Page 14

Garnet

P eacekeepers, as near as Garnet could figure, were space police. They didn’t have authority on planets, unless they were picking up intergalactic prisoners or something. They were more militaristic than standard police, but they were also fighting pirates and criminal empires that were able to flourish out in the infinity of space.

The Coalition was massive. Species belonging to the Coalition were spread across multiple galaxies, in multiple star clusters. It was, frankly, impossible to patrol that much space. So, they patrolled only the important, well-tracked areas, occasionally venturing out to take down bad guys that had set up some sort of criminal enterprise on asteroids or dwarf planets or illegal colonies. They’d shut those places down, arrest who they could, and move on.

Essentially, they were always fighting a losing battle, and, for them, it was really only important that they keep at least the space stations dotted throughout Coalition territory safe. That was the best they could do, and, apparently, they did it relatively well.

But it wasn’t enough. It was never going to be enough. There would always be space for people to get away with any manner of crimes out in the infinite void.

All of that was explained to Garnet by Alred as Tanin communicated with the leader of the peacekeeper ship. He was explaining Garnet and Goldie’s choice to stay and that he was willing to act as their sponsor because of it.

Garnet wasn’t sure how well the conversation was going, however.

She followed Tanin up to the bridge where Sway had abandoned his post to go get some food and shower while he had a chance. There, Tanin called the peacekeeper ship – which she was told was relatively close, though she couldn’t see it from the windowless bridge. In front of Tanin, there was a holo of a stern, three-eyed, domini male who was glaring at Tanin quite suspiciously. Garnet didn’t think he could see her, or if he could, he hadn’t even glanced her way.

She was occupying herself by picking up some of the clutter around the area as Alred lingered in his light form, explaining the keepers to her softly so as not to interrupt Tanin. The peacekeeper leader’s tone was short and gruff as he stated-

“ I appreciate the females have chosen to stay with you, and I am not averse to allowing it with permission from the domini embassy around her home planet, but I will not do so without speaking to the females first. Alone. ”

The keeper – Captain Ikvar, she was pretty sure she heard Tanin call him – was a large male with stern features. His skin was white like his uniform, but there was a distinct gray cast to it that Trove didn’t have. He didn’t look like he’d ever smiled in his life, and at this point, his stiff face might break if he tried. His hair was shaved close to his scalp, and it looked like he had a prosthetic eye – the left one shined like metal and the pupil moved oddly. He was the kind of guy she’d definitely not try to confront, but also the kind of guy she’d be glad to have in a position of strength in a military organization protecting her.

She actually rather appreciated that he wanted to make sure she and Goldie were safe by insisting he interview them alone and on his ship – making sure that they were both taken away from any source of pressure or influence in case they weren’t willing.

Tanin was just refusing to let them go alone. Not to be interviewed alone, he was fine with that, but he was insisting that he be allowed to accompany them. Something Captain Ikvar would only permit if Tanin allowed himself to be interviewed as well.

Tanin already had to pass a background check that they were performing even now to make sure he was qualified to be their sponsor. But Ikvar was looking at him suspiciously, like that wasn’t enough. Like he might demand an interview even if Tanin didn’t come with them.

Honestly, Garnet expected Tanin to protest the background check part more. Even now, though he was so calm, she was kind of nervous about what they might find.

She didn’t know what Tanin had done in his past, but she knew he hadn’t always been a delivery boy. He had a life before this, and judging by the way he fought and acted, she didn’t think it was a completely innocent one.

People who didn’t kill didn’t need rules in place to remind them not to kill.

But he didn’t appear bothered by it. It didn’t even really seem like he was particularly fussed about the interview. He seemed to be arguing just to argue – like it was a minor inconvenience he’d rather not deal with.

Eventually, he capitulated to Ikvar’s demand, and they ended the comm with the peacekeeper promising to send him instructions on how to link up with their ship. A process that would be very similar to how the pirates had done it, connecting outer door to outer door, but they’d have permission this time, so it would be a lot less jarring.

“Do you hate being interviewed or something?” Garnet asked when Tanin turned from the console – Alred would be doing the actual connection process.

“I don’t particularly like it,” he said without any real heat. “I figured he’d want to interview me anyway though. So, it doesn’t matter.”

She cocked her head. “Then, why’d you fight it so hard?”

“Make him less suspicious.” Tanin approached her. “If I agreed easily, he might think I’m too cocky, and then he might want to interview the whole crew. He expected push back. So, I gave it to him. Come on. Alred, have Goldie meet us in first floor stowage.”

“ Message delivered, captain, ” he said, robot voice in full effect.

Garnet noticed it but didn’t say anything as she followed Tanin out of the bridge, to the lift, and down to stowage. All the blood had been cleaned out a long time ago – not by Garnet, to her own surprise. None of the others were around, but Goldie was already there, straightening her skirt with a smile.

“The captain will interview you two,” Tanin said to her, speaking calmly. “Be truthful, say what you want. I would only ask that you not reveal two things: The collars and Alred’s presence.”

“Why?” Goldie gave him a curious look.

“I told you before. Those collars are dangerous. They’re best forgotten. Bringing them up will only make a lot of trouble for all of us. Including you. As for Alred, he is an undroitt recall. They are not typically allowed to function as AI the way he is doing. They can, but only with special permission. Which we don’t have. If they realize he’s here, he’ll be forcibly removed and returned to Riut – his home planet.”

“Don’t worry,” Garnet smiled as the ship rocked.

“We won’t tell,” Goldie finished, bobbing her head.

Tanin inclined his head. “Thank you. Otherwise, feel free to speak the truth. I insist you do.”

They nodded just as the door beeped. A moment later, it slid open, revealing two males in all white, helmets covering their heads – except for the horns sprouting from one. They were both large enough to be intimidating, even without weapons.

“Females,” the horn-less one started in a soft voice, “this way.”

“You,” the horned one gestured to Tanin with a harsh bark. “Follow me.”

Garnet and Goldie both turned to Tanin. He indicated with his head that they should do as instructed and the five of them walked into the ship.

In direct contrast to the plain, bare metal of the Humility, the peacekeeper ship was all clean, bright lines. Sleek and modern, white trimmed in pale gold. It was utilitarian, but there had obviously been attempts to make it nice.

Immediately upon entering, they were separated. The two males – who Garnet assumed were the peacekeepers – gestured for them to go in different directions. Tanin did it without complaint, but Garnet couldn’t help but look back at him as they were led away.

They didn’t go far. Just a little way down the hallway. They stopped there, and Garnet and Goldie were each put in small rooms by themselves. There wasn’t much inside. Just a two-person couch on one wall and a single person chair in the corner – both made of a soft, creamy leather. At least she thought it was leather as she sat down, testing it, after the door shut behind her.

Garnet sat awkwardly, drumming her fingers on her knees. Waiting. There was no camera she could see, but she didn’t take that to mean there wasn’t one, just that it wasn’t obvious. There wasn’t any music or a TV or even a clock ticking – not even a generic painting to look at.

She rocked her feet for a bit. Then stood and moved to the chair. Then, stood again and moved back to the couch, sitting on it with her legs laid out on the seat. Her foot bobbed in the air as she waited, impatient.

Was Goldie getting interviewed first? Were they just being iced out? She wished they at least had a magazine or something to thumb through. Garnet wasn’t good at doing nothing. It felt like it had been forever since they put her in here, but realistically she knew it couldn’t have been longer than ten or twenty minutes.

Or years. Whatever.

The door finally opened just as she was about to start pacing, revealing the same guy who had been talking to Tanin on the holo display. He was a lot bigger in person, and more intimidating besides. His skin was the same off-white as the underclothes she could glimpse between the light, white armor. His long, pointed ears were more obvious now, as was the long tail that trailed behind him. It was much thicker than the small, barbed one Tanin had.

How many aliens had tails? Why didn’t humans have tails? No fair.

That inane thought swept through her head as Garnet turned, putting her feet on the floor as Ikvar walked in and took a seat in the lone chair.

“Greetings, female,” he said, his voice still gruff, but a lot softer compared to when he had been talking to Tanin.

“Captain Ikvar,” she nodded her head, then hesitated. “Wait, are you a captain? Is that your title?”

“It is,” he inclined his head. “And if your sister was Goldie, you must be Garnet.”

“That’s me,” she beamed. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you,” he responded evenly. “I just want to ask you a few questions. As I understand it, you were abducted from Earth.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know by who?”

“The person specifically? No.” She shook her head. “It was someone with five eyes and black skin. But I only have, like, a quick, brief memory of them. Tanin says that he found us in a chest owned by a client of his who hired him to transport it. He says we were jettisoned when pirates nearly caught up to the guys who took us. He found us while he was inspecting the goods.”

“Did you see the chest?”

“Yeah, it was this big thing. Like a giant sarcophagus. I don’t remember being in it. When I woke up, Tanin was lifting me out. I kind of freaked. I punched him in the nose.”

“And did he retaliate against you for that?”

“Oh, no!” She laughed, waving her hands quickly. “Not at all. He took it really well, actually. He’s been super nice.”

“You understand that you are not in danger of him here? He has no power over you and any threats he might have levied against you can be solved by myself and my warriors. No problem.”

Garnet giggled. “You’re sweet. But no. Really. He’s been great. He didn’t even really want us to stay. He said his job is too dangerous. But I wanted to. This is such a great opportunity for me and my sister! We’re excited. And grateful. No threats. No coercion. Promise.”

“Your sister said the same.”

“Great minds think alike.”

“So do frightened ones.”

“Do I look frightened?” She countered with a grin.

“You look na?ve,” he said, three red eyes staring her down. They were dark red, more maroon than crimson. Not at all as pretty as Tanin’s.

“I’m not na?ve,” she frowned, sitting back, away from him.

“He told you it was dangerous.”

“I don’t mind danger.”

“You should. You’re human. You are a vulnerability in this universe. His company, they specialize in deliveries to the most remote, dangerous, and difficult places. They make their credz by doing what no one else is willing to do. Pirates are probably the least among their hazards. And that ship they’re on is, at least, a hundred-fifty years out of date.”

“That is way more years than I thought you would say,” she admitted with a shocked laugh. If she was riding on a hundred-fifty-year-old boat, she’d expect it to be locked in place in a dock, not actually functional. Or, if it was, a ton of special care had to be taken with it. Or a hundred-fifty-year-old car? The very concept of a modern car wasn’t a hundred-fifty years old! And that’s how old that spaceship was. If she considered that, she felt even safer.

Tanin clearly took care of it. Everyone was still alive. It survived a pirate attack! Old didn’t mean useless, after all.

“This is why you’re na?ve,” Ikvar said disapprovingly.

“Have you considered that it could also just be confidence?” She countered, smirking.

“Bravado. Confidence without something to base it on.”

She shrugged, crossing her arms, liking this guy less and less with each short statement. “I will grant you, staying with him might be a mistake, but it’s my mistake to make.”

“I don’t think you appreciate exactly what you’re choosing.”

Garnet’s eyes narrowed on him. “What I don’t appreciate is you treating me like a child. I can make my own decisions, no matter how dangerous you think they are. And if I get in trouble, it’s my fault, and I will rely on Tanin to help me. That’s what his job is as my sponsor, isn’t it?”

Captain Ikvar stared at her for a long moment. Garnet stared right back. Glared. She appreciated he was doing his job and, in his own way, was concerned. But his concern felt an awful lot like a patronizing parent judging her for being a dumb teenager. Something she didn’t appreciate from even her own parents, much less a stranger.

Ikvar let out a sigh, sitting back in the chair. “I suppose I should be grateful you didn’t lecture me like your sister.”

Garnet grinned. Not at all surprised. People often looked at them – her, loud and brash, and Goldie, soft and sweet – and just assumed that Garnet would be the brave and sassy one. But when Goldie went off, she tore people down quite ruthlessly. If anything, the cute dress made it worse.

“What do you know about the crew that works for him?”

“Who?”

His eyes narrowed at the question. She knew who, she was buying time to think of an answer, and it was obvious to both of them.

“Tanin’s crew,” he clarified needlessly. “What do you know of them?”

She shrugged. “Seem like nice guys. A couple are a bit standoffish, but I’m not going to hold that against them.”

“Do you know who they are?”

“Delivery guys who saved our butts?” She smiled sweetly.

“They’re from Rik-Vane.”

“I suppose that means something to you.”

“It should mean something to you,” he said grimly. “Rik-Vane is a space station. It used to be a trading hub, but over time, and after some unfortunate circumstances, it was abandoned and taken over by criminals and scum. It’s a lawless place. Peacekeepers won’t go there without an army to back them up. It’s a place you go to disappear. To die. There is no one on Rik-Vane that is redeemable.”

And all the guys were from Rik-Vane. He was telling her that the universe wasn’t the only place that held danger for her if she chose this route. She was putting her life in the hands of a bunch of males that needed a no killing rule. Males that were ruthless in the way they dispatched pirates. That were from a place only the worst of the worst ever went to.

Males that hovered nervously around corners because they were scared of scaring her. That brought her soup and water when she was sick. That gave her the choice and means to defend herself.

“I find it interesting,” she said, reclining back at her ease, “that you are only telling me this now. And you’re going about it in such an indirect fashion.”

Ikvar didn’t say anything. Deep red eyes staring at her. Saying so much and nothing at all.

“You got nothing on them, do you?” She grinned. “If you thought you could get them for something, you’d already have done it. Then, you would use that as an excuse to keep us from staying with them for our own sake. But you have nothing but an origin.”

“Their identification is all faked.” He inclined his head. “Good ones, I’ll admit. They clearly paid a lot of credz for them. But we’re better. I might not have their real identities yet, but I know they’re not who they say they are. Except for Tanin, they’re all fake.”

She grinned. “Tanin is innocent?”

Ikvar said nothing for a second. Then-

“He’s never been caught. But that doesn’t mean innocent. It might be a lawless place, but it’s still observed. People are still watched. They still collect charges. In case they ever try to leave, we’ll be ready. Waiting. They won’t be allowed to rejoin society.”

Garnet frowned. “Well, that’s pretty shitty.”

“Excuse me?”

“So, you’re telling me anyone born there is raised a certain way, has to do what they need to in order to survive, and then they’re condemned for that if they ever try to escape?” She scoffed. “No wonder they got new IDs. I’d get one too if that was my only way out.”

“You’re empathizing with them.”

“Someone has to! You just told me they’re from a place that is lawless, then you tell me that they’re condemned for breaking the law if they try to leave it. You listen here, captain . Those guys have been nothing but kind to me. They are sweet and nice and damn supportive. We got sick and they were bringing us food. They tried to give us a free ride and I had to make them let me pay them back. I’ve gotten worse treatment from my family. I would say that they’re not bad people at all. They’re good people who came from a bad place, and it made them band together to survive. And if that means shedding their past to become someone new with a respectable job, then I believe in their right to do that. And how dare you get on your high horse and tell them that they were wrong!”

“My high what?”

“Unimportant. I said what I said, and I mean it. I don’t care where they’re from. The guys I met are good guys, and that’s enough for me to make my decision. And it is my decision.”

Ikvar said nothing for a long moment, just stared at her. She glared back, eyes narrowing. His face was as impossible to read as Tanin’s, but she stood her ground.

She might not know much about their past or where they were from, but she knew when she talked to them that they weren’t bad guys.

After all, they could have given her and Goldie to that shinuk king. They could have turned them over and taken the money for doing so free and clear. If they were truly lawless monsters, it was exactly what they would have done. If they were so bad, they would have taken advantage of the two of them and they couldn’t have stopped them. They could have kept Garnet and Goldie a secret and not gone to the peacekeepers entirely, yet here they were.

Maybe they had done bad things, but that didn’t make them bad people. And if Garnet was to judge by how they treated her and her sister, they were nothing but good.

And this high handed, holier-than-thou soldier man could suck a fat one if he thought his prejudiced ideas about people he didn’t know would change her mind.

She stared him down, hands clenching the edge of the couch, daring him to say something else. Ready to defend Tanin and his crew with her whole heart.

That was probably why it was so disarming when Ikvar inclined his head before standing. “Very well. Let’s go then.”

Garnet frowned, climbing to her feet, scrambling up after him. “Go? Go where?”

“Back to Tanin. I have a few more questions for him.” He gave her a look over his shoulder. “You’ve obviously made up your mind, and you’re not my youngling. I can’t tell you what not to do.”

Garnet stared at his back, but he was already walking through the door, and she had to hurry to catch up. Somehow, she felt like she won?

They stopped at the room next door first to get Goldie. Her sister walked out with her head held high, giving Ikvar a look that was at once superior and dismissive. Like he wasn’t even worth her arguing with. Garnet could just imagine the lecture he got from her.

The two of them followed him all the way to the end of the hall where another door opened.

And an angry voice came spilling out-

“-think I don’t know? You and that entire crew of yours are worthless, Rik-Vane scum. You kidnapped those females, and you are going to-”

“Hey!” Garnet and Goldie snapped charging in ahead of Ikvar, forcing themselves into what was very clearly an interrogation room.

And sure, they had just come from interrogation rooms too, but those ones had soft couches and were warm and comfortable. This room had a table, a couple of hard, metal chairs, a chilly bite to the air, and an angry peacekeeper, in white armor, on his feet, hands slammed on the table, yelling at Tanin-

Who really looked like he couldn’t care less.

Tanin was seated, arms crossed, leaning back in his chair, staring at the guy shouting him down like he was a mildly interesting TV program. He was calm and relaxed, not even a twitch to his eye to suggest that something was wrong.

But Garnet couldn’t help but notice his bright red ribbon tied in a neat little bow around his wrist. Like it had been put there as decoration. But his other hand was right there, ready to pull on the loop and unwind it in a single moment if it became necessary.

It should have really taken away from the machismo of everything else, but knowing how he fought with that ribbon, it just couldn’t.

And she realized that was the point. There was no way he wasn’t checked for weapons. They knew he was suspicious; they definitely would have done a pat down or something.

But who would suspect a cute little ribbon of being dangerous?

Tanin looked their way as they came rushing at the peacekeeper – a poor domini male who looked shocked to suddenly be run up on by a pair of twin girls that were shouting at him. Like vicious chihuahua’s nipping at an intruder’s heels.

“Don’t you talk to him like that!” Garnet started, speaking right over Goldie who was yelling along with her-

“That is no way to speak to someone!”

“That’s an innocent man, and you’re treating him like a criminal!”

“This is police brutality!”

“Yeah, brutality! You should be ashamed!”

“Is this how the peacekeepers keep peace ?!”

The poor guy looked absolutely gobsmacked, his three eyes darting between the two of them then over their head, his expression clearly calling for help.

“You two.” Ikvar was there, taking them by the shoulders and pulling them back. “Easy. He was just conducting an interview.

“It looked like he was trying to intimidate him to me!” Goldie snapped, pointing back at Tanin who was still unmoved and very much not intimidated.

Though, he did look amused as Garnet came around the table, like she might be ready to throw herself between the nonplused Tanin and the confused peacekeeper.

Ikvar said something to the poor guy quietly as Goldie stood there, hands on her hips, glaring at them. Garnet, meanwhile, checked on Tanin. He hadn’t moved since they came in, but he was looking up at her with something gleaming in his bright eyes.

“You protecting me, Garnet?” He asked.

Garnet smiled, turning and sitting beside him on the table. Crossing her legs and letting him check out her thighs as she did so. Which he did, his gaze burning.

“Got to make sure my… boss is okay,” she said, deliberately hesitating, letting the implication of everything she could have said hang unspoken in the air.

The door shut, turning her eyes back over her shoulder. The other guy had gone, leaving Ikvar to take the seat opposite them across the table. Goldie remained standing at the side, arms crossed, giving Ikvar the same look as a disapproving teacher who just caught you cheating.

“You seem to inspire loyalty easily,” Ikvar said, addressing Tanin calmly.

“I feel so much safer now,” Tanin replied in an even tone. Garnet knew he was joking, because there really was nothing Garnet or Goldie could do to these guys if they did want to deal out some actual police brutality, but the comment still made her feel warm all over.

Not because he was relying on her for protection, but because he was even willing to joke about it. He wasn’t too proud to insist he didn’t need protection or too serious to not play along. But the way he said it wasn’t mocking or dismissive either. Like there was a chance he might mean it.

It gave her the impression that, if she could, he would let her fight for him. He would stand back and let her protect him. Even if he didn’t need it. Even if the danger was minimal. He’d warned her of danger during the pirate fight, but when she chose to join it anyway, he hadn’t chastised her for it.

Unlike Ikvar, he wouldn’t patronize her like a child. But she also knew, if need be, he’d step in and deal with a problem if it became too much for her.

Reliable without being suffocating. Strong without being braggadocios. He was great, and she felt real good sitting on the table in front of him. She wanted to scoot over and spread her legs, to trap him between them right where she wanted him.

But she wanted neither her sister nor some random dude to be involved with that, so she resisted the urge. For now.

“These females insist they’re safe with you,” Ikvar said.

“They are.”

Just that simple. Garnet had to bite her lip to avoid moaning out loud. He was so sexy without even trying, and it was such a turn on.

Maybe she shouldn’t be lusting after the guy who was in charge of their lives though. They had to rely on him for everything right now. At least until they were savvy enough to be able to take care of themselves. A sexual relationship would just make things messy.

But damn, that was a hard thing to tell her long neglected pussy. When was the last time she’d even gotten sex, much less good sex? Her and her last ex certainly weren’t enjoying anything together at the end there.

“Tell me about the male who sent you to retrieve them,” Ikvar continued.

“I already told the other keeper everything.”

“Tell me again.”

Tanin started speaking in monotone, explaining everything he’d told Garnet. Some shinuk king had paid him to go retrieve a chest. While inspecting it, he found them. He then contacted Ikvar. He had all the ship data to prove it.

“You really think I could have taken them myself?” Tanin asked when Ikvar remained silent even after the explanation. “My generator needs five days to rest and recharge between swings. At minimum. Even if it didn’t, I don’t have the tech to hide from detection. Earth is protected by an entire army. Of your people, in fact. You really think that old boat could hide from them for five days before I could swing again? Or even get close enough to Earth to take a female in the first place?”

“I think it’s very convenient that your ship and generator are so obviously old. I’ve seen males like you hide advanced tech by aging it.”

“You’ve already scanned my ship. You know it’s glorified junk.”

“I’ve scanned your crew as well. You’re not much better.”

Garnet looked away from Tanin – who she had been shamelessly ogling – to throw a glare at Ikvar. His gaze darted to her then back again. Ignoring her censure for, what she saw as, his prejudice to people whose only crime was coming from a bad place.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” Tanin said, his voice just as even and calm as ever.

“I know all your identities are fake.”

“Fake? Surely not. I investigated all my crew’s datawork myself. They all look legit. And I know for a fact that my identity is real.”

He was lying through his teeth. Garnet had to resist the urge to smile. He was practically taunting the captain.

“You’re trying to play me for a fool,” Ikvar growled, tail whipping. The only sign of his anger.

“I’m following all laws.” Tanin assured him, his tail lazily resting on the floor under the chair. “My record is clean. Therefore, there’s nothing stopping me from owning or operating an intergalactic business. My males are only crew members, they’re not subject to the same laws. And if they’ve given me fake IDs, please let me see the proof of their real ones. I would never want to hire employees I know are breaking the law. As a responsible and law-abiding business owner, I would not risk my licenses.”

Ikvar’s tail whipped again, but he didn’t offer such proof. Because he didn’t have it. He might know their IDs were fake, but he couldn’t provide evidence of the real ones.

“You’re a criminal,” Ikvar finally said. “If you were born and raised on Rik-Vane, you had to have done something. I know you have.”

Tanin held out his hands, as if to show him that they were empty of any deceit. “I’m just a humble delivery person, captain.”

Garnet never wanted to fuck anyone more than she did Tanin in that moment.