Si'len and Be'na
Chapter One
Si'len stood by the open cargo bay of his ship and watched as his crew finished loading the various boxes and containers, or as he had heard Terrans call it, his 'bread and butter'.
He had distinct displeasure traveling to this planet, but he was a shipping merchant. That has been so in his family for four generations, and this was part of the job. This was the only life he had ever known, and on occasions it has brought him a great deal of profit and satisfaction. He thought of the recent shipment of medicines to Kyno that he heard had halted a terrible epidemic. His ship, Abru'le (upward) had just been refitted and he calculated that with his normal routine, and no accidents, he could probably go for another five years with no problems.
No one looking at the tall, handsome, straight-backed Vulcan male would have guessed his true age. He was, in the Vulcan world just coming out of adolescence. Under the most trying of circumstances a Vulcan lived to be well into their two hundredth year, some even have passed three hundred. The only thing an aged Vulcan might feel threatened by was the Bendi Syndrome, a degenerating disease that robbed a Vulcan of all logic and reduced a Vulcan male to the emotional level of a deranged Terran.
Silen had never set foot on Vulcan, nor had anyone in his family for four generations. From what he was told as a young child, very few if any of his family were alive on Vulcan, and if they were there, they would not have a clue as to who he and his family were. His family considered themselves, 'citizens of space.' He had been educated in The Vulcan Way and trained as a healer by his father and grandfather on this very ship.
S'Mat, his first officer approached his captain. Their relationship was not based on formalities and he did not address Si'len with the title of captain. He simply said,
"Si'len, we are loaded and ninety-nine percent of the cargo area has been used."
He handed Si'lin the three PAADs that he had used to check off the shipment that was to be delivered, which listed the items and their value, the second showed what had been loaded, shipping cost were shown on the third one. Payment for some of the items were made at their source others would be paid upon delivery. S'Mat had made the distinction well documented on the third PAAD. Now came, for Si'len, the unpleasant part of this stop, visiting Grup's 'den'.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Si'len made his way from the loading dock, down the narrow streets that became filthier the closer he got to his destination. He raised his eyes as he got closer and saw the lit sign, 'Grup's' that indicated the place of business was open and the owner was present, so he went in through the open door. He knew he would find his customer and thus his payment over to the side in the shadows of the back area, surrounded with his own type of vermin.
Fortunately, this was a quiet time in Grup's place of business. Since breakfast was never served here, the morning might see a few intoxicated bodies lying around, holdovers from the previous night.
Si'len held his robes close to his body, hoping that nothing he passed would be touched by his clothing. The finalizing of any business with Grup This was always an unpleasant situation. The sights, sounds and smells of this place of business, which could best be described as restaurant, bar and even brothel, was always an attack on his Vulcan sensitivities. Si'len looked toward the area that Grup usually conducted business and saw his usual group of cronies—all dressed in an excess of everything, scarves, flashy jewelry, outlandishly tailored suits, and shoes designed for their various species' feet.
As usual, his ship's stop had a dual nature, he dropped off some items and picked up others. The finalization of business was one of checks and minuses. Of course, an individual whose 'business' was hanging on by a thin thread to compliance of this planet's legal requirements certainly did not trust anyone to finalize anything where credits were concerned. After the delivered items were matched against the picked-up ones, the balance was to be settled with credits.
His first officer, S'Mat was very thorough, especially on a stop such as this. He was fully aware of Grup's reputation as a cheat and liar so he documented everything. However, Si'len reputation was spotless, he was known as a captain who delivered his cargo safely and on time. This had always worked in his favor for he always had a full cargo ship. Based on word of mouth, his business was a successful one.
It took a great deal planning and communication to make that good reputation stick. In addition, regular cargo pickup and delivery, S'Mat also handled food supplies, water and fuel. There were six men that helped with loading and unloading. The next planet where they would stop would be Celtus II a far more pleasing place to stop. The ship will probably stay at that port for a week to give everyone some well-deserved rest. Even Si'len thought of how welcome this time would be. As a matter of fact this was one of the planets, one of the few places that he did not find himself assisting with the loading and unloading of cargo to expedite the delivery. But before that period of non-work, there were still quite a few deliveries to be made to several mining asteroids and space stations.
He checked the time and realized there was not much time before Second Meal. S'Mat's bondmate, T'Mar was the ship's cook and as a slightly reformed V'tosh ka'tur she was fully capable of unpleasant remarks if they were ever late for her well-prepared meals.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0
As Si'len got closer to Grup he noticed movement under the cloth covered table where Grup and his group sat, the response to that activity was a resounding kick followed by a sharp outcry and a subsequent moan.
Si'len deposited the three PAADs on the table and Grup took them up to read. As he read, his lips were moving, an action that Si'len found most unpleasant, like someone chewing with their mouth open. Grup leaned back in his chair with his hands clasped behind his head, his outstretched legs were crossed at the ankle. Si'len was fully aware of what would come next…an effort to not make a payment at all.
"My friend…"
Si'len knew he was not Grup's friend, and had no desire to become such, but his singular position as the only transfer station on this planet and a place that was always accommodating in supplying his ship's needs, made him not move to correct him so Si'len continued to listen.
"…this is such a paltry sum, nothing to quibble about. To show my good faith let me present you with a little present. He reached under the table grabbed a handful of hair and dragged out a grunting, furious female. She was dressed in rags that barely concealed her body, was filthy, her hair matted, and she was snarling. Again, Si'len was addressed as 'friend' which certainly did not describe the business relationship that Si'len had with Grup who who continued,
"You know this planet's punishment for murder, physical damage to a person or rape are really quite clear…execution. However, It has not happened in years. The message went out that the punishment was being drawn and quartered. It has certainly acted as a deterrent. If that were not the case I would have put this one out of MY misery. She refuses to submit, to go peacefully and willingly to her fate. She has threatened to castrate any male who comes near her. We have taken her threat seriously and she has no value to me or my 'business'. When cleaned up she is quite a beauty, take a look at that body and take my word for it.
If you have no use for her, she could get you a good price at any slave market in the quadrant, several times more than this amount I owed you and look I will make a note that this transaction's amount is to be added to your next payment."
Grup brought his foot up and again kicked the female soundly. Her response was a grunt. Si'len realized that the female's actions were her attempts to defend herself. Up until that realization he had decided to decline Grup's offer but then nodded to indicate his acceptance.
Placing his finger on the line to indicate where Grup should sign, Si'len insisted that he note that he had also received an unnamed female as NOT a part of the payment. Once these were signed Si'len pressed the button that sent copies to Grup's com unit.
Grup grinned and said,
"Once you get her cleaned up she is quite capable of general cleaning and cooking. I doubt you will ever be able to get her to service you, if you know what I mean, but thank you for taking her off my hands. Licking his lips he then said,
"It would have been a pleasure for me to have introduced her to my 'world.'"
Grup shoved her toward Si'len,
Then in explanation for her appearance Grup said,
"She has been locked up for one moon cycle on a limited ration, just thought I would let you know. The man she injured is still recuperating. I could not report it because of certain circumstances that might put me and my business in a detrimental light."
While Grup had been talking, Si'len formulated a plan; at the next planet stop he would leave her at a place of safety. As she was pushed toward Si'len she turned and spat in the general direction of her tormentor and then ran toward the door.