“Great!” he says, and his smile over that admission…intrigues me.
Many things about Davies intrigue me, and I feel I will need some time to figure out why that is.
Chapter Seven
Davies
I will take the damn win and be tickled green for it. Do I wish we were ending this night in bed together?
Duh.
Second-best thing is spending more time together.
We walk along the observation hub path, which also has trees and plants arranged on both sides to mimic a natural path as best it can, given its location. One of its main purposes, besides being a little bit of nature in space to provide recreational time for the station’s residents, is as a natural air scrubber. All air is forced through this central hub as part of the ventilation system, meaning the filters don’t have to work as hard. Some of the ships I’ve crewed on have had miniature gardens on them, frequently close to the galley, where the crew all spend time every day. Usually, those gardens do double duty to provide fresh produce for the crew.
Some of the plants I recognize from elsewhere, and some bear labels that they are native to Pfahrn and have been approved for use off-world because they don’t pose a pathogen risk. Such natural areas are a standard feature on space stations. Even the one I grew up on had a similar area, although it was much smaller than this one and the station’s planners didn’t bother trying to make it look “natural.” It was made up of plants held in spartan, industrial planters, with little effort made to disguise that fact.
During our walk, I notice Olarte ducking as we traverse doorways, even ones that are plenty tall enough for them to pass through without issue. I start to realize it’s a natural reaction, a learned instinct. They’ve probably smacked their forehead more times than they can count.
As we walk we talk, and I learn more about Olarte’s family. They are close to their siblings and parents, and when at home on the planet, they all share the same dwelling.
I can see there will be a cram session in my immediate future about Pfahrn the planet, and the people and their culture.
Time passes quickly. Too quickly. I can’t remember the last time I had such a deep, thoroughly enjoyable conversation as I am right now. We pause at another of the observational alcoves to study the planet below us.
“I have had a very enjoyable evening,” Olarte says. “Unfortunately, it is getting late and I must return to my quarters.”
I struggle to rein in my disappointment. I’d long since come to terms with the fact that I’m not getting laid tonight, but I really am enjoying myself. “I understand.”
Olarte pauses. “I would like to repeat this, if you are agreeable to it.”
“Oh, absolutely, I am. Name the time and place.”
“That same restaurant is satisfactory, if you enjoyed it.”
“Great! Same time tomorrow night?”
I mean, I hope I’m not coming off as too needy.
“That would be acceptable.” Olarte pulls out their com unit. “I will give you my com number.”
We exchange numbers and part ways at the lift station in the center of the hub after Olarte tells me how to return to my hotel. I stop on my way back and buy a bottle of Ankarian liquor.
If I’m not getting laid tonight, at least I can get drunk.
* * * *
Back in my hotel room, I settle in bed with a glass of Ankarian on ice and my tablet to do some research. I start by re-reading the brochure I’d glanced through while aboard thePR. Now, portions of it make a lot more sense than they had upon my first reading. There are also other publications referenced in the brochure, so I download those and do more reading.
The Pfahrn are a peaceful, technologically advanced race, but there’s an eye toward protecting and maintaining nature in their society, which has kept them from flattening their planet and chewing up its natural resources. Mining is big, and how the planet has made a fuckton of money and become a serious player within the coalition.
Not just on-planet mining, but also mining their orbiting moons and large asteroids in a belt within their solar system. Their anatomy, and careful population control as a result, has helped them maintain an above-average living standard on their planet in terms of ecology and health. They have long lifespans compared to humans, too.
I’m on my third glass of booze when I finally let loose with the search query that none of the materials I’ve read have yet to address.
Pfahrn genitals
Slowly sipping my drink, I peruse the top result, a scientific article written by a Dr. Mafer H’looder in one of the Maxim Colonies science divisions.
