My Telnari Prince

Chapter 6

Kel

Maybe it was the delirium of blood loss, or maybe I was just entranced by this female. She seemed to align in my mind, attach herself to my agenda. And I continue to fight it. I have my own goals, and they did not include this female. I would help guide her to her revenge, knowing full well that I would rather the Telnari Dominion burn to ashes before I left it to the capably sadistic hands of my brother. I sighed heavily, running a rough hand over my face. The fight between my brother and I would happen. And if I win? What then? I growled, sitting up from the bed, tail twitching irritably. There was nothing I could do to help my people. Fuck. I promised myself I wouldn't claim them, but here I was. Vee's insistence on her vengeance was pushing me back to the place I had wanted to escape from. Perhaps I could avoid the confrontation altogether, remain in the background. She still didn't know who I was, and I was not ready to tell her. She'd already admitted to wanting to wipe the "spawn" of my father out of existence. I somehow think she might be upset if she knew who I was. 

The ship rattled as it docked jarring me from my internal battle. Vee was already dressed in simple street clothes. MY street clothes. I grumbled. She must have ransacked my closet while I was out. Though I didn't blame her. The sight of a synth suit would likely tip off whatever Dominion presence was here, and I was guessing there was going to be a lot. I might have been more upset if they didn't look as good on her as they did. Still, I found myself still turning my current dilemma up in my head while we off-boarded into the busy trade district below.

Every manner of species was here, the amphibious Gerders with their water filled helmets and protective wet suits to the more common Telnarians, and others of all colors shapes and sizes. I wasn't a big fan of Ultra-cities, but this was the plan right? There was enough cover, people and noise, to hide among them. At least we would be able to move about relatively easily without being seen. I pulled up my tablet, throw the screen onto my ocular HUD. A small almost visible data screen covered my field of vision, it was enough to allow me to navigate through the crowds. I looked behind me briefly to see Vee was keeping up with ease. 

"This way, I know a guy." I gruffed over my shoulder and began weaving through the people as I followed the map on my ocular. It would take us a few more minutes of walking before we would reach him. Vee pulled up on my right, walking beside me. 

"You trust him?" She asked, nervously biting her lip. She was scanning everyone, on high alert for any Dominion soldiers. I nodded my head. 

"I trust him enough," I said, turning to grin at her. We would be alright. 

It took a few moments more before we were entering a small shop right off of the road. The shop was dark on the inside, and it stunk of grease. Tech parts were scattered among all the shelves, countertops and any available free space that qualified, including the tops of the shelving units and file cabinets. 

"Hello?" I called, poking my head past a curtain to ta back room, careful not to knock a horn against the doorjam. 

"Yes? Who's there?" A high pitched voice called, followed shortly by a lizardkin. He was tall and thin, a stubby tail following behind him scraping against the floor. His eyes were yellow with slitted pupils, and a scaled face that was the color of sand. He wore a torn and dirty white shirt, with a pair of dirty pants. He grumbled slightly as he looked me over, then he looked over Vesryn. 

"I didn't think to see you here for quite some time." He eyed me again, and for a moment I was thankful I had kept my mouth shut when I popped in for any upgrades. 

"Yeah well you're a sand clotted bastard, that drive you sold me over a moonspan ago ended up taking a crap after I installed it. You owe me, Grim." The lizardkin hissed, neck skin going flat with irritation.

"Are you sure you installed it correctly, Kel?" His tongue slipped out as he spoke. I grinned.

"I'm sure. Do you want me to show you your shoddy work?" I snapped back. The lizardkin shook his head and sighed, waving for us to follow him as he ducked back into the room behind him. Vee looked at me with hesitation but I merely nodded and followed Grim to the back, ducking my head as well. I could hear her follow behind me, and was glad at least someone would have my back.

"What is it you want to even this out?" Grim asked, walking slowly behind his computer desk to take his seat. He didn't seem to be paying attention to us anymore as he was already in the middle of a project. He flipped a visor on, and several small pieces of glass, smaller than the last fell into place over his eye. He took up his pen and continued writing on a document. 

"I need invitations to the General's Gala." The lizardkin paused only for a moment at that, before continuing his work. 

"You know that that would be far more than the cost of the drive I sold you." He hissed again, his tongue slipping over his eye to clean it before disappearing back into his mouth.

"Yeah, I know but that's your fault in the first place, and now I had to return. Do you want the cost of repairs and the fuel invoice as well?" I sighed, putting a hand down on the desk he was working on. He growled softly before pulling the pen from the paper, and looking at me square in the eye. I didn't flinch, or move, or blink. Finally he sighed.

"I will make the invitations, and I will take 500 credits for the time at least." I sighed, it was the best he was going to give me. After years of dealing with him and his absurd prices, I had come to know when he was going to hold.

"Fine, Deal. I will pay you upon delivery of the invitations. I have more errands to run today before the Gala. Do be quick." I turned and led the way back outside.

"That went...well..." Vee started, walking besides me again as I beg to head towards a more wealthy looking end of the district. We would need something...couture, not a knock off. The upper crust aristocrats here were snobbish and keen on fakes. 

"About as well as I thought it would, and only one task of many that we have to accomplish." I grumbled shoving my hair behind a horn. Though my mood lightened at the thought of seeing what Vesryn would look like all dressed up. Perhaps this would be more fun than I thought. 

"Why are you smiling like that?" She asked, and I stopped and looked at her. "Oh....I don't have a good feeling about that smile..." She grimaced. I turned her around by the shoulders and pressed her through into the elegant shop entrance besides us. 

"Oh. I AM going to ENJOY this." I grinned, as we entered into the well lit boutique, and I could hear Vesryn groan heavily as she figured out what I had stopped for.