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.”
Dar poured a glass of wine and joined her in the kitchen. “I saw Cogg on my way in. The place looked empty.”
“Only get maybe five or six customers a day. Even most of the freighter crews are going to other settlements since there’s nothing going on here.”
“Maybe you should retire.”
Denrika turned to him. “And where will the drig come from? I don’t have a male in my life to help support me.”
“I’ll take care of you…I can send drig home every month.”
“Dar, I can’t ask that from you. I know you have your own life, and things you need.”
He set his glass down. “My needs are small, believe me…Look, I’ll get an account with the Ontarrin Bank and set it up so you get a monthly allowance. Would that help?”
“But…”
Dar decided it was time. “Mother, come with me.” He grabbed his spotting glasses off the counter and led her outside. “I wanna show you something.” Taking a moment, he let his eyes adjust to the dark. Then he started looking. Yes, there she was, just about forty-five degrees above the horizon. “I came home because I wanted to show you this.” He offered the glasses to her and pointed. “Look, there.”
Denrika held the glasses to her eyes. “I see something. Looks like a ship.”
“That’s my ship.”
“What?”
“I won her in a game of chance…She’s called the Marsuian.”
She regarded him. “What did you just say?”
“That’s Marcy, my ship.”
“The name, the proper name.”
“Marsuian?”
“I don’t believe it.”
Dar folded his arms. There was a chilly breeze. “Really, she’s my ship.”
“You don’t understand,” she said in a stiff tone.
Now he was confused. “Mother, what do you mean?”
She pointed. “That ship, the Marsuian, was the very one that brought your grandparents and a very little youngling me to this planet.”
“The first log entry—her maiden voyage.” He put his hand over his mouth. “You were part of the forty-five,” he said softly. “The forty-five that came here with a bunch of farm equipment.”
Denrika nodded. “I was too young to remember, but your grandfather recounted the voyage to me when I got older.”
He looked up at Marcy. “Amazing!” Dar stepped behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “What are the chances of that?”
“She’s come full circle, then. Now my son commands her…And I hope you have a long and prosperous career together.”
“Yeah,” he said softly. “I do too.” Leaning down, he kissed the top of her head, smelling the Softsuckle flowers in her hair.
THE END