Page 76 of Alien Haven

“Thank you, my father.”

“But no fancy overnight room,” Diju spoke up. When Ilid’s face turned crimson, she added, “You’re bringing Cha—uh, Jennifer here afterward to stay in our guest room. She’ll explain the reason to you, and I’ll explain to your fathers.”

Ilid had caught the near-mistake of her speaking Charity’s real name. He glanced from his mother to his date as realization dawned. “Ah. Okay. Sounds like a plan.”

Though the elder men appeared curious, they shrugged it off to wish the young people an enjoyable night. Diju hugged them in turn. She winked at Detodev when he turned awkward at the affection.

She sent them off wearing a bright smile. “Have fun. That’s an order.”

Chapter Nineteen

“Breathe it deep! Nothing beats fresh air, huh?”

“If your definition of ‘fresh’ comes from when you’re standing in the middle of a ronka pasture where your horse just dumped you on your ass.” The actor on stage lifted a foot to inspect the bottom of his boot.

“Come back to my house, Dramok. I’ll let you take off your boots…and anything else uncomfortable you’re wearing,” a buxom woman drawled as she sauntered across the scenery. Her appraising eyes raked him. “Matter of fact, you can take off the comfortable stuff too.”

Charity joined in the laughter ringing through the theater. The risqué musicalCow Patties in Paradisewas a far better show than she’d expected. Both humans and Kalquorians starred in the farce. In the story, no one of a backwater Haven town was terribly intelligent except the beleaguered Nobek head of local security and his human girlfriend, who ran a popular pleasure club. Rich, clueless tourists had descended upon the town’s hapless residents to play at being cowboys at a newly opened holiday ranch. The results were predictably hilarious. The songs were raunchy but sung shockingly well, and the bawdy jokes had been nonstop. Even Detodev occasionally bellowed unrestrained laughter at the outrageous comedy.

It was definitely not fit for children. Clan Amgar had been smart to keep the kids away. It was, however, right up Charity’s alley. She couldn’t remember the last time her ribs had ached from laughing so hard.

The audience was enjoying the first act so much, they groaned as one before breaking into applause during the intermission preceding the second act. Her hand fanning her warm face, Charity joined her chuckling dates in filing from the auditorium to the lobby for refreshments.

Mitag, who knew the wine vendor, snagged them a premium vintage to enjoy. “This show met the hype, kicked down its door, and surpassed all expectations.”

“Agreed. Hell of a spoof on our poor little Haven.” Charity clicked her glass to his and took a heftier swallow than she should have. Giddy from the fun, she rashly added, “The show is poking fun, but this place isn’t so bad. In fact, it isn’t bad at all.”

Mitag slapped a palm to his chest and staggered as if having a heart attack. “Did you actually compliment our ronka-scented backwater planet?”

“I have to admit it’s grown on me. If there were a place for an astronomer, I’d be tempted to hang around for a while.”

She watched to evaluate their reactions. They didn’t disappoint her. The earlier trace of hope peeked from Detodev’s rugged features. Outright want appeared on Ilid’s and Mitag’s.

“You said the location and view from here deserves an observatory. You should lobby for it,” Ilid ventured.

Charity thought of telling him of the clandestine com she’d made to Kalquor. She forced herself to calm the wild hope she’d birthed. No need to excite anyone’s expectations, including her own. “As soon as the Galactic Council is Dark-free, re-opens Jedver’s university to Earthers, and I get my degree, I might do just that.”

Detodev surprised them by raising his glass. “To our Starry Eyes learning to dodge the cow and ronka patties. We’ll make you a farm girl yet.”

Charity laughed. “Not likely, big man. I’ll stick to my telescopes and odorless sky. And a clean sidewalk from my front door to the observatory. The verdant fields and acres of manure are all yours to frolic on.”

* * * *

They returned for the second act when a theater usher clanged a metal triangle. Charity appreciated the cute announcement of the intermission’s end. It reminded her of how ranch workers had been summoned to dinner in the Old West movies her father had enjoyed. The eager audience resumed their seats, looking forward to the rest of the show.

A few hilarious minutes into the second act, during a raucous musical number featuring the entire cast in variousstages of undress, an alarm blared. The house lights came up, startling the actors to a standstill. The theater manager rushed up to address the packed auditorium.

“It’s the fire alarm, folks. We have a small blaze backstage. If you’ll please make your way calmly to the exits—”

A billow of smoke suddenly swept through the space. The curtains behind the set visibly smoldered. Then the fire suppression system went off, soaking everyone and adding to the confusion. All at once, the house lights went out, leaving them in the dim reddish gloom of emergency illumination.

It sent people into a panic. Cries and shouts resounded, blending with the claxons to create an earsplitting cacophony. The audience and actors stampeded from the front of the house toward the exits at the side and back of the auditorium.

Charity had instinctively grabbed Ilid’s hand at the start of the commotion. He curled his arm around her as Detodev stretched to encompass them and Mitag in his long reach. “Crouch low!” the Nobek shouted over the din. “Fire suppression will kill the fire, but the smoke is still a problem. Ilid, can you lead us safely to the nearest exit?”

Charity barely discerned the Dramok peering in the murk, craning his head above the crouching Mitag’s. “The closest exit is bogged by those trying to escape. I suggest we make for the side exit, where fewer are going. You’ll have to lead us, Mitag.” He gestured, but Charity’s weaker human sight couldn’t discern the escape he indicated.

“I can do it. Come on.”

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