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“There’s too many for you two—”
“Now, Tumsa, or I’ll throw you on board.” He didn’t yell, but he did show his fangs.
The Dramok was reminded of the huge fight the Conquerors had gotten into with another team some years before. A bad call had started the fisticuffs, which had injured and ended the career of the first-string hurler Zakla had taken the place of. Halmiko had threatened to toss Tumsa into the locker room that time too.
He was protecting him again, like the old days. Hurt throbbed in Tumsa’s chest.
The Adrafs alone would have made for serious opposition. Before the pair of Nobeks could have their asses handed to them, a shout halted the rivals’ advances toward each other. Half a dozen Kalquorian security guards and the dockmaster arrived with a suddenness that told Tumsa they’d been keeping watch for trouble. At the same instant, the other two Nobeks of theRogue, Burken and Dakmo, shot out of the ship to join Kom and Halmiko in postures of aggression.
“Where are your captains?” The dockmaster, a broad-shouldered Dramok, stalked between the two factions with no sign of fear.
“Ours is visiting a friend in a distant village,” Kom said.
“Captain Fod is conducting business outside of the port,” the Dantovonian buzzed. “We were off to enjoy some leave when these two—”
“Save it,” the dockmaster barked. “Inform your captains to report to me as soon as they return. I want to tell them myself that if trouble breaks out in my spaceport, I’ll fine them both so heavily they’ll never climb out of debt. Understood?”
Kom bowed his acknowledgment as the Dantovonian groveled. Fod’s crew hurried off, casting black looks over their shoulders at theRogue’sgroup.
Kom ducked his head, perhaps to hide his snarl from the dockmaster behind the sweep of his hair. He pulled his com off his belt. “The captain isn’t answering,” he called. “I’ll leave her a message.”
“You do that, Nobek.” The dockmaster and his entourage were already drifting away.
“Captain, not to be rude, but you have to bring your ass home to theRogue. Fod is trying to start shit, and the dockmaster is ready to slap heavy penalties on both of you. Also, your lover boy is edgy, wondering where you are. I think he needs to get laid before he explodes.” Kom signed off with a growl. He glanced at Halmiko, whose fangs were still bared. “What do you say we go to the fight room and blow off some steam?”
“Fuck yeah. No murder charges if I tear your head off, right?”
With the immediate danger past, Tumsa found himself fighting off a smile. Same old Halmiko.
* * * *
Bernadette woke to the smell of frying ronka strips and fresh-brewed coffee. She stretched, noting the aches that came from a lot of sex and an unfamiliar mattress. It was soft, but lumpy. Doljen’s bare-bones life in the woods included sleeping rather rough.
She combed her fingers through her curls, then got up and grabbed her blouse from the floor. Buttoning it, she went into the cabin’s main room, which consisted of a small seating area and a tiny kitchen. Doljen stood at the hearth, turning ronka strips on the grate over the crackling fire. He was shirtless and his shorts showed off muscled thighs to advantage. Her heart thumped quicker, especially when he looked at her over his shoulder and smiled.
“You have no right to look so damned good first thing in the morning,” she grouched. She stood next to him and caressed his stubbled jaw.
He crossed his eyes and twisted his mouth. “Better?”
She laughed.
He put breakfast out: cups of coffee, the ronka strips, coarse but tasty bread, and cheese. They settled on big floor cushions at a low table.
For several minutes, they ate quietly, watching each other. It should have been awkward, Bernadette supposed, but it was easy to be silent and bask in Doljen’s presence. In being in the same room, only inches apart. She hated knowing sooner or later he’d have to be out of sight.
When they did speak, it was at the same moment.
“So, how’s—”
“I guess you—”
They broke off, chuckling. “You first,” Doljen invited.
“I was wondering what’s it’s like to be a doctor here. Most of the residents barely manage to grunt.”
“Until they’ve gotten used to your presence. They throw in a few nods after that.” He grinned.
“It doesn’t seem as if you’d have many patients. There can’t be more than a couple hundred people in this area. How are you surviving?”
