Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Tish didn’t feel entirely comfortable with her current situation, but she couldn’t see another option. Going with the two cyborgs who had intervened on her behalf didn’t feel dangerous. At least, not as risky as going off on her own. Not if someone really was following her.
That didn’t mean she trusted them. Not exactly. Her dads had taught her that it was always best to rely on herself instead of other beings.
After a few steps, she let go of Xaber’s arm and fell in behind him.
The second she did that, some of her anxiety faded.
It was much easier to move through the crowded parts of the station this way.
When she walked alone, she had to dodge and weave to keep out of everyone else’s way.
It was one of the reasons she avoided the busier areas.
No one made room for her the way they did for the big cyborg in front of her.
It wasn’t his good looks that encouraged them to move out of his way, either.
It was the aura of menace that clung to both of her escorts.
With no need to watch where she walked, Tish avoided ogling Xaber’s tight butt by allowing herself to be diverted to the bustle and thrum of Defiance Station’s main promenade.
Beings from a variety of species were present, though most of them were human.
Occasionally, one of the Vardarians would take flight to fly over the more crowded areas.
She’d never seen one of that species until coming here.
Amadox Station was too small and out of the way to be of interest to most beings, especially the newest arrivals to this part of the galaxy.
The station itself was very different from the one she had grown up on.
Defiance had only been in operation for a few short months, and everything still looked new.
This part of the station had ceilings several stories high.
Viewscreens several meters across were set up at regular intervals along the outer bulwark of the station.
Cameras from outside fed images to these screens, creating the illusion of windows.
The interior was painted in warm shades that contrasted with the cold void outside.
There was no night or day on Defiance. She’d heard that the residential areas altered the lighting to mimic different times of day, but on the entertainment levels, it was always bright, loud, and busy.
Residents moved through the area with the quick, determined pace of someone with a goal in mind.
The majority wandered more slowly, taking in the ambiance and letting themselves be drawn in by flashing advertisements, raucous music, and eye-catching displays of goods.
The air was thick with the scent of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and other delicacies being sold from a number of kiosks scattered around the area.
She tried not to pay attention to the fragrant smell of food, but it didn’t work.
Her mouth watered and her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten anything but a pouch of lukewarm nutri-gruel since this morning.
Hopefully, the whoosh of the mag-trains that zipped across the ceiling covered the noise.
Someone cut between her and Xaber, forcing her to pivot out of his way.
It felt as if the crowd swallowed her immediately.
She hurried to catch up, but no one gave way.
Anxiety took root quickly, the way it always did when she ventured into the more crowded areas.
She hated the way it made her feel shaky, overwhelmed, and disoriented.
She’d never experienced anything like it until she’d set foot on this station.
The feeling frustrated her. She was a strong, independent woman who could space-walk in the void with nothing but a thin tether and a bit of fabric between her and a quick but unpleasant death.
If she could do that, why did the noise and bustle of this place send her into a flat spin with no way to pull out?
“You okay, Tix?” a male voice asked from somewhere nearby.
She spun toward it and found herself face to chest with Mace for the second time that day.
She tipped her head back and managed a weak smile. “I’m fine. Just not good with crowds.”
When the big male smiled, it was like watching a star come into view from behind a planet, a sudden flash of light in the darkness that usually shadowed his features.
“Me neither,” he admitted. “You should try the scowl and growl technique. It works for me.”
He folded his face into a terrifying glower and rumbled deep in his chest.
She immediately leaned away from him, and the scowl transformed into another smile. “See? No one wants to get too close to the scary ones.”
She laughed and then tried to imitate his expression. She probably looked ridiculous, but he nodded with approval. “Now bring your hands closer to your chest and stick your elbows out. No one here is going to give you space. You have to take it for yourself.”
She waited for him to take the lead, but he simply pointed in what seemed like a random direction. “I’m the rear guard, so I need to stay back. Xaber is about five meters that way.”
Tish took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and tried to deepen her scowl. The first time someone came too close, she growled. She doubted they heard her, but something made them back off enough to leave her room to move.
Oh yeah. She liked this.
Xaber waited where Mace had said he’d be, and they set off toward a part of the station she’d never explored. This time, she stayed at his side and used Mace’s advice to make space for herself. That small bit of control kept most of the anxiety at bay.
“No mag-lift?” she asked and nodded toward the nearer of the two systems that moved beings between floors.
“I don’t know how, but Flek managed to get a hold of some prime real estate here on the main floor. It’s about a five-minute walk.”
She tried not to look worried, but it occurred to her that any place that could afford a premium location probably had a dress code and exorbitant prices.
She was still in her stained work clothes, and her budget was stretched to breaking.
She could not afford a meal out, no matter how much she’d like to treat herself.
“What’s the name of this place? Are they going to let me in looking like this?” she asked.
“It’s called Flek’s Diner, and yes, you’ll fit right in. Fashion really doesn’t matter to Flek. I doubt he’d notice if all his customers showed up naked. That male only cares about his pizza, and it is the best I’ve ever tasted.”
A diner was still outside her price range, but at least she’d blend in.
She’d just drink water and order an appetizer or something.
The mere thought of indulging in some real food made her stomach rumble again.
The last real meal she’d eaten was on the ship that had smuggled her off Amadox and brought her here.
When they reached the diner, it looked exactly as she expected. The sign was white with bold orange and yellow letters spelling out the restaurant’s name. Beside the words was a stylized image of a pizza in flashing neon.
The surprises came once they were inside.
The first one was the sudden silence. She didn’t know what kind of soundproofing they’d used, but it blocked the incessant noise of the promenade. She almost sighed in relief.
A glance around the interior showed that things were all as she expected.
The décor was simple, cozy, and bright with yellow and white tiles on the floor and orange upholstery on the seats.
Bright, sure, but nothing out of the ordinary.
The scents wafting from the kitchen were tantalizing, but she was too distracted by the being behind the counter to think about food.
He was the second surprise.
A tall alien with mottled orange and yellow skin smiled in welcome, showing a mouth full of pointed teeth.
She slowed as her brain tried to make sense of what she was seeing.
She’d seen Jeskyrans before. The race was known throughout this part of the galaxy.
She’d just never seen one smile before. Ever.
“Come in! Come in. You will want your usual?”
Xaber waved at the alien. “Hey, Flek. Yeah, we’ll have our normal order, plus whatever our companion wants to eat.”
“Of course. Sit. Decide. I’ll pour your drinks. Yes?”
“Please. I think we could all use one right now.”
Flek looked curious but didn’t pry. He just pointed a thorn-encrusted hand toward an empty table. The other customers barely looked up from their meals and conversations as she walked past. Interestingly, she couldn’t hear them speaking, despite seeing their lips move.
“Sound damping technology in a diner?” she asked. That kind of tech wasn’t cheap.
“At every table,” Mace confirmed.
“For a reasonable fee,” Xaber added.
“Ah.” So this diner offered more than good pizza. It was a place to do business and not be overheard. That fit more with what she knew about Jeskyrans. They were generally unpleasant, greedy, and lacking anything resembling ethics.
They sat down at the nearest empty table with her on one side and the two cyborgs across from her.
Flek was busy behind the counter, which gave her a chance to take another look at him.
He was taller than most human males, but he had the slender build of most of his race.
She could see that clearly because most of his body was on display.
Flek’s body was covered in clusters of thorns, which made wearing clothing problematic.
She couldn’t see his lower half, but she assumed he wore a loincloth of some kind.
From what she knew, that was their standard attire.
No wonder Xaber said that Flek wouldn’t care what she wore.
Xaber tapped a button on the edge of the table, and a holographic menu shimmered into existence. “We’re here enough that Flek knows our favorites. You should take a look at the menu and see what you’d like.”
The menu wasn’t complicated, and everything on it was some variation of pizza. Some had ingredients she’d never heard of, but most of them were familiar. All the options sounded delicious, but she kept to her plan.
“I’m still a bit on edge after what happened. I think I’ll just stick with water and some of the cheese toast. What are you two having?”
They looked at her with almost identical confused expressions.
“The toast is only an appetizer,” Mace protested.
Xaber tapped the table with his index finger. “New plan. We’ll order our usual, and you can just help yourself to anything that tempts you. Flek is getting us a couple of beers. If you’d like one, we can buy you a drink. I think you deserve it after the day you’ve had.”
She waved the offer off, shaking her head at the same time for emphasis. “I couldn’t eat your food. If anything, I should be buying your dinner as a thank you.”
“Nope,” Mace said. “That’s not happening. Once you see our order, you’ll understand why you’re not paying for it.”
Flek brought over a tray and set two glasses down in front of the cyborgs. Mace’s was a pale gold while Xaber’s was a deep, chocolate brown. Then, he placed a third glass near her.
“Some like beer. I think you prefer something else. This is jazza berry juice. First batch arrived this morning. You taste-test for me. Yes? Tell me if good enough to sell.”
Words failed her. Kindness wasn’t something she expected to find in a station as big and indifferent as this one. That it came from an alien she’d never met before only made it more significant. She accepted the gift with a smile she hoped would convey her thanks.
Xaber informed Flek that she’d be sharing their meal, and the thorn-covered alien nodded and left them to return to the kitchen. Once he was gone, she looked at the two males who had stepped in to protect her when they had no reason to help.
“Thank you both,” she said, her smile widening. “If you think there will be enough for everyone, I accept your offer.”
She raised the glass of juice in a toast. “Here’s to the kindness of strangers.”
The day hadn’t all gone well, but it could have been worse. In a few hours, the threat would be over. Until then, she had a safe place to be, two unexpected bodyguards to watch over her, and a chance for a hot meal.
And if her cyborg companions were easy on the eyes? Well, that was a bonus. She had no expectations there. The two of them were light-years out of her league.
But that wouldn’t stop her from enjoying the view while she could. Reality would return soon enough. For now, she’d enjoy the reprieve.