Page 8 of Kameer's Mate
“Whatever you wish to speak about, make it quick,” the captain says. “Some of the officers on the bridge are new and I’m not happy about leaving them so soon. We lost some good people during the last few rebel attacks, and I’ve been forced to install inexperienced officers in positions that usually require years of training.” His eyes go wide and he pales, probably just realizing he’d revealed a weakness to someone he doesn’t truly consider an ally.
“Captain Warren, my good friend,” I say with an air of mockery, “I have a proposition for you. One that will make you wealthy beyond your dreams.”
“I’m already wealthy. I’m the leader of the human worldship. Whatever I want is always mine for the taking.”
“Ah, but I come offering five hundred thousand galactic credits, and the task I’m asking of you is so very easy.” We pause at the end of a corridor where an alcove containing a viewscreen rests. I take a seat and gesture for him to join me.
Captain Warren eyes me warily, then settles into the seat across from me. There’s a curtain we might pull to conceal ourselves from the rest of the corridor, but there’s no one in sight, so neither of us bothers. Besides, I am hoping this conversation will be quick. Judging by the greed that flared in his eyes when I announced the amount of money in question, I suspect it won’t take much to convince him to do my bidding.
“Where did you get five hundred thousand galactic credits?” he asks, lowering his voice even though there’s no need to be quiet.
“I own the Hurrsona Asteroid Belt, which is very rich in xursollian ore. I’m nearly as wealthy as Emperor Radakk.” I don’t bother telling him that a great-great grandfather of mine purchased the asteroid belt. He doesn’t need to know it is wealth passed down through the generations, or that I’m the only soul left alive in my family to benefit from the lucrative mining operation.
“The Hurrsona Asteroid Belt?” His eyes go wider. “I’ve heard of it, and I must say, I’m impressed. All right. Go on. What is it you are asking of me?” His expression turns calculating and he settles back in his seat. Greed continues to gleam in his eyes, and I can’t help but wonder what vile deeds and crimes he might commit just to get his hands on my money.
“I would like to purchase a human bride.”
A knowing look enters his gaze. “Of course. Has Emperor Radakk not promised you a bride?”
“Emperor Radakk has assured me that I’m owed a bride. Yes, I have been promised a mate from the group of two thousand, however there is a problem.”
“What sort of problem?”
“I want a specific human female who is not on the list of two thousand. There’s nothing in the Darrvason-human alliance that says a Darrvason can’t purchase a specific female if he so desires. I read every word of the terms.” Though I’m eager to claim Mandy as my own, I don’t allow the desperation I’m feeling to tinge my voice. I keep my tone even and almost disinterested, and as I glance out the viewscreen at the Darrvason fleet, my gaze comes to rest on theRorrsa, the ship that serves as my home when I’m not stationed on theJansonna.
“You want to buy a human woman?”
“That’s what I said.” Again, I strive to keep my tone even, though I’m starting to grow impatient with the leader of the worldship.
“Very well. I suppose I can arrange for you to claim a human female who’s not on the list of two thousand. For a price, of course. Five hundred thousand galactic credits, just like you said, and I want it in writing. Now, tell me, what’s her name?” Interest lights the male’s eyes as he leans forward.
“Mandy Benton. She works in a salon on Deck Twenty, and she lives on Deck Fifteen. She’s twenty-three years old. Are you familiar with this female?”
A look of horror comes over Captain Warren. “I know the female in question. But she’s engaged to a powerful and wealthy Founder. A man named Ned Perry. I-I don’t believe I could interfere in such a union. They’re supposed to get married in seven days, and I’m scheduled to officiate the ceremony.”
Seven days?No. I won’t allow the marriage to occur.
Even if I must break the terms of alliance, I will make sure Mandy doesn’t exchange vows with Ned.
Though it’s my understanding that human marriages are no longer physically consummated, at least they aren’t supposed to be, I still reel at the prospect of Mandy belonging to Ned in name. I won’t stand for it, and I struggle not to let my anger show.
I regard the captain with what I hope is an air of indifference. “How strange that according to the worldship’s constitution, which I’ve read in full, the captain is permitted to sell or trade citizens of theJansonnaat his discretion for the good of the ship. But if you can’t prevent Mandy Benton from marrying Ned Perry, if that is not within yourpower, I suppose that is the end of it. Such a pity.” I rise to my feet and make to leave the alcove, but the panic-stricken captain reaches for my arm, only to retract his hand quickly and point at the seat I just vacated. If he’d actually touched me, I would’ve blackened his eyes.
“Please, please sit down, Chief Kameer. I-I didn’t say it was impossible. I’m sure we can work it out. Please sit.”
Satisfied that my performance is working, I fake a bored sigh and return to my seat. I cross a leg over my knee and lounge back, shaking my foot in a casual manner as I stare at the captain and wait for him to continue. Hope rises inside me as I witness his visage come alive with the darkness of a scheme, the exact moment he arrives at a solution. He folds his hands together and leans forward, appearing quite pleased with himself.
“All right, he won’t be happy about it, but I will order the termination of the engagement between Mandy Benton and Ned Perry. I’ll cite Ned’s advanced age as the reason. Then I will quietly switch Mandy’s name with another female on the list of two thousand, and you may claim her when we hand this final wave of women over to your people in one month, after we arrive on planet 58-Zallnanis. Is that acceptable?”
I furrow my brow, using a human mannerism as I pretend to consider his offer. Then I shake my head. “It’salmostacceptable, Captain, but if I’m going to spend five hundred thousand galactic credits on a bride, I don’t want to wait a moon cycle to take possession of her. I expect to claim Mandy Benton as my mate immediately. Tonight, or tomorrow at the very latest. She will reside in my temporary quarters aboard theJansonnauntil my work on the worldship is complete and we return to theRorrsatogether.”
“Do you realize the headache that sort of arrangement is going to cause me? The fucking rumors that will spread?” Captain Warren huffs and casts a disgusted look at the Darrvason fleet. “It was bad enough when Officer Brute bent the rules by claiming an unsanctioned female outside the bounds of the alliance.”
I don’t budge on my terms. I stare at the captain, waiting for him to come to his senses. Waiting for him to realize that if he wants the exorbitant amount of money I’m offering, he doesn’t have a choice.
“Five hundred thousand galactic credits is no small sum. You could buy your own fucking planet. You could build a fucking empire.” I release a dark chuckle. “Or you could travel to Shinzza Prime and sleep with every courtesan on the planet twenty times each. I don’t care what you do with the money, my good captain, but if we’re going to have a deal, I must insist on taking possession of Mandy Benton in the immediate future.”
Captain Warren takes a deep breath. “Fine. It’s a deal. The official story will be that I, in my infinite wisdom, have decided to award you with a human female for your services aboard theJansonna. After all, I suppose it could be argued that without your expertise, the worldship wouldn’t be ready for a safe landing on 58-Z.” He clears his throat. “You may claim your bride tonight—after the funds have been deposited in my account. But you mustn’t make a scene in the corridors. I must insist on having her delivered to your quarters under the guiseof a temporary detention, and I’d prefer for it to occur after curfew so there are few witnesses, if any. Having her delivered to you will also give the appearance that she’s a gift. I’ll have a contingent of morality officers escort her to your quarters. Please, I must insist. Again, the headache Officer Brute caused by chasing his mate down in the corridors for all to see… I don’t want a repeat of that.”
