Chapter 9 - Samantha #2
“Hi, Rebecca. His name’s Gooz. He’s super cute—and totally obsessed with fruit.”
“Oh, he’s absolutely adorable! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of those animals living with Humans. It’s a rodent, right? Even though its fur is such a unique color.”
“I think you’re right—it’s probably some kind of rodent.”
I look down at my fuzzy little purple friend with affection.
He’s about the size of a melon—we grow those in greenhouses—round dark ears, a pointed snout, four clawed paws, a thick fluffy tail, and soft, plum-colored fur.
I made a little carrier pouch for him, kind of like a kangaroo’s pouch, that lets me carry him comfortably on my stomach.
That way, he can enjoy the walk safely and snuggled up against me.
“Well, he’s just the cutest! By the way, did you bring that ointment we talked about last time? The one for the red patches? More and more colonists are complaining about the itching.”
“Yes, I brought everything I had. I’ll have more by the time I visit next.”
We keep chatting about this and that until I finally say goodbye and leave the shop.
Outside, I hesitate.
Should I go visit my father?
For what reason, exactly?
He’s probably sprawled on his couch, nursing his latest bottle… maybe even having a deep conversation with his next drink.
And what would I even say to him?
He never listened when I protested about Nalgous, and I seriously doubt he cares any more about the Gouzils.
So I turn the other way and head home.
I’ll spend the night there and leave again in the morning.
But when I walk into my living room, I’m greeted by a seriously unpleasant sight.
My father is on his knees—in front of Buddy and his goon. What the hell are they doing in my house?
“Ah, daughter, perfect timing!” Buddy sneers, that disgusting smirk glued to his face.
“Turns out we came by to collect what your daddy here owed us. But when we showed up—surprise, surprise—Albert was gone! Turns out the bastard moved in with his daughter! Not the most original hiding spot, huh?”
“Obviously. I mean, he’s not exactly the sharpest star in the solar system,” I snap sarcastically. “Now, I’d like you all to get the hell out of my house. I have nothing to do with your little trafficking business, and I don’t want to be dragged into any of it!”
A cold shiver runs down my spine.
Buddy the Fierce isn’t known for letting things go—not with my dad, and not with me.
“What’s that got to do with planets? What are you talking about?”
I sigh deeply.
Maybe I should’ve tried another metaphor?
Told him my father wasn’t the brightest star in the galaxy? Or maybe not the hottest ray of sunshine in summer? But somehow, I don’t think any of that would’ve landed better.
“It was just a figure of speech. Could you maybe have this discussion somewhere else?” I ask.
“Sure, kiddo… as soon as you hand over what I came for.”
“I’m not giving you anything. In fact, I give you my blessing to go impress someone else. You’re not getting anything from my dad—he can barely take care of himself!”
Buddy stares at me… fiercely, pun intended—and his face flushes red with anger.
He clearly took that as an insult.
On reflex, he swings his fist—and punches my father right in the face.
Dad collapses—and doesn’t get back up.
I’m not too worried. He told me once that playing dead is part of his go-to survival strategy.
Thrown off by my lack of reaction, Buddy presses his lips together in a cruel grimace and delivers a vicious kick to my father’s stomach.
Ouch.
Maybe he thought I’d throw myself at his feet and beg for mercy?
“Listen… Buddy, violence won’t get you what you want. You’re wasting your time. My father doesn’t have the product, and you need to accept that.”
“You’ve got guts, kiddo, I’ll give you that. But I came a long way for my stuff, and I’m not leaving empty-handed. So unless you come up with something real clever, real fast—I’m taking you with me. You can make up for the time I wasted with that idiot Albert.”
This is bad.
There’s no law enforcement in Gekkar Creek.
This place is basically a space western village. It even has a saloon. But no Rangers, no Sheriffs, no one with a badge in sight.
The full-time residents are just humble farmers—kind, unassuming folks. But the travelers who pass through here? Way more unpredictable.
So how the hell am I supposed to get rid of these two creeps?
“Hey, Buddy, why don’t we just take her now?” the goon pipes up.
“She’s real pretty, and way fresher than those last two we brought back to HQ!”
“You’re right, Vance! Let’s ditch the old man and get moving. Come here, sweetheart, I’m taking you back to my planet. You’re gonna love it!” he growls, laughing like a pig.
He grabs me roughly and twists my arms behind my back, trying to force me forward.
I kick and struggle with everything I’ve got, screaming for help at the top of my lungs.
Meanwhile, the one called Vance is getting way too much pleasure out of kicking my dad while he’s down, landing blow after brutal blow.
But somehow, I manage to stomp down on Buddy’s knee.
He howls in pain and lets me go.
He slaps me across the face—and the sting makes my cheek throb.
I think he’s wearing a ring or something that scratched my skin, but I can’t be sure.
“You’re gonna calm the hell down, or I swear you’ll regret it! Try that again and I’ll knock you out cold and carry your ass onto my ship!” he snarls.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t do that,” says a grim voice behind us.
A voice my body recognizes before my brain does.
10- Ayden
We set course for Gekkaria the moment we received Sam’s message: Olivia is dead.
Logan was devastated, blaming himself over and over again for leaving behind the two women he loved most in the world. It took everything I had to get him to understand that no one could’ve predicted a heart attack, sudden and violent as it was.
I was shaken too. That woman was the closest thing to a mother figure I ever had, even if I only saw her a few days each year.
But what’s been occupying my thoughts the most... is Sam.
How is my little blonde sunshine holding up, all alone on Gekkaria?
Did she turn to Albert, the only family she has left there? That good-for-nothing is a walking disaster—toxic and bound to drag her down.
No, I picture her surrounded by those humanoid geckos she’s so fond of.
They give her a safe haven, a peaceful space where she can feel grounded and free.
But that bond also keeps her isolated from other humans, and I can’t help but wonder if that might stunt her connection to the rest of the galaxy.
Logan lands our two-seater on the clearing at the edge of Gekkar Creek.
“Go on,” he tells me. “I’ll finish the post-landing checks and catch up with you.”
“How about we switch? You go see your sister, and I’ll handle the procedures. I’ll catch up later.”
“So you can forget half of them? Not a chance! She can wait five more minutes. It’s not like she knows we’re coming anyway. And hey, let her know Jason and Xenon are right behind us.”
For the first time, our two friends are coming to Gekkaria—the place they’ve heard so much about. They’re mostly here to support Logan through his grief. Igor and Vlad were too far out to join, but their hearts are with us.
“Fine, I’m going ahead,” I grin. “Try not to fall asleep over your checklist!”
I descend the ramp and head up the main street toward Sam’s house.
God, I hope Logan doesn’t take too long.
Being alone with her stirs up all kinds of emotions—excitement and dread in equal measure.
The last time I saw her was last year, during Logan’s recovery.
And let’s face it, I was in worse shape than him after tangling with those damn ruminants.
Spending endless days near her, breathing in her scent, feeling her eyes burning into my back when she thought I wasn’t looking... That whole recovery period was anything but restful.
Logan used to tease me for being irritable, blaming the lack of action. If only he knew the real reason was the magnetic pull I felt toward his sister.
I’m just a few steps from the house when I hear it—her voice, crying out for help.
And not just any cry. Her voice.
I bolt toward the door and freeze at the sight inside.
Albert’s getting his ass handed to him by some brute while another guy’s got Sam pinned, a dark bruise blooming on her cheek.
“You’re gonna calm the hell down, or I swear you’ll regret it! Try that again and I’ll knock you out cold and carry your ass onto my ship!” the bastard snarls at her.
I’m going to kill him. Okay, not literally—I did take an oath to protect all life—but surely a few exceptions are allowed, right?
Logan won’t snitch.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t do that,” I say, voice colder than space itself.
They both turn to me.
The one restraining Sam sizes me up with caution.
“And who the hell are you supposed to be?” he snaps. “Back off if you know what’s good for you. It’s not your business.”
“Well, that’s awkward,” I reply casually. “Because that girl right there? She’s very much my business.”
I’m already calculating. Two guys. Aggressive posture. One’s carrying a machete.
I’ve got my pistoblaster on me, as always—Galactic Sentinels are never unarmed. It’s set to incapacitate.
I could drop them both in a blink. But I’m a fan of giving people one last shot.
“You’ve got thirty seconds to explain what the hell you’re doing here, and why you’re roughing up Albert and his daughter.”
“This ain’t your concern, pal. That man’s got a deal with me, and he’s trying to back out. So I’m taking the girl as collateral. Now move!”
“Wrong answer,” I say, pulling my weapon and firing twice.
Both guys hit the floor like sacks of potatoes. They’ll be out for a good while. Excellent.
I turn to Sam. Her cheek’s swelling already, and there’s blood near her ear. Rage simmers in my chest.
“You okay?” I ask, keeping my tone steady.
“You got here just in time,” she says, smiling through the pain. “Is Logan with you?”
“He’ll be here soon.”