Page 29 of Saving the Sautiitions

“Where are we going now?” he hollers from across the room just before I step out of the bathroom, tying my hair up in a ponytail.

“We’re going to meet these Varquettas and get us some comms. We need long-range communicators like that for when we’re off-world and Jeff and Willa run things here. We could probably use some good stealth tech in case missions go awry or we have another Kurgash issue.”

“Should we run back to the village to tell Jeff and Willa we’re leaving? They’ll be worried if they come looking for us and we’re nowhere to be found. Plus, I think we should check on Father before we fly off. The Varquettas are living on Ithosirah, that’s where their store is located. It’ll take days to reach them, even if we’re able to use a wormhole.”

I groan and stomp my foot, not wanting to waste more time, but he’s right. “Fine! We’ll go tell the others, pack, and grab a ship. We’ll hurry and get this done as quickly as we can. We need those comms, and whatever the hell that nifty trick was that they used to appear and disappear into nowhere, I want that too.”

“That wasn’t a wormhole. Whatever that was, it was some sort of portal or rift device that they used. I’ve never seen one before, but I’ve believed they could be created! I’m eager to see that for sure.”

I grin as I walk over to him, gripping his shirt and pulling him down for a kiss. “It’s so sexy when you get all excited over nerdy shit,” I mumble before kissing him, and he chuckles against my lips. He grabs my hand and we rush out the door, hurrying to the SUV so we can get on with our new mission.

It feels like it takes forever to get back to the village, but it’s barely a thirty-minute drive. I jump out of the vehicle and run for the village, desperate to reach Jeff and tell him the good news. Vahru is right behind me, rushing down the path. He comes up beside me as I slow down, stopping in the center of the village.

“I’ll go tell Father and Tonya, you find Jeff and Willa. They may be in her home over there. The festivities are dying down, they’ve probably gone to bed.”

I nod as he takes off for his father’s, and I start rushing down the path to Willa’s when someone steps in front of me, startling a scream from my throat. “You scared the shit out of me! What are you doing?”

I pant for breath as I stare up at the young man in front of me. He’s hardly a teen, maybe 14, but he gives me a stern look, a spear in his hands. His green eyes narrow slightly as he looks at me, the strands of hair from his ponytail frame his sweet face, and I can’t help but smile as he blushes slightly.

“Excuse me, Captain. Is something wrong? Do you need help?”

“No, honey, nothing is wrong. I need to get to Jeff. I have news and need to see him.”

The boy straightens his spine, saluting me with a fist to his chest. “I am Kosiiba, one of the hunters that Jeff has tasked with helping him protect the village. It is an honor to meet you personally and work with you, Captain Kari.”

“Oh, uh, okay. It’s nice to meet you too, Kosiiba. What an interesting name. I love it. Can you tell me where Jeff is, please?”

“He’s at home, that cabin back there. Sorry for stopping you, I just wanted to do well at my job.” He gives me an awkward smile, his cheeks darkening further, and I have to fight the urge to aw at him like he’s a puppy.

“If I had been someone else, you may have stopped a panic. Good work, and thank you for your help.” I nod and smile at him as I jog over to Jeff and Willa’s house, knocking on the door as I call out for Jeff.

I look around me and see Kosiiba make a small gesture to someone across the village. My eyes sweep around, and I notice four other hunters like him standing at intervals around the central circle of the village. I shrug to myself as my heart fills with pride. Jeff has done well in my absence. I can’t believe I didn’t think of enlisting the hunters as guards.

It takes a few moments before the door is opened, a rumpled and half-dressed Jeff opening the door while rubbing his eye. “Kari, what the hell?”

I chuckle and lift my brows at him. “Sorry to wake you, sleeping beauty, but it’s important. Vahru and I made an accidental discovery that will changeeverything! We’ve come across a family that sells advanced tech. I’m talking long-range comms, stealth tech, and even…” I pause and lean closer, putting a hand to my mouth as I whisper, “portal capabilities. We could travel across the universe in a matter ofseconds.”

His eyes widen, and he stares at me. “Are you serious?”

Willa comes up behind him in his shirt, her arms sliding around his waist as she looks up at him. “Weren’t you just saying earlier that you wanted to talk to her about getting comms and such for easier communication while you’re all working?”

I can’t help the chuckle that leaves my lips. “Great minds think alike. We’re heading out. Vahru and I are grabbing a ship and going to meet the Varquettas to purchase some stuff. We need this, not only the comms, but the stealth tech could come in handy in emergency situations, and being able to travel by portal would make helping other aliens and even mending this society a piece of cake! We wouldn’t have to be gone for weeks to travel. Just moments!”

Jeff and Willa glance at each other before they both look at me. “Okay, we hear you. Be safe and come back quickly. We still have a lot to sort out with the chief and this world alone.”

I nod my head. “I know. We’ll be quick, and I’ll bring the comms straight to you guys when we have them. We need to be able to stay in touch. It could take us up to a few weeks to reach them, but we’ll be back quickly if I can get the portal device.” I turn and start to rush down the porch but stop, turning back to smile at Jeff. “Oh, and smart idea getting some hunters to help you with security. You’d make one hell of a captain, Jeff.”

He smiles and nods at me before I turn and rush over to meet Vahru. I’m so eager to meet these Varquettas and find out what else they could have for us that I don’t even want to waste time packing and getting ready. I just want to go.

I wave at Kosiiba as I rush by, his hand raising to wave in return, a bright smile on his face. I nearly bump into another hunter as I rush along. I hold my hands out in front of me, apologizing as I skirt around him. He chuckles, his oddly short hair falling into his eyes slightly as he winks one twinkling blue eye at me.

“Good luck, Captain.”

He grins as he continues walking past me, heading towards Kosiiba, and I huff, a smile on my face at his playful nature. I bet he’s fun to hang out with. I shake my head, gathering myself as I continue to rush back to Vahru and our mission.

As I come trotting up to the porch, Vahru exits and jogs down the stairs to me. “Father is fine. He’s on the mend and starting to get his strength back. Tonya and Melodia are going to stay with him while we’re gone.”

“Awesome. I’m so glad he’s healing. Jeff has a team of hunters who are helping him with village security, so he’s got things covered here. Let’s get going so we can get back to them soon.”

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