9. Shane
Chapter 9
Shane
S hane was ready to follow Arden anywhere. He and Bergstrom. The male had dug in like a tick, hardly leaving their sides.
First thing in the morning, Arden voice-commed her folks on SpacePort Bazzini. When her PrideFamily asked her to describe him, she delighted in making him blush.
Nice to know my woman likes my looks.
They gave their full support for her leaving Lio Trade Valen to seek her Mates as long as Bergstrom joined them.
It ’ s a good thing I really like the guy.
Arden’s Pon’Vogel PrideFamily reassured her they would do everything they could to stay safe, staying on high-alert now that they knew their family was being targeted. They had considerable resources and would use them.
Shane commed Irene. She was delighted to meet Arden. Their personalities meshed as he hoped they would. They would be wonderful troublemakers when they met in person.
Captain Valen Hanson Lon’Fiel, who the Lio Trade Vessel was named for as Lio tradition dictated, was a rare, natural-born Honored Nel Prime from the Lio Colony-world Lio Libaax. He and his Lio Nel Zumiel LifeMate, Falcone, were still searching to complete their Coalition.
The Captain had truly beautiful, wavy, brown hair with blond ends. The layered length was pulled back from his face, falling well below his shoulders. He had a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. Chest hair was visible in the deep V of his sleeveless vest. He wore a Lio Shendyt, a belt with three sheathed knives, and mag-boots.
He’d cleared his schedule for a short period to meet with Shane, Arden, and Bergstrom. Arden concisely explained what happened. Bergstrom shifted restlessly when she used the term ‘woo-woo’ to describe the unusual dream-scape battle. She was careful to keep the details of her Mates’ memories private, as she’d done with her PrideFamily.
Captain Valen seemed as amused as he’d felt when he first heard Arden use ‘woo-woo.’
“This business sounds very woo-woo, Arden. I make a point of never standing in the way of woo-woo Mate business.”
They all chuckled, but Captain Valen took them seriously, despite his humor.
“Say the verse again, please.”
“Where serpent’s gaze meets cosmic skies, A Reptilian Realm where secrets lie. In slithering dance and wisdom old, The path awaits, as stories unfold.”
The Captain looked down as he pondered, rubbing his beard.
“You’ll be going onto the Cross-Trade Vessel we are meeting today. We are trading with the Slarr, the snake-like humanoids from Slarrah. They could be your ‘serpents’ and ‘reptiles.’ You’ve probably considered this.”
Arden nodded.
“We have. Bergstrom and I have been double-checking the trade-goods for this delivery. We’d like to accompany the goods and maybe meet the Slarr representative.”
“Done. I’ll add Lio Trade Credentials and Permissions to your access codes. You’ll be able to speak with the Slarr Nesters in charge of the trade.”
Shane swallowed, but stayed quiet. Gaining Lio TCPs would unlock enormous trade opportunities for them. Captain Valen had given them a tremendous gift.
Captain Valen swept Arden and Shane with his gaze before regarding Bergstrom.
Bergstrom shook his head.
“I will not leave them. I made a promise.”
Arden turned to Bergstrom.
“I don’t remember you making any kind of promise to me.”
“This promise wasn’t to you, lass. I promised others on the night you saved my life.”
What?
Arden echoed Shane’s confusion.
“What?”
“You saved my life twice that night, although I didn’t know it for a very long time.”
Bergstrom looked at Arden with pain-filled affection. She reached for Shane’s hand. He took it gently, pouring his support through the simple touch.
“I was on SpacePort Arata trading some goods. I saw this skinny ragamuffin with unkempt hair and the shiny gold skin of an Honored Nessa being taunted by vicious little beasts. I had to get you out of there. I’d heard about the family on SpacePort Bazzini who took in Honored orphans. You fit the bill.”
Arden reached up and stroked Bergstrom’s beard.
“It was you . Maybe that’s why you’ve never scared me.”
Bergstrom snorted.
“Nah. You’re a fearless lass. You threw trash back at those little beasties as fast as you could. I respected your courage. It’s what caught my notice.”
Arden put her hand on Bergstrom’s chest.
“But how does this save your life?”
“I commed my Harem, told them about you. Sent images of you asleep, curled up in my lap. Told them I’d be a few day spans later than planned to give you a safe place to rest and gather up some supplies for ya.”
Bergstrom’s voice became tight.
“I was to meet up with them at Lio Fleet Draux after they finished their final trade run of the day. They would change course to meet me at SpacePort Bazzini after I dropped you off.”
Arden moved her hand to his heart as Bergstrom looked down and shook his head, unable to speak for a moment before continuing.
“My females were so loving and compassionate. They made me promise to keep you safe until I saw them again.”
He cleared his throat and looked up, tears welling in his eyes, but not falling.
“That final trade went bad. They were escaping when they collided with another Trade Vessel. There were no survivors.”
Shane’s heart broke for Bergstrom. The thought of losing his Mates stabbed his soul.
How did he survive the loss?
Bergstrom reached his hand up and covered Arden’s.
“You saved my life because I would have been with them if not for a fierce little lass who needed protecting. You saved my life again later when I was Bereft. I had no reason to live other than my promise to keep you safe.”
Arden’s expression colored with wonder.
“You were the shadow-man protecting me and my sisters!”
Bergstrom sniffed, then snorted.
“One of them. Your fool brothers, too. I don’t know how any of you survived without more scars than you have. The Pon’Vogels took care of me as much as they did you little ones. There are more Protectors, like me. You needed us. You all are a scary bunch.”
Arden laughed, then looked at Bergstrom affectionately.
“Thank you, Bergie.”
Bergstrom grunted gruffly.
“Fair trade. You scamps kept me busy, so I lived. Then, one day, living wasn’t so terrible. I had a purpose.”
Bergstrom turned to Captain Valen, his eyes narrowed.
“I go where she goes. And her fella. He ain’t going anywhere else, either.”
Shane decisively nodded his full support.
Damn straight, Bergie.
Captain Valen scrutinized Bergstrom with a thoughtful gaze.
“I’ll add Authority to be Official Witness and Declare MateBonds Sealed to your Lio TCPs, Bergstrom.”
Bergstrom blinked, then bowed low with respect.
“Thank you, Captain Valen.”
He bowed back and smiled.
“Pack your things, I doubt you’re coming back to my Vessel. If your PrideFamily needs anything, let me know. Safe travels. Blessings upon you.”
W ithin an hour’s span, Arden and Shane rendezvoused with a large duffle each.
Bergstrom had a duffle and two large portable shipping containers.
They stared at him.
“What? I collect things! Besides, the lower crate is Arden’s from her PrideFamily.”
Bergstrom shrugged.
“They sent me with this pallet of goods to give to you when you needed it. I believe now is that time. It is a fortune of trade goods that, if carefully used, can keep you going for most of your life.”
Arden considered it.
“This makes us huge bandit bait.”
Bergstrom palmed the sheathed knife in his belt and turned his back to show them a small laser cannon strapped across him.
Shane lifted his shirt to show them his concealed blasters.
Arden pointed to her mag-boots.
They smiled at each other, then piled their duffles on the pallets. Arden and Shane, holding hands, started toward the Cross-Trade Vessel, Bergstrom easily moving the mag-assisted shipping crates behind them.
T heir new TCPs got them quickly into the Slarr Lounge. They entered quietly as rhythmic music played.
An imposingly massive Slarr had their back turned to the entryway, looking at a view of the stars beyond. Scales gleamed blue-black in the low light. Their multiple arms raised, hands at interesting angles as its body moved in sinuous flow with the beat.
Arden whispered under her breath.
“I know this one!”
Before Shane or Bergstrom could say a word, Arden approached the dancing Slarr.
The being turned, its split tongue tasting the air as she walked up to it. Their toothy, fang-filled smile looked frightening, but Arden was unfazed.
She lifted her hands at similar angles to the being’s and began a side-step that joined the tempo of the music. They clapped their hands simultaneously, then she side-stepped the other direction as the Slarr slid with her in unison. Their synchronized movements continued smoothly.
Watching Arden connect with the amazing being without saying a word charmed Shane.
The music ended, but Arden and the Slarr stayed gazing at each other.
The Slarr’s voice had a double timber, as if it spoke in two voices at the same time.
“It’s been ages since I had a lovely slink-dance partner.”
They bowed to Arden, who bowed back.
She said nothing, just looked at the being expectantly.
“I know what you seek.”
She gave them a huge smile, allowing her joy to show.
“I know!”
Shane felt thrilled.
They know!
“This way.”
The Slarr began leading them to a private hold, it’s two-toned voice hypnotic to hear.
“I knew in my heart I would show the treasure to the one who slinked with me.”
Bergstrom did not sound impressed.
“That’s not weird at all . Fucking woo-woo here . Woo-woo there .”
Shane rolled his eyes at the grump.
“I figured you’d be used to it by now.”
Bergstrom snorted.
They all entered a vast, dark hold filled with enormous, shadowed items. The Slarr lead them to a sleek Lio Stinger. It was a stream-lined Vessel angled into a single point with blade-like extensions along its undercarriage that could rip a fuselage apart, just like a bee’s stinger.
Arden’s voice was reverent.
“They are here. In there .”
The Slarr wordlessly bowed low, then started back the way they’d come.
Bergstrom was impatient, looking around nervously as the Slarr silently signaled they’d been followed. Two bodies hit the ground with meaty thumps in the Slarr’s wake.
We are definitely bandit bait.
Bergstrom shouted.
“Get up in there!”
Before Arden and Shane could move, a small rear bay door opened and three lovely, graceful, sleek Lio Nessas exited the Stinger.
One approached, while the other two took up defensive positions.
“Arden?”
“Yes.”
“Welcome to The Ardent. We’ve anticipated your arrival. I see you have some uninvited guests.”
Bergstrom stood stunned, looking at the Lio Nessa like he’d never seen one before. His eyes devoured her form. His tone was distractedly gruff while he pointed at the bandits.
“They’re not ours .”
Arden and Shane quickly got the gear into the Stinger and turned to watch the scene unfold from the protection of the entryway.
The Lio Nessa walked straight up to Bergstrom and rubbed herself full-body against his torso. Bergstrom panted, arms out to the sides in a sign of non-aggressiveness.
She gestured to her Lio Nessa companions as they eyed Bergstrom invitingly.
“No? We could be yours, though. What’s your name?”
Bergstrom’s lips moved, but no sound came out for a moment.
“Bergie.”
Shane burst out laughing at the cute way he’d said a name he had scoffed at previously.
“Hmm. Handsome Bergie. You stay here while we take out the trash.”
The Lio Nessa petted through his mane and pulled his beard before turning to join the other Lio Nessas as an aggressive mixed group of Earther and Alien bandits approached.
The Lio Nessas made quick work of disabling their opponents without killing them. It was poetry in motion. Poetry Bergstrom very much enjoyed if the enormous erection lifting his Shendyt was any sign. He didn’t hide his aroused reaction.
Shane shouted to Bergstrom.
“Bergie?”
Bergstrom shook his head, lifting his hands helplessly, never looking away from the battling Lio Nessas. He seemed as surprised as Shane was.
“It slipped out. They steal my senses, lad.”
Shane looked at his beautiful Arden and completely understood how a female could scramble a male’s brain.
Tell me about it.
Two Lio Nels rushed past Shane and Arden. They nodded a welcome to them, then strode up to Bergstrom, sniffing him on both sides. One growled and rubbed his cheek on Bergstrom’s before turning to fight. The other grabbed Bergstrom’s ass and bit his shoulder before joining the Lio Nessas to finish the clash.
A quick victory had the Lio joining them in the hold shortly.
Bergstrom chuckled.
“I like people who know how to take out the trash.”
A Lio Nessa cuddled close under Bergstrom’s arm.
“Yeah? We know how to take care of lovers, too.”
Shane bantered.
“Do you kill them?”
The Lio Nessa had eyes only for Bergie as she answered.
“Only a little death. Over and over.”
Bergie growled long and low.
The Lio Nessa who first welcomed them laughed, then turned to Shane and Arden, her expression softening to affection.
“Go find them. We will take care of Bergie.”
Bergstrom’s growl sounded like anticipation.
Shane felt the same.