Chapter 22 Aurora Five Station
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Aurora Five Station
Shohari
AURORA FIVE was the same as I remembered. The corridors were high and narrow, and its recycled air still smelled of bodies and seared metal. Grey-green paint still peeled off the rusty metal walls—though there was less paint and more wall, so something had changed at least.
At this time of night, the cacophony of machines was muted, but below the hubbub of people, the station’s heartbeat, the thrum of equipment that ran at all hours, persisted.
I wasn’t sure why the two humans wanted to stay here, but a job was a job.
Maybe this backwater station was the only one to take a chance on an unknown species, making the better options no option at all.
What did I know? Industrial stations weren’t much more to me than marginally cheaper refuelling stops.
The office corridor was quiet and dark, but we walked the long way round anyway, keen to stretch our legs even though this wasn’t the most scenic of places.
That, and if we took the direct route to the commonhouse, the two females wouldn’t get to experience the best part of A-Five before they saw their stark accommodations.
We didn’t linger in the bright, busy market corridors, but I saw their faces light up, the spectacle and sheer variety of shops and stalls no doubt a balm after weeks of ship travel and Draim Station.
We turned another corner, catching the myriad scents of the food stalls before the hustle and bustle gave way to quiet utility again.
Garrison chatted with the other humans as we walked. I could almost hear him making sure the two females were happy enough with this place. I could have worried he was ignoring me, but his frequent glances told a different story.
We need practice. Lots of practice.
The commonhouse induction took longer than a Neighbourhood Esteem Society committee meeting. The allocated bunks didn’t look overly comfortable, but anything was a step up from my cargo hold. The females were excited to have employment and their own beds.
If only I was as easily satisfied.
I should have been happy this stop meant two fewer humans on my ship, but it was also one stop closer to Garrison walking out of my life. It was ridiculous. I’d just met him. And, aye, I locked him, but it didn’t mean anything. How could it?
My comm vibrated, making my spines jump. I jerked my head at my crew and told the humans, “We’ll wait outside.”
We moved out of the small room, our station boots echoing down the dormitory corridor. “Summarise, Paiata, unless you think I need more of this verbosity in my life.”
“Aye, Cap, though I sent it because it’s not trivial. Remember the Bzhaltian linens incident?”
I dragged a hand through my headspines. “Not another stunt like that?” If Mother intended me to be sabotaged, a little forewarning would have been something.
“A maid overheard Madame dai Yakri talking about snatching a shipment from another Orithian ship. She was all spunky about it so he assumes it’s us.
He implores me to advise him on the particulars of our next shipment.
I think he wants to know which madame is going to come away with soup in her spines. ”
“If this is one of Mother’s silly games again, we’ll go to the next system over, collect a known cargo instead.” If all this ended up being a feral ulth chase, the comms would resolve before we burned fuel getting to the ydouir.
“Nice, Cap. Always with the backup plan.”
My brother’s face flashed in my mind. Except when I don’t have any plan at all. “Damn. We have to go to Hydouis regardless.” Mother’s shipment or no, it was too big an opportunity to pass up.
“You mean this isn’t the best opportunity to ditch your Mother’s crap and Anandri’s?”
“It’s the perfect opportunity.” I waited until his mouth was open before holding up a hand. “And we’re not going to take it.”
He swung his head. “Harsh, Cap.”
“But fair. I could also accept the mineral shipment I was offered last week. Even better.”
“Kheh. Shall I tell him we’re off to Hydouis, then?”
“Can’t hurt. We’ll be landing by the time he reads it, or thereabouts. Keep him sweet. Only tell him we’re picking up spices, though.”
Sweet.
Ah, skyk it. Why have cantina liaisons when you’ve got a sweet alien on your ship for a few days?
Garrison poked his head through the doorway. “Everything all right?”
My cheek muscles protested at my wide smile. “Just fine, mitsha, just fine.”
Duly satisfied my cargo would be safely stowed in the dismal bowels of Aurora Five, we all—including both new Aurorians—headed back to the highlight of this hunk of junk.
I wasn’t allowed to care until I was free. Until Airida was free.
But to enjoy what I had?
If I couldn’t have dreams, pleasure was a suitable backup plan.