The ship shook as massive bots grabbed hold to guide them the rest of the way to the docking supports. It wouldn’t be long now until they’d be walking down the short corridor from Steady to Sifor.
Amina was deep in thought about what she wanted to do next when Helmen stood up and faced everyone who crowded into command to watch the very mundane process of docking on the large display.
“There are rules,” she announced. “And all of you will follow them.”
“Rules for the Ossisos, not us, right?” Teshor said.
Helmen gave Teshor a brief show of annoyed ears then lifted them back up to address everyone.
“No one goes anywhere alone. You need to at least be in pairs, but three is better. You will not leave the communal areas. No going to someone's living quarters or a back room.”
Jossulum interrupted her to address the Ossisos. “If anyone says anything mean, give them a look and say something like, peasant, then walk away.”
“That is not a rule,” Helmen said, rubbing a hand over her forehead. “Stop helping, Jossulum.”
“I know this station well,” Desur said. “I could show anyone who wants to explore around. There are a couple of shops that have stuff from all over.”
The looks of relief on most of the Ossisos were obvious. Several of them took tentative steps closer to Desur, as if worried he’d leave command and they’d lose track of him.
Helmen then turned to where Amina and Myrum were lounging against a wall. “And then there’s you two.”
Amina raised an eyebrow. “You’re coming with us, remember?”
“I know, but I don’t have to be happy about it,” Helmen said. “I still think this meeting is a bad idea. And doing it on their ship is stupid.”
Secretly, Amina agreed with her captain, but Myrum had been adamant that Holian was completely trustworthy. It had taken a lot of talking, but he’d finally gotten his way.
Myrum kept quiet because he’d already won the argument over the meeting spot.
Helmen continued speaking. “I’ve sent a message to station security so their ship isn’t allowed to leave before ours. Even if they try something, they won’t get away with it.”
Amina was impressed. She knew Helmen was friends with some of the administrators on this station, but she didn’t realize it was that strong of a friendship. It also made her feel a lot better to know this extra precaution was in place.
She didn’t have any confidence in Holian or the captain of the ship, Derani. They were both Talins, and as far as she was concerned, Talins other than Myrum weren’t to be trusted. Not after the way Myrum’s family had treated him.
Everything in Amina’s community was set up to help everyone succeed. Sometimes success was living a simple and safe lifeon Ineeko, and sometimes it was going off on adventures. Transition and change were expected and accepted and goals were only set by the individuals, not those around them.
She couldn’t wait to get Myrum settled on Ineeko. He’d love the wide open skies, the supportive community, and maybe they could sneak off to the grasslands for some primal fun!
A chime sounded, announcing that docking was complete. Because they were an Ugarian-registered ship, they didn’t have to go through any extra security. They were free to leave the docks and explore the station.
“Is everyone ready to go?” Desur asked, almost as excited as the Ossisos he was accompanying.
“I’ll come with you,” Teshor said.
“Me too,” Jossulum added. “This’ll be fun.”
They all spoke at the same time as they left command, except for Gis. He stayed back with Helmen, Amina, and Myrum.
“Do you want to stay on the ship?” Helmen asked Gis. “The only thing to remember is that you can’t leave on your own.”
“I’m going with you,” he said.
Amina should’ve expected that. When she and Myrum weren’t in their room, Gis was usually right by their side. More than once while she was working, she’d ended up with two individuals carrying her tools around the ship for her. Teshor loved to tease her about it. She’d encouraged Gis to relax but could also understand that he got a lot of comfort by being around her.
She really hoped he didn’t try to move in with them on Ineeko. She would find a place for him nearby, but she wanted an entire domicile for her and Myrum.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Helmen said.
