands of her supposed indiscretion, or did he simply mind his own business?
“That’s a rare breed,” she snorted as she moved on.
Her next mouth to feed was a human who told her to call him Bud. A fitting nickname for Planet Farm Hell, but he too seemed nice. A rawboned man in his forties, he was pleasant, though not as smilingly so as Gus. “Found some trouble elsewhere? Don’t worry; we don’t mind young’uns who cut up a bit. You landed in the perfect place, miss.”
“Thanks. I like Clan Amgar.” She managed not to drawl partner after speaking.
“Excellent bunch. None better.” He turned to yet another monitor apparently on the fritz.
Next came a Dramok in his late teens. He looked her over while wearing a shy grin but spoke politely as he worked on the third farm monitor having a bad day. “I want to have the biggest farm on Haven when I claim my plot. I’m learning all aspects of the work from the ground up.”
“Good luck.” He reminded Charity of the slightly younger Adam. Teenage humanoid boys were apparently a lot alike, no matter the species. Certainly their side glances at women and eagerness to impress them were the same.
She found her final lunch recipient doing what was quickly becoming apparent was the main job of fieldhands: working on faulty farm monitors. “Do any of these contraptions work right?”
The Nobek she addressed appeared to be Ilid’s age, early to mid-twenties. The lack of more than a couple scars on his chest, exposed by the loose, long-sleeved shirt he wore, bore out her guess. His expression was remarkably reserved, allowing only a portion of the natural Nobek aura of contained danger to betray his breed…barely so.
He regarded her for a couple of beats before answering as he accepted the proffered covered lunch tray. “Field monitors work pretty much nonstop, day and night. Even if they aren’t breaking down, we have to do constant maintenance.”
He didn’t tell her his name. His curt nod had served as the traditional bow of respect she’d grown used to receiving from Kalquorian men. He set the food tray aside and focused his attention on the monitor he was pulling apart. Charity observed he seemed to be cleaning the dirt-encrusted components.
“I’m…Jennifer Seng.”
“Are you sure?” He’d noted her hesitation but refused to glance up. Or maybe he was being extra diligent in his work. His intense stare on the machine had no room for distractions.
She felt a nudge of irritability at his lack of interest and her near-mistake of giving the name “Ashley Holloway,” which had been what she’d gone by at the university on Jedver. At least she hadn’t nearly outed herself as Charity Nath.
“Do you have a name? Or can I make one up for you? How about…Tex? Seeing as how we’re on Planet Farm Hell, it would fit.”
“Ah. You aren’t here by choice.” His lip twitched a notch, as if wanting to smile smugly.
“Exactly. I have a life, which I haven’t given up on yet.” She grinned, though he continued to refuse to look at her.
“You lived too intensely if you’ve come to Haven against your will. You’re the first human I’ve seen remanded to Clan Amgar’s farm, however. The only woman.”
“Well, Tex, it’s like this. I’m a trailblazer. Equal rights fighter. I wanna commit nefarious crimes on behalf of the sisterhood, show you boys how it’s properly done.”
Maybe it was the boys that got him to look at her. Charity flashed him her best irascible grin, daring him to take the bait.
She had a definite crush to pursue where Ilid was concerned, but she was aware of the rules of Kalquorian society. She and Ilid weren’t clanned. Adhering to his traditions, it meant she was free to flirt with any man of any breed she wished. Charity’s personal code meant she wouldn’t play for the attention of another Dramok while seeing Ilid, no matter how casual she felt the bond was. She was too fascinated by her new friend. Besides, it felt rude.
A handsome, unattached Nobek, however…that was a different story. For all she knew, Ilid was searching for male clanmates. They’d both discussed the merits of the shuttle attendants, so she was aware he remained open to leading a full clan despite the changes to Kalquorian laws.
I bet Ilid would like this guy. He appreciates the overtly strong types when it comes to Nobeks. The lack of smiling and personality might be a dealbreaker, though.
Charity, on the other hand, loved a challenge. Drawing out Nobek Strong and Silent had abruptly become a project.
She went to the hovercart, smirking to suppose “Tex” might be feeling a moment of relief to believe she was leaving. Instead, she sat on its edge and got comfortable.
“What about you, Tex? Are you here because you’re a bad boy, or did you decide on slow, painful Death by Boredom to prove your Nobek worth?”
Did she imagine him drawing a deep breath, as if to gain strength? His deep voice was definitely tight when he said, “I was originally one of Clan Amgar’s troubled Nobeks, though I came to Haven willingly when I learned of the place. I decided to stay afterward. I like living on this ‘farm hell,’ as you put it.”
Sensing rising irritability, Charity decided she’d pushed him as hard as she was willing to. There was no trace of teasing when she said, “Then you got lucky, same as me. Clan Amgar is wonderful.”
Bingo. His features softened, lending the stern but attractive features an extra dose of handsomeness. “They are. It’s says a lot for you to recognize it.” He paused, then almost reluctantly added, “The name is Detodev, by the way. I don’t think I like being called ‘Tex.’”
“It’s nice to meet you, Detodev.” She didn’t ask him why he’d been sent to Haven. Having finagled him into introducing himself, if half-heartedly, she preferred to keep their present interaction on a positive swing.
She added, “I have a friend who just arrived, an unclanned Dramok about our age. We’re hoping to get together. Where are the fun places to hang when you’re young and foolish but trying to stay out of trouble?”
“Where were you before?” He sounded interested despite his stoic expression.
“Jedver. Galactic Council University of Astronomical Studies.”
“Refugee, huh? Or were you sentenced ahead of the Dark invasion mess?”
“The timing kind of coincided. The calls to consider leaving Galactic Council space had barely begun when I left with a bang. A literal bang.”
Detodev snorted. “City and college girl, no less. I doubt you’ll enjoy our town’s brand of entertainment. It’ll bore you.”
“There’d better be a diversion while I’m sentenced to stay. If I’m bored, I’m a problem. Ask anyone. Especially my last professor. Come on, there has to be something resembling fun here. Anything . Including ronka tipping.”
He sighed and rubbed the back of his hand against his arrow-straight nose, a feature rarely seen on an adult Nobek. He left a smear of dirt on its tip. “There are a couple of bars. Bar, Bowl, and Barrel is your best bet of the two. Less fights, better drinks, and the customers are evenly split between Kalquorians and humans. It has an attached bowling alley plus pool, vid games, the works.”
Bowling and pool. It sounded as hokey as Charity could imagine. “No dance clubs?”
“Dancing’s at the other bar, Steve’s Roadhouse. It’s probably not the kind of dancing you enjoyed on Jedver. I have no idea what they call it, but it looks clumsy as hell.”
“You don’t get out on the floor and show them how it’s done?” she teased.
She earned an unamused glower. “Kalquorian men don’t dance.”
“Except the historical exhibitions. I know, Detodev. I was teasing. You’re a regular laugh factory, my friend.”
He began reassembling the field monitor. “If you go to the Roadhouse, be sure your friend can defend you.”
“It’s bad, huh?”
“Law enforcement patrols the inside of the place.”
“Wow.” She was betting it was where he hung out when he left the farm. Nobeks loved to brawl.
As for her and Ilid, Bar, Bowl, and Barrel was the favored destination. If it was all they could find to enjoy themselves until they found a suitable inn to spend at least a few private hours, it would have to do. She set the hovercart to head back to the farmhouse. “Thanks for the tip, Detodev.”
“Sure.” Hunched over the machine, he’d already put her in the background.
Charity refused to let him have the last disinterested word. “See you around. Try to have fun in the field, happy man. Keep those laughs coming.”
* * * *
Sara answered the knock at the back door, off the kitchen. She wasn’t surprised to see Dramok Dolgra on her back porch nor the package he held despite her not expecting a delivery for at least a week.
She was happily clanned to two incredible men, but it didn’t keep her from indulging in deep appreciation for her visitor. Dolgra was drop-dead handsome. His chiseled good looks screamed masculinity, and his tan delivery uniform did next to nothing to hide the beefy body it clothed. Sara had the absurd urge to pat her hair to ensure it wasn’t a mess. She wished she’d put on makeup that morning.
She reminded herself she’d had her fair share of husbands and clanmates…and enough heartbreak from the loss of half of them. The fact Dolgra’s job as a deliveryman was a front for a more dangerous career solidified her refusal to consider him as more than an incredible view.
She smiled as she held out her hands for the plain brown box. “Hello, Dramok. Our new ward is settling in well.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” He gave her the box, which was surprisingly heavy.
“An actual package?”
“Consider it a thank-you gift for helping the empire hide Matara Jennifer. No problems so far?”
“None. The reports of her being hard to handle must have been exaggerated. She’s a real sweetheart.”
Sara noted she was measuring the width of his shoulders. He was easily a match for Groteg’s muscle. Perhaps being a spy for the Kalquorian fleet, which was determined to maintain Charity Nath’s safety from those who’d harm her, meant he was as canny a fighter. And survivor.
Stop it. You’re thirty-seven and a mother of three. You’re too old and too clanned for a silly crush…especially considering your bad luck.
“No one has come by to see your new boarder? No one suspicious lurking around?”
“I haven’t come across anyone who might suspect who she is. The only interest she’s been shown was from a young man who arrived on the shuttle that brought her to Haven.”
“Dramok Ilid?” Dolgra’s focus sharpened. She nearly shivered at the intensity of his gaze.
“Is he another subject of the Kalquorian fleet’s spy division?” Sara tried for an offhand tone, but she was already protective of Charity. If seemingly sweet Ilid potentially added to the girl’s danger, Sara was ready to step in.
“He’s a special case. No worries; he’s a decent kid who had a bad time not of his own making. However, Jennifer’s situation might put him in jeopardy if her identity becomes known. I hope she hasn’t told him her story?”
“She’s kept it quiet. She understands how careful she needs to be when it comes to sharing too much.”
“If you don’t feel she’ll be rebellious simply for the sake of watching her minders squirm—”
“She won’t.” Sara wondered what Charity had done in the past to earn her reputation. Dolgra’s concern was probably that of the typical nervous Kalquorian man who hadn’t a clue how to deal with a fun-loving college student. Particularly one who was under pressure.
Dolgra smiled, and Sara told herself his expression wasn’t as warm as her imagination insisted. “Do me a favor and remind her to be careful. She can’t expose her identity no matter how she feels about the young men she might meet and feel the urge to strike up strong friendships with.”
“She has a good head on her shoulders, but I’ll emphasize the danger she’s in.”
“Thank you. Let me give you my personal com frequency. You can reach me, day or night. If there’s any problem whatsoever, or even the slightest concern, don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“Do you have any reason to believe she was followed?” Sara recorded the frequency.
“None, but these are strange times. Besides, I’m a spy. Paranoia is my fallback position. It keeps my kind alive longer.” He winked.
Sara laughed, but her stomach dropped. Jesse had been a mere farmer and Amgar a government acquisitions administrator. They hadn’t engaged in the high-stakes risks she guessed Dolgra did. Nonetheless, they were dead, both in the prime of life.
“I still can’t believe Haven rates a spy presence. There’s been no trouble on the planet since the Kalquorian civil war,” she said.
“I’m here because we want to ensure its trouble-free status. In truth, it’s been a boring…wait, I’ve been assigned to Haven six years already? Almost.”
A beep went off on a device on his belt, and Dolgra sighed. “I’d better get on these deliveries. The last thing I need is to expose my true identity. It would be almost as bad as Earthers learning who Jennifer Seng actually is.” He dipped a traditional bow of respect, his gaze steady on her before he hurried to his waiting delivery transport.
Sara closed the door, her heart beating a little too fast. She realized she still held the package Dolgra had brought.
She opened it and discovered a bottle of bohut. Her eyes widened at the label…it was a pricey, extravagant vintage. Sara was well aware of its cost. She’d once considered buying it, but there had been seedlings to purchase and farmhands to pay. She’d had to settle for a far less exclusive label.
Dolgra had claimed it was a thank-you from the empire. She doubted the Kalquorian fleet had approved of such gratitude, since it was paying Clan Amgar handsomely for hiding Charity.
Surely it couldn’t be a personal gift from their representative. However, he was an unclanned Dramok…
Ridiculous. He’d never been anything but polite to them. All business and reserved, for the most part. She was reading too much into the gesture. She had to be.
Right?
“Don’t be interested in us,” she whispered. “Groteg and Utber will always think of Amgar as their only clan leader, and I…I’m nothing but bad news.”