Humans for Hire

Chapter 97


Little Vilantia Station, New Casablanca

Grezzk was again unnerved by the Vilantian-sized space as she walked into the Throne's Dawn conference room with the other Freelords or their First-spouses. Each of them no matter their dress, held a pair of insignia - one for their ship and one for their clan. One only positive thing was that for the most part everyone walked and moved with the same caution she did - purely Vilantian/Hurdop gravity was becoming less familiar as time went on, and it showed in the twenty-two faces arrayed around the table. As tradition dictated, everyone had brought something to share - the room quickly filled with competing spices as cuisine was arrayed for everyone to sample. Unsurprisingly, some of the more daring chefs had brought mixed dishes, and Grezzk was no exception. She'd added Terran rice to the stew, which imparted a unique flavor and had actually absorbed most of the water to make it less of a stew and more of a moist rice and fish meal. For most of the rest, chicken and various birds had been employed for a base and few dishes could truly be the product of a single culture.

Commodore A'Drapir tapped a small bell twice, twice again, and a third time for the requisite six chimes to the gods. When the chimes finally faded, he spoke with a slight measure of authority. "We are here to discuss our collective future. Despite the victory of Gryzzk against Greatlord Aa'Lafione, we cannot take such outcomes for granted. The nobles of Vilantia and Hurdop may see us as a threat or even a tool to be used to advance their own ambitions and attempt to recall us. While they would certainly move against a single Freeclan, the fact that we are here shows that none of us feel such a thing would be in our best interest."

One of the Hurdop Freeladies that Grezzk didn't recognize growled a soft agreement. "No noble wanted the scent of me and mine any closer than the orbit of Hurdop VI in the time of war. Now that the Falcon of Profit does the work of the light gods and brings our families creds and treasure, suddenly the nobles wish to assert claims from six generations past on a Free Clan. Unless I do something for my clan, it won't be my clan for long." She paused, taking a bite from a peltine-coated strawberry. "So I'll take an oath of food and blood with any others who wish it, and those fat nobles who've never smelled a fart in a exosuit might stop laying claim to what they never bled for."

Another Hurdop spoke up. "Freelady Dinoae speaks truth. Admit it - you've all heard tell of someone getting a message from the homeworlds; a noble sends a friendly message, then another that recalls an old family story from one war or another, and with a third message they speak of memory's path remind us of a claim to what we earn. Sometimes it's a tithe of money, duty, and most recently right to the next birth." He spat dryly at the table. "It's bullshit is what it is."

The Commodore cleared his throat, seemingly unfamiliar with the Hurdop phrasing and uncomfortable with what that might mean. "Food and blood, then. However, prior to this - we should agree to what we are swearing with our oath."

The discussion began in earnest, with each Freelord or spouse giving their thoughts. Finally there was a recording made and sent to all the other Freelords while the ones present took out small knives and made bloody palmprints on a parchment.

Finally there was one last item of business to attend, with Freelord Baref picking absently at his olive tunic and speaking lowly. "So who leads? There's more than six of us, so someone needs to be in charge."

Dinoae answered her colleague promptly. "Freelord Gryzzk. Think of it. When the Moncilat contract was brokered, he could have easily kept the glory and money within his own company and those of the 7th. Instead he made sure that we got a job that'll pay well for good work. Did you have someone else in mind?"

Baref shrugged. "I was thinking me."

There was a snort from Riles that shook the folds in his brilliantly multicolored outfit. "Baref, you'd sell your own sister to the highest bidder, then go to the second-highest bidder and tell them that their prize had been stolen, let them kill each other and take your sister and their creds for yourself before their blood was even dry."

Baref bristled slightly. "I only did that once." There was a pause. "But your point is conceded."

The subsequent discussion was brief, and the Commodore gave Grezzk a wry grin when it was done. "Freelady Grezzk, please advise your husband that we would all enjoy his company when he has returned to your scent."

___________

Tosche Station, Hurdop Prime

Gryzzk stepped onto the station and the station smelled...new. It wasn't exactly definable - it was more of a lack of scents than anything else. Old stations had the scent of ships and folk from places that seeped in and infused the walls, and no amount of detergent could make the scent go away. He checked his tablet and confirmed that he was going to Orbital Control.

As he walked in, the scene wasn't quite chaos but it was busy. The door slid open and a gruff individual who was shy a foot looked at Gryzzk coolly.

"Authorized personnel only. You lost there, Cap'n?"

Gryzzk lifted his head slightly. "Apologies sir. But I am here to collect my wife Kiole and my eldest daughter Gro'zel."

There was an amused scent from the guard. "Congratulations. The light gods favor you, it seems."

Controllers were talking to ships entering and exiting the system, however it seemed that every moment when the controllers weren't talking to ships they were huddling with Gro'zel and Kiole.

Kiole seemed to be only somewhat at ease as she spoke to the controllers. As Gryzzk looked, a great deal of the personnel had small mementos and photos at their stations and these photos all had something to do with military service. He also watched as Gro'zel circulated, placing small pins on desks and shirts with a cheery smile.

Gryzzk cleared his throat after a moment. "Lady Kiole. We do have things to attend on the surface."

She seemed somewhat relieved, making a final round of farewells to the group before gathering Gro'zel and scooting them out to let them take care of their work - once outside, she spoke lowly.

"The Hurdop Ministry of Communication has been hard at work. While our worlds need heroes, I am not certain that I like being made a hero."

They passed along an array of shops geared for the weary space traveler, all bright lights and tempting scents that seemed built for the sole purpose of separating an individual from their money as efficiently as possible. Finally they were able to get to the shuttle area, passing a youth with fresh dirt still on his boots coming into the station while muttering under his breath about power converters with the scent of someone who wanted to be anywhere else.

The station shuttlebay was intensely crowded; part of it was because every ship that had working shuttlecraft would offer passenger service to the ground for a small fee - all this meant that there were a dozen different types and sizes of shuttles in the bay that were all waiting for a passenger and a destination.

"Papa, why can't we take one of Rosie's shuttles?" Gro'zel seemed a touch overwhelmed by the unfamiliar designs and moved herself between Gryzzk and Kiole.

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"Because right now, Rosie's a little sick and we need to make sure we can pay for the repairs - so all of Rosie's shuttles are a little busy at the moment. As well as the shuttles from the other ship that came with us. Plus, we get to see what another shuttle looks like." Gryzzk pointed at a smaller one that appeared to have a Hurdop pilot. "Like that one. Only needs to be big enough for the three of us."

Gro'zel nodded, but she was still uncertain as they looked over the other shuttles. "Okay..."

Given that it was a Hurdop shuttle, Kiole was the one who made the negotiation; surprisingly it was a very short negotiation. The oddest part was that the pilot dropped them off right outside what a sign declared was Eterina Acres. It seemed somewhat similar to Gryzzk's old home on Vilantia in some respects. The plants looked cared-for, but they were sparse and heavily augmented with irrigation systems. It was almost like they'd taken the hydroponics system from the Twilight Rose and applied it to the entire area.

A few of the field hands had looked up as the shuttle dropped them off, calling to the house with a chittering whistle that sounded familiar, but at the same time the cadence was off. It was something Gryzzk would probably never get used to unless he settled to become A'kifab's neighbor. Which was a whole different thing to occupy his thoughts as he walked with Gro'zel and Kiole down a well-trodden path to see Kifab and Eterina coming up to greet them.

Gro'zel tore away from the adults, racing toward Kifab with the speed only a child or professional athlete could muster - Kifab seemed to brace himself as the little girl gave him a swift kick to the shin and started flailing her fists into his midsection, crying and shouting incoherently as Eterina moved herself to a safer position.

To his credit, Kifab stood there looking almost penitent as Gryzzk and Kiole hurried to catch up to their daughter, with Kiole getting there first and lifting Gro'zel up even as she was howling venom at him.

"He...everyone was there! And they were mean and they didn't stop until we were gone!"

Kiole's voice was soft and reassuring. "I know. But then when we came back later they were different, right?"

There was a soft nod. "...yes."

"And everyone was happy when they saw you had Papa and Mama and me to take care of you."

"Uh-huh."

"So now, when I put you down, you're going to..."

Gro'zel wiped away angry tears. "M'not gonna hit him."

"Very good. Now, come take a walk with me, because Papa has Papa things to talk about. We should discover what Lady Eterina has planned."

Kiole whisked Gro'zel away and looked to regard Kifab and Eterina. Kifab had changed as well. His scent was healthier, and his eyes seemed to have a glow about them.

Gryzzk leaned in for a deep inhale. "My Lord, Hurdop seems to agree with you."

There was a broad smile in return. "Parts of it in any event. I would like to give Gro'zel something later." Kifab's voice had changed, seeming to have picked up certain accents from Hurdop. "And it seems that there are parts of Hurdop that you also find agreeable."

"Well, yes. Many of the company are. Kiole is...not Grezzk, but an equal treasure."

There was a soft laugh from Eterina as she rested her hand on her stomach. "So it would seem. Come then, Freelord. My husband has been quite anxious to show you a few things. We've been researching items of interest with our planets."

They settled on the porch, with Gryzzk catching a slightly familiar scent that disappeared.

Kifab settled with his tablet on a soft-ish bench. "So...at the heart of all this that you see is the Hurdop...well, the whole reason we've had so many wars with them over the centuries."

Gryzzk cocked his head. "Farms?"

"Farms and what comes from farms. Food. Hurdop is lacking in certain minerals that make plant growth viable; even the base algae that we use for protein packs are in short supply relative to our numbers. For many years there've been programs through the Hurdop Ministry of Food and Wildlife to adapt species and find ways to bring those elements to the land. Not entirely successful, and as a result the privateering arms came into play. In any event, they've been working with their strengths to shore up their weaknesses - just like we have." There was a slight headshake. "A meaningful percentage of the Vilantian Navy used engines and parts from Hurdop. Which, while something of an open secret in the Vilantian Ministry of War is not something they speak of openly." A chuff of amusement followed. "But it is something of a bragging point in the Hurdop war councils."

Gryzzk noted his old lord regaining some of his youthful exuberance as Kifab continued. "But now with the wars being concluded, and our worlds being...more at an equilibrium, we're finding new ways to farm. Hydroponic gel-packs, nutrient cakes, and well, this last item is something of a pet project of mine. You see, the first settlers on Hurdop brought some of the native life from Vilantia; specifically the peljara."

There was a slight chuff of amusement. "Is my friend going back into making wine?"

Gryzzk received a headshake in reply. "No, that life is...not mine anymore. In any event, Hurdop peltine has a different consistency to it. While it doesn't ferment to wine very well, it can be used to craft a rum that the Terrans seem to like. Something I believe your company would appreciate."

"Perhaps we'll have to take an amount on for shipping." Gryzzk was slightly amused as he replied to Kifab's soft sales pitch. "But first, I have something for you, Lord." Gryzzk opened the satchel and brought out the bottle of wine and piece of bark from not long ago as time was marked, but a very long time ago as life was lived. Kifab's scent changed, from a surprised to almost joyful weeping scent.

"I would share this with you. But I would have a request to make of you as well. That the choice you gave me with this? I ask that you also give that choice to my daughter, and her mother. I ask you as my friend, who would like to see two families be friends one day."

Kifab looked down, first at his hands, then at the tree-bark from Gryzzk, and then finally the bottle of brightwine. "You shame me with this request. I should have asked that your family join you in this." He lowered his voice slightly. "I am glad to see that one of us was paying attention during Tutor A'Velia's lessons on lordship."

"That would have been you, my friend."

"Mmm. I recited the words that were expected of me. You embody those words." Kifab looked at the bottle as a servant brought out two small glasses along with a small case and waited for further instruction.

Kifab glanced up at the servant. "Otrie, please find miss Kiole and Gro'zel."

The servant nodded, hurrying as the Hurdop sun went down lower in the sky. Gryzzk looked out at the approaching sunset, watching the color hues change. Kifab leaned in conspiratorially.

"This. This has become my favorite part of the day." Kifab, shifted to lean into Eterina quietly.

As Gro'zel and Kiole approached, the color shifted dramatically with a line of green flame seeming to leap from the ground itself as if marking the passage of the land from day to night in some way. For the Vilantians it was a dramatic thing. The Hurdop were somewhat less moved.

"My twilight warrior, that is a sunset." Kiole's voice was calm as she saw the commonplace for her.

"One that I've never seen. How many haven't seen this? A green sunset? Miss Delia will faint when she sees such a thing."

"Curious." Kiole cocked her head slightly. "They're all beautiful."

Kifab chuckled softly. "They are, but for those of us not born here they are especially beautiful." He paused for a moment before turning to Gro'zel, his tone shifting slightly. "Miss. Once I was...as unkind as a Lord could be to both you and your mother. I can't undo what was done. But I can ask your forgiveness. A foolish act, by a foolish Lord. Such an act may take a great amount of time to forgive."

Kifab opened the case, revealing the other half of the tree bark. "You were very young when Lady A'Kefab left us. But this is from the tree we planted with her." Kifab took it and broke two pieces from it. "These are for you and your mother. When each of you can stand near me and speak with me and forgive my poor acts, you may contact me and we may...reunite these, so that our hearts are those of friends. And then perhaps there will be something to drink as well."

Gro'zel looked at them with conflict. "I'll do it. But I still want to kick you in the leg again."

"I know that you do." Kifab's eyes were misted a bit, and his scent spoke of restraint. "But please, I hope you don't mind if your father and I have a glass of wine and speak of old days. I don't get such opportunities to receive visitors these days."

Gro'zel frowned. "I suppose..." She sniffed at the wine before looking up to Kiole. "It tastes warm. I kind of like it, but I kind of don't. It made me feel silly too."

Kiole shot Gryzzk a curious look. "And when precisely did she have opportunity to drink wine?"

Gryzzk poured out two glasses of wine and handed one to his former lord. "Shortly before I told her not to tell her mother. It was a very special occasion." The two glasses were touched and then the contents savored by both for a long moment. It was a wordless moment as the dynamic seemed to shift yet again as it had before; from lord and servant to paired exiles and now finally to equals after a fashion.

There were snickers from Eterina and Kifab as they settled in closely together. After a beat Kiole and Gro'zel settled with Gryzzk, with Gro'zel settling herself on a lap formed by Gryzzk's left leg and Kiole's right. Kiole's scent sharpened as there was a flash of purple that traced the horizon for a bare moment, so fast Gryzzk almost doubted he'd actually seen it.

"Lady warrior?"

"That flash of color - legend has it that a great thing will be born this night." There was a light shudder. "I've seen it twice before. Once the day before the war began, and again the day before I met you, Twilight Warrior."

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