“If that’s what you really want to do, then I’ll make sure you have some resources,” Holian said.
Derani made a disgusted sound. “You don’t seem bothered by your sibling’s conduct.”
“I’m saddened but not surprised,” Myrum said. He and his sister had always been more like competitors than siblings. “She saw an opportunity to gain more wealth and took it. My parents have already dismissed me. This is one of the reasons I'm looking forward to being part of Amina’s family.”
“I know Lena and Tarquin will miss you, but they’ll be happy for you also,” Holian said.
“I’ll put together some data packets for you to take to them. They were so kind to me. I’m not sure I would’ve survived without them and their garden.” Absently he petted the jeweled lizard through the scarf. “Or Ruby.”
“I’d be happy to drop off the data packets. We’ll be doing a supply run to Kalor next,” Derani said, standing up. “If this is all you needed from me, then I’d like to leave and join Nalia.”
“I’m afraid you can’t leave yet,” Holian said.
Derani sounded a confused rumble. “Why?”
“Because Amina needs to spend time with Jinna and Nalia,” Holian explained as Derani retook his seat. “She will want to talk them into leaving with her.”
Myrum let out an amused rumble. “I don’t think that conversation is going to go the way Amina expects.”
“I’m sure it won’t,” Holian agreed. “But hopefully she’ll be reassured afterward."
Chapter 34
Amina
Her ploy to get Nalia and Jinna away from the Talins couldn’t have gone better. She was content to let Nalia explain every small detail until they were on the opposite end of the ship.
“The new doors mean we can let other ships dock with us,” Nalia said, pointing to the far end of the massive cargo bay. Her ship was easily twice the size of Steady and impressively well outfitted.
“That makes it possible to do ship-to-ship transfer,” Amina said. “That’s a nice improvement."
Helmen gave the door a jealous look. “I wish we had that on our ship.”
“You could have them installed with the bonus,” Amina said. “I saw the number, it should be enough. After the vote, you could have it done on Ifourus Station.”
“Nope, that bonus is going to be our wedding gift to you and Myrum,” Helmen said. “I talked it out with the crew and we all agreed.”
“No!” Amina said, shocked out of her intentions by this news. “You guys can’t do that. I didn’t get a vote. We always vote, and we always agree to use extra income on the ship. It’s our livelihood and safety.”
“Not for you,” Helmen said. “Not any longer.”
Amina felt a little hurt. “Is this punishment because I’m not going to work on Steady any longer?”
“I’m not sure I understand how giving someone money could be considered punishment,” Jinna said with lifted eyebrows.
“We live as a single, but thrive as a whole,” Amina said, quoting a common Ugarian saying.
“That’s a nice sentiment," Nalia said.
“I still don’t understand how that makes the gift a punishment," Jinna pressed. Amina might’ve been more upset with her question if her tone and expression weren’t genuinely curious.
Helmen made a comforting sound and stepped close to Amina. “This doesn’t mean you can’t come back. Maybe you'll get tired of being planetside in a few years and you’ll want to travel again. There will always be a place on Steady for you.”
Amina blinked hard. She refused to cry in front of these strangers. “There better be.”
She meant the words to come out teasing and lighthearted, but her throat was tight and her voice sounded a little wobbly. Thankfully no one pointed it out.
“Take the wealth, set up a nice house on Ineeko, spend some quality time with Myrum,” Helmen instructed. “When you’re ready, you both can come back to work with us. I’ve been thinking I’d like to do local runs for a while, so we’ll be dropping by Ineeko more often.”
