the spectacle. “I’m so sick of ’em, can’t they leave well enough alone?”
Dar turned around. “Sir? Why haven’t all the freighter captains banded together and put an end to them?”
“Because each captain is in this business for himself; banding together would imply some sort of alliance—not happening, little one.”
“Isn’t there an intergalactic security force or something?”
There were a few chuckles on the bridge. “Little one, this galaxy is pretty lawless. I’m not sure what rules you grew up with on Erotis, but there are few in the depths of space,” Gwog said, poking the communications button on the arm of his chair. “This is Gwog of the Cunik to Nekis.”
“Hello, Gwog,” the gravelly voice came over the loud speakers on the bridge. “What do you have for me today?”
“I’m empty. We dropped our shipment of gold off yesterday.”
“You are, huh? And where are you headed now?”
“None of your business, Nekis.”
“On the contrary, it is my business.”
Gwog was tiring of the conversation. “Vikkis, bring the cannons on line.”
“Yes, sir,” Vikkis replied, pushing a couple of buttons. Dar saw some lights on the control console come on. “Cannons at your ready, sir.”
“Nekis, I have my cannons pointed in your direction. Are you gonna leave me alone, or will I have to send a salvo your way? I’m letting you make the decision.”
There was a long silence before Nekis replied. “Be on your way.” A collective sigh went through the bridge. While most of the crew relished a good fight, they tried to avoid them at all cost. The Cunik was a solidly built ship, but it could still sustain damage in battle. Gwog hated putting in for repairs, it cost time and money.
Dar was a little depressed that no battle came of the confrontation. He felt confident Gwog saw his displeasure in his body language. “Come here, little one,” he said.
He went over to Gwog. “Yes, sir?”
“Rule number one of being a freighter captain: don’t unnecessarily endanger your ship, your crew, or yourself…Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, get with Tregis and lay in a course to Iddris, and then on to Gamma 3 space station. We need supplies, and I’m sure everyone would like some entertainment. Then it’s on to Jamarais; we have another shipment of rum to pick up.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And plot a follow-on course to Newrillis.”
“Newrillis? Also in the dark side?”
“Yes. There’s a shipment of arms that’ll be going to the Sirrixians—along with the rum.”
“Yes, sir.” Dar was excited to be seeing more of the galaxy. He wondered if he’d be allowed to go into the space station. There was a pleasure barge, but he figured he wouldn’t have enough drig to do much. But that was okay, being the new one on the crew, he didn’t expect much.
The Cunik had picked up a load of beans on Iddris and headed to Gamma 3. As Dar got ready for bed, Jartis came by his bunk. “I hear we’re going to Gamma 3,” Jartis said.
“Yes, Gwog said we needed supplies.”
“Yeah, supplies and some entertainment for the crew.” He sat down on Dar’s bunk. “I’m sure you’ve never been to a pleasure barge.”
“No, never been anywhere,” Dar replied softly.
“Ever done anything?”
He sighed deeply. “I was the only half breed around. The purebred females wouldn’t give me the time of day. It was like I had Skrinnian fever or something.”
Jartis chuckled. “So, you’ve never joined?”
Dar shook his head. He didn’t feel like announcing to the whole ship that he’d never been with a female, although, they probably knew.
“It’s okay. I was the same way.”
“How long have you been part of Gwog’s crew?”
Jartis pondered, scratching his head. “Oh, near enough twenty years…Gwog hired me not long after he got out of the military.”
“He was in the military?”
“Oh, yes, part of the Ouzinic Special Command…He did dirty little deeds for a planet that really didn’t accept him because he was a half breed.”
“How long was he in?” Dar asked.
“Mmm, I think he said over twenty years.”
“Geez! How old is Gwog?”
Jartis chuckled. “Don’t really know. Ouzins live a pretty long time.”
“I guess.”
“So, are you planning on going to the pleasure barge?”
Dar slid back on his bunk, resting against the wall. “I dunno. I figured that I’d be left behind to watch the ship.”
“Oh, no, the twins do that. They don’t find pleasure in quite the way we do.”
“Really? At any rate, I probably won’t have the drig for it.”
“You will. Gwog pays well.”
“Enough to have a good time?”
“Sure,” Jartis replied. “You pay attention in love class?”
“Yes, of course. But it’s different when it’s really you.”
“I know. And since you’ve never experienced the Satiren blush, it’ll be a rather strange experience.”
“What does it feel like?”
Jartis smiled broadly. “It’s magic!” He held his hands up. “We’re probably the most special species in the galaxy. No others can do what we can.”
“Someone said it feels like jolts of power going through your body.”
“Yes, yes, highly pleasurable jolts. And you share them with your partner.”
“I saw that on a vidograph we were watching in school,” Dar said, “Your whole body gets this rosy aura.”
He ran his fingers through his green hair and back over his white hair. “Well, there may or may not be a Satiren at Gamma 3. If there is, I’d suggest trying to get a joining with her.”
“Just so I know what it’s like?”
Jartis nodded. “Yeah. If not, see if there’s an Elemenel, they’re quite fun.”
“I like their pretty blue skin; and their tendrils fascinate me.”
He laughed. “Those tendrils can be a source for stimulation.”
Dar cocked his head. “Really? They didn’t teach us that in class.”
“Oh, four years of love class barely scratches the surface with all the species in our galaxy.”
“I kept my tablet, just in case I wanted to do some reading up.”
“That was smart. You’ll probably need it.”
“So, how many different species have you joined with?”
Jartis smiled. “A few. I know I’ll probably never find a mate, so for me, I occasionally indulge in the pleasure barge.”
“Only occasionally?”
“Dar, once you get my age, you may still have the drive, but the interest tends to fade…And I’m rather picky about who I join with.”
“Ah. Do you suggest I be picky?”
“You do what you want, you’re an adult now.”
“Yeah, I am…Seems so strange,” Dar said softly.
“You’re seventeen, right?”
“Yes.”
Jartis rubbed his chin. “The pleasure barge has rules. You gotta be over eighteen to partake in their services…I suggest, since according to Satiren law, you’re an adult, to simply lie about your age.”
“What if I get caught?”
“Doubtful you will.”
“Umm, okay. I hope it works.”
Jartis turned to leave. “I’ll vouch for you if there’s any question.”
“Thanks.” Dar felt his heart beating faster—a chance to finally join with a female. He was excited and terrified. How would this all play out?