Chapter Four
F our weeks later, she sat up, smiled, and went to the com system. Her time was up. She got dressed in her normal Temple clothing, ate breakfast, and got into the elevator. She saluted the room where Zell had used her body sixteen times over the last month, and she headed down.
She had learned about Zellic transport and arranged a ride to the spaceport. There was a vessel heading toward Temple space, and she could swing over to a station and get a transport to the Temple from there.
Arriving at the spaceport, she kept her hood up and walked to the scheduling agent. Hello, I am due on a shuttle to the station. Mistress Sage Umbek.
Of course, Mistress. Your shuttle is boarding at the third gate.
Thank you. She got the confirmation on her com and headed to the gate in question.
An incoming group, including a Hmrain and his consort, were coming toward her. She smiled at seeing another human this far out and walked through the gateway to the shuttle. The female at the gate smiled and led her into the shuttle.
A few minutes later, they were on their way to the station, and she could breathe again.
She hadn t imagined how hard having a lover who didn t care about her would be.
Zell was deft and precise at getting the response from her, but when he had what he needed, he was done.
He didn t cum. Not ever. She had given him what he needed to rise, and now she was over it.
It was a miserable and lonely experience. She hated it.
The contract was over, and she was going to the closest thing to a home with a lot of credits in her account.
From the shuttle, she went to the station and contacted the Temple. They made the arrangements in under an hour, and all Sage had to do was entertain herself for seven hours before the next ship on her way home departed.
She went to the com centre and sat in a cubicle. Hey, Matron.
The matron smiled softly at her. Things didn t go well?
I fulfilled the contract, but there was nothing else. No warmth, no companionship, no conversation, just coupling, and he left when he got his meal for the night. Then, a few days with no contact, and he would return for a top-up.
Did it hurt you?
No. My physiology and nature kept things slick.
Did he notice your heat?
He mentioned it both times.
And nothing?
Nothing.
Damn. I guess you weren t a match after all. Don t worry. We will find one who matches your profile.
Can I have a few weeks off when I arrive? I would like to spend time in the gardens.
Of course. You don t look well.
Just a little... untethered? I was in a tower. Nothing growing, nothing green. No one to talk to until he returned. It was depressing, and I think I am going to have to fight my way out of that.
Matron nodded. I understand. A warm bath and the gardens will be waiting for you when you get home.
Thank you. Tears started to course down her cheeks.
Oh, honey. I wish I could hug you, but it will have to wait until you get back here. Your novices are all over the place. I think they can use your skills again.
I will do what I can. Sage wiped her cheeks.
I know. You will be on your way home soon. The captain has orders to let me know when you are safely onboard.
Of course he does.
Do you have guards?
No.
Be careful, and remember your combat training. You smell like sex when you are not receptive.
Yes, Matron. I have my sticks at the ready.
Excellent. Take care, Sage. We miss you.
Sage sniffled and wiped her eyes. See you soon.
The call disconnected, and Sage sighed, got up with her bag over one shoulder, and adjusted the compressed sticks on her wristbands.
It was time to get some of the famous station snacks, and walking around as an unguarded companion was bait for those who wanted to miss an ear or experience high-gravity propulsion with a broken limb.
Her mood lightened a little as she contemplated beating the hell out of any male who got in her way. That month had been torture.
She found a restaurant with smiling staff and asked for a table in a corner.
There was another figure with a hood up sitting nearby, but she wasn t getting any weird vibes from them.
The items were pictured, and descriptions were next to them.
Sage prodded an order together, including some tea and sent it off.
She sat back and smiled at her first solo excursion in space seeming to be going well. When the tea and an appetizer were delivered, Sage took the tea carefully and poured it as she looked around. The hot tea splashed her fingers, and she hissed, Fucking hell.
The person near her chuckled. Another Terran. That is something.
The voice was female.
Sage looked at the hooded figure. Are you travelling on your own?
You could say that. I am an express courier. You?
Farmer with companion training.
Ouch. That must make for complicated dates. Who s the hoe?
Sage giggled. Can you come over here and eat with me? I am enjoying the freedom but haven t seen a Terran face that wasn t next to a Hmrain in years.
Good thing you caught me here then. The figure got up, and as she moved to sit across from Sage, the body armour was unmistakable. I have a Hmrain on my tail most of the time, but as long as he doesn t make contact... no contract.
Wait. A Hmrain is after you?
Yeah. He s quick, but I am quicker. The woman in the armoured suit extended her hand. Bailey of Urth, secure courier.
Sage of Urth, farmer and companion.
I thought you would be a consort at the very least. Queen, perhaps.
Sage smiled. My contract as a companion was over today, so I left.
Hmrain?
Yeah, using me as a battery pack. No touching, no pillow talk, no sleepovers.
Ouch. I know they can consume us, but I was told if we got along, they would want to keep us.
Well, I can show you the exception to the rule. He didn t talk; just grab and go. Or come and go. Not a clue. All I know is that if it is all he wants, he can take it from his people. They can take it. He had a consort before.
So, where are you going now?
Back to the Temple for Companions. I have friends there, and they will help me change direction and maybe help me find a nice plot of land somewhere to play with.
You are taking a commercial freighter?
Yeah. Why?
Give me ten credits.
What?
Give me ten credits. I will take you home, and you will be there in two days.
Sage smiled. Really?
Really. What s your Hmrain s name?
Zell.
Oh. So, this world. Right. So, eat up. We are going to get moving as soon as you finish your lunch.
What s the rush?
Three Mdgeno have seen you and are trying to get an attack grouping together.
Sage looked around and said, I can t see them.
Of course not. They are on an upper level.
They moved there after they saw you. A loose companion is expensive, and they are all about finances.
You are worth quite a bit. Worth even more if they realize you are Hmrain-compatible.
They might have to black-market you, but they can find some Hmrain descendants who consume us the same way their grandparents did.
Us? You, too? Oh, right. You said there was one chasing you. Sage kept eating, but her enjoyment lessened.
Yeah. Symo. He s black and white and stripey. Reminds me of a Siberian tiger.
Does he have a tail?
No. As far as we know, Zell is the only one with a tail. The Designers discontinued the pattern.
Oh.
Did he ever use it?
No. Just to lift me off him and put me to the side.
Oh. Well, if you want another one, I am sure that one can be found. All of the unattached ones are sitting up and sending mental imprints to see who matches you best. Was that done here?
No. It was just a need to wake him, and now he s awake. Are those guys really dangerous?
Dangerous enough. I have weaponry in my suit, and you have the expanding rods. We should be just fine. We are heading for berth seventeen. I have a slip ship that will easily house us for a week or more if necessary. Like a slumber party.
I will take it. Done.
She paid for her meal and nodded to Bailey. Ready when you are.
She calmly tied her flowing sleeves behind her, freeing her arms. As she stood, she wrapped her skirt to one side.
She was as ready as she could be. Bailey smiled and touched the side of her neck.
A helmet that looked similar to a motorcycle helmet assembled out of the suit at her neck and locked together.
The suit had a flat chest, so there were no obvious female indicators, and Bailey said, Let s go.
Sage nodded, pulled her hood up, and they walked assertively through the station and toward the berths. The docking bays were waiting.
Bailey walked as if she was arresting Sage. They were nearly to the walkways that led to the ships when three men slid in front of them, and Sage turned and saw another three behind them.
Little companion. Please allow us to bring you to a suitable bond station.
Sage jolted. No. The Temple is waiting for me. I am not going to be diverted without a contract.
Bailey snorted. Do you want heads or tails?
Heads.
Good choice. Do you want to start, or shall I?
Please. You first.
Sage extended her rods and looked at the men, who suddenly looked wary. She saw Bailey do something with her fists and heard electricity crackling. Sage went on the attack and started beating the men in front of her.
Groin, midriff, neck, groin, knee, neck, midriff, and so on. She fought hard and beat the hell out of them until one of the three got behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Got her.
Bailey s voice said, Tag, bitch. There was a crackle and the smell of scorched skin. He let Sage go, and her friend knocked out the other two.
Come on. We need to run, Bailey muttered.
Lead the way.
They ran full out through the station. Passengers of other ships kept out of their path, and then Bailey veered, and a ship opened at their approach. Bailey yelled, Strap in to something. This is going fast.