Page 17 of Alien Haven

“Following our mother’s death, she took care of me. She was my rock, as hard as I made it for her.” Charity considered how she’d taken out her grief, masking as snarky angst, on Hope every chance she got. “Man, what a pain in the ass I was, especially considering she’d have laid her life on the line for me. I’d have done the same for her, but she probably wouldn’t believe it. I was the worst.”

“I’ve always wished for brothers and sisters,” Ilid said. “Being a Dramok, I’d have bossed them around horribly. I bet it’s for the best I’m an only child.”

“You’d be amazed at how forgiving they’d have been. My sister…she still hasn’t given up on me. When she gets the guts to face my attitude, she’s as encouraging and supportive as ever. She does add a generous sprinkling of ‘give the insolence a rest.’” Charity laughed and noted how sad it sounded. It had been weeks since she’d heard from her sister, who at last report, had gone deep in enemy territory to spy on the Darks.

She shook the moroseness free. “Enough of this tragic story. We need to lighten up and have some fun.”

“I’m all for it.” Ilid raised his coffee cup to her. “We can make discovering a worthwhile venue for shenanigans our main objective.”

“Shenanigans. There’s the word for the day. I may have a lead on the location to indulge, thanks to the most standoffish Nobek I’ve ever met.”

Charity told him of the local drinking spot Detodev had mentioned. “He’s right about avoiding the other bar. I peeked in. It smells of man sweat, animals, and anger. I think I also caught a hint of piss.”

Ilid snickered. “Oh no. Tell me you’re kidding.”

“It has no floor. Sawdust covers the ground. I bet it’s to soak up the aforementioned urine and blood from the murderous fights Detodev mentioned. Very Old Earth-Old West degenerate.”

“I’d protect you, fair damsel,” Ilid teased. “No need to fear.”

“Oh, I’m not afraid of the jerks who no doubt make up the clientele at night. This morning, I only saw an old man snoring at a table littered by beer and kloq bottles and shattered dreams. What terrifies me is what your mother would do to me if I let you anywhere near the place. Even if the grumpy Nobek I spoke to was with us.”

“You’re a wise woman.” His smile was everything, drawing her from her half-made-up description of the Roadhouse bar.

“We should meet up at the respectable club. Tonight.”

“Meet up? You mean with the Nobek from the Amgar farm?”

“I was referring to you and me, Ilid. I’m self-absorbed, and I fully believe the universe revolves around me, but I have no intention of my constant presence smothering you all day today.”

“I won’t mind if you do. My plans were to check out the bakery, then spend the rest of the day escorting you around town…unlessI’dbe smotheringyou.” Anxiety touched his features.

Pleasure filled her. She’d hoped their afternoon together would extend to the evening. “Great. Let’s have our coffee, go shop, eat dinner, and have drinks at Bar, Bowl, and Barrel. As for the Nobek, would you be interested in an introduction if he shows up? I think Detodev’s around our age.”

Ilid considered. The sense of past hurt had returned, and Charity wondered if it came from a former relationship gone bad. Maybe her urge to draw out Detodev and find his fun side would have to go unanswered.

“I suppose it would be all right. I should introduce myself to the locals for the bakery’s sake, if nothing else. What’s this Detodev like?”

She shrugged. “He’s a bit standoffish. It makes him interesting…to me, anyway. People who try to keep themselves under wraps present too much of a mystery for me to resist trying to get under their skin.”

“Ah. You enjoy a challenge.” A shadow passed over his features.

“You already know me so well. Detodev’s on his own now, but he was originally among Clan Amgar’s rescues…willingly, he says. I think he came here to escape a crime syndicate. He and the boss’ wife had a torrid affair.”

“As a teen?” Ilid snorted.

“Coming up with worst-case scenarios is among my favorite games. You try.”

“Okay.” He considered. “He’s an undercover agent for the farming collective, searching for genetically altered seeds. If they’re grown, the resulting crops will turn those who eat them into mindless super soldiers, capable of taking over the universe on the behalf of the mastermind behind the plot.”

“Wow. Nice one. You should write vid dramas.” Charity grinned in delight.

“Your turn.”

“I’m done. I can’t top your soldier seed apocalypse. What happens when the mastermind discovers Detodev’s a spy? You know it’ll come out in the end. Weave me the tale and leave me gasping.”

She lost herself in Ilid’s laughter, delighted to have met such a wonderful man in the most unremarkable of places.

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