Chapter Five
The days passed peacefully and happily for Kyle, Sophie and Sam. Every day, Sophie would help Sam with walking, which became easier with each passing day. Sam would also help Kyle and Sophie with their aqua-farm and gave them a few recipes to try with their wonderful bounty.
One day, Sophie heard the soft sound of bells from their living room as she entered. Kyle was out in the greenhouse, sowing some new seeds and watering. Curious, she looked in and saw Sam, standing and trying to keep standing as she moved her hips, the belt at her hips giving a wonderful music as the tiny bells jingled.
Sophie came closer and watched. When Sam almost stumbled, her tail shot out, catching her before she could hit the floor. Sam was a little startled. She looked up as Sophie twitched the end of her tail at her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Sophie. I didn't hear you." Sophie gave a soft moan as she helped Sam to stand.
Sophie grabbed her touch-pad and began to type:
WHAT ARE YOU DOING, SAM? Sam looked a little flustered and even embarrassed.
"Before I was paralyzed, I used to dance. I never had the heart to get rid of this belt, even if I couldn't use it . . ." Sam lovingly stroked the belt. "My Grandma gave me this. It was made a long time ago on Earth, in India, before it was destroyed by the ocean." Sophie gave a soft moan as she looked at the pretty belt.
I HAVE DANCED WITH KYLE. IT WAS NICE. YOU DANCE VERY WELL. Sam looked surprised, and smiled at her friend.
"Thanks, Sophie." Sophie nodded her head.
HOLD MY TAIL. Sam looked surprised. Sophie smiled at her. I WILL HELP YOU TO STAND WHILE YOU DANCE. Sam blinked. She smiled as she took hold of Sophie's tail and closed her eyes, letting her mind flow with her body, unmindful of falling.
Sophie watched as her friend danced in such a beautiful, flowing way. Sophie purred as she followed the movement of Sam's hips, listening to the music and rhythm of the bells. Although foreign and unusual, there was something beautiful about the dance that Sophie liked. When Sam stopped, she was a little winded, but all smiles. She looked at Sophie, who smiled back. VERY BEAUTIFUL. CAN YOU TEACH ME? Sam was surprised, but smiled and nodded.
Kyle sighed as he came into the house. With the spring weather beginning to turn into summer, the weather was perfect for planting his tomatoes. As he neared the living room, he heard the soft sound of bells jingling. Kyle blinked. He could feel great amusement from Sophie's mind, and wondered what was up. As he looked into the living room, he stopped and stared, awed at what he was seeing.
Sam was standing, without help from Sophie, who stood next to her. Sam was shaking her hips in a rhythm, the bells jingling and making a beautiful music, but that was not what had his rapt attention.
Sophie was performing the same motions, her hips swaying and moving with grace no human could match. Her tail flowed in a undulating manner that was jaw-dropping. She followed the movements Sam did exactly, but with an even greater grace. Kyle had heard about belly dancing, but had never actually seen it himself. Sophie's movements flowed with sinuous grace and beauty.
Kyle was unaware that his mouth hung open as he watched his mate.
Sophie may not have had breasts like a human female, but she certainly had curves.
Sophie's hips and backside were not lacking in feminine curves, and flowed perfectly with the swiveling movements of her hips.
Sophie was fully aware of her mate's presence, and the effect the dance was having on him, and she smiled, purring softly as she swirled her tail sensually. She lightly caressed his mind with hers, the thoughts warm and inviting. She could smell his scent change as his face flushed. Had she possessed eyes, she would have winked at him.
It made Sophie happy to know her form was pleasing to her mate. She let her delighted feelings flow across their link as she danced. Sophie flicked her tail, almost cracking it like a whip, an audible "swish" was heard as Sophie looked over her shoulder at him, her lips turning upwards as she smiled at him.
Wait until tonight, my love . . . When Sam stopped and looked, she saw Kyle and his reddened face as he looked at Sophie. Sam couldn't help a giggle.
"Zerichs to Kyle." Sam teased lightly. Kyle shook his head, his eyes looking glazed and Sam couldn't hold back a laugh.
Sam shared her experience and some of her background with Kyle and Sophie over lunch.
Sam's ancestry was from Kashmir and Delhi. Belly dancing had been a tradition in her family for many hundreds of years. Kyle was surprised, but happy to learn that it was a celebration of femininity and childbirth. Sophie purred at the idea. Kyle was surprised and delighted when Sam told them about some of her ancestors, who had been a troupe of traveling female dancers who traveled on a boat after the oceans rose and destroyed many parts of India. Sophie gave a sad moan as she smelled Sam's scent change as she mentioned boats. She looked sad.
Kyle, tell her about tomorrow.
Kyle smiled as he set his tea down.
"By the way, we have to go into Zeraven tomorrow. I have to drop by Morgan's Gallery, and I thought we could hook your boat up and drop it off at a dry-dock and have it looked at." Sam blinked as she stared at Kyle.
"Morgan's Gallery?" Morgan's was a very exclusive and eminent gallery of fine artwork that was only open to the public a few days out of the month. Sam had always wanted to go, but had never been able to. Kyle smiled as he sipped his tea.
"Yes. I have some things I have to do, and I thought you might like to tag along. We'd be going in the back, but-" Sam was almost out of her chair with excitement.
"No! I'd love to go!" Kyle's smile grew and Sophie purred.
"Okay, then. Tomorrow, after breakfast, we'll hook up your boat and go in." Sam almost seemed to twitch with excitement. Kyle and Sophie both shared a smile as Sam helped them to clear the table. With an exciting day ahead, they all went to bed.
The next morning, Kyle awoke to the wonderful, beautiful scent of his mate and smiled. There was no other smell like it in the whole universe. If he were blind, he would be able to recognize her by her wonderful, unique smell. The closest he could come to describing it was a musk, but the most pleasant, calming one imaginable. Sophie's scent always put Kyle at ease. The young blonde moaned softly as two soft lips gently caressed the sensitive flesh of his neck.
Good morning, Kyle. Kyle smiled as he turned in his mate's grip, delighting in the warmth of her as he returned the kiss. Sophie purred as they drank in the warmth as they held each other, physically and mentally.
Good morning, love of my life. They enjoyed the warmth and closeness for a while longer before they got up.
Kyle wasn't too surprised that Sam was already up, but he was surprised to find breakfast already waiting for them. Kyle blinked as he and Sophie approached the table, already set. Sam poked her head out of the kitchen and smiled broadly at them.
"Morning, you two! Breakfast will be ready in a minute." Kyle blinked as Sophie purred.
How nice . . . Kyle couldn't help a chuckle as he took his seat.
The fare Sam served was wonderful. She had learned from Kyle and Sophie, and incorporated her own tastes into the dishes, which were delightful. The breakfast was wonderful, but they all were eager to get a start on the day.
No sooner were the dishes in the sink, than they headed for the spire where the Talon was docked. Sam strapped into a chair as Kyle started up the engines and the craft lifted off and slowly hovered over the ground, slowly making its way over Sam's boat. Kyle sighed as he looked up and flipped a few switches.
"Okay, engaging magna-lines. Hold on, this'll shake us a bit . . ." Kyle warned as the lines extended down from the bottom of the ship and latched onto Sam's boat with a heavy, metallic clunk.
The Talon rocked slightly as the lines attached. Kyle flipped another switch and the winches began to whir as they pulled Sam's boat up off the ground and close to the hull of the Talon. Kyle looked at the screens and checked readings. A green image of the ship, and Sam's boat was clearly visible on the screen. Kyle smiled. "Okay, we're locked. Let's get going."
Kyle gently pulled on the controls and the ship turned slowly to the west as he engaged the engines. Sam watched as the trees began to speed underneath them, before vanishing, being replaced by the blue of the ocean. Sam looked up and stared at the ocean and sighed happily. The sun was shining and the sea was glittering.
Kyle smiled and Sophie purred from her seat next to Kyle. As he piloted, Kyle glanced at Sam out of the corner of his eyes and smiled before turning his attention back to the flightpath ahead. "So, do you have an apartment you'd like us drop you off at, or would you mind staying with us a while longer?" Sam looked at Kyle and smiled.
"No. I lived on my ship. If you two don't mind-?"
"Not at all. Like Sophie said, you're welcome in our home." Sophie purred as she nodded. Sam smiled as their kindness.
"On that note, there are some people I would like to check in on, if you don't mind the detour." Kyle smiled and Sophie gave an inquisitive trill.
"Not at all. Just tell me where to go." Sam smiled.
"And I'd love to introduce them to you both." Kyle winced at that.
"Uh, that might be a bit of a problem . . ." Kyle looked at Sophie, who gave a low moan.
Sam blinked. Kyle glanced at Sam. "You and MacReady are the only people who know about Sophie, and, if you don't mind, we'd like to keep it that way." Sam furrowed her brows.
"I won't tell anyone, but why? They're very tolerant here. I doubt anyone would bat an eyelash after a day or two." Kyle sighed softly.
"It's not the locals I'm worried about, Sam. It's people off-world hearing about it." Sam frowned. "You have to remember that Weyland-Yutani is still looking to use Sophie's kind as weapons. If they ever found out Sophie was here, I have little doubt they would find a way to come in and try and take her away." Sophie hissed softly and wound her tail around Kyle. "And, of course there's the Nazis . . ." Sam shivered and Sophie growled. Sam nodded.
"I understand." Kyle headed off the uncomfortable silence that was forming.
"So, who do you need to check in on?" Sam smiled.
"I have several friends who I bet are worried, even if Mac told them." Kyle nodded.
"No problem. Where would you like to go, first?" Sam smiled softly.
"Well, how would you like to visit a pub just for locals and have some genuine Fish & Chips?" Sam asked shyly. Kyle smiled and Sophie purred.
"That sounds great." Sam beamed.
"Oh, you'll love it. You have to meet Barnabas." Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"Barnabas?" Sophie tilted her head. Sam told Kyle and Sophie about the Bar-Master of the Old Lantern pub, and how he kept an ear out for info and even interceded quietly on some occasions when unscrupulous local merchants tried to cheat new emigrants. That got Kyle and Sophie's attention.
"Wait a minute. He didn't tell the Merchant's Guild about a land-deal two years ago, did he?" Kyle asked. Sam stared at him with incredulous eyes.
"How did you-?" Sam stared as Kyle smiled. She blinked as Sophie purred, and not at all quietly, more a self-satisfied rumble.
"That was you two?!" Sam was floored.
Two years ago, Barnabas had heard about a sleazy local merchant who was laughing up his sleeve about selling an uninhabited plot of land to a new emigrant. There were rumors that this land was inhabited by dangerous introduced animals. A quick call to the Port Authorities showed that it was no rumor, and someone had been hurt.
As a result, the Merchant's Guild revoked the merchant's trading license and he was Blacklisted, which was far worse than being jailed or physically punished. Sam had also heard that the buyer's money had been returned. She looked at Kyle and smiled.
"God, I'm glad you two are okay." Kyle nodded and Sophie hissed softly. Sam was stunned by this revelation. "What happened?" Sophie hissed at this and tightened her hold on Kyle.
"Let's not talk about that right now. Let's have a good day." Sam nodded.
Kyle smiled when an island came into view. Not just any island, but the largest island and landmass on all of Zerichs II.
Zemura Island was the largest island, home to the capital city of Zeraven and the main hub of activity on Zerichs II.
It was about the size of California in the Former United States, Earth. Most of the island was grassland, but there were some deeply wooded parts that had been left undeveloped and untouched.
The so-called "Jewel of Zerichs" was an amazing island, known and loved by many.
As they flew closer, Sam smiled at the sight of Zeraven. The city was not big by any standards.
Since the world population of Zerichs II was only about 25 million, large cities were not needed, or wanted.
The highest building in Zeraven was only ten stories, as opposed to the nine-hundred-story skyscrapers of Thedus or Earth. The city was also one of the cleanest in colonized space, if not the cleanest.
The inhabitants of Zerichs II had always cherished the world they lived on, and prided themselves on taking good care of it. There were no open sewers or dumping garbage into the sea, no pollution or smog. Sam smiled as she looked at the southwestern part of the city, where buildings were not only built on the top of a cliff, but into the side as well. At night, the cliffs would come alive with lights.
Kyle set the autopilot as they entered the airspace surrounding the city, and the ship piloted itself towards the northern end of the harbor. Sam watched as the ship came in over the dry-dock spaces and slowly began to lower the Bogart to the ground below. Sam felt the ship rock ever so slightly as the boat was set on the ground and the magnetic towlines disengaged and retracted. Kyle smiled at Sam as he reset the autopilot for the docking port. "Well, that's taken care of. Let's land." Sam nodded.
They slowly came in and landed evenly at the dock. Kyle sighed as he turned off the engines and did a quick check before unbuckling and grabbing his jacket. As Sam got into her wheelchair, she looked at Sophie, who gave a low moan.
"I wish you could come with us, Sophie." Kyle smiled as Sam hugged her friend. Sophie purred gently as she returned the embrace. Sophie then turned to Kyle, gently wrapping her arms and tail around him as she purred deeply. He softly kissed her on the lips.
"See you in a bit, darling." Sophie stroked his face and smiled before releasing him. Kyle sighed as he and Sam left the ship, while Sophie slipped away to hide in the cargo bay.
Outside, a gentle breeze blew as Sam and Kyle exited the ship. Kyle smiled as he looked at her.
"Well, where to first?" Sam blinked.
"Uh, why don't you take care of the gallery first?" Kyle smiled and led the way.
The city was alive with the sounds of conversation and laughter as people went about their daily business. In some ways, it almost felt strange for Sam to be back. She was so absorbed as she looked around, she almost ran into Kyle when he stopped.
"Here we are." Sam looked up at Morgan's Gallery. She had seen about art shows there, but had never been able to go. Either from a lack of time, or money. Kyle smiled as he motioned for her to follow. Kyle led her through a small alleyway around back and up to a door with a keypad next to it.
Kyle entered a code and the light next to the door turned from red to green. Kyle held the door open for her. Sam was surprised at the inside. Kyle smiled and watched as she looked at the displays and pieces of artwork hanging on walls and displayed behind glass.
"Ah, Master Kyle. We've been expecting you," said an accented voice. Sam looked up at the well-dressed man.
He wore a silver double-breasted suit with a black vest underneath. His hair was white and he wore a very carefully trimmed and waxed mustache. Sam blinked as Kyle smiled.
"Hello, Terrance. Nice to see you again." Terrance smiled and nodded.
"Likewise." The older man looked at Sam, a kindly smile adorning his face. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Madam." Sam smiled shyly, unable to help a blush. Kyle smiled.
"This is Sam. She's a great fan of Trevor's works." Terrance smiled further at this.
"Ah, how marvelous. Those with appreciation for the arts are always welcome here." Sam smiled. "If you will follow me, Master Kyle, we shall put things in order." Kyle nodded and motioned for Sam to follow. They followed Terrance through the hallways to an area dominated by a large desk that was currently empty. "I shall return momentarily . . ." Kyle put his hands in his pockets as Terrance disappeared to another room.
"Wow . . ." Kyle looked over at Sam, who was staring at one of the statues on the shelves on either side of the hallway. As he came closer, he smiled, recognizing the work instantly. Sam stared, awed at the beautiful work of art before her. "The Flight of the Phoenix . . .," Sam breathed.
The statue was of a young Paleyan Phoenix, dazzling in its beauty, its wings spread as it was about to fly. The colors glistening and sparkling in the iridescent way of a rainbow. It was absolutely lifelike in it's attention to detail. It looked as if it was about to take wing and fly away. Sam was awestruck as she stared at the beautiful statue.
She stared in childlike wonder and awe as she looked at the statue from different angles, tilting her head and watching with rapt amazement as the colors changed right before her eyes, like prisms in flight. Kyle smiled warmly as she looked at it. "Now I know why Barnabas fell in love with it . . ." Kyle raised an eyebrow and he felt Sophie's mind brush his, her mind awash with amusement.
Kyle's smile grew as Sophie gave him an idea. Kyle looked up just as Terrance returned.
"The arrangements are all made." Kyle smiled.
"Good. I also need a carrying case. Trevor has requested that Flight of the Phoenix be returned to his home." Terrance looked a little surprised, but not nearly as much as Sam, who stared at Kyle, her jaw hanging open.
"I shall return momentarily." As soon as Terrance was gone, Sam shook her head.
"Kyle, what are you doing?" Kyle just smiled at her as Terrance returned with a carrying case with a handle and helped Kyle to gently place the amazing statue into the padded case and Kyle locked it. Sam watched, awed as Kyle bid farewell to Terrance and they left. As soon as they were in the alleyway, Kyle turned to her.
"So, what was it you were saying about fish'n'chips?" he asked shyly, hunger stirring in his belly. Sam blinked, startled for a moment.
"Oh, right. Follow me." Kyle smiled. As they started down the sidewalk, Sam stopped and looked back at Kyle and the large case he held against his chest. "Um, shouldn't we take that back to the ship first?" Kyle smiled and shook his head.
"No. The place I need to deliver it to is on the way." Sam blinked before shaking her head.
Sam led Kyle down the streets until they came to an alleyway between two taller buildings near the harbor. There were no lights in the alley.
"Come on. It's down here." Kyle followed Sam down the dark alley until he saw a faint glow.
It was coming from an old oil lamp up next to a wooden sign. Kyle eyes widened as he read:
Old Lantern. Kyle noticed that it looked like the sign had been repaired at some point, and the first letter of the sign had been destroyed. He looked at the lantern that lit the sign and smiled as he and Sam entered the "Gold Lantern", as it had once been called.
As they entered, people looked up. The whole pub fell into complete silence. Kyle tensed.
He could vaguely feel Sophie's mind reach out to him, but they were just about at furthest distance which they could communicate. Suddenly, a cheered howl of welcome went up.
"Sam!" All at once the whole pub crowded around her, all talking at once and asking questions.
Kyle smiled from where he was standing. He looked to his right and saw a tall man with slicked-back brown hair polishing the bar with a rag. He looked at Kyle and gave a very light, lopsided smile. Kyle returned the smile. The tall man looked at the crowd and cleared his throat.
"All right, all right! Give the lady some room, will you?!" he hollered. At that they backed up, still smiling. Kyle kept his smile. Sam turned to Kyle and motioned for him to come in. The tall man motioned towards a table in a corner. Sam smiled and led Kyle to the table as people talked animatedly about Sam's return.
"Welcome to the Old Lantern." Kyle smiled as he placed the carrying case under the table.
"It's nice." Kyle looked around. The pub was warm and the lighting was dim, but it was far from uncomfortable. A large bay window dominated one wall, looking out at boats passing in the harbor. The tall man, Barnabas, arrived to take their order.
"My usual, and Fish & Chips with a Sea-Cider for my wonderful friend." Sam winked at Kyle. Barnabas gave a subtle smile and nodded before leaving to fill the order.
Kyle and Sam's order arrived in record time. Kyle was amazed at the wonderful fare.
The Sea-Cider, hot cider with honey, was one of the best drinks he had ever tasted. Kyle sighed contentedly as he finished the last of the cider.
"That was wonderful." Sam smiled.
"It's the least I could do after what you and Sophie have done for me." Kyle smiled. Sam sighed as she looked around at the people in the pub. Kyle noticed that there were only a few people left. Sam smiled as she looked over at the bar. Kyle looked, and Barnabas was motioning for them to follow him. Sam moved away from the table, and Kyle picked up the carrying case and followed.
Barnabas led them past the bar to the back. They went through a door, into the storehouse for the wines and ales and through another hallway before entering another room. Kyle was amazed at the fabulous, stately room they were standing in.
A wing-back chair sat elegantly, a small side-table next to it, an ashtray and a pipe sitting, ready to be used. Shelves of books lined almost every wall. The room was bathed in soft light from stained-glass lamps. In between the bookshelves, there were carved pedestals, backlit. Some of them had statues and other objects 'd art on them, but one was conspicuously empty. Kyle looked at a desk and smiled when he saw a gramophone.
Barnabas closed the carved door behind him and turned to look at Sam.
"Mac told me what happened, but I'm still glad to see you, Luv." Sam smiled at him. Barnabas looked at Kyle and gave a very subtle, lopsided smile. "And he told me about you, too, Kyle. I'm grateful to you for what you did for Sam." Kyle returned the smile. Listening to Barnabas' accent, made Kyle think of upper New London. Sam's face turned serious as she looked at Barnabas.
"So, what happened after I left?" Barnabas sighed as he related to Sam, and Kyle, how they had killed two of the Nazis, but had kept one alive and interrogated him. They had only obtained partial information, but that little made Barnabas' jaw tighten.
"From what we got, there is no doubt there are other Gerries crawling about, but damn it to pus-spewing, blood-gutted hell, a local is helping them!" Sam's eyes grew wide, as did Kyle's. Barnabas huffed as he crossed his arms. "They were meeting with this bounder somewhere between here and the spaceport." An uncomfortable tension settled in the room as Barnabas gave a soft sigh, looking like he had a headache.
He turned and picked up a decorative decanter, a glass and poured himself a drink.
Kyle recognized the smell of cognac. Sam looked at the bookcases, and her eyes settled on the empty niche. She smiled encouragingly as she looked back at Barnabas.
"On a lighter note, I'm playing delivery girl today." Barnabas looked up and Kyle smiled knowingly. "That empty niche has bothered me for years. So, I got you something special to fill it."
Barnabas blinked, then smiled his soft, subtle smile as he swirled his drink.
"Ah, but it has to be something special. Can't put just anything there, you know, Luv." Sam chuckled at that as she motioned for Kyle to bring the box over.
"Oh, I think you'll like this . . ." With that, Kyle put the case on the desk and unlatched it.
Barnabas watched as Kyle reached in and almost dropped his drink at the sight that appeared.
A glittering rainbow of iridescent colors shimmered in the soft light of the study as Kyle removed the treasure within. Barnabas felt like all the breath left his body as he marveled at the beautiful statue that now sat on his desk.
"I . . . don't believe it . . ." Sam grinned broadly as Barnabas drew closer, unable to believe his eyes. Sam gently reached out and placed her index finger under Barnabas' open jaw and gently closed it. Kyle stifled a chuckle at the Bar-Master's reddened cheeks.
"This is a gift from Trevor Stone for all you've done over the years." Barnabas looked at her, his violet eyes wide. Kyle gently lifted the statue and showed him the bottom, where there was writing:
To Tavernmaster Barnabas, from Trevor.
Barnabas was speechless. There was no mistaking the elegant handwriting. Sam smiled as she took the statue and carried it over and set it into the niche. As she backed up, the very room seemed to glow with the sparkling, dazzling colors as the light reflected off highlights. Kyle smiled and put his hands into his pockets. Barnabas stared, awestruck at the beautiful statue. He looked at Sam.
"Please thank Mr. Stone for me." Kyle could hear the gratitude in the bit of a tremble in his rich deep voice. Sam smiled with impish delight at Barnabas' joy at such a gift.
"And I have another surprise for you." Barnabas raised his eyebrows. Sam placed her hands on his desk, and, to his great surprise and shock, stood out of her wheelchair. Barnabas blinked as he almost fell into his chair. "Another gift from Trevor . . ." Kyle felt warm inside as he saw a true, genuine smile grace the man's features. Barnabas poured himself a little more cognac and gave a soft laugh.
"Now, are there any more surprises you two have for me?" Sam smiled and shook her head.
"Not yet, Barney." Kyle couldn't help a giggle at Barnabas' red face at the nickname. To his credit, the Bar-Master recovered quickly.
"Well, all right, then . . . Sammy." Kyle fought hard not to laugh at the look on Sam's face.
"Touche . . ." Kyle smiled as he stepped forward.
"Thank you very much, Master Barnabas, for the delightful Fish & Chips. We thank you for your hospitality." Barnabas blinked, but smiled his usual, subtle smile and nodded. He set his drink aside and led them back to the pub.
"Now, you two be careful. We still don't know where those other Gerries scurried off to, or who is helping the buggers." Sam nodded, as did Kyle. With a final wave, they left the Old Lantern.
As they reached the end of the alleyway, Sam stretched in her wheelchair before looking up at Kyle.
"Well, that was nice, but we should be getting back." Kyle smiled softly at her.
"Not quite yet." Sam blinked as his smile grew. "You introduced me to one of your friends, would you mind meeting one of mine?" Sam smiled.
"Not at all." Kyle led the way as the sounds of birds and waves mixed with the sounds of people talking.
Kyle led Sam down the streets towards where the shops were. The bakeries in particular.
Sam took a deep breath and could smell the sweet scent of baking bread and other delights. Kyle looked back at Sam.
"Here we are." Sam looked up at the sign above the large front window:
Sugar Shack Confectionery.
Sam blinked as Kyle led her towards the door. As he opened it, a bell rang out from above.
Sam looked around as Kyle walked in. She was startled by a squeal. She looked up in time to see a ginger-colored blur shoot across the shop and wrap around Kyle.
"Kyle!" said a delighted, female voice. Sam blinked as she came closer and Kyle laughed.
Kyle was almost completely enveloped in soft, long, ginger-colored fur. As the mass of fur moved, Sam's eyes grew wide, and a broad smile appeared on her face.
"Hello, Shiloh. Nice to see you again," Kyle laughed. The reply was a pleased coo as the furry being snuggled him.
Two pointed, furry ears twitched from their spots atop the head as a long, furry tail happily wrapped around Kyle, almost making him disappear amongst the fur.
Sam smiled at the fox-like Milurian who was embracing Kyle sweetly.
The Milurians were renowned as the most gentle species in space. They had been best described as "Living Teddy Bears", which was fairly accurate in terms of their temperament.
They were especially fond of humans. Some people thought they were a little too friendly, but most disagreed. Greetings like this were common among Milurians.
Kyle chuckled as he pulled back enough to look his friend in the face.
"Where have you been?! We haven't seen you in so long!" Sam could hear the accent in Shiloh's voice. The Milurian accent was very distinctive, impossible to miss. Kyle smiled as he looked at her.
"Sorry, Shiloh. I've been busy." Shiloh hugged Kyle again, rubbing her face against his neck.
"We've missed you, Sweetie!" Sam was most amused at the display. Kyle looked at Sam and smiled through Shiloh's fur.
"Shiloh, I'd like you to meet Sam." Sam blinked as Shiloh turned her attention to her.
Blue-green eyes met amber ones and another squeal erupted from Shiloh as she embraced Sam.
"Oh! She's so adorable!" Sam blinked as she was enveloped in the softest, warmest fur she had ever felt. Shiloh rubbed her cheek against Sam's as she cooed. Sam briefly felt Shiloh's wet nose on her face as she was cuddled.
As Kyle watched, he saw there were tears in Sam's eyes, and he knew what was on her mind.
The Milurians were so gentle and loving, war was a foreign concept to them. As such, when the Nazi Fourth Reich invaded their home, they had no defense. The First Holocaust on Earth had resulted in the deaths of 11 million people, but the death toll of the Milurian Holocaust was almost two billion. Their whole race was nearly wiped from existence.
People sobbed in the streets by the millions when the news came.
Because of the tragedy, Zerichs II had welcomed the survivors with open arms, and was extremely protective of them. It was also because of this that Nazis were hated with an almost religious fervor on Zerichs II.
It was then she heard another voice ring out, a male.
"What's going on, Hon?" Sam recognized the lilt of a Welsh accent.
"Kyle's back!" Shiloh called back. Sam was barely able to see a figure appear.
"Kyle! Well, bless my soul! We haven't seen you in months!" Sam heard an amused chuckle from the male. "Come now, Honey. Give them some air." Shiloh giggled as she released Sam and stood back. Sam couldn't help a smile as Shiloh stood next to a tall man with brown hair who was wearing an apron. Kyle chuckled as he motioned towards the two.
"Sam, this is Shiloh and Leon. They make the best treats you could ever hope to find, anywhere!" Shiloh gave a pleased squeal at Kyle's words.
"Thank you, Kyle. We've missed you." Sam smiled as she moved forward and shook Leon's hand.
"I'm Sam. It's nice to meet you." Leon smiled widely at Sam.
"Likewise." Sam smiled as Shiloh curled her tail around Leon. Sam was able to take a good look at the bubbly, furry female standing in front of her.
Shiloh was not as tall as Kyle, reaching about to his chin. Her ginger-colored fur was thick and beautiful. The tips of her ears, as well as her hands, feet and the tip of her tail were white. Her black nose twitched at the end of her long muzzle. Shiloh's blue-green eyes looked at Kyle and sparkled with warmth and affection.
"We have some amaretto cake all made up and waiting for you and your Love." Shiloh smiled as Kyle chuckled.
"Thanks, Shiloh." With that, Shiloh disappeared into the back. Leon smiled at Sam and Kyle.
"It's nice to see you again, Kyle. We were worried. Especially when we heard about the . . ." Leon stole a glance over his shoulder. "Unwelcome arrivals." Kyle sighed and nodded.
"Yeah." Without missing a beat, Leon smiled and grabbed a glass jar filled with cookies.
"Here, have some samples." Sam smiled as she took one and tried it. They were molasses cookies, and they were delicious. Kyle smiled as he ate his.
"Thanks, Leo. You guys are the best." Leon smiled. Shiloh returned with perhaps the longest cake Sam had ever seen.
The long cake looked like it was four feet long, and as thick as Sam's leg. Shiloh smiled broadly as she set it down on the counter, and Sam could smell the wonderful scent of amaretto liqueur.
"Maybe I should start making them smaller, then you'll come in more often." Kyle smiled.
"I promise I'll visit more often." Shiloh was wrapped around Kyle in a heartbeat.
"Please do! We're always happy to see you!" Sam smiled at Shiloh's warm and loving nature.
Kyle also added several packages of cookies to his order, which Shiloh happily filled. When everything was packed and ready to go, Kyle dug into his pocket and brought out a gold doubloon.
The monetary system of Zerichs II was based on hard coin, gold and silver, precious metals and gems, instead of non-substantial credits or paper money. As long as the payment was gold or silver, it didn't matter what form it was, although Zerichs did mint its own coins.
Leon passed the small detector over the doubloon and it beeped, confirming it was solid gold.
"Well, enjoy. Hope you have a great day. And drop by again." Kyle smiled at Leon.
"I will." They heard the bell of the door ring and Shiloh squealed with joy. Sam and Kyle turned and smiled as they saw Shiloh giving warm hugs to at least seven human children.
Milurians were most fond of children, and loved them with every fiber of their being.
Milurians particularly loved human children, and were the most loving, devoted parents imaginable.
There had been more than a few times where Milurians, male and female alike, had adopted whole orphanages of human children.
The human children giggled and laughed as Shiloh held them so lovingly.
"Oh, hello, little darlings!" she cooed. Sam felt like her heart was melting at the cute scene.
Kyle carefully gathered up the order and smiled.
"Take care." Leon nodded as he smiled at his wife, who seemed to be in heaven as she cuddled the children. With that, Kyle and Sam left the shop, the smiles on their faces glowing with happiness.
"Kyle, she's amazing!" said Sam as they headed back towards the dock.
"Yes, Shiloh is a wonderful lady." Sam nodded. Kyle smiled warmly.
Kyle had once reflected that, if he had never met Sophie, he easily could have seen himself married to a Milurian like Shiloh. Sam chuckled and Kyle looked at her.
"First time meeting a Milurian?" Sam smiled wider at him.
"I'd seen them and heard them, but I never actually met one . . ." Kyle's smile grew as he could feel the warmth in Sam's voice. "She's so sweet and so affectionate." Kyle smiled wider. When he next looked at Sam, he saw she looked a little downcast. "I hope that she stays safe . . ." Kyle smiled.
"Don't you worry. Shiloh has the best protection from Nazis one could ask for." Sam looked up at Kyle, her eyes questioning. "I'll tell you when we get back to the ship. Oh, by the way, Sophie wants me to pick up some bread and rolls on the way." Sam blinked, then smiled.
On their way back, they passed the most famous landmark on all of Zerichs II.
Kyle stopped and looked up at the tall lighthouse that stood in the main square of Zeraven. The lighthouse was unspectacular in terms of design, but it was the words inscribed at the base and the symbolism that were special. Sam noticed where Kyle's gaze was, and smiled herself.
They approached The Beacon together and stopped in front of it.
All around the base, inscribed in several different languages, were words that carried great meaning to all of the people; words that may as well have been written for Zerichs II, a haven for those with nowhere else to go:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
The great land those immortal words had come from may have been destroyed by the greed of corporations, but the ideals that those words embodied were eternal.
Even now, in the Twenty-Eighth Century, those words still carried with them the immortal idea that could never be killed.
The people had recited those words when they welcomed the Milurians to the sanctuary of their world two hundred years ago, and they lived by them today.
Kyle took a deep breath and felt pride in living on such a world. He could feel Sophie's pride at the words, too. When he looked at Sam, she smiled at the inscription before looking up at him.
By the time Kyle and Sam returned to the Talon, it was already afternoon, and the shadows were growing long. Sophie was waiting to greet them, eagerly embracing her mate and her friend.
I missed you. Kyle smiled as he gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
So did I. Sam couldn't help smiling as she watched the warm display of affection.
As they took off, Sam looked at Kyle as he headed back towards their home.
"So, you said Shiloh was safe. Care to explain?" Kyle smiled and Sophie purred.
"Leon was the Captain of the Flying Dragoons." Sam's jaw hung open at that.
The famous Flying Dragoons were the best, most efficient and ruthless Nazi-Hunters ever to live. Whenever the Reich heard that the dreaded Dragoons were in the area, they cleared out in a hurry.
Sam smiled, relieved. She would hate to imagine anything happening to someone as sweet as Shiloh.
When they returned home, the sun was just gracing the horizon. Sam was surprised when she returned to the living room, and found Kyle and Sophie had set their table on lower legs, and instead of chairs, there were piles of comfy pillows to sit on as they sat down for a delightful dinner.
Sam was most surprised that it was Sophie who had prepared their feast. The main fare was a fine bouillabaisse filled with the bounty of their aqua-farm, with sweet buttered rolls.
Sophie sat in the middle, with Kyle on her right, and Sam to her left. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant as the three enjoyed a wonderful dinner together.
Sam was surprised at the presence of Bereba melon, and tensed. The Bereba melon, actually a berry from the giant Bereba tree, was so rich in calories and proteins that very few creatures could eat it raw without getting terribly sick. However, due to her biological makeup, Sophie was not only able to eat the large berry safely, she loved them, and gathered them whenever she found them floating in the ocean.
As Sam tasted the delicious bouillabaisse, she could taste the wonderful, salty taste of Zerichs Potatoes, one of her favorite vegetables. Unlike Earth potatoes, the Zerichs Potato grew like a waterlily, with the tuber growing beneath the water. Since they only grew in salt water, they were naturally salted, and widely used in Zerichs cooking.
"Mmm! Sophie, your cooking is wonderful!" Sam declared as she took another spoonful of the bouillabaisse. Sophie purred happily at her friend's praise. Kyle smiled as he hugged his mate.
"Sophie picked up cooking pretty quickly." Sophie purred louder as she placed a kiss on Kyle's cheek. Sam smiled as they enjoyed the wonderful meal together.
Once dinner was done, Sam helped to clear the table. After that, they all sat and talked, Sam telling them various stories from around Zeraven that she had heard at the Old Lantern. Sam told the warmest and funniest stories she could remember, and the evening closed pleasantly and warmly.
Finally, it was time to call it a day, and they retired to their bedrooms for the night.
Kyle smiled as he leaned against Sophie as they entered their room. Sophie purred as she cradled her sleepy mate against her. Kyle drowsily snuggled closer to Sophie, reveling in the warmth and smell of her. He was barely awake as she pulled him into their warm bed, the soft, warm blankets folding all around them both as she softly stroked his hair.
Go to sleep, my darling . . . Sophie whispered softly as she kissed him delicately on the forehead. Kyle smiled as he felt the gentle warmth of Sophie's mind caress his, softly easing him off to sleep.
"I love you, Sophie . . ." Kyle whispered sleepily. Sophie purred as she settled down, Kyle held against her as she curled her tail around them both.
And I love you, Kyle . . . my Bonded One . . .
Author's note: It's hard for me to believe it's been a year since I first published here. Time sure flies. As always, reviews, ideas and suggestions are more than welcome. And, as before, if you have ideas for a cover, please feel free to give them. FYI, I work solely in traditional media (IE watercolors).
The poem The New Colossus was written by the great Emma Lazarus.
Thanks for reading and have a nice day.