Chapter 22
Oh there’s going to be so much paperwork after this one.
Hannah.
“It doesn’t seem fair, that’s all.” I grumble from my position in the travel harness on Tumva’s back.
We’re both dressed in our black Peacekeeper uniform and on our way to the pit.
I was excited about my first patrol as a ‘real’ Peacekeeper, but then I found out it was on the biggest festival of the Thelian calendar.
As we head in the opposite direction to everyone else I look at their beautiful colours.
It’s like we’re making our way down the street of Brazil during Carnival, or New Orleans during Mardi gras.
“Everyone else seems to be heading out to party, and we are going to work.”
“Hannah?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think more or less Peacekeepers are required when all of Orna are going to drink, party, and surrender to their hormonal drives to compete for mates?” I pouted and pressed my forehead to his left shoulder with a groan.
“Exactly.” His deep jazzy voice rumbled through him and into me, but it did nothing to lessen my frustration.
“It is our duty to protect the general public, including from themselves.” He sneered and finally found an access spire leading down towards the pits below.
“Hold on.” I do, of course, and I’m used to the sensation of hurtling downward and coiling down around these spires by now.
Short distances I can manage without my stomach-turning.
It’s easier now he has a human harness for me to sit on his back.
Descending into the 21st pit though? That’s just too far for me, so we use the travel basket for that.
We seamlessly arrive at the travel basket platform and I raise my arms up ready for him to lift me out of the harness.
He lowers me to my feet and I take up my position by his right.
I walk and he winds towards the basket, and we talk shop.
I smile to myself at how normal this all feels for me now.
I’ve come a long way from pouring coffees on Earth.
I sit on one of the looser coils of his tail and don’t even blink when he slides me closer to him.
“So we are literally the party police today?” I explained to him a while back that police were Earth’s version of peacekeepers, and he nodded to me with a grin.
“Yes.”
“Yay.” I drone and he reaches out to pat the top of my head, tousling my long raven hair. “Where are we patroling anyway? I assume it’s not near where we live?”
“No, it’s common practise to serve in an area far from where you nest. To avoid any confrontation in your downtime.” I shrug, seeing how that would make sense. “Your first patrol isn’t going to be a quiet or easy one, but you will be safe with me Hannah. I promise.”
“Of course I’ll be safe.” I grin up at him.
“I’m an excellent shot.” I pat my empty holster which will house a taser once we sign it out of the weapons locker.
Tumva lifted his chin and his fathomless black eyes roll at me, before he puts his hand on my head to playfully bow me forward.
“A-and my amazing partner is badass, so no one will get close!” He huffs and releases my head.
I pout up at him but I can’t hold it. I chuckle at the grin on his face.
“Of course you’ll keep me safe. You watch my back and I’ll watch yours.
Partner.” His grin turned into a smile and I swear I can see something twinkle in his dark eyes.
I savour the moment as from the moment we leave the travel basket Tumva becomes stoic and hard as black diamonds.
It took a while for me to understand why this shift occurred when in front of others.
He’s never a big talker, but Tumva is cautiously optimistic with me.
Day by day my lonely friend opens up just a little bit more.
Once anyone else is present though, be becomes a fortress of intimidation.
Not because he’s being aggressive or threatening, but it’s like he doesn’t have to.
His presence alone puts everyone on edge.
At first I thought it was because he was black, which really upset me, but there are plenty of other black Ucfeni that don’t get the same treatment as Tumva.
It’s because he’s a Death Striker. His venom is the most deadly of all Ucfeni and his ancestors used to predate on other Ucfeni.
I see the change come over Tumva as the basket comes to a stop at the bottom of the pit.
He slithers out first and I walk beside him.
It’s strange, but I find myself putting my game face on as well.
We share glances and a nod as we walk towards the crowd of gathered Peacekeepers.
Most are Ucfeni, of course, but there were humans like me scattered here and there with their native partners.
We came to the back of the crowd, as always, and Ezid our Pitboss waited on a raised platform.
The giant mild snake raised his hands and snarled a few times for quiet.
“Alright everyone. Now I know you’re all delighted to be on Gcorket duty today, so let’s not dawdle, shall we?
” A ripple of groaning made it clear that everyone else was just as disappointed about being on duty during the festival as I was.
“Now come on? You know you’re here fairly.
We alternate who’s working the Gcorket shifts every other year. ”
“Not all of us do.” I raise a brow and look to my right at the smirking face of an Ucfeni with brown white and black scales mottling down his back. Beside him Morty Johnson, AKA Sir. Prickless, share a fist bump.
“Bad luck frostie.” He sniggers at me and I purse my lips with disdain. “Tumva opts out every year. While ever you his partner, you’ll never get to let loose on Gcorket.”
“Of course he doesn’t. Who is Tumva going to put on a display for?
” Tumva tenses by my side and in my mind I’m gouging this guy’s yellow eyes out.
“A real shame for you frostie.” I put my hands on my hips and round my glower up at who had to be Morty’s Ucfeni partner.
He had yellow eyes and a wide grin as he delivered what he clearly thought was a punch line. “I bet you’d look hot in feathers.”
Oh that’s it. Sir. Prickless and his mighty douche steed are going to get it.
I take a menacing step toward them with a fist raised, about to shove my steel-toed boot up their assess, when Tumva grabs my shoulder to make me stay put.
I look over my shoulder with a ‘what the hell’ look, when I see that Tumva has no intention of letting that comment slide.
“Speak to my partner in such a sexist and unprofessional way again, and there won’t be enough of you left to go through a disciplinary.”
“Relax Tumva. It was a compliment.” The other Ucfeni chuckled.
“No, it was disrespectful Zefer, and it won’t be happening again.” I watched in awe as Tumva released my shoulder and lifted up on his tail to tower down over Zefer.
“Shuck off out of my face Tumva.” Zefer also lifted up on his tail.
Here I am, stood in the middle of two snarling Ucfeni, and we’re supposed to be the peacekeepers.
Our colleagues move aside as Ezid slithers at pace to get to the altercation.
I also notice how Monty’s blue eyes regard Tumva snarling at his partner, and his hand hovers over his holster. He’s already signed out his firearm.
I have to think quickly, and I’m totally winging it as I force a loud and totally fake laugh out of my awkward smile.
“Well that’s all very well and good.” I put my right hand on Tumva’s chest and point up at Zefer with my left hand.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a party, but yes, I do look hot in feathers.
” I smirk up at Zefer and try and sass me and my partner out of trouble.
Ezid has arrived and I feel his stare on us.
Tumva hasn’t stopped aggressively ululating yet, and both Ucfeni still look ready for a fight.
“However, if you make any sort of comment about my hotness again or how I would look in feathers again, I’m going to kick you in the pouch.
” I flip off Zefer, who doesn’t react, but Morty sneers as he knows what that means.
“Ask around.” I twirl my middle finger. “I have a reputation for being scrappy.”
“She sent the Ambassador to the floor in a whimpering mess with one kick.” Tumva grins like he’s proud of me and leans into my hand on his chest.
“Not something to be proud of Officer.” Ezid chides me and approaches to put a hand on Zefer’s shoulder first. He tries to do the same to Tumva, but he growls louder and our Pitboss decides against it.
“I know it’s Gcorket, but calm down.” He aims up at Tumva, who hisses in response.
“Ancestors, the last thing we need is infighting.” Ezid turns to look at Zefer and snarls at him too.
“And what’s this I hear about you talking about a fellow officer’s body and wearing feathers? ”
“Oh come on Pitboss I was only-”
“My office. Now.”
“Morty started it.” I add with a grin and Sir. Prickless seethes at me.
“You too Johnson. Move it.” Ezid snaps and Zefer groans with frustration. I can’t help but smirk and wave byebye to the pair of them as they go to have an earful about professional conduct. “Wipe that smile off your face Blac.”
“Sorry sir. I’m just in such a good mood.” I can’t stop myself from chuckling behind my pursed lips. “It’s my first patrol.”
“Speaking of which?” Ezid puts his hands on his hips, shakes his head at me like I’m one strange little human, and then looks to Tumva.
“You know the tradition. The Officer who has worked the most Gcorket shifts gets first pick of patrol. So…? Any preference this year?” Everyone around us groans.
It turns out something Morty and Zefer said was true after all.
Tumva always works on Gcorket. I wonder why?
“Not re-”
“We get to pick our patrol?” I cut him off and turn to look up at Tumva with excitement. “Is the Palace an option?”
“Yes, actually.” Ezid answered me. I put my hands together and beg Tumva to agree. Billie’s at the Palace. If we are on duty there I might be able to see her. Even better, I might be able to talk to my sister. Tumva seemed reluctant and I couldn’t fathom why.
“Please?” I put all my hope into my dark brown eyes. Why did he seem so hesitant? Surely the palace would be the golden cup of patrols, right?
“I’m not so sure that’s a great idea?” Ezid spoke softly to my side.
Most of the gathered officers had gone to sign out their armour, weapons, and report to their assigned patrols.
“It’s just that…sending Tumva to the palace…
might not have the desired effect on keeping people calm.
” Tumva looked off to one side with a bitter expression on his face.
I stared at him and my heart ached for him.
I could read between the lines.
Ezid was implying that sending a Death Striker to the Palace might scare people. I found my hands gripping into fists by my sides and I glowered up at Tumva. Why wasn’t he defending himself? Why didn’t he say anything? Well to hell with that.
“On the contrary, I think it’s a great idea.
” I stand my ground and turn my fiery stare aim and fire at our Pitboss.
“What’s the best way of guaranteeing that everyone behaves around the most important and influential members of Orna society?
Have your biggest strongest officer present.
One look at Tumva and now one is going to pull any crap.
Besides. You said he could choose his patrol.
So if we want to report to the palace, you have to let us, right?
” I aim over my shoulder at Tumva. Come on, he has to know why I want to go to the palace.
His bottomless black eyes stare down at me and he still doesn’t say anything.
I frown, seeing he’s not going to back me and my shoulders sag.
I guess…I’ll just have to wait to see Billie after our probation period ends.
I gasp when Tumva grabs my shoulder from beside me and clears his throat.
“We’ll take the palace patrol. Guard duty?” My heart soars and I reach my right hand to rest over his hand on my left shoulder.
“…erm…” Ezid folds his arms so his hands rest in his armpits. “…are you sure-”
“Yes. We are.” I nod firmly and grin with excitement. Billie, here we come. From the way Ezid is pursing his scaly lips together I can tell he was hoping Tumva would ask for another patrol. Any other patrol. Our Pitboss hisses with frustration and then nods.
“Fine, but you will be on your best behaviour. No running at the mouth.” He aims at me.
“And you?” He looks to Tumva and seems to struggle to find the right words for ‘don’t scare the crap out of everyone.
“…just…low profile, okay?” Then he laughs and shakes his head.
“Ancestor’s scales, how exactly does a Death Striker keep a low profile.
Oh there’s going to be so much paperwork after this one. ”