It wasn’t like she had a choice. They had to load the ship to capacity with EMF rods if they were going to get to Morgual, deliver the spiders, and make it back to Cassan without using an ER Bridge. If they had to jump, there was the potential they would miss the delivery deadline anyway. Despite the work that had been done over hundreds of galactic years to stabilize bridge travel, there was always the possibility time would shift.
Cyra entered the shop. A once-blue counter with a thick protective clear barrier, three tattered chairs, and a beverage maker that burped the occasional wisp of smoke, filled the cramped space. Veda lingered near the door, scarf still clutched to her nose and mouth even though the smell wasn’t nearly as bad inside the shop. Cyra cleared her throat and approached the glass barrier between the customer area and a cluttered office space.
A giant of a man rose and stepped forward. Hair covered every visible surface, even his snubbed nose, and his muscles had clusters of muscles layered on top. “Can I help you? Directions?”
His bass voice was soft, coaxing. Cyra dropped her shoulders and blew out a reluctant breath. Last chance. “I’m not lost. In fact, I was directed here. I need…I need help.”
The giant glanced around her, looking for what she didn’t know.
“I need fuel for my ship. I was told to ask for Gareth.”
“That’s me.” His brow wrinkled. “You have a ship, but you don’t have a fuel supplier?”
“It’s a recent acquisition. I’m told you’ll work on credit.”
He stepped back and crossed his arms. “Maybe.”
“That went better than I expected.” Veda trotted behind Cyra.
She should slow her steps for her friend, but couldn’t suppress her urgency to get back to her ship and as far away from Gareth as possible. Yes, they had fuel. On credit. But only half of what they needed and at twice the price once the cost of the credit was calculated. At least he hadn’t asked for sexual favors like some of the fuelers had once they found out who she was. Varik had truly gassed the atmosphere around her, and gossip traveled through Cassan faster than light speed. Everyone loved a dirty story, especially if it was at least partially true.
She sighed and slowed her stride. It wasn’t Veda’s fault she was in this situation. “Hungry?”
“Starved.” Veda puffed out between panting breaths.
They’d missed standard meal time, but they should be able to find something on the way back to the ship. Which only highlighted her next problem. Food. If she purchased raw preserved ingredients, her minimal credits would go a lot farther. But they might starve because their cooking would be inedible. If they bought synth stuff to generate and reheat, they would eat, but not for long. Maybe they could learn to cook or learn not to taste. They stopped at one of the many shopping-district stands—nooks in the wall—for a bowl of noodles.
“I’m buying.” Veda pushed Cyra aside with a well-placed hip bump and tapped her embedded GID over the payment scanner.
Cyra closed her eyes and sighed. “Thanks.”
“You know, you offered Blaize a partnership, but not me. There something you’re not telling me?”
“What?” Cyra gaped at her stiff backed friend who stared at the food-stall vendor as he slid their portions into biodegradable bowls.
Veda took the food and led them to a narrow bench in a cluster of mostly empty seating. “Are you planning to replace me? I know I’ve been a junior medic as long as you’ve known me, but that was because we had Doc. He’s been training me all this time.” Veda jutted her chin out. “I can do the job.”
Cyra touched her friend’s shoulder. “I could never—would never—replace you. It didn’t occur to me you wanted to be a partner or even that you weren’t. I can’t imagine doing this without you.”
Veda stared at her for a long moment then nodded. “Good. Then you’ll let me pay for the food for our trip and you’ll give me the same contract you’re giving Blaize. But without the provision for the single trip. I want our partnership in writing. I don’t want anyone to question my position on this ship.”
“Done. And you know I would never let anyone get away with questioning your skills or your importance.”
Veda pulled the lid from her dish and wrapped the steaming noodles around her chopsticks. “Things happen. I only want it in writing to make sure what happened with you and Captain Auvi doesn’t happen to me.”
“I’m glad you said something. It was an oversight, an assumption, on my part. I need you. Besides the food, I need you to speak up when I’m making a mistake. I need you to keep being my dearest, most honest friend, as well as my partner onThe Treasure.” Cyra pressed her lips together to keep from gushing about how important Veda was to her. She’d messed up not recognizing that she’d offered Blaize, who was a stranger, something she hadn’t offered Veda.
“Of course.” Veda nodded and stuffed the bundle of noodles in her mouth as if they hadn’t just been on the precipice of a ruined friendship all because Cyra wasn’t thinking.
Cyra ate. Grateful that she’d kept her friend and at least had fuel to deliver the spiders. And food for the trip. If they could find a navigator in the next cycle, they just might be able to saveThe Treasureand form a working transport business.
Cyra and Veda met Doc on the dock as he was leaving.
“We got provisions. Not that you care much about that,” Veda told him with a teasing tone.
“I care, I just won’t be joining you for many more meals. You know I’ll miss you.” Doc patted Veda’s shoulder.
“I know.” Veda’s sadness dripped from her words.
