Two days later, the Zephyr docked at Rhambda Station, a massive outpost that served as an Alliance Star Base as well as a trade center. From a distance, it looked like a child’s top with multiple wheels stacked and connected by a long axle through the middle. The Rhambda System had no habitable planets, but it was centrally located in Alliance space. It was one of many space stations that orbited the yellow dwarf star between two Earth-sized planets that were being terraformed.
Although there were self-contained colonies on the planets, Rhambda Station could accommodate Defense Force battle carriers that almost never landed on a planet because of their sheer size.
Since all six of the Earth women rescued from the slave auction on Se’Nar each came covered in a thin piece of fabric with no shoes, Lieutenant Be’Kal scanned each of them for sizes. He ordered simple tunic and pants ensembles and basic flats for shoes. The clothing arrived about two hours later with three outfits for each of the six women.
The new outfits could only be a vast improvement over their thin fabric ponchos. The only improvement on the flimsy garment was some soft rope cord that they tied at their waists to hold the open sides together.
Zeke and Arkis reported to Captain Javitt on Raptor Three for debriefing. Zeke was surprised that Javitt didn’t give him a hard time about selling the Napeta Catia to get enough gold to buy back Susan from the Vrootomian. The Chancellor was so pleased with the success of their mission; her praise had put Javitt in a good mood.
“We just got word from Captain Marrek that they have three people they rescued from the pirates that wish to be transported to Narova,” Javitt told them. “Their meomees will pay their passage if you to have room to transport them. I’ll have navigation send coordinates to rendezvous with Raptor One.”
“Thanks, Javitt. I appreciate the business,” Zeke told him.
“Check your accounts,” Javitt added. “You should have payment in full by the time you return to your ship.”
Sajh had the freight for their client on Rhambda unloaded and delivered by automated tram. He then checked with transport brokers to see if there was freight or passengers bound for Narova. They would be taking Tasha to Narova.
The com officer Sajh Tyreed sent out a query and received and image and details about Tasha’s meomee. Nicarez Palatis was a sculptor who owned an automated agricultural complex a continent away from the Star Port in Narov. They started sending holovid mail back and forth during the journey, and they discovered they really liked each other. Nic as Tasha called him, had friends and relatives living on Earth and promised her they could go there to visit one day. He was beyond thrilled to have found his match.
Marcie was disappointed that her DNA testing did not find her a feline mate. Sajh explained to her that it didn’t mean there wasn’t one---just not one in the database. Then he remembered that her genes were only tested against the feline who had paid a substantial fee for an Earth match search. So, he sent her results to the Narovian Matchmaking Service.
They came up with a match within minutes, a teacher named Kenmar Dakkut in a town about 200 miles from Narov, the world capital of Narova. Katie learned that she had no feline DNA so there would be no Narovian mate for her, but she still had her fiancé. She just wanted to make sure she there was no meomee out there looking for her. Katie loved her fiancé. She didn’t want what happened to Jenna happen to her after she married someone. Now she knew.
Their clothing arrived by robo-tram an hour before Zeke returned. They each got outfits in three assorted colors. The tunics were short sleeved with vee necks and mid-thigh length. The pull-on pants fit like gloves and were made of stretchy material. They didn’t require underwear as there were liners in the pants and bras built into the tunics. The clothes weren’t fancy, but they felt wonderful after having only a piece of fabric to wear for days. The best part was that they were made from self-cleaning intelligent fabric. It could change colors and patterns and came with instructions. The outfits were also the most comfortable clothing they’d ever had.
Arkis returned with Zeke after their debriefing and called a meeting in the conference room.
“I am here to give you information. Zeke has agreed to take Tasha and Dana to Narova plus three Earthers from Raptor One to meet their mates. Susan and Katie will continue on the Zephyr and rendezvous with Raptor One to return to Earth. A new identity and home are ready for Susan if she changes her mind. Your Narovian mate has been notified that you do not wish to accept him as your mate.
“He was deeply saddened that you declined, but he will continue his search. He may find another match in your ancestral line.”
“What happens if another match comes along now that I am bonded to Zeke?” Jenna asked.
“It won’t happen. Now that you have bonded, you are not susceptible to mating pheromones from anyone but Zeke,” Arkis explained.
“Whew! That could have been awkward,” Jenna laughed.
“I hope he does find another mate,” said Susan sincerely. “I can’t imagine going to another planet to live even after what we’ve been through. My family and friends are all on Earth that’s why I’ve decided not to change identities. Then I would be hidden from them, too. They are the reason I want to go home.”
“That is your choice.” Arkis nodded. “We will make it so. I wish you well on your journey home.”
“We take off soon after Ark leaves,” Zeke said. “Our goods bound for Narova are loaded. We will meet Raptor One on the way to Narova.”
Susan and Katy were glad not to be parted from the other women who had become their friends through the ordeal. They had been through a lot together, and most likely they would never see each other again when they parted.
In the conference room, Zeke and Arkis shared a brotherly hug as they prepared to part. “It’s been great working with you Ark. I have contacts on Se’Nar that might be useful. I’m going to talk to Captain Dargan in case they need someone to do another buyback there.”
“Want to borrow my Vrootomian prince disguise,” Arkis teased.
“No, thanks. I’ll just go in as an independent broker” Zeke grinned. “After all, I have my questionable reputation to uphold.”
“Try to stay out of trouble. You have your meomee to think about now.”
“I think of little else these days. I will protect her with my life,” he vowed.
“Of course, you will,” Arkis said.
“Anyway, Sajh checks the legality of anything we transport. That’s how I knew the Napeta cateria was planted. The only time I ever sold it was on our mission to Se’Nar,” Zeke assured him. We profit by transporting legal merchandise and passengers to places the big outfits don’t go. We are doing well.”
“I am glad for you, brother. I hope we will meet again,” Arkis said. By then, the women returned thank Arkis and express their gratitude for his part in the rescue and to see him off.
After Arkis left, Zeke said to them, “While on Rhambda, we procured a download for our ship computer that will help you learn the Alliance common language we use and is used on Narova. We got it for Jenna, but you ladies may as well make use of it during our journey. The computer will now respond to commands in your language if they are not related to ship operations. You can also learn about Narova as well.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Marcie smiled at him.
“How long will it take to reach Narova?” Tasha asked.
“About two more weeks.”
“Not much time to learn a language,” Marcie said.
“Tray and Sajh and I can probably help. We work in shifts on Narova time,” Zeke said. “We can teach you some basic phrases. Your meomees will probably help. They know you are coming so they will learn some of your language, too.”
“It will give us something to do while we travel,” Dana added. “I’m a little nervous, but I want to do this.”
“At least it won’t take you by surprise like it did Zeke and me,” Jenna said and laughed.
“You can holovid your meomees and learn more about them the translator will make that easier for you,” Zeke added. “They are probably as nervous as you.”