Chapter 6 #2
Odin reached for the heavy decanter. He wasn’t known to indulge in spirits often, but at that moment, he shook his head while looking upwards for intervention and took a long swig directly from the bottle.
Garrett glared at Quinn’s dramatics like he wanted to strangle him.
Quinn waved his clasped wrists again and began to beg in a deep, pathetic voice. “Please, mighty Garrett.”
Leaning towards Quinn, Kendra whispered. “Don’t forget card cheat…Ouch,” she yelped when Tia's foot connected with her shin.
“Don’t encourage him,” Tia whisper-hissed.
Quinn winked at Kendra. “Please chain me up mighty Garrett, like a two-bit thief and card cheat and drag me back to prison.” He waved his clasped wrists one more time in Garrett’s direction.
Garrett shook his head in disgust, placed his boot on Quinn’s shoulder and pushed, sending him sprawling backwards to the polished floor. “You. Are. Pathetic.”
Raised up on his elbows, Quinn smirked.
Kendra burst out laughing. “Quinn…” she started while still trying to catch her stolen breath. “Have you ever considered a change of profession? You would make an excellent performer.”
“Definitely better than a thief.” Garrett pointed out.
Tia snorted again. “Make more money too.”
The entire room burst out laughing, except Odin, who clutched the rum bottle as if his life depended on it. If the angry expression and intense glare he flashed was any indication, he was not amused.
Kendra wiped a stray tear off her cheek.
“Jeez, you really know how to kick a man when he is down.” Quinn gestured to his position on the floor with a sweep of his arm.
Garrett offered a hand. Quinn eyed him for a moment before accepting the outstretched appendage. Garrett tugged him to his feet. “I still say you cheated.”
“Prove it.”
“Don’t worry, one of these days I will,” Garrett vowed.
“Are you two done with the dramatics?” Odin's brows furrowed and his lips pressed into a tight line. His eyes darted between Garrett and Quinn. “I would like to play another round, if that would be alright?”
The comm. center rattled with a buzz, breaking the tension in the room.
Oden rolled his chair to the comm. center located on the wall and pushed the talk button. “Odin here.”
“Reb, we are picking…”
“It’s Odin. Not Reb anymore. It’s been five years.”
“Right Reb, I mean Odin. We are picking up a faint distress signal from a small craft, offering reward for a tow. The signal appears to be Taleari.”
“We don’t have time for a tow.”
“Wait.” Kendra interjected. “Did you say Taleari?”
“Yes. Odd to come across one of their vessels so far from home, but the signal is clearly Taleari,”
Kendra shot Odin a pleading look, the pendant now clutched in her trembling hand. “Surely, we can make time?” Although she had no reason to care about her former home world, her curiously couldn't be denied. “This could be a chance to find out news of Valeria and Talear.”
Odin caressed the gray scruff on his chin with his thumb and pointer finger.
“You know I’m still a wanted man on Talear.
Although it's doubtful I’d be recognized after all these years, I don’t want to take any chances.
If we do this, I will need to stay low-key.
One of you will need to greet and entertain our visitor. ”
Garrett and Quinn spoke over each other. “I’m not doing it.” “I did it last time.”
“I’ll take care of the visitor.” Kendra jumped in.
Judging by their collective expressions of confusion, she had left them all stunned. “It can’t be too difficult to show a guest some Armathea hospitality. Besides, you all do it all the time. It’s my turn.”
“Absolutely not,” Odin protested in a fatherly tone.
Garrett nodded. “I agree with Odin little sis. We know nothing about this stranger. He or she could be a creep.”
“A creep? Seriously? I’m not a child anymore, Garrett.
I’m twenty-one. You need to stop sheltering me, even from the creeps.
All of you.” She meant it. She was tired of being coddled.
Sure, she took care of the hydroponics lab—something she considered more of a hobby than a job, but she wanted to take a more active role in the Armathea’s clandestine missions and smuggling operations.
It would be fun, exciting.
Also, playing hostess to the Taleari stranger could give her a chance to appease her curiosity about her chanting moonstone.
Quinn splashed rum into his empty tumbler and took a casual swig. “I’m on Kendra’s side. Let her do it if she wants to.”
Kendra shot her unexpected champion a quick grin, then looked at Odin, her expression turning serious. “Tia can accompany me for the greeting, if that helps set your mind at ease. But that’s it. The rest is on me. No involvement. Even if I scream.”
“I’ll be happy to assist.” Tia slid her chair towards Kendra and linked her arm with hers in a show of support. Kendra wanted to embrace her.
Odin eyed Kendra with the enthusiasm of a Taleari hawk about to kick a fledgling out of the nest. “Alright. But be careful. And whatever you do, do not let our guest, or guests, find out you are Valerian.”
“I won’t,” she promised, understanding his dire warning. The Taleari hated Valerians to a degree that hinged on madness. With her unusual reddish hair color, it was doubtful he or she would suspect her true lineage.
Odin rolled his chair back to the comm. center. “Go ahead. Offer a tow. And if they want off their ship, it will be extra for the privilege.”
Yes! She wanted to shout with joy.
“Now that that’s settled, it’s time to play.” Garrett collected and shuffled all the cards. “Ready?”
Everyone agreed and he distributed the cards. Kendra scooped up her pile. She had an excellent hand. This round was hers to win, she thought, suppressing a grin.
“Look out. Kendra has another good hand,” Quinn winked at her.
“Hopefully, she wins.” Tia said.
“Oh, I will. This game is mine,” Kendra predicted with bold confidence. “Providing Quinn doesn’t cheat, of course.”
“Hear. Hear.” Garrett raised his tumbler into the air. Everyone, except Quinn, raised their drinks and toasted to beating him.
Quinn flashed a mock scowl, then slowly raised his tumbler.
Glasses collided together with resounding clinks. Liquid splashed over the rims, forming small shimmering pools on the table. Kendra smiled with joy as laughter echoed around her, creating another cherished moment of camaraderie.