Chapter 1
Krevan Vallex stepped off the transport into a Silos he barely recognized.Bodies pressed against the landing zone barriers, their faces gaunt with sixteen weeks of waiting.A child clutched an empty medicine vial.Two merchants nearly came to blows over a crate of synthetic protein.The supply ship—the one that should have arrived six weeks ago—had been canceled without warning, deemed "unprofitable" by the shipping company.Now the medical clinics had run dry, merchants had nothing to sell, and those desperate enough to flee Verrian's merciless climate stood with packed bags, trapped by circumstance.This planet had always culled the weak, but now it was starving the strong too.
Krevan Vallex, a resident of Verrian, was among those eagerly awaiting the arrival of the supply ship in Silos.He hadn't visited the town in weeks, only making trips when absolutely necessary to gather supplies.Krevan preferred to keep to himself, and the townspeople reciprocated by keeping their distance, especially after learning of his past as a Triaxen humanoid who had recently been released from Hellgate Prison Planet.Word of his colorful history spread quickly across the planets, and once the citizens of Verrian became aware of his reputation, they largely avoided him.However, this exclusion didn't bother Krevan in the slightest.
The bell above the door of Silos' only restaurant-bar jangled as Krevan entered, his eyes scanning for an empty booth.The hostess led him to the back wall, her posture stiffening as he ordered."Cold tea.Two tartis burger specials.Six eggs scrambled."Minutes later, a waitress approached with his drink, recognition flashing across her face.
"Mr.Vallex," she said, tea sloshing as she placed it before him, "here for the ship like everyone else?”
Krevan's gaze remained fixed on the glass."Obviously."The single word hung between them like a wall.When she returned with his food, she topped off his tea in silence, avoiding eye contact.
Halfway through his meal, a shadow fell across the table."Vallex," a man by the name of Derrick Climbs greeted him.He slid into the opposite seat without invitation."Is your place still standing out there in the badlands?How are you holding up?"
"My dwelling has survived," Vallex confirmed with a curt nod."Conditions remain...manageable.After I retrieve the supplies I've been waiting on and return to my home, the situation should become more favorable," Krevan stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
Derrick, either oblivious to or deliberately ignoring the edge in Krevan's voice, leaned forward with a conspiratorial grin."Planning to visit the pleasure house while you're in town?Word is they've got special rates today."A mischievous glint lit Derrick's eyes as he waited for a reaction.
"What kind of specials do these prostitutes offer?"Krevan quipped, glancing up from his breakfast.
"I'm guessing it's a two-for-one deal."Derrick chuckled at the comment."Got your attention with that one," he laughed.
"What do you need, Derrick?I'm busy and not feeling very sociable right now," Krevan replied, taking another bite."And those prostitutes hate seeing me.They can't stand Triaxen humanoid males.They're terrified of us, especially me.They'd rather have smaller, gentler Earth males as clients."
Derrick grinned, "Maybe they prefer guys without fangs and lethal bites, who are a bit less temperamental."
Krevan nodded, "Exactly, so I'll avoid being unpopular with the Silos prostitutes today, special or not.I'm not in the mood for rejection from some Silos hooker.I had a wife for that, but she died, and I ended up on Hellgate Prison Planet for five years," he said with a menacing tone.
"Alright, Vallex, I’ll let you relax.I'm going to order something to eat.I didn't mean to rile you up.No disrespect intended," Derrick said, raising his hands in surrender.
"No problem, Derrick.You're a good neighbor.I just get edgy in town; people look at me like I'm a monster, like I'm going to eat their children.You're not heading to the brothel, are you?I thought you were happily married to an Earth woman you ordered online.How's that going for you?"Krevan asked.
"She makes me feel great and is pleasant to have around.I’m content, and no, I’m not going to visit the brothels anymore.I despised those times.That’s why I got a bride from the Galaxnet.I get intimacy right at home whenever I want.I’m satisfied."Derrick sipped his tea."You should consider getting a partner too, someone who won’t mind the risk of those fangs of yours."Derrick grinned widely.
"I'd rather face Hellgate again than risk another marriage," Krevan said, fangs glinting as he tossed payment onto the table."I'm off to the station before the real rabble shows."
Derrick's face brightened."Bring your appetite by our place sometime.The missus burns fewer things than I do."
Krevan managed a half-nod before shouldering through the door.Outside, the spaceport swarmed with bodies pressed against the security barriers.The supply ship had touched down early, its massive hull still cooling as dock crews prepared the exit ramps.Near the front, a cluster of men with scarred faces and poorly concealed weapons jostled for position.Typical Verrian welcome party.
Krevan hung back, nostrils flaring at the stench of unwashed bodies and desperation.How unlike the ordered processions of his home-world.He watched the first passengers stumble down the ramp before making his approach.
Somewhere in that chaos were both his cargo and Ancelin Trever, the Earther who'd agreed to lease his neighboring property.The lawyer had been clear: Krevan was to provide transport to the property and regular rides to town until Trever's vehicle arrived.A minor inconvenience, Krevan supposed, in exchange for rent money, though he couldn't imagine who would choose to live in that dilapidated structure on a planet most civilized beings avoided at all costs.
The crowd gradually dispersed, yet there was still no sight of Ancelin Trever.Most passengers had already retrieved their belongings from the ship and exited the station.Krevan lingered until the end before approaching the ship's cargo doors."Steward, I'm here to pick up my delivery.I should have four midsize boxes ready for collection.My name is Krevan Vallex.Here's my identi-card," he stated, handing over his identi-card to the crew member managing the ship's manifest and overseeing the unloading process.
"Your boxes are here, Mr.Vallex, and someone named Ancelin Trever has been asking for you," the steward said.
"I'll wait for my shipment.Where can I find Trever?"
"By the beverage stand."The steward gestured before heading off to collect Krevan's order.
Krevan scanned the area and spotted a young woman standing alone amid a small mountain of luggage and boxes.She kept glancing around nervously, seemingly unaware that traveling unaccompanied made her an easy target for the local predators who hadn't yet noticed her.
"Your items, Mr.Vallex."The steward returned with a crewmate, both carrying boxes toward where Krevan's vehicle waited.
Krevan slipped the steward a generous tip."And Mr.Trever?"
The steward's mouth quirked into a half-smile."That would be Ms.Trever—the woman with all those bags.She's been asking about you every five minutes.Seems mighty eager to get wherever you're taking her."He punctuated this with a conspiratorial wink.
