Neutral Space(17)

“My father loved your people’s stories. He read them to me when I was little. I wanted something that was feminine but could be shortened. So, I picked Artemis; she was my favorite, anyway. And Trekes; well, Trekes was the name of one of our great scholars a real whiz at mathematics.”

“Wait, Trekes isn’t your last name either?” She shook her head. “What is it then?”

“Ailaryia, A-lair-ye-a,” she said it slowly for me. “All to protect our families.” She sighed.

“Why did they accuse you of treason?” I looked over at her.

She shook her head. “Not yet; I still don’t know if it’s safe.” She looked around the ship. I wasn’t sure if she was just being paranoid or if she had a good reason, but I didn’t press her. “I wanted to be an engineer when I joined the army did I tell you?” I shook my head.

“My father was a professor at the university. I guess it runs in my blood. I was assigned as ships engineer to a small ten man ship on a long haul from Kelsair to a storage depot. We were attacked, and the pilot was killed. The commanding officer was unconscious, and suddenly I was the only one left who could fly, or at least the only one who would admit I could.

The others wanted to surrender, hoping the humans would leave us to drift if we didn’t resist. I took the controls and assigned a gunner. I lost two more men, but we knocked out three human crafts and got safely to the surface. That’s as much fighting as I ever wanted to see but once the officers on Kelsair heard the news, I was placed in officer training myself and special ops. I got a medal out of it. I still wish I’d stayed an engineer and never grabbed those controls.”

“Then you and I would have never met.” I took her hand.

“And I wouldn’t have ruined your life.” She frowned.

“I’d hardly say ruined I’d still be in Kras now if not for you.” She cheered up a little. “What happened to your father?” She looked at me confused “You said he was a professor.”

“My mother persuaded him to get into politics, and he’s a diplomat now. It pays far better, but he’s not as happy.”

“It’s been a long day; maybe you should get some sleep.” I was worried about her.

“I’m not tired, you go ahead.”

I pulled the bed out and lay down hating the fact that we had to sleep on opposite schedules for a while. I’d gotten so used to Kheda sleeping beside me that I wondered now if I could sleep. I twisted and turned unable to get comfortable in the constricting clothes so I took them off hoping Kheda would stay at the controls. I fell into a fitful sleep that soon turned to dreams of her. I woke up hours later relieved that we were sleeping apart but feeling guilty about the dreams I’d had. Then she was in the doorway.

“I was just coming to wake you. Did you sleep well?”

“No, I’m worried.”

“Not too worried, I see,” she nodded at me. I pulled the blankets around me like an embarrassed thirteen-year-old. She merely smiled and left so I could get dressed.

I came out a few minutes later, and she was at the controls. “Kheda, I…” I started but had no idea what to say.

“Jackson, how many years have I been around men? It happens to all of us, it just not as embarrassing for women. Now, can I get some sleep?” I nodded dumbfounded.





Chapter 8





I



t took three days to get to the trade ship. Any time both of us were awake, one of us would inventory the cargo hold to see precisely what we had to bargain with. The ship could fly itself, but we didn’t want to chance anyone sneaking up on us. For being in such close quarters, we actually spent very little time together. We docked at the trade ship with only having passed one ship, and it was a small merchant vessel that had no need to notice us much less hail us.

Kheda went off in search of supplies for the next leg of our journey dressed in her Kelsairan clothes and some kind of hat and veil. I went to look up an old friend that was supposed to have a restaurant here. I hoped he could tell me who would be interested in the ship so I wouldn’t have to advertise. Tony’s was in the corner of the food market and crammed with humans and aliens. I pushed my way through to the bar and found Tony behind it. “What can I get you, sir?” he asked without looking up.

“How about an ice cold Bud.” I knew he couldn’t get it out here, but I also knew it would get his attention. I told him he owed me one the last time I saw him.

He looked up. “Jackson, what the hell are you doing here?” he looked around “Where’s Jeannie?”

“Is there somewhere we can talk?” I looked around the bar.

He nodded “Lirs,” he waved over a blue-skinned telaithan female. She took over for him, and we headed for the back.

“Looks like you're doing well.”

“It started as an Italian place, but then I added Chinese and then Thai. They can’t get enough of our food. And for you, I could find a Bud.” He grinned.

“I just wanted to get your attention.” He pushed open an office door, and I went in. He sat down at his desk, and I sat across from him.

“So what brings you here of all places. It looks like your out of the army.” He said noticing my long hair and beard.