Myrum was even more curious about what had gone on between him and Lorse.
When the Ossiso accepted the overture from Holian for Myrum to visit, they’d all thought Lorse was probably bored. A visit from an effusively grateful Talin would be mildly entertaining to an Ossiso living far away from any significant hub or planet. The way he was acting wasn’t like someone dealing with a tedious life.
He was acting more like he was greeting a lost love.
“Come along; we have much to do,” Lorse said, stepping back and to the side, indicating Myrum should walk with him.
Helmen stepped to stand between Myrum and Lorse. The Ossiso guards started to move, but Lorse motioned them to stay.
“What is it, Captain?” Lorse asked in a frigid tone.
“As we arranged, I will remain in orbit around your outpost until Myrum is ready to leave,” Helmen said.
Lorse gave her an unpleasant look. “Yes, we agreed to that, didn’t we?” He regarded the captain for a moment then spoke again. “If Myrum decides to stay with me, you’ll leave, correct?”
Helmen responded without hesitation. “I’d need to meet with Myrum in person for verification. Once I’m satisfied my contract has been fulfilled and you’ve sent me the promised wealth, I’ll leave.”
It was good that Amina warned him this conversation might happen and not to take it as truth. Helmen was going to say whatever she needed to make Lorse think she could be bought. Still, he needed to play his part.
“Stay?” Myrum asked, even as he stepped past Helmen. Amina and Gis rushed to stand shoulder to shoulder behind him. He almost sounded an amused rumble when they bumped shoulders.
“You just told me you’re a citizen again,” Lorse said, completely ignoring Amina and Gis. “You’re no longer working for your empire, so you have plenty of time to spend with me. Leave your mind open to remaining with me until you’re no longer entertained by my company.”
Myrum forced out a rumble of agreement. “I’ll think about it, but I still have obligations to my family and clan.”
“Of course,” Lorse said. “We can discuss everything at length.”
He gestured for Myrum to board the shuttle. He and Lorse walked up the short ramp, followed by Amina and Gis and the two guards.
The ship was a standard short-range shuttle on the outside but the inside was configured in a way he’d never seen before. The standard three or four rows of seats had been removed to make space for a table with two seats.
There was also a small area for food preparation, and an elaborately carved crate took up a section of bulkhead. At the very back was a thin pad that looked a little odd all by itself. Two Ossisos wearing matching uniforms were standing at the back of the shuttle. Their eyes were focused on the floor, their bodies tense and waiting for orders.
Everything about the shuttle, guards, and staff screamed of wealth. It was clear Lorse was used to comfort in every aspect of his life.
The two guards moved past them to take the command seats in the front. Gis moved to stand with the other two servants at the back of the shuttle.
Lorse took one of the seats at the table and pointed to the one across from him. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”
“Amina can sit,” Myrum said, urging her to what was the only unoccupied seat on the shuttle. “I don’t mind standing.”
Lorse jerked in his chair, clearly appalled. “No, it can’t sit there as if it was a person. It’s a pet without a soul, not one of us.” He pointed to the thin pad. “I’ve provided a place for it to sit during the flight.”
Myrum felt Amina tense and meet his gaze. They knew she wasn’t going to be treated with respect, but they hadn’t expected it to be this bad.
“I’m afraid this won’t work. Amina is a delicate creature who requires more than a paltry pad in a corner to remain comfortable and safe. I’m sorry for inconveniencing you, Planetary Expansionist Lorse. I will make other arrangements to visit you on the outpost.”
Myrum tried to move them off the shuttle, but Lorse was quick to stand up and block their path, his medals clicking loudly at the unexpected motion.
“I didn’t realize you were so attached to this human. If it’s important that the creature sit on a chair, then, of course, I’llaccommodate you.” He sounded a humorless laugh. “Letting it use a chair isn’t such a problem. It’s not as if you’re asking me to talk to it.”
“No, of course not,” Myrum agreed, catching Amina’s expression. Far from looking angry, she was biting her lip, trying not to laugh.
Lorse called to the two attendants. One of them got up and pulled a chair out of a hidden compartment. It didn’t take long for the chair to be latched into place against a wall. Lorse pointedly ignored Amina as she settled into the seat.
“Proceed,” Lorse commanded his men. “Immediately.”
He probably wanted to launch before Myrum found another reason to leave the shuttle.
