My Telnari Prince

Chapter 4

Kel   

  I took another drink from my glass, it was something traditional and had a sweet fruity taste to it with a slight tinge of pepper. What it was exactly, I didn't know. I wasn't known for traipsing about in the outer reaches of the galaxy. We sat at a table in the nearest watering hole, and AIDOS was going over different aspects of the plan with Vee. They would execute a distraction by detonating several of the other ships that were up for auction, AIDOS would hack into the control collar, and Vee and I were to find the data card in order to surpass the software system's locks. Everything would hinge on this data card. It was literally the key to success in more than one sense. 

     "So everything is set, we just need to figure out who will detonate the ships, and who will go after the data card."  Vee turned to AIDOS and then to me. 

     "Alright, but I will claim no affiliations with you two if you get caught." I said, draining the last of my drink.

     "So it's settled. I will remove the control collar, Vee will retrieve the data card and you will provide the distraction." AIDOS' pale eyes scanned over myself and Vee. Did she look concerned or was that just a trick of the mind? I jerked a hand through my hair, scratching the base of one horn briefly. 

     "It could be worse I suppose, a three man team will have to do for now." AIDOS concluded, and whirred softly in thought. "When we are floating in free space, we need to go over what our goals are."

     "I doubt we have any, other than not getting caught." I glowered, looking at Vee who's face had gotten thoughtful. 

     "I've always had a dream of being a space cowboy!" AIDOS' voice turned up in a whiny pitch. I frowned.

     "Not gonna happen, and I don't have the proper coat for it. Besides, we're on the run. We are probably down to a handful of illegal activities to get by." I did have credits, but I hadn't planned on gallivanting around the verse. I flipped through my data pad, looking for any shipment inquiries. We could always just smuggle goods. That was lucrative. If we got the ship too, we would have an added compartment to stow goods in. A proper carrier ship. It had it's prospects that was true. 

     However, the risk of getting caught, and dragged back to account for my actions in front of my father, was higher than I liked. My meager plans had been to lay low in some satellite planet on the edge of the verse in comfort for the rest of my days. Once there I could even sell the cruiser and live off of that. As it was, I had no intentions of fighting my brother for the throne, nor was I okay with taking his wife as my property in the event of his loss. I was only thankful that the Telnari laws didn't require I take a wife. I would rather not subject the female to my brothers' whims in the event of my loss. We were pretty evenly matched, but my brother had a malicious streak in him that was reminiscent of my father. 

     Telnari custom demanded that nothing be handed over peacefully. We fought for every scrap we had. You gained ranks by defeating your competitor in battle, death was the only option if you didn't win. Once you did win, you gained whatever titles, lands, army, wives, children that the loser had. While some males killed the children, the ever increasing need for more men in our armies stymied that response. Now they sent the children off at the proper age to Military school and are left to fend for themselves. The women, well, they turned into breeders, to bear heirs. The practice was barbaric in some cultures, but for us it was the way we lived. A life I have tried desperately to avoid. First by joining the army, and now, in my attempt to evade my duties.

     My views with the Telnarian way of life were...extreme in some circles. Especially for an unmated male. I sighed and wiped my face with my hand, my eyes settling on Vee. She was staring at me with her blue eyes. For a moment, I felt she could almost see through me. Then a flash of sadness crossed her face before she quickly masked it. Maybe I could help them get the ship. Then I wouldn't feel so bad about leaving them stranded here. After, I needed to be gone before wind of my presence here could get back to the Dominion. I had been smart enough to leave my sigil in my cruiser, along with anything else that could be identified, but someone could still recognize me. However slim of a chance it was, it was too much for my comfort.