Dar's Adventures in Space 1: Space Crazy (18 page)

“Uh, I accidentally found them. I was testing the warp engine and dropped out right near Appolion, and there they were.”

“And?”

“I got to use the new torpedoes the Newrillians are developing…Worked great, blew up two ships, but unfortunately neither had Nokkis aboard.”

“I thought I had him in my sights a few months back. But alas, he slipped from me too.”

“Can’t we do anything to stop them?” Dar asked.

“Stop them, no, but buy them off, yes.”

“
Buy
them off?”

He put his hand on Dar’s shoulder. “I’m old and tired of fighting; so I made a contract with Nokkis to pay him a certain percentage for safe passage.”

“You did what?!”

“Little one, I’d strongly suggest you do the same. He’s become far more powerful than his father, and I see the amount of ships in his armada growing steadily.”

“Pay the pirates? Gwog, have you lost your mind?”

“No, right now, it makes for smart business. That same engagement a few months ago, I tangled with Nokkis, and about lost the Cunik. I can’t afford that. And this last time, the only thing that saved me was his offer for terms of payment. Nokkis is smart, he realizes he can make far more by taking payments than simply taking the ships or destroying them.”

Dar leaned against the main housing for the warp engine. “I’m not gonna give in that easy. Marcy’s fast and well-armed now.”

“I’m sure she is, but she can only take so much punishment, and Nokkis is getting stronger every day.”

“For now, I’ll take my chances.”

Gwog waved his hand. “How about showing me the rest?”

“It would be my pleasure!” Dar led the way. He took Gwog to the shuttle bay and showed him the new shuttle. “How’s Jartis?”

“Doing well, I think he misses you the most.”

He laughed. “I’m sure
all
my fathers miss me.”

“We do,” Gwog said softly. “Watching you grow up made us very proud. And now you’re on your own, making a name for yourself.”

“I have you and the Cunik to thank for that. Had I been on a lesser ship with a captain half as good as you, I’d be just another freighter captain struggling to make a few drig.”

“You are free to use my name until yours becomes one of merit. Treat your customers right and
they
will make your name for you.”

Dar smiled. “Is that rule number five of being a freighter captain?”

“Yes, it is.”

“You know, you never told me how many rules there are.”

Gwog chuckled. “I’ll let you know when I stop coming up with rules!” They laughed. “Well, little one, I see you are set for a life in space on your own. You have a great ship, an interesting crew, and the stars to sing you to sleep. Now go prove yourself.”

Dar stood proudly. “Aye, sir!”

18

Four months later, the Marsuian cruised into Erotin space. Dar’s trip to Lanteris 3 ended up turning into three more shipping jobs: a trip to Floknis 9 where he picked up a shipment of ore destined for Kiburgus to be smelted down into workable metal; a trip to Priddis for a smaller shipment of Priddin jerky that went to Skrinnis. And his last job: a whole shipload of rum from Jamarais 4 going to Darminitus.

After dropping his shipment of rum, he returned to Newrillis, had Marcy inspected—where they made a few modifications to the warp engine; and he paid off Gorrin Algok. There was even enough drig left to purchase two more torpedoes. The drig and the jobs were rolling in. He was quite happy. Working in the dark side, and touting he had the fastest freighter, brought lots of business. Marcy may not have been the biggest freighter out there, but she could get a load from one planet to another often four times faster than the other vessels.

Now, returning to the Beta sector, he wanted to visit home. Granted Erotis 3 was on the light side, somewhere he knew he wouldn’t be going very often. He’d kept his word to Gwog and only accepted clients from the dark side. It didn’t matter where the payload ended up, but the order had to originate on the dark side of the galaxy.

“This is the Marsuian to Erotis 3 long-range control,” Dar said into his comm headset.

“The Marsuian? Who are you?”

He smiled, recognizing the voice. “Do you not know your old friend, Garnic?”

“Dar?! I thought you were on the Cunik?”

“I was. I got lucky in a game similar to Erotin chokker, and won this ship.”

“You won a ship in a game of chance?”

“Yup. And you should be seeing us on your scanner just about now.” Dar checked his coordinates. “I’m gonna put in for low stationary orbit. Is that okay?”

“Sure, we got no one here right now. Are you off loading a shipment?”

“Naw, I’m empty. Gonna get a load of rum from Jamarais to take to Priddis after I leave here.”

“Your mother will be thrilled to see you,” Garnic said.

“And proud, I’m sure. I wanna show her Marcy.”

“Hey, I get off shift in an hour; can we meet at the tavern?”

“All right,” Dar replied. “And I wanna see Krodus.”

“You know, he’s been really nice since he came back.”

“Good.”

The shuttle landed just outside town, and Dar got out. He walked down the dusty main street, looking at the sad state of his hometown. Some of the buildings were boarded up, and only a small handful of inhabitants could be seen about. A cold wind blew; Dar fastened his jacket and shoved his hands in the pockets. It was Decidnus, one of the dry winter months, and he figured some of the population had gone to the seaside resort of Culides. His mother had taken him there once many years ago, and he thought the sand and salty water seemed a bit overrated. He much preferred Lake Aknarra and trying his hand at netting peshines. Once, Dar caught one so big, it almost tore through his net. Sometimes he’d meet up with Garnic and they’d get a boat and go for hours. They’d bring their catch home to Dar’s house where Denrika would prepare them a feast no matter how many or few they caught.

“Ah, the good ol’ days,” Dar said softly as he wandered down the street toward the tavern. As he passed the store where his mother worked, he saw Cogg at the counter. That meant she was probably home. Continuing on, he reached the tavern. Pausing for a moment, he opened the door and went to the bar. Krodus turned, and without a word, picked up a glass, wiped it clean with his apron, set it on the bar, and poured Dar his Malikin port. The place was virtually empty. Dar spotted two older pure bred Satirens sitting in the corner playing what looked like a game of chokker.

“Hello, Krodus. You look well,” Dar said as he picked up the glass.

“Thanks to you,” he said, then leaned over the bar and whispered, “
Master
.”

“I am that no more. A friend, yes.”

“Drink up, my friend.”

“Where’s your father?”

“Probably on Lake Aknarra netting some peshines…He’s been taking more and more time off, leaving the tavern to me,” Krodus replied, rinsing a few glasses.

“He’s worked hard all these years, now it’s your turn.”

“I don’t mind. I’m happy to be home.”

Dar took a long drink, savoring the flavor. “I have news.”

“Oh?”

“I’m no longer on the Cunik…I have my own ship.” He set his glass down, Krodus refilled it.

“Congratulations. Your mother will be proud.”

“Garnic should be meeting me here soon.”

Krodus grabbed another glass and poured some port. “I should like to toast my friend and his new ship.” He held the glass up. “To a long and prosperous life for you both.”

“Thank you.” He touched his glass. “To the Marsuian.”

“To the Marsuian.” Krodus took a drink. “Hmm, that name sounds familiar, but I can’t quite place it.”

“She’s old,
really
old…But six months in a Newrillian refit dock, and she’s good as new.”

“That name…”

“Well, according to the ship’s log, she’s Satiren by manufacture.”

“Perhaps that’s it.”

Dar scratched his head. “But how would you know about her? She’s been around since before we were born.”

Krodus shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps my father made mention. I dunno.”

“According to the log book, Marcy did make some trips here a long time ago.”

“Oh, maybe that was it.”

The door opened and Garnic walked in. “Ah,
Captain
Dar Meltom in the flesh!”

Dar got up and gave Garnic a big hug. “So good to see you.”

Krodus put another glass on the bar. “Your usual, Garnic?”

“Yes, please.” He sat down. “So, tell me all about this ship.”

“Marcy’s not the biggest in the galaxy, but she’s the fastest. I can do warp ten.”

“Warp ten? Gee, I’ve never even been at warp one.”

Dar gave Garnic a playful nudging. “Garnic, you’ve never even been off this planet!”

“Eh, true…Would you take me up to see her?”

“Of course, and I wanna show mother.”

Krodus pulled a pint of Bodnarian ale and sat it on the bar. “Your ale, Garnic.”

“Thank you, Krodus.” He picked up the glass. “Am I too late to toast?”

Dar lifted his glass. “Naw, what’s one more toast.”

“To you and Marcy. At least you got a female in your life now!”

“Ah! Smart ass!” Dar swatted Garnic on the arm.

“Ass? You call me an ass? They only come from Winneiruk. I’m Satiren, thank you.”

“I couldn’t have guessed.”

“Oh, come on, Dar, we’re still best friends, right?”

Dar put his arm around him. “Til the day we die.”

“Do you need crew on that ship? You know, I could help out.”

“Right now, I’m doing fine with just me and Schmuff.”

“Schmuff? What kind of name is that?”

Dar took a sip. “He’s Nouian.”

“Nouian? Never seen one in the flesh before.”

“He’s about four and a half feet tall, covered in dark brown fur, and has quite a nasty temper…I highly suggest you avoid making him mad. His bite’s venomous.”

“Why on Erotis would you have something like that on board?” Krodus asked.

“He’s my engineer, and a great cook…Unfortunately he doesn’t speak Ontarrin, so I’ve been learning Nouian.” Dar looked up at the time piece on the wall. “Hey, I should be going. I need to go see mother.” He finished his drink and stood.

“Remember, I wanna tour of your ship,” Garnic added.

“Yes, yes, I’ll get you later.”

“I live on Roghat Street now—number six.”

“I see you’ve moved up in town…Nice neighborhood.”

Garnic walked him to the door. “Well, long-range communications pays pretty good.”

“See you in a couple hours.” Dar headed down the long street. The sun was setting, and the air held a bite to it. He looked up and saw the first few stars beginning to shine. Yes, this would always be his home, but the stars continuously called his name. One night, as he lay in bed, he thought he saw them spell out his name. They were his past, present, and future, and he knew his life would be spent amongst them.

Reaching the end of the street, he saw a light on in the house. It was almost dark, and he gazed up, trying to find Marcy in low orbit. Still too bright, perhaps another half an hour, he thought, knocking on the door.

“Just a minute,” the reply came.

He stood patiently until Denrika opened the door. “Hello, mother.”

“Dar!” She fell into his arms and cried. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re alive.”

He put his arms around her. “Yes, I’m just fine. And I have wonderful news.”

Denrika looked up, tears running down her cheeks. “I had a dream the other night…I saw you in a battle with Soothian pirates. You were running, and they chased you down and killed you.”

“I’m fine, just fine…Yes, I’ve had some scuffles with them, but the Cunik and her crew always won.” He guided her inside, closing the door. The house was warm and smelled of freshly baked frost berry pies—one of Dar’s favorites. “Did you know I was coming?”

“No. Why?”

He made obvious sniffing sounds. “Because you know how much I love frost berry pie.”

“I just took them out of the thermo-cooker. You’ll have to wait until they cool.”

“I have the time. Not in a rush right now. I can relax.”

Denrika went to the kitchen. “Do you want something to eat?”

“Please. I only had drinks with Garnic and Krodus at the tavern.”

“Is game fowl okay?”

Dar went over and wrapped his arms around her. “Anything you cook will be wonderful.”

“All right, let me get things going, and then we’ll have time to talk.” She wiggled from his grasp and busily went to work. “You said you have some news?”

“Yes, but I’ll wait just a little bit longer to share it with you…I’m waiting for more stars to come out.”

She turned and looked at him. “Huh?”

He smiled broadly. “You’ll see, mother, you’ll see.” Going to the window, he looked out, noticing it was getting darker; sill not enough just yet. “Mother, are my spotting glasses still in my room?”

“Yes, in the top drawer where you left them.” She prepared the dish for dinner.

“Excellent.” Dar went to his room and brought them out. “I’m sorry, mother, but I didn’t exactly bring a gift for you this time.”

“I told you, you don’t have to bring me gifts. You just being here is a big enough gift.” She opened the door on the thermo-cooker and slid the pan of game fowl in. “How long can you stay? Is Gwog waiting on you?”

“I can stay til tomorrow night, then on to Jamarais for a shipment of rum.”

“Oh, that’s nice. How is everyone on the Cunik?”

“Uh, good I suppose,” he tried to dodge answering the question.

“And Jartis?”

“Older and grumpier.”

Denrika giggled. “He seemed so nice when he was here.”

“Normally he is…Some days when the warp engines aren’t behaving; he’ll shout a few unkind words to them.” He went to a cupboard and got out a bottle of wine. “I can’t say that I haven’t had a few days like that too.” Sitting the bottle on the dining room table, he went and got two glasses. “I see the town is pretty empty. Everyone at Culides?”

“No, Aknarra’s in a bit of a slump. We haven’t had much rain in the past few years and many of the farmers have either moved to different settlements, or left all together.”

“Mmm, sad to see. This used to be such a lively place.”

“I’m getting less and less work at the store. The owner is even thinking of closing a couple days a week.”