Dwarves in Space: Tempus Interruptus

Chapter Twelve

Drake stumbled in the hall outside the bridge. The dwarf made it very clear he wasn't welcome to eavesdrop on his very important conversation with the elf. By the fifth go around of "I'm not going to that thing. You can't convince me," he grew to suspect Orn was doing him a kindness.

But there wasn't much more to take up his time on the ship. So he sat outside, his back against the wall, listening to the news reports piping through an uncaring galaxy. After a heartwarming story about a lost gnoll that adopted a baby ogre and raised it as its own, they got back to the heart of the matter.

"Authorities are offering a reward for any information about the thief or thieves."

"Reward," Drake mumbled to himself, "great." The possibility of free coin would pull out every batshit hermit which could overwhelm the already stretched Corps struggling against some massive larval infestation. Or, and what had him chewing his remaining thumbnail, it could catch certain people's ears. Certain people who knew what he needed to do and where. Oless wasn't stupid, she'd keep it to herself. If she wanted money she'd have sent him after a cat vid transfer. No, for her it was all about that ruby thing still locked up tight to the captain's hand.

But Klack..."You had to go and tell him your job, didn't you?" Drake asked himself, shaking his head. If the dwarf got wind of even a few scraps of gold, he'd toss his own mother to the volcano. He needed that star as fast as possible. Maybe if he mentioned Klack to Oless she'd clear up that loose end. With strings, of course. You don't get to that level without knowing when to screw in the tacks.

The bridge door rolled back and Ferra stampeded over his legs. He tried to pull them back, but she'd already moved on, not bothering to apologize. "Thank you very much," he shouted to the retreating elf.

He rose and inched into the bridge. The dwarf was locked tight in his chair, swiveling around the controls.

"What's the word?" Drake asked.

"Captain's back..." Orn turned and locked eyes with the human, "And that's all I'm supposed to say."

Drake snorted, "Fine, I wouldn't want to come between you and your Captain."

"Ain't her ya gotta look out for," Orn said, but swiveled away without elaborating.

Washing his hands of the situation, Drake stepped out of the bridge, stretching his back.

"Hey, Broken Tailpipe!"

"That's not my...What?"

Orn's voice singsonged, "You ever met a djinn before?"

"What's a..." Drake's voice drained as a lava elemental stepped out of the shadows. Its head skimmed the ceiling, the rocky skin dark as obsidian glass. Cracks etched along the beast revealed a red fire burning deep within the monster. It had no mouth or nose, but two holes sat where eyes would, the flames burning bright.

"Hello..." Drake said stepping back. The lava monster tipped those fire eyes down at him, but said nothing. Its fist, as large as Drake's head, reached down and scooted the human aside. He stumbled from the force that would knock down mountains.

"Oh Gene, good. Cap's back and Fer says she'll need help," Orn swiveled back to face the fire golem, greeting him like a colleague. "Can you handle that?"

Steam puckered around the monster's face, bursting in three blasts.

"I guess that's a yes. You know where she'll be," Orn waved his hands and turned back around. The golem dipped that massive head and turned back. This time Drake flattened against the wall, giving it a massive berth. Each footstep caused the grating to rattle and Drake reached up to a beam to steady himself. Halfway down the hall, the golem turned back and the fire eyes glared into Drake's soul. He gulped at the presence and tried to hide a tremor. But the lava monster only resumed its march to find the elf.