My Angel of the Dawn (WomanxBoy, ManxBoy, Sci-Fi + Romance)

***9***

The only city on the planet of Cendar was conveniently named Cendar too. During all the time Nelsa knew it, nothing had ever changed. The biggest spaceport of the known galaxy and its biggest junkyard: ships in various classes, sizes and conditions in hangars and docks, motley crowds in the streets, canteens, dens and dives. One could make a six-digits deal in one back street and have his throat cut for a pocket change in another.

When she was about to go out, Ariel started the same conversation again. He probably hoped she had changed her mind during their five days' flight together. But Nelsa's decisions were always final. She would leave the lad on Cendar, end of story. She wasn't affected by his pleading blue eyes, by the slight quivering of his lips and by his bitter words, "I would have very much preferred to be a slave with you, than a free man without."

"Don't be silly, Ariel. I had freed you, not adopted. Now you and I are going our separate ways, period. Not another word!"

However, once again everything turned out to be not so easy as she thought. Old friends and associates seemed to have conspired against her plan to settle Ariel in. Thompson took off for Tryads a month ago, Shaddar sold his ship and became a mercenary. Herrera left on a business trip for Newark, and his partner refused to hire anyone without him present.

She sighed heavily after hearing another polite refusal — almost identical to the previous ones — from Heixis, the canteen-owner and unofficial king of gossip on Cendar. "Nelsa, don't get me wrong, blah-blah-blah..." No one was eager to hire some strange lad from God knew where, whom the infamous smuggler patronized for God knew what reason. One couldn't even feel free to slap him around, for the fear he was her bastard son or lover!

Nergan wouldn't have turned her down. Nergan would have found a place for the boy on his ship, no questions asked. But no one had heard from him for half a year now, since his Hyppolita was reported missing in the Easter star-cluster. Time passed, friends came and went, only enemies remained.

She elbowed her way through the crowds, immersed in her unhappy thoughts, while keeping her hand on the grip of her blaster just in case. She didn't plan to stay long on Cendar. A week, tops. If she hadn't managed to find a place for Ariel in a week, he would become a problem.

What's the problem? He is a handy man. Err, boy. And you aren't getting any younger. It's true your baby is sometimes difficult to pilot on your own. Don't you remember Alleluin? Was it nice to race from the cockpit to the gun seat and back, eh, Nelsa? Chronos II, Newark, Tenōchtitlan... Did anyone watch your back then, you damn thrill-seeker?

Shut up. Just shut up.

Oh, now you are talking to the voices in your head like a schizophrenic. The lonely years are taking their toll. Soon you'll be doing it out loud, then you'll hear imaginary steps in the cargo hold. After that it's a straight road to a loony bin.

Shut up. I won't suffer anyone aboard my own ship, least of all this tall, fair stranger.

My, haven't we got to the point. And if he was a girl, not a two-legged animal with a penis?

No matter. I don't need anyone. If I wanted a second pilot, I'd offer the job to Lyanor.

Is that so? You know damn well she's a lousy pilot. You would never trust her with your baby. Or anything else, for that matter.

And the lad is more worthy of my trust. Yeah, right.

You bet! Look at him. Honest, polite, hard-working. He had been dragged through hell and came back with his soul still pure. Besides, he owes you, Nelsa.

Shut up, you cynical bitch. Do you really suggest making him a slave to his debt?

No. Only taking care of him. It's a rough world. He is not fit for it. Without you he'll be lost.

Let him fend for himself. I've managed, he can too.

Do for him what no one did for you, Nelsa. Help him.