Chapter 2
Need to Know
Flicker was having an average day and those were good. On days like today, no one died or was overworked. Nothing bad happened but the tradeoff was nothing good happened either. The day was the kind most of his career would be made of, if he was lucky.
There was nothing wrong with some excitement and he knew with everything that was going on it couldn’t be avoided for long anyway. He would just enjoy these boring days while they traveled to their destination because once they arrived, they didn’t know what would happen.
He was part of the group of Phoenix that had started signing up in the Mazlan military in the last few years. They had an alliance that was good for both their people. Before, his people had kept to themselves and stayed away from others. He’s seen and done more since he’d been enlisted than he had in the hundred or so years he’d been alive before.
His job was just exciting enough to hold his interest most days without being overwhelming. Everyone he’d talked to assured him that was good. Too much excitement was bad. They were headed to Orion, a station at the edge of Mazlan space. Nothing ever happened there. They were picking up a female that he would be in charge of showing around.
Little had been said about her except she was Teresa Smith recently of Earth. His guess? She was a bride for one of the Mazlans and she had run away from Earth so she would be able to mate. The lives of those on Earth now were getting more complicated by the day. Their destination was getting nearer and they would make it there tomorrow.
Teresa would board and be confined to her rooms so he could get a few hours of leave on the station. He’s go shopping and hit a bar to relax then head back to the ship to settle in with his charge. No one had given him any idea how she looked or what she was like. It was rare to know so little because it made it hard to identify a person.
His shift was finally over and he went to the fancy suite where he had a room. Teresa would have the other room. There was a kitchen, a dining room, a living room, and they each had a bathroom of their own. This was a suite like an ambassador might have. Sometimes a third room was added because the rooms could be locked off separately.
He suspected the food would be good since she’d been given this suite and a personal guard, him. What he didn’t know for sure was why. Who was this female mating that gave her the best suite onboard and a personal guard? It just didn’t make sense and no one else on board seemed to have any of the facts not even the captain.
As Flicker snuggled into his covers in bed, his mind was trying to solve the mystery of Teresa Smith. Was that even her name? Everyone knew about Smith, but some people really had that last name. It bothered him that Razar had refused to tell him any facts about the female. If he hadn’t been so secretive, it wouldn’t have become this big deal. The crew even had bets going about what she looked like and why she was coming on board.
The thing about why she would be there is that they might never know the reason if she wasn’t going to meet her mate. At some point in the middle of trying to figure things out, he fell asleep. When he woke he was one step closer to meeting his charge and no closer to knowing who she was or why she would be there.
Once he was up, he got ready and went to the bridge. The station was just out of sight and the ship was slowing down as it got closer. “Good morning, Captain.”
“Morning, Flicker. We got a new order. You can still go visit the station, but your girl is flying a ship onboard and you won’t see her until you get back.” The captain informed.
“What kind of ship?”
“One of the latest scout ships, or so I was told. It’s one that comes with a wide array of weaponry. Only half a dozen guys onboard might be able to fly it.”
“Who the hell is she?” He asked.
“I don’t know and I’m not sure I want to know.” The captain said. “If you want to have any time on the station, you’d best go now. Your companion is coming onboard right now.”
Flicker looked at the growing speck that was the scout ship about to enter the bay. What in the hell was Razar getting them into? No, he wasn’t going to let this ruin his break. He had six hours to kick back and relax on the station and he was going to do just that. It wasn’t easy, but he went to Bay 2 and got on the shuttle getting ready to leave for the station.
There were ten of them on it including his friend Dane. Dane was a great guy and trained to cover communications. He was a corporal, but would be moving up in rank, he had no doubt of that.
“Hey, Flicker. I heard your girl was bringing in a scout ship.” Dane said.
“She’s not really my girl. I heard that too, but I won’t know for sure until I get back onboard. Where are you going?”
“I’m going to buy some things like a gift for my mom and then I’m hitting the bar for a few hours to relax. You want to hang out with me?”
“Sounds like a deal.”
“I’m glad. I hate to drink alone.” Dane admitted.
“Me too.”
The shuttle docked so they made their way off it and toward the stores. Neither of them was a shopper, but they had family at home they needed to buy gifts for from time to time. “You know, Dane, someday we’ll both have lovely mates to do this shopping for us.”
“Yeah and they’ll have us carry all the stuff they buy for them. They’ll load up us so much we won’t have any fun anyway.” Dane observed.
“Is that what you’ve seen with mated couples?”
“Yes, but they also have moments of happiness. It evens out. Right now though, we are single and we should enjoy it.”
They walked along the breezeway that circled around the plaza where all the stores were. The second level had restaurants and motels, the third level had suppliers for ships which required large amounts of many things and equipment. Fifth level had services like a workshop that covered a third of the level. Sixth level had housing for residents, laundry facilities, and miscellaneous things.
The first two levels were all they needed. They entered the first store which sold foods like coffees, teas, and candies including chocolates. The two of them each bought a bag full of items. Next door the store had cosmetics, perfumes and dainty female items. Dane bought something, but he bought perfume for his mom and a silk scarf for his sister.
There were so many stores and all had their windows full of appealing items, but they didn’t have the time for all of them and they had to choose which ones had the items they needed. Dane went in a book store while he went in a store that sold pipes and the dried herbs some males smoked. He made a purchase for his father there.
Now he and Dane were ready for the bar. They dropped their purchases off at the shuttle and hurried to the second floor. Even though it was considered day time because the lights were all on bright, the bars here were packed. Several large ships circled nearby and had crew on leave enjoying the facilities on the stations.
“Looky, looky. These boys are from the Mazlan ship.” A male said. He looked like some of the people from the frontier that this station was a part of.
“They do, don’t they. I heard those guys can’t really fight.” One of the guy’s buddies said.
“Let’s go somewhere else, Dane.”
“See, I told you they can’t fight. All they know how to do is run.” The first guy said.
“Let’s show them different.” Dane urged.
“We’re not here to play with the locals.” He replied.
“I’ll show you playing.” The first guy said as he threw a punch at his head.
Moving quickly, the punch moved past him and the guy almost fell trying to stop his momentum. The male came back with another punch that he dodged as well. “If I ever land a punch your dead.” He threatened.
“Flicker, just take him out.” Dane observed.
It might be the smartest thing to do since there were more of the guy’s buddies starting to move in. “We have some questions for you.” The guy said as he tried to hit him again and he just knocked him down this time.
“Jagger, get one of them.” The guy yelled at his friend.
It seemed odd they were so focused on him and Dane. What was it they wanted from them? He pushed his com button which should send help his way soon. It was an emergency button that would alert the ship that he needed help and they would be able to get his location. Now they just needed to keep these bullies busy until a squad of guards arrived.
Since there was half a dozen guys attacking them, that was what they needed to handle them without hurting them too much. “What do you want to know/” He asked. Not that he’d tell them, but he was curious.
“The female that went to your ship, what are you doing with her?” Jagger asked.
“What female?” He asked.
“You have to know when a female lands a fighter in your bay.” Jagger insisted.
“We’ve been on the station all day. When did she arrive?” He asked.
“Maybe they don’t know anything.” Their leader suggested.
“Why don’t you tell us who this female is?” He suggested.
“We’re here to find out things, not share them.” The leader said. “I think we’re ready to go.” All his guys started to prepare to leave. A couple of Mazlans on leave from the ship entered and the leader focused on them. “Get them boys.”
“We need to help them, Dane.” He directed.
It wasn’t long before it became all out fight. The bar wasn’t holding up well and the bartender and waitresses all hid behind the bar. Tables and chairs became weapons as males were knocked unconscious and some tried to escape. Phoenix and Mazlans were stronger than the aver human or most aliens. These guys were a mix of all kinds, except Mazlans and Phoenix.
The guards finally made it when the fighting was over. The enemies were all on the floor knocked out. Going through their pockets, they took out the money they had and laid it on the bar for damages before they handcuffed the males and dragged them away.
“This story better be good.” Thad observed. “The captain didn’t like sending in guards.”
“Believe me, these guys are our enemy. They were trying to force information out of us that only a spy would want.” He admitted.
Maybe Razar would decide he needed to know now. Something was up with this woman and he had no idea what. It was becoming clear she wasn’t there to mate with someone. There were few possibilities and none of them good. He intended to question these males and find out what they knew. First he had to turn them into the captain and get his permission to do so.
They got on the shuttle and were soon on the ship. He and Dane were able to get their bags and carry them on to the ship. The captain had them brought to him in his private office. “What the hell is going on?” The captain asked.
Once he was brought current on the situation, he sent them to their rooms to wait for further instructions. After he was in his room, he saw that Teresa was in her bedroom probably resting. He’d hoped to talk to their prisoners but when he’d been sent here, he’d thought he’d talk to her, now he wasn’t able to talk to anyone.
An hour later the captain sent a message:
Contacted Razar. Instructions are to not question prisoners until arrival at Oison. Matter is only for top clearance. You and Dane will receive commendations for your actions.
Captain Jerry McDonald
A string of cuss words left his mouth and he saw he was being denied again. What was this female involved in and why was Razar enabling her? Right now, he was tired and achy from the fight. He stripped naked to take a hot shower. Once done, he put on sleep shorts and turned in for the night. Maybe tomorrow things would look better.
Dreams, ones he didn’t remember upon waking, messed with him all night. So much so that his covers were twisted all around him when he finally woke. The memories of the dream weren’t completely gone, just elusive and as he chased them they moved away faster. Right as he woke, his dreams were usually quite clear and that confused him.
His short were damp telling him he’d sweat bullets during the night. Getting up, he dropped his shots and decided to wash off the sweat and wake up fully in the shower. Now he was fully awake and aware. Drying off first, he then dressed fully ion preparation of meeting his charge. She must be up since he could smell the coffee from inside his room.
As he stepped into the dining room, he couldn’t breathe as he stared at the beautiful dark haired female. She was small and average height for a human. Delicate and defenseless were his first thoughts. Goddess! He’d have a devil of a time keeping his hands to himself. All he wanted to do was kiss her.
“Well there you are. I heard you come in but I figured you’d want to sleep. I’m Teresa and I assume you’re Flicker? You Phoenix have interesting names.”
“Nice to meet you. Yes, I’m Flicker.” Thank goodness he’d found his voice.
“I was told you’d be my guard and as long as you were with me I could go anywhere on the ship. Is that correct?” She asked.
“Yes, I was told that too.”
“Good. This is my first time on a Mazlan warship and I want to see everything. I also like to work out every day. I’m sure you do too. We have two weeks before we arrive on Oison, is that correct?”
“Yes, that sounds right. I’m sure your information is correct.”
“I always like to double check. It’s an old habit and it’s served me well.”
“Military?”
“Yes, on Earth before the collapse.”
He was surprised such a delicate and lovely female would be in the military but most of the Earth military had been females. A guess would be seventy five percent female.