Chapter 11

Apparently, the detour to the Gru Asteroid Belt had not been part of the original plan, but Captain Sloan decided they should stop. Xan had been allowed free reign of the ship once Erl had discharged him from the med bay. The only area he hadn’t been allowed to go was the bridge and security bay.

After two more days in the med bay, Erl gave Xan the sign-off and assigned him quarters. They were sparse. It was a small room that contained a bed, couch, desk, and chair as well as a bathroom, all surrounded by gray walls. All in all, it wasn’t much, but Xan felt it was practically a palace in comparison to many of the places he had been forced to stay over the years. Xan was sad to leave the med bay, mainly because of the company Masya and Erl provided and, most important, the daily visits from Sloan.

She always stopped by at some point during the day or night. Sometimes it was for breakfast; other times it was for dinner or a short visit during the day. She would find out if he needed anything, check on his condition, and speak with him about his time in captivity. Sloan shared stories about her youth and growing up a slave. Anytime Sloan had asked about his life before he was taken, Xan shut down. It was too painful to talk about all that he had lost in addition to his freedom. He was happy to make this his new life, and he was determined to make himself useful on Sloan’s ship.

On the day of his discharge, Erl ensured that Xan had at least three sets of pants and shoes to take with him to his quarters. The clothes were general-issue attire, olive-green shirts and black pants, as well as black boots and socks. Xan couldn’t have been happier. Erl explained that the captain always had extra items on hand for when anyone needed them and not to worry about where they came from.

After taking the clothes from Erl, Xan carried them down the corridor to his quarters. Xan appreciated everything Sloan and the medical staff had done to get him back on his feet. He would not forget it. Feeling the softness of the fabric, Xan thought back to a time when everything he touched felt like silk and satin. His rooms were always well appointed and filled with anything his heart desired. If he needed anything, there were others there to anticipate his needs.

It had taken a lot to adjust to life without any of the comforts he was used to. These clothes were the most possessions that Xan had had in a long time, and he cherished the items and was grateful they had been given to him so freely.

Walking into the mess hall for the first time had been overwhelming. Until then, Xan had mainly kept to himself and wandered the hallways. He’d seen a couple of crew members at a time, but seeing so many people all at once made him uneasy. Being around so many people when there wasn’t a melee happening or guards deciding they wanted to mete out their version of training all over Xan’s body until he was black and blue was something new for Xan to get used to.

He slid his tray along the line for food and felt like every eye was on him. After loading up his food, he found an empty table and sat. Xan was decidedly uncomfortable, especially because he wasn’t able to find a table where he could have his back to the wall. He was tempted to take his meal to his quarters or perhaps to the med bay to eat with Erl.

A hand on his shoulder caused Xan to jump. He cursed himself for his skittishness, especially when he realized it was Sloan. Xan hung his head in shame at his reaction.

“I’m sorry.” Sloan raised her hands. “I should have known not to approach you from behind like that.” She walked around to the other side of the table with her plate of food. “Do you mind if I sit with you?”

“Yes, of course, Captain.” Xan motioned to the chair across from him. “Please sit.” He gestured to it.

“Thanks. This is the first time I’ve seen you outside the med bay. Finally decided you’re going to contribute.” She took a bite of her food.

“I am sorry, Captain. I was unsure of my place and didn’t want to overstep,” Xan said, eyes downcast.

“Xan, it was meant as a joke. I’m glad you’re feeling better. We can figure out something for you to do whenever you’re ready. And you don’t have to call me Captain. You can call me Sloan. I’ve said it to everyone on the ship, but they all refuse.”

“I could never refuse you. It would be an honor to call you Sloan,” Xan said, bowing his head.

“You don’t have to be so deferential to me. You’re not a slave anymore. You’re a member of my crew for as long as you like, and I expect my crew to be good at their jobs and good to the Arrow. You can talk to me as you would anyone else.” She continued to eat. Xan reflected on that for a moment. He wasn’t sure how to be around others anymore. It had been a long time. Perhaps sensing his turmoil, Sloan placed a hand over his.

“I know it can be difficult. I know the nightmares and the cold sweats and jumpiness won’t go away overnight. I know because I’ve been there, but trust me, it will fade away. Eventually the nightmares will be less frequent, and you’ll get used to being around more people.”

Xan gripped his fork tightly in his other hand as he thought about the weakness he was exhibiting at that moment. He exhaled deeply to try to relax.

“It will get easier, trust me,” Sloan said, giving his hand a squeeze. Xan moved his hand around in hers and gazed into her eyes.

“I believe you. Thank you for sitting with me.”

“No problem. Everyone has to eat, right?” She shrugged. “How are your quarters?”

“They are beautiful. I appreciate it, and I’m surprised there are quarters enough for me to have my own.”

“The Arrow is quite a provider, and I won her in a game of chance. I have to say my opponent was pissed. The Arrow was originally a private luxury transport, hence the actual water, not enzyme powder in the showers and all the quarters. We even have a small garden on board. She’s provided well for us over the years. I’m glad you enjoy the ship.”

“It’s an impressive ship.”

“I’ve put her through a lot, but she’s strong. She keeps pulling through.”

They spent lunch discussing their trip to Halkon Station and their shortstop at the Gru Asteroid Belt as well as positions on the ship that might suit Xan. They settled on Xan trying maintenance and cargo handling. Sloan received a comm that they needed her on the bridge, and that was the end of their lunch.

“I’ll see you later, Xan.” She walked over to the waste disposal and dumped her refuse into the unit.

“See you later, Sloan.” He was rooted to the floor as he watched her leave.

***

Xan spent the next couple of days working in the cargo bay. With his strength restored and body healed, moving cargo was an excellent way to keep busy. He had frequent visits from Sloan, who checked on him daily. They even had a few meals together in the mess. Sometimes they ate on their own; other times they were joined by other crew members who seemed to be warming to Xan. Xan tried not to let it go to his head and told himself that she would have done that for anyone.

Dev informed Xan that they would be arriving at the Gru Asteroid Belt soon and that he should prepare for additional cargo. The ship landed directly on the surface of one of the small moons beyond the asteroid belt. Most of the crew assembled in the docking bay and were ready to head out to Gru. Sloan came down to the bay and let everyone know what was going on with their time there.

“Everyone, we’re here on Gru. We will be here for five hours. Do not—I repeat, do not show up late because we will certainly leave you. And do you know what that means?” Sloan questioned.

“We have to find our own way to Halkon?” the crew murmured together.

“This is a short visit. You can have your fun on Halkon. This stopover is the time to pick up any supplies you need. You know it will all be a lot more expensive on Halkon, so spend wisely, and don’t get into trouble. You all know this is not the nicest neighborhood, so please be on the lookout for one another, and don’t bring any contraband onto my ship.” She kept her eyes hard letting everyone know she meant business. A few of the crew members got a longer, harder stares. They shifted uncomfortably, dropping their eyes.

“Okay, everyone who’s going can head out.” She clapped her hands together.

The crew broke up and ran out of the dock as if they had been dismissed from school. Sloan stood back, watching them scramble out with Dev and Erl.

“You guys ready?” she asked them.

“Ready, Cap,” they said in chorus.

“Okay, let’s move out.”

Dev and Erl walked out of the cargo bay, following Sloan down the ramp to the surface. She glanced back at Xan.

“You’re not coming as well, Xan?”

Xan stared at her, dumbfounded. “You . . . you want me to come?” He pointed to himself.

“Well, I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you to come. I figure you could do with some fresh air. If you don’t want to come, that’s fine,” Sloan said.

“It would be an honor to accompany you.” Xan gathered his credits in the event that he saw any items he needed. These few credits, more than he’d had in his hands in years, felt good. He was his own male now, with his own possessions. Something he had taken for granted in his life before.

“Great,” she said, smiling at him. Dev let out a small snort, and Sloan shot him a glare.

Their group made it through the landing area and walked until they reached the edge of a settlement. There was a market up ahead and dwellings farther on in the distance. They wandered the stalls, and Xan wondered if there was anything he should pick up. It had been so long since he had possessions that even the few items he’d been given by Eaon overwhelmed him sometimes. When you were used to nothing, having even a few things became exponentially harder to keep track of.

They came to a small establishment. The sign denoted a trading or exchange post of some sort. The four of them entered, and Sloan immediately made her way to a table in the back with Dev and Erl staying close behind her. Xan took his time, surveying the place. There were fifteen or so tables, each with a credit reader in the middle. A long bar ran the length of the room filled with every bottle imaginable. Only about half the tables were full, but the room was noisy with people coming in and out, and the bar was lined with lots of patrons.

As Xan took in the atmosphere, he was reminded of a short time he had been captured and brought to a place like this to be shown off for his superior fighting ability. Hands tightly wrapped so he wouldn’t be able to use his skills on anyone and a shock collar around his neck, Xan had watched as many reprehensible gamblers had placed their bets on whether he would live or die in the ring.

Xan was brought back to the present when Erl slapped him on the shoulder.

“Do you want something to drink? I’m going to the bar. First drink is on me,” he said with a smile. Xan was glad he seemed so relaxed. It put him at ease about what exactly they were doing in this place.

“No, I’m fine. It doesn’t seem that we will be here for long,” Xan said as he saw Sloan stand from her chair so abruptly that it tipped over. She pointed her finger at the trader sitting at the table and gesturing to her comm pad.

Erl gave him a bemused look headed to the bar to grab drinks. Dev stationed himself away from the table, and Xan was happy he was there to help protect Sloan. Xan stayed a little farther away than Dev, not knowing his place in this transaction.

Although he didn’t want to intrude, Xan couldn’t help but inch closer to the table as the conversation seemed to become more heated. Dev gave a short shake of his head, telling Xan to back off, so he didn’t advance any closer, but he didn’t back up. Sloan slammed her hand down on the table, this time pointing at the trader.

“You sent me the specifications for the coils, told me you had them in stock, and gave me the price. I wouldn’t have come all this way if I’d known you were going to try to screw me over.”

“I’m sorry, but the price has gone up. It isn’t my fault you didn’t lock in the price before coming,” the trader replied in a deep watery voice.

“We did lock it in. I have the signed contract here.” Sloan pointed to her comm pad, seething. The trader examined the pad and shook his head.

“It wasn’t me who signed it. I haven’t seen that before.”

“Then whose signature is this?” She pointed at the signature at the bottom of the pad.

“It’s not mine,” he said, shaking his head.

“We’ll see now, won’t we?” She moved her pad to the credit reader at the center of the table. If it was a valid contract, the reader would accept it, and the transaction would be complete. As Sloan inserted the pad into the reader, the trader grabbed her wrist hard enough that she was caught off guard and gave out a small grunt. Before he knew what he was doing, Xan advanced on the two, knocking a chair out of the way to get to them.

Xan placed his hand on the trader’s wrist and thought of a particularly pointed torture session at Ganthar’s, sending those thoughts to the dealer. Xan could feel every flesh-searing hit as he relived that memory, but weaponizing it to protect Sloan made it worth it to him. The trader immediately let go of Sloan’s wrist and screamed as the memories Xan was feeling pushed into the dealer, causing his knees to buckle.

Dev and Erl tended to Sloan and checked that she was okay. Xan felt a massive crash against his back. Keeping his hold on the dealer’s wrist, Xan moved to confront his other attacker. Xan’s spinal plates protected him from the blow. It was only a mild annoyance, but if they chose something stronger, like a blaster, he needed to stop them. The newcomer stood there, mouth handing open in shock as Xan was unfazed by the attack. Noticing the newcomer’s hesitation, Xan efficiently landed a single punch in the middle of his chest to send him flying into an empty table nearby.

Dev and Erl were at his side now. Sloan reached toward the middle of the table. She swiped her card to complete the transaction and glared at Xan before barking out, “Let’s go.”

They all backed out of the trading post, careful of any others who might try to stop them from leaving. Sloan rounded on him after they burst out of the front door.

“Don’t you ever do anything like that again,” Sloan practically shouted as she rounded on him.

“I was only trying to help. That dealer had his hands on you.”

“I know where his fucking hands were.” She pointed her finger at Xan. Purplish-blue bruises were already forming on her wrist. Xan’s anger built that the trader had been able to cause Sloan any harm, let alone enough to leave a mark on her.

“Don’t ever interfere again, or you’ll be on ship duty at every stop from here to Seru,” she said before stomping off. Erl jogged to catch up to her.

“You are so lucky she didn’t punch you in the face for that.” Xan was startled as Dev appeared behind him.

“For what?”

“For getting in the way of her taking someone down. The Captain isn’t known as a female who lets males fight her battles for her. She doesn’t want any of us to think she’s weak.” Dev shrugged his shoulders. Who could ever believe that Sloan was weak? Although she might be smaller than many of the more muscled species that roamed the galaxies, Xan would put his money on her in any fight with anyone similarly matched in physical attributes. That said, he did not relish the thought that she would ever have to fight for anything.

“The last time we had a deal go sour, she took on four of the dealer’s guards, then took pleasure in slamming the dealer’s head into the table until he decided he wanted to do a fair deal after all. This was after virtually knocking me out when I tried to take care of them myself,” Dev said in hushed tones as they trailed behind Erl and Sloan on their way to visit her friend Neven.

Xan couldn’t help the anger that bubbled up in him as he thought of Sloan taking on guards and fighting her way through situations like that. She was strong and could more than handle herself, but Xan hated the thought that one day she might meet her match. The idea of her being injured sliced into Xan as he watched her walk ahead of him, speaking to Erl in an animated fashion.

They rounded a corner and came to a large gated home. Sloan placed her hand on the scanner outside the main gate, and it swung open to allow them all in. Once they were in the courtyard, a tall, thin male with a slight green hue to his skin and darker green feathered hair came up to Sloan and gave her a big hug. He even picked her up and swung her around.

Xan couldn’t help but feel jealous at the display of affection between the two. He assumed this was Sloan’s friend Neven. Neven welcomed the trio standing behind Sloan.

“Hello, Dev and Erl, great to see you again.” He put his arm around Sloan’s shoulder. “And I don’t believe I’ve met you before,” he said to Xan.

“He’s a new crew member, Nev. Xan, this is Neven. Neven, this is Xan.”

“Very pleased to meet you, Xan.” Neven extended a hand toward Xan. Xan gripped it tightly and shook it firmly. “Hell of a grip he’s got there, Sloan. Knew you liked the strong silent types.” Neven bumped Sloan with his shoulder. A red undertone seemed to creep through her skin, which was apparent even with her gorgeous deep complexion.

“Come in, come in. Kila has taken the food out of the oven and is putting it on the table as we speak. She was so excited when I told her you were coming.” He ushered them into the house.