Chapter 6
Zephrum
“I still think you should see the med techs here. They wouldn’t be as good as a Talin healer, but they’re still better than risking any complications from being pierced by a quill.”
As he expected, Han moved her head back and forth, a sign he’d learned indicated a negative response.
“Neither of us has any wealth to spare right now,” she said as they made their way off his small ship. “Buying more supplies for the med box is enough. It’s been a few days and neither my arm or leg are showing any signs of infection. And I’ve got full range of motion, see?”
She lifted her arm and moved her hand around to show her dexterity, but he wasn’t really paying attention. He was distracted by her comment about both of them lacking wealth.
She had a point. He had wealth but no access to it any longer.
It struck him for the first time that he’d barely had enough to refuel the ship on Filsin Station.
After delivering everything to Misorm, he might not have enough fuel to get to another planet or station.
Even if he could, he wouldn’t be able to refuel.
He’d been so focused on fulfilling his last obligation he hadn’t considered what he would do afterward.
He might end up stranding them somewhere.
He stopped walking and guided her to spot out of the way of other pedestrians. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
She grabbed his hand in both of hers. “What’s wrong? You’re making that worried sound.”
“It’s true I don’t have much,” he said, not meeting her gaze. “But it’s worse than not having much wealth.”
“Did you murder someone?” she asked. Her tone was light, and he thought she might be teasing him.
Despite the way she spoke, he took her question seriously. Lifting his eyes, he spoke with all the same conviction that had gotten him into the current situation. “I’ve never killed anyone. I’ve given up a lot to keep others from being hurt or killed.”
Her mouth opened a little, as if he’d surprised her. “Oh, um, that wasn’t the answer I expected.”
“Obviously,” he said wryly. It was hard, but he got the next words out.
“I know my ship can reach the planet Misorm, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to get anywhere after that.
I don’t want you to be stuck there, especially if you have a family you want to return to.
I have enough wealth left that I might be able to buy you passage to your home, if it’s not too far.
The only important thing is that you don’t travel any further away from the Ilgorian Federation. It’s not safe for you or any human.”
“That’s really…” Her voice trailed off and she shook her head and gripped his hand tighter. “Damn it, why would you offer that? That’s so dumb!”
He blinked at her outraged response. “Why are you upset? I’m only trying to care for you.”
“I know, and it’s damn aggravating!" she said, loud enough to draw some curious gazes from those passing by. “Don’t you have any sense of self-preservation?”
“I don’t understand what you mean,” he admitted. Of course he had a strong sense of self-preservation, that’s why he’d run. But obligation to his sister overrode the need to escape. Who was he if he didn’t help his sibling when she asked?
“That’s clear,” she retorted with a laugh. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be trying to give me the last of your credits.”
A negative rumble bubbled out of him. “I’m trying to act honorably.”
“Yeah, I know,” she murmured with a little shake of her head. “I'm hungry; let’s get some food. I think better on a full stomach.”
He was thrown by her sudden change in topic, but he reacted instinctively. “Do you feel faint from hunger? Should I carry you?”
She tangled her fingers with his and used her other hand to hitch her bag higher on her shoulder. He’d tried to carry it for her, but she’d refused. She claimed the bag never left her side.
“I think I can make it,” she said with a chuckle and led him into the flow of foot traffic. “Do you like Ugarian food? I know a great place.”
So much for thinking she wasn’t familiar with this station.
“Ugarian food is palatable,” he answered. He’d rarely consumed foreign food in his life until now. So far he wasn’t impressed, but if Han wanted it, he’d choke it down.
“This way,” she said and tugged him after her. She proved her knowledge of the station by unerringly leading him to the food shops. Strong smells assaulted his nose. He missed Talin stations and outposts. They were always so clean, and you only smelled the food when it was being served to you.
She passed several establishments before deciding on one. They were greeted by an Ugarian the moment they walked in.
“Han! It’s good to see you!”
“Hi, Nelsha,” Han said, leading him to a table in the back. “I’ll take my usual, and could you get a youngling sample platter for my friend?”
Nelsha said she’d put the order in right away then greeted the Ugarians who came in behind them. These additions filled the small place to capacity. Except for one Leemron, he didn’t see any other species in the place.
“This place makes the best ilim and tup,” she said. She was still holding his hand, and they were sitting close. It was nice. Almost as good as when she sat in his lap for that first meal on his ship.
He could only hope Ugarian food wasn’t horrible.
“How do you know the staff?” he asked.
“Nelsha isn’t staff. She and her family own this place.” She waved at some Ugarians at another table. “That’s Himsa, Jorlo, and Simsa. If we were spending the night here, they’d let us stay at their place.”
“Do you spend a lot of time here?” he asked. Part of him was relieved because, if that was true, he didn’t need to buy her a ticket anywhere. But it also meant they’d be parting soon.
He’d gotten used to her presence. He’d spent a lot of time alone but never felt bad about it before. When she left, he’d be lonely for the first time.
“No, my home base is Thisher Station, but I think I mentioned I travel a lot,” she said.
His curiosity over what she did for work was overshadowed by his dread to ask the next question. “Should I arrange passage for you to Thisher?”
She’d been looking around at the other patrons, but his question snapped her attention back to him. “Why are you so eager to get rid of me?”
“I’d rather you stayed with me always,” he answered honestly. “But I need to think of what’s best for you, and we’ve already talked about the fact I don’t have the means to keep you comfortable.”
He expected her to agree with him, but she gave one of those adorable snorts and a little shake of her head. Today she wore her long red mane loose, allowing it to cascade down her shoulders. Her movement made the soft mass float around a little.
It was hard, but he resisted the urge to reach up and run his fingers through it.
She frowned at him. “You’re struggling and only concerned about me. You’re really too sweet for this universe.”
“I assure you, I’m not,” he answered, thinking of all the times he’d barely resisted touching her. An honorable male wouldn’t have those impulses! Feeling uncomfortable, he changed the subject. “How do you know so many Ugarians if you don’t live here? Do you work here sometimes?”
She snorted. “I don’t have the patience to work here. I simply try to make friends wherever I go.”
This made no sense to him. He knew it was important to be cordial to those you worked with, but how was it helpful to befriend random individuals on different stations?
Her comment about Nelsha and her spouses letting Han stay with them reminded him that humans had few resources. Perhaps befriending as many individuals as possible was a sound survival technique for Han.
The food arrived, and Han let out an excited little “yay” sound. She grabbed a set of spoons the Ugarians used and dug into the meal.
He was used to eating his food with flatbread instead of a utensil. At least he’d had some practice on the way here so he wasn’t completely inept.
Unlike Han’s plate that had only two sections, his had six smaller sections with one large one at the center. Each section had a different type of food in it, with a plain grain-like food in the center spot.
He scooped up some of the grain and nibbled a little from the end of the spoon. It was tasteless, but at least it wasn’t disgusting.
“Oh no, that’s not how you do that!” she said and grabbed his spoon from him.
She filled it with grain and then used her second spoon to scoop up some dark-orange-colored food from one of the sections circling the outside of the plate.
She poured the contents of the second spoon onto the grains in the first one and then held it to his mouth.
“Here, try this,” she said.
The role reversal was startling but also made him feel cherished.
Humans fed each other as a sign of affection. Even if the food was absolutely disgusting, he would swallow it down without complaint.
Opening his mouth, he accepted the spoonful. She withdrew the utensil and watched him intently. He chewed, surprised by the subtle and pleasing flavors.
“That’s good!” he exclaimed, making Han slump sideways with laughter.
“You’re so shocked!” she gasped, her face turning red with amusement.
“I’m not used to…Ugarian food,” he grumbled.
“I don’t think you’re used to much of anything outside your own species," she said, wiping her eyes as she sat back up. “Not that your jorjuk stew isn’t tasty, but there’s other good food out there.”
“As I’m learning,” he agreed and used her technique of filling one spoon with grain then using the second spoon to pour other food over it. By the time he’d tried all the different flavors on his plate, she was pushing hers away.
He was surprised to notice her plate was only half empty. Was she finished already?
“I eat fast,” she said when she noticed him looking at her plate. “It’s a bad habit. Don’t rush; we have some time to enjoy a meal.”