5
Skrinnis loomed in the front window of the Cunik’s bridge. It was a reddish planet with a few swirls of white clouds and the occasional splotch of blue-green water. Dar didn’t think it looked terribly habitable, but evidently, there were life forms there.
“Welcome to Skrinnis,” Tregis joked. They’d been in transit for ten days and finally arrived. Since there was no “day” or “night” in space, the crew of the Cunik established their own work/rest cycle. Clocks on the ship were set to one time, and everyone kept to a schedule. Even though most times Dar wasn’t tired, he was sent to bed, and then awoken at the appointed time. He knew this would take some getting used to.
“Ah,” Dar replied with a yawn, still fuzzy-headed after his strange sleep schedule. “There’s life-forms down there?”
“Skrinnians tend to be a subterranean species. You won’t see much on the surface except a space port or two.”
He peered out the window as the planet drew closer. “Are we gonna land?”
“Far easier to off load three thousand crates of Jamaraian rum if you do,” Tregis kidded.
Gwog strolled onto the bridge from his cabin just off to the side. “Good morning, little one; ready to explore a new planet?”
Dar turned, a smile beaming on his face. “Yes, sir!”
“Have you had breakfast?”
“Yes, sir,” he replied. Meal times, he was quickly discovering, were the best. As a new crew member, all the old-timers felt the sudden urge to recount stories of their travels in space. Dar could have listened to them all night, but Vikkis would send him to bed. They were amazing and fantastic stories of distant planets and species; some ended in tales of exotic joinings on pleasure barges. As of yet, no mention of his sexual prowess (or lack thereof) had been made, and Dar hoped it stayed that way.
“Come here, little one.” Gwog motioned him to the helm control console. “Watch as Vikkis lands us on the surface.”
“Yes, sir.” Dar stood behind Vikkis and observed as they slowly descended.
“Now, see these?” Vikkis indicated to a double row of eight buttons that ran down the left side of the console. “These are the ventral thrusters…You can fire each one individually. Or…” He brought his hand to the bottom where two more buttons were. “…You simply push these two and have full control of all.”
“The Cunik needs all those thrusters to land?”
He chuckled. “At nearly a mile long, I’m surprised she doesn’t have more…But she’s got very powerful ones, and they can land a full load just as soft as a game fowl feather floats to the ground.”
Dar smiled at the expression. He liked Tregis and Vikkis. They were amiable to him, and weren’t afraid to joke around. “Awfully big feather!” he teased.
“Yes, and she can spin on a ten particle!”
He dug around in his pocket and produced a particle: it was a small circular coin equivalent to 1/100 drig. There were other denominations of particles: five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty. “Okay, let’s see.” Dar plopped it down on the console.
Vikkis glanced up at him. “Smart ass!” They laughed. “Firing landing thrusters.” He punched the two bottom buttons. There was a loud roar, and the ship vibrated. Dar looked out the window. The port drew closer. He could see two other ships docked and large pieces of equipment offloading supplies.
“Does Skrinnis have any kind of product it produces?” Dar asked.
“It’s like Versith, almost a dead planet, but at least the aliens here are much nicer. For some reason it tends to be a congregation point for many species.”
“Are they refugees?”
Vikkis didn’t immediately answer; he was too busy concentrating on landing. “Yeah, some.” He checked the altimeter. “Three hundred feet…two hundred…one hundred…fifty…and…” The ship touched down with a solid thud. “We’re here.” Vikkis shut off the engines.
Gwog got up and approached Dar. “Come on, little one, let’s go down and explore.”
“Yes, sir!” He happily tagged along as they made their way to the crew hatch. Gwog worked the heavy door, finally getting it open. “We’ll go to the shopping level. Do you have any drig?” They went down the gangplank and inside the port building.
Dar pulled a few out of his pocket. “Uh, I have twenty, and about sixty-five in particles.”
“That’s not very much.” He removed a bag and took out another fifty or so drig. “Here, now you have more to get something.”
“Thank you.” He was shocked that Gwog would be so generous. “If I may ask, how much did your Catarin hide clothes cost?”
“Oh, they’re not cheap, I assure you, little one…But, they’re the best for those in our line of work.” He tugged at his vest. “Catarin hide is soft, durable, somewhat flame resistant, and…” he paused for a long moment. “…The females find it rather attractive.”
Dar grinned. “I guess I’ll have to save my drig, then.”
“Don’t buy it anywhere but on Cataris. The bovidis there are raised specially for their hides…And it’s cheaper coming from the source.” Gwog stopped as they reached the stairs heading to the civilization below. “Are you in a hurry to look like the rest of us?”
“Uh, umm, kinda.”
Gwog chuckled. “You’re a special individual—don’t be afraid to look like it.”
“I’ve looked like it all my life, and it’s gotten me nothing but ass beatings.”
He nodded. “I see your point…Don’t worry, we’ll get you outfitted in freighter crew garb soon.” Waving his arm, he tromped down into the shopping district. Dar followed, still completely amazed that he was on another planet.
As they wandered past the shops, a smattering of different alien species mingled on the wide thoroughfare. Dar recognized some: Elemenels, Triduns, a Sirrixian or two, and one very imposing Kiburgin Hoarda, which he knew better than to even bat an eye at. Kiburgins were known for having the nastiest reputations in the entire galaxy. And at well over six feet tall, with strength to match their nasty dispositions, everyone steered clear of them.
The Skrinnians filled in the rest of the population. They were average sized aliens, walked upright, and had reddish skin. Their eyes tended to be large and either bright green or blue. They didn’t have hair; rather, they had protruding fleshy nubs on their heads about half an inch long.
Dar sniffed the air, a wonderful aroma wafted through the district. Gwog took a few sniffs too. “Hungry, little one?”
“Yes, actually I am.”
“Smells like Skrinnian curry...I don’t suppose you’ve ever had that.”
“No, but I’m game.”
“Come, let’s have some.” Gwog followed his nose, and soon they were at the restaurant. He opened the door and they went in, finding a table. “So, what do you eat?”
“Me, sir? A little bit of everything…With mother working in the store, we got a wide variety of foods from different planets.” He picked up the menu, hoping he could read it. Luckily, since Skrinnis was a mixed planet, the menu happened to be in Universal Ontarrin. “Curry, huh?”
“You like things on the spicy side, little one?”
“Umm, not sure.” He saw a group of younger Skrinnian females pass by. One coughed a couple times as she followed with her peers. Dar thought they were an interesting species, but not one he’d be game to join with. He would, however, when he got time, do some research on them.
“I suggest you tell the waitress you want it mild, best not be subjecting your insides to food you’re not used to.”
Dar nodded. “Probably wise.”
“You may try a little of mine if you wish.” Gwog saw the waitress approach.
“Hi, what can I get for you?” she asked.
“I’ll have the house special curry, a peshan nat bread, and a tall glass of water,” Gwog said.
“Okay, and for you?” She gestured to Dar.
“Umm, I’ll have the mild curry, one of those breads he’s having, and a manko soda.”
“Right, I’ll have that out for you shortly.”
Gwog relaxed back in his chair. “Manko soda, huh?”
“Sure. Mother used to get it imported from Uyoninis. Other than Erotin sage root floats, it’s my favorite.”
“Well, at least you’re somewhat cultured…I had a youngling cabin steward a few years back that would only eat game fowl, Priddin cheese pasta, and bovidis meat sandwiches. He drove me nuts!”
“What happened to him?”
The waitress brought their drinks. Gwog picked his up and had a sip. “I sent him back to his mother, he wasn’t ready to sail the void of space.”
Dar took a small sip of soda, savoring the sweet, tart flavor. “I hope I’m ready.”
“Oh, you’re ready, I can tell.” He folded his arms. “Why space?”
“Huh?”
“Why have you always been fascinated with space?”
“I guess…” Dar rested his elbows on the table. “…Maybe because my father came from the stars; and deep down inside, I’d like to find him—if he’s still alive.”
Their lunch arrived a few minutes later. Gwog pointed to his. “Have a little taste—if you dare!”
Dar studied him for a moment. Through all the thick wrinkle lines on Gwog’s face, he was pretty sure he saw a fiendish smile. Picking up his fork, he reached across and speared a small piece of meat. It was covered with a yellowish-brown sauce. Slowly, he brought it to his mouth, taking a sniff first. The aroma hinted at spicy, and he hoped it wouldn’t be too bad. Popping it in his mouth, he chewed. “Hmm, not bad,” he said. Then the burn kicked in.
Gwog watched the expression on Dar’s face change from smug to utter distress in a matter of moments. “Hot?”
“Oh shit!” Dar bellowed, and frantically looked for something to cool the burn. “Ow! Ow! Ow!”
“Bread!” Gwog reached over and picked up the plate with the bread. Dar grabbed one and tore off a piece, quickly shoving it in his mouth.
“Arrrggguuuhhh!” Dar said with a mouthful, still in agony. Gwog tried to stifle a laugh, but it didn’t work. Dar stood and flailed about, snatching his soda, and tipping it back. With a mouthful of bread, some of the soda spilled down his shirt. Quite a few patrons in the restaurant took notice and were laughing at his spectacle. The group of female Skrinnians passed by, laughing.
After a few minutes, Dar finally got relief. He coughed and sputtered. “Oh, shit, how can you eat that?!”
Gwog picked up his fork, took a good sized piece of meat, and stuck it in his mouth. “Well, you get used to it after a while.”
He sat down, grabbed a napkin, and wiped his face and shirt. “Umm, no thanks.”
“I’ll give you credit, little one,” he chuckled. “You gave it a try.”
Dar took another piece of bread and drizzled some Gardinian beegud honey on it. Taking a bite, he was surprised that he could taste anything after that. The honey was sweet and sticky on his tongue, better than the sting of the curry.
The Cunik pulled away from the planet Guonis with five hundred million drig in gold. Gwog, by his virtue of being an upstanding and reliable freighter captain, had secured a license by the Ontarrin Bank to transport Guonin gold to various planets throughout the galaxy. Part of getting the license meant his ship had to be highly resilient to pirates. It didn’t mean the pirates still didn’t try.
Far in the Psi sector were two planets, referred to as twin planets due to their close proximity. Soothis and Renthis housed the dregs of the galaxy. The Soothians were experts in piracy, while their reasonably close relatives, the Renthids, were adept at taking over planets and pillaging to fill their coffers. Neither of the species was particularly bright, but the Renthids were far more brutal than their Soothian brethren. But they did know how to make weapons.
Tregis was at the navigations console, monitoring the sensors. “Captain, I have six contacts closing rapidly just off our port beam.”
“Gee, anyone wanna bet it’s Nekis thinking he can liberate our shipment of gold?” Gwog joked.
Dar turned around. “Who is Nekis?”
“The leader of the Soothian pirates.”
“Ah.” He was worried, but he wasn’t going to let on to the others. As he watched out the big window, Dar began to feel itchy. Something in his throat tickled, and he coughed a few times. Reaching up, he went to scratch his neck, something was there: a small blister-like bubble. He coughed more.
“Are you okay, little one?” Gwog asked.
“Umm…”
“Come here.”
Dar went over and stood just to the left of Gwog’s chair. The big alien reached out and put his hand on Dar’s forehead. “Mmm, a bit warm.” He looked him over. “Itchy?”
“Yes, sir.”
He grabbed Dar’s shirt collar and pulled it down, revealing a red rash. “Shit.”
“What?”
“I think you got Skrinnian fever.”
“What? What’s that?” Dar asked, now becoming alarmed.
“Get to your quarters and stay put…Whatever you do, don’t scratch.”
“Is it bad?”
Gwog rubbed his face. “I don’t know how it’ll affect you, since you’re half Earthling. But Jartis caught it a few years ago and it nearly killed him.” He shooed him off. “Go, and I’ll send Karnis around to care for you.”
As much as Dar wanted to see if a battle would ensue, he couldn’t disobey his captain’s orders. Heading down to the crew quarters, he began to feel light headed. About twenty feet from his door, the first explosion rocked the ship. The Cunik jolted sideways, knocking Dar off his feet. He collapsed to the metal grated catwalk, in no position to get up. His body felt weak, skin burning like it was on fire.
The next thing he remembered, he woke up and saw Karnis standing over him. He was in his bunk, the covers pulled high to his chin. His whole body felt hot, cold, and intensely itchy all in the same moment.
“Ah, you’re awake,” Karnis said. He tapped a small white tablet from a bottle, picked up a glass of water, and offered it to Dar. “Take this.”
Dar wiggled his arms free of the covers, took the water and tossed back the tablet. His whole body was now a sea of blisters. “What was that?” he asked.
“Curion Mind Blow.”
His eyes widened. “That stuff’s illegal!”
“Youngling, at this point in time, you’re not in much position to argue…Skrinnian fever is serious shit. If you don’t die from the initial fever, then you stand a good chance from dying if you scratch even just one of those blisters…The Mind Blow will take the edge off and help you stay calm.”
“Is there a cure for this?”
Karnis shook his head. “Tincture of time. It’s a nasty virus, there’s no cure. If it doesn’t kill you, you’ll have immunity the rest of your life.”
Dar writhed around. “I feel like I did when I messed with that hive of Erotin Ember ants.”
“Yeah? Bet your mother warned you about screwing with ’em, didn’t she?”
“Uh huh. But this wasn’t my fault.”
“No, I know. It’s one of the dangers of space travel. The more planets you go to, the more chances you have of getting a sickness.” He poured another glass of water and gave it to Dar. “Most of the illnesses out there aren’t fatal. Unfortunately, this one happens to have a rather high fatality rate.”
“Just my luck.”
Karnis turned for the door. “You’re young, so you stand a pretty good chance. Get some sleep, I’ll come check on you in a couple of hours.”
“Karnis?”
“Yeah?”
“What happened with the pirates?”
“Oh, Gwog ran ’em off as usual.”
Dar snuggled back under the covers. “Where are we?”
“About half way to Iddris.”
“Thanks,” he said softly and closed his eyes. The Mind Blow seemed to be going to work. His body felt rather numb, and for some reason, he felt like he could do anything at that moment. Thinking hard, he remembered in school they said the drug gave you the feeling of invincibility, but of course, it was all in your mind. They also said it was quite addictive. Dar didn’t want that to happen, he needed his hard earned drig to buy some fancy Catarin hide clothes.