“Your baby, is it a half-breed?”
She ignored him. “Where’s the exit?”
“Fine. Fine, I have a big mouth. Go through that door and up the elevator to get to the port’s entryway.”
Kat had a job to do and only a short amount of time to do it. The second the elevator closed, her body twitched with excitement. The first thing she saw when it opened was the giant sign.
Welcome to space,it said.Welcome to the gate to Hell,it meant.Let’s explore!
Yes. Yes. Yes!
Her eyes left it to land on the tea stand where her feet jogged too. A middle-aged man stood behind the counter, his eyes glazed with boredom as he wiped the same section of the counter over and over.
“Hi! John, right?” Kat couldn’t contain her excitement. The man turned to her slowly while still wiping.
“Like it says on my name-tag. What tea would you like today?” His boredom was apparent.
Kat blushed, “Oh right, yes. Is your boss here? The woman with the scarves?”
He cocked his head and yelled making her flinch, “Marcy, you have a visitor!”
A series of noises sounded after, flustering words, and fallen boxes only to reveal a round woman draped in colors, patting off imaginary dust.
“Hello deary, what can I do for you? Well, you look familiar, are you one of Linda’s girls? No, can’t be, they’re all blond. What has John done to upset you? I must say, he’s a hard-worker but straight to the point. No upselling or razzle dazzle from him.” Marcy shot him a look that could kill. “But a great worker nonetheless. How can I help you?”
Kat opened her mouth to speak–
“I remember you now! You’re that girl. Two months ago, isn’t it? Katie, Cassie, Kat! Kat, oh dear. Have you returned for the job?”
“No,” she responded quickly.
“That’s a shame. You see, my knees aren’t what they used to be and John here, well, he doesn’t sell much tea. Great man that he is.”
Their faces opened up with surprise, startled and brilliant as they looked behind her. Heavy footsteps sounded. Her Cyborg’s steps.
“We want to offer you a job, both of you,” A hard, metalloid voice said. Kat’s smile became a grin which became a happy laugh. Dommik stepped up next to her.
“Yes! Will you come work for us?”
Marcy’s eyes went wide as she blatantly checked out the Cyborg twice over. Dommik straightened for her perusal.
“A job you say?”
“I need help on my ship. I could use two assistants and Kat here highly recommends you. You’ll be paid handsomely.” He reached down and took Marcy’s hand, kissing the back of it.
John stepped forward. “You’re that Cyborg, that Monster Hunter. We’re not monster hunters, how can two tea merchants be of any use to you? What’re you playing at?”
He was swatted away by scarves. “Oh dear, don’t mind him! He meant no offense. Tell us about the job.”
Kat looked around, noticing that they had a crowd, all staring at Dommik, all watching them. She took hold of his hand and gripped it.Mine.
He’s mine.
“I need help with the reporting, general maintenance, animal care, the works. You’ll get to see the universe and many of its habitable and even inhabitable planets, free of charge, and the creatures that exist on them.”
“What about aliens? Trentians. Will we get to see Trentians?” Marcy questioned.
“Possibly. Maybe.”
