Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
D’Var
C entauri IV is an old, ugly station. It is not heavily visited, since it is on the outskirts of this part of the galaxy. The only thing close is an obscure Asteroid belt that does not have a name. Not many venture into the belt, because there is always debris flying around crashing into ships, which causes even more debris. We have used this belt as a hideout on multiple occasions. Always making sure to use a different spot and not to stock up too often on Centauri IV.
Our trip today, however, may cause some people to remember us. L’Ren and I walk into the Command Center and find T’Rak and O’Rec arguing.
“What is wrong?” I ask and they turn towards us.
“O’Rec does not want me to go onto the Station,” T’Rak says. I lift an eyebrow. T’Rak is our captain. If he wishes to visit the Station, he will. I don’t see why O’Rec is so against it .
“I do not want to draw any more attention to us than absolutely necessary. T’Rak is not able to go unnoticeable. He is too big and too growly. He will stand out like a sore spot.”
I nod, that is true. People remember T’Rak wherever he goes. He does not have it in him to blend. “What do you suggest?” I ask O’Rec. T’Rak gives me a foul look, but O’Rec continues.
“I think you and I should go to the station. We should hide L’Ren in a safe place and T’Rak should stay on the ship and guard it from intruders.”
I feel L’Ren stiffen at my side, I can smell her fear.
“That is not a good idea,” I say.
“It is the only idea,” O’Rec says. “You cannot take her onto the station. If you stay on the ship, you will not be able to care for her, to select the things you need. You need to do those things to strengthen the bond. Also, you need back-up, because we cannot let any of us go on to that station by ourselves.”
T’Rak snorts. “You are quick to leave me alone on the ship.”
“That is different, and you know it,” O’Rec says simply before looking at me. I sigh. I know he is right, logically. But I do not like it. I really do not want to leave L’Ren, but I also really need to select items that will strengthen the bond between her and myself. I turn towards L’Ren and I see she is shaking like a leaf.
I take both her hands in mine and lead her towards the couch. I set her onto it and kneel before her. Then I take her head in my hands and stroke her cheek. “It will be alright L’Ren,” I say. T’Rak will protect you, he is the fiercest of Warriors, remember?”
She nods hesitantly and I continue.
“We have a secret hiding place. Normally we put items there that are …. not so legal. There is plenty of room for a tiny human like you.”
“I am not tiny,” she says with a wobbly voice, immediately blowing me away by her strength. Pride surges through me and I wish she could see herself as I see her.
“You can do this,” I say, and she nods.
“I can do this,” she whispers as she straightens her shoulders and lifts her chin.
I give her hands a squeeze, then turn around to my crew mates and we quickly settle on O’Rec’s plan. T’Rak does not like it, but he also knows O’Rec is right, so we map out the visit and then it is time to go.
I walk L’Ren towards the hiding spot in the cargo bay. It is a secret compartment behind some crates and big enough for her to sit comfortably. We have a light with us, some blankets and tea. Once I install her in the hiding spot, I promise I will be back soon. She has not said anything, but she gives me a fierce nod before I close the door.
The Space Station is exactly how I remember it. It smells of too many people, food, booze and impersonal sex. I love living in space, but in my opinion, the space stations are a necessary evil.
O’Rec has a list of supplies we have to get for the ship and for us, and I go in search of items I need to get my mate. More clothes, for certain, boots and socks, maybe a nice chain to weave through her braid, and maybe I can find some ‘Healthy Foods’ or ‘Sweets’ for her, that she seems to love so much.
We walk together, side by side, even though we try to keep our demeanor light, we are still noticed everywhere we go and people move out of our way when they see us. We stock up quickly. I spend some credits on clothes and boots, and on some pretty jewelry for L’Ren.
When O’Rec’s list is complete, I am still looking for food for L’Ren, when I see a strange looking vendor with an even stranger booth. I am drawn to the items in his booth, and I ignore his appearance.
When I get closer I see he is of a bird race; Fluxarion. He has a booth filled with strange plants and berries.
“How can I help you, Great Warrior?” he asks. He is about to bow down, but my growl stops him.
“What is this you are selling, vendor?” I ask as I smell one of the plants.
He perks up. “The Warrior is a collector? Yes?” He closes in on me. I back up as he touches the plant. He calls it a strange name and I stare at him blankly.
“I need eatable plants. Vege-ta-bels?” I ask him.
He gives me a funny look. “Yes, Yes, we have those,” he says and then he walks to the back of his booth and comes back with two plants. “You can eat the red berries on this one. They have a sweet taste,” he says. He then extends his other hand. “These have roots you can eat.”
He cocks his head. “You are making garden? Yes?”
I scowl at him, but he continues like he is immune to the impatient vibes I am sending off.
“If you are making garden, you need supplies.” And he fills a bag with soil, tools and other stuff I do not recognize nor can give names to.
I growl. “How much?” I blink at the amount of Jos the Fluxarion asks, but I pay anyway in my rush to get out of the station.
If we were not attracting attention before I bought the ridiculous plants, we are now. O’Rec is cursing me through our bond, because not only are we drawing a lot of attention, but he also has to carry the bags filled with the supplies and things I bought for L’Ren. I admit, this was not a move of a man who wants to keep a low profile, but my need to take care of my mate beats common sense.
We reach the ship without any issues. I rush into the cargo bay when we get there. Leaving O’Rec shaking his head at the ridiculous picture I am making. Rushing to get to my mate while carrying two big strange looking plants.
When I open the hidden door, I find L’Ren huddled into a ball at the back of the hiding spot.
“D’VAR,” she yells and flings herself into my arms, I am stunned by this, but she does not seem to notice. “You came back for me,” she exclaims happily.
“I will always come back for you, little one.”