Han marveled at the eloquence of the kids. At their age she was singing simple kids songs and making fart jokes.
“He only wants to talk to me,” Han said, seeing an opportunity to talk Malsum into leaving her and the kids alone. “We’ll stay in sight.”
Reluctantly the two stayed and let Han and Malsum move far enough away to speak privately. Before she could say a word, Malsum knelt in front of her and spoke rapidly.
“My empire has lost its way. I was raised to understand that slavery was anathema to Talin values, and yet they decided it doesn’t count with humans. I know they call all of you pets, but it’s still slavery with a polite title. You’re a sapient being who deserves the same respect as any other sapient species. I’m leaving the cresh tomorrow. I can hide you until then. I’m being sent to study under a prominent geologist, but I could smuggle you on the ship taking me to her. When it docks at Donlet Station, I could get us on a different ship. I’ve heard the Ilgorian Federation is safe. We could go there.” He pulled in a deep breath. “I could make sure you never wear a collar again.”
Han’s jaw dropped. This wasn’t even on her list of possibilities of things Malsum could’ve said.
“Sometimes the universe helps you out,” she murmured with a little shake of her head. This guy was about Tumoro’s age and just as foolishly wonderful!
“Does that mean you want me to help you?” he asked.
“In a way,” she said. “Just to clarify, if you helped me escape, what would happen to you?”
“I become a criminal and I can never return to the empire,” he said. “But that’s a small price to pay in exchange for a clean conscience. I wouldn’t be worthy to enter the Domicile of Souls when I die if I don’t do the correct thing while I’m alive.”
“Then I’m happy to tell you, this is a lie,” she said, pointing to her collar. Putting her fingers in the right place, it clicked, and she pulled it apart to show him she could take it off herself.
“What is going on?” Malsum asked.
“It’s complicated, but the thing I need right now is to get myself and these two,” she pointed over her shoulder at Rishmun and Lirsum, “to the port.”
Malsum was silent for a few seconds before sounding a rumble of agreement. “I can do that, but we’ll need to move fast. The midday market will be starting soon, and many individuals will be outside, especially around the port.”
Han looked at the kids. They were about half her size. “I can carry one of them if you can carry the other.”
“I’ll carry both,” Malsum said. “We need to go now!”
Turning, Han rushed back to the kids with Malsum right behind her. “We’re still leaving, but Malsum’s going to help us!”
Malsum sounded a rumble of agreement as he scooped them up and set off at a run. Taken by surprise, Han had to sprint to catch up.
Damn, this sucked! She was built for strength, not speed. Wheezing, she barely kept up with Malsum, and he was carrying over a hundred pounds of children.
Maybe she should add more cardio to her workouts?
Nah, because when was the next time she was going to be in this situation? Hopefully never!
Malsum led them on a zig-zag path to the port, sticking to narrow streets and back alleys. Wow, Talins had really clean back allies. Except for the occasional plant trying to grow through ground plating, they were without any trash or detritus that usually accumulated in places rarely frequented.
“We’re almost there,” Malsum said.
Han couldn’t talk; everything she had was going into keeping up with Malsum. If she could, she might have cussed at him a little for being able to speak as if he weren’t exerting himself at all.
They were doing great until they turned a corner and literally ran into three Talins. Han bounced off one of them and landedpainfully on her ass. Malsum barreled through another one, but stopped when he realized Han wasn’t behind him.
Han scrambled to her feet, but was quickly grabbed by the Talin she’d hit. “What is a human doing here?”
“I heard someone arrived to visit their children at the cresh and they had a human,” one of the Talins getting to their feet said.
The third Talin pointed to where Malsum was standing. “But what about them?”
Malsum set the children down and tucked them behind him. “I’m escorting Human Han to her owner. These are his children. They wanted to see his ship.”
Han wanted to applaud Malsum's composure. It was always better to try to talk yourself out of a situation first.
Trying to pull free from the Talin holding her, Han made her voice high pitched and whiny. “Let go, I want my master!”
