Page 18 of Feral Tamed

I tried to process that, what would it have been like for him? Taken from his home at a young age? Just like those aliens I’d encountered on one of my xeno-botany assignments that had been forced to integrate with all the new technology; Fierce probably struggled. Then the thought struck me, could he even read?

I’d have to ask him, it felt too personal to ask Abby for all the details. I’d rather hear it from him directly, it wouldn’t surprise me if he felt ashamed. Which was bullshit, it wasn’t his fault, he’d been dealt a shitty hand. Look at how kind and sweet he was, he was picking up strays left and right, myself included.

This latest addition was one cute fellow too, looking much like a porcupine but with the colors of a badger. The thick fur that covered the little guy was fluffy and a little coarse, but not anything like a porcupine’s spines. He was much more pleasant to cuddle with.

Instead of sating my curiosity with all the gossip on Fierce that Abby could supply, I turned the subject to my own future. “What will happen to me? You say you run the Vagabond together, that it’s a safe haven for freed gladiators. Is there a spot for me there?” Though it was me that was still unsure about whether this thing between Fierce and me had a future, the thought of not even being able to give that a chance was a painful one. I wanted to stick around and see where things led.

Abby patted my knee, “Of course you can stay with us. As long as you like, or if you find a place you’d want to go, we’ll drop you off. Do you want to return home?” She asked the last with a dubious look because she already knew that this wasn’t an option. Maybe it was her way of gently asking what I’d done to end up on this planet. She’d already let me know that she knew all the pods on the ship had held people slated for execution on Earth.

My eyes went to Fierce, who was still holding Snarl tightly, though gravity had thankfully kicked in and the hound had calmed. We were making our approach to the Vagabond, the gladiator’s spaceship currently orbiting this planet. I counted myself extremely lucky that they had decided to come looking for my batch of pods.

Fierce’s yellow eyes were focused on me, his head tilted at an angle so that one of his ears poked through his hair. The hair that was not quite alive, but also never seemed to sit quietly. He had no doubt heard every word we’d spoken, but he didn’t look too bothered about me finding out some of his story. I certainly owed him mine, so I spoke while looking at him.

“I was accused of plagiarism, a long time co-worker that I’d written several papers with together became resentful when some of my solo papers got more attention. He stole my personal notes and used them as evidence that I’d stolen those findings from him… I was found guilty and sentenced, my crime was considered a smear on his reputation so a fine was not enough. It was a pretty big shock to wake up crashed on a strange planet.”

A really big shock, I still couldn’t quite believe that I was somehow still alive. I didn’t know where I was, and I knew I could never go back. But at least I had my life, and now an alien guy who seemed to think I was his mate, and who gave me presents like fresh kills and pretty plants I gushed over. Not to mention the cutest little pets, for a girl who’d never been able to have one, I had become attached to Fluffy in a heartbeat.

I saw the sympathy on Fierce’s face, while Abby said, “That’s rough. I can’t believe Earth went to shit like that, when I lived on Earth, we still had prisons and actual trials. Not that those were great but better than this.” I eyed her in surprise, what was she on about, her time? What did she mean? How long had I been in stasis… Or… How long had she been in stasis?

She smiled ruefully, “Oh yeah, me and the other girls on the Vagabond are all from around 2020-ish, as near as we can tell. Maybe Chloe is from a little further back.” She raised her voice at the pilot, a human-looking redhead with a stripe across his face. “Hey Kitan, what year did Chloe think she was from?”

The guy turned his head our way just enough for a golden eye to glint at me, a playful look on his face. “Yeah yeah, she’s smaller but she’s older than you, we already established that.” He flicked a few switches before announcing proudly, “Open the hangar bay door Akri, we’re coming in.”

My belly dropped at those words, I was about to make a pretty big transition, from the quiet company of just Fierce and his animals down on the planet, to what might be my new home. Would I manage to find a place for myself there? Would I fit in? I liked Abby but would the other human women like me? This was like going to a new school or starting at a new job in a way, but now my whole future was riding on it.

The many different alien men sitting on the shuttle with me were loud, very present, and definitely intimidating. Except maybe the four-armed guy with the red skin, he seemed young and friendly, eager to please. Each time my eyes went his way he’d beam me the biggest, widest smile, it was adorable in a just out of his teens, crush kind of way. Each time he’d make eye contact with me, I saw how Fierce would rumble a warning, which was interesting. I had never realized that that tiny possessive display was such a turn on. It couldn’t continue like that of course, but I liked knowing that Fierce was warning away his friends.

As the shuttle touched down inside the hangar bay of the much larger spaceship, I let everyone else get off first. I felt like I needed a moment to gather my courage. At least Abby didn’t seem to mind, she just waited patiently while everyone else got out, even the pilot.

It wasn’t until Fierce leaned in and cupped my chin that I felt anchored, safe. He didn’t have to say it, I saw it in his sharp gaze. He helped me out of my harness and took the injured little rodent, which eagerly curled himself into his chest. To Fluffy, he rumbled something in his own language and the small, otter/cat scrambled up my arm and curled around my neck, purring gently.

Then he held out his free hand, which I took without hesitation, and he led me off the ship.

Chapter 12

Fierce

I led Hina through the Vagabond’s many corridors to the med bay. Besides needing to get urgent care for the little fellow I’d picked up, I wanted the Doc to update Hina’s translator and check her health. After drinking water on the planet, and eating food there, we needed to make sure neither of us would get sick.

Abby was the only one with us, but she kept a little distance and was talking in her com, if I wasn’t mistaken she was arranging a room for Hina. It went against all my instincts to allow her to have her own room, but it wasn’t me who got to decide. So even though my skin prickled at the thought of not having her to myself, in my own quarters tonight, I kept my mouth shut.

Inside the med bay, Sunder was sitting on the edge of the medical cot next to the surgical arm hidden behind its pane of glass. Hina paused in the door opening the moment she saw him, I couldn’t blame her, Sunder was pretty terrifying to look at. The Tarkan was permanently stuck in his battle form, which meant his skin was like stone, gray and thick, horns protruded from his skull, and tusks from his mouth. While large wings draped from his shoulders, his legs were digitigrade, so he walked on his clawed toes.

His upper body was entirely swathed in bandages, which the Doc was carefully checking. I was impressed, how had these naga managed to hurt the though Tarkan to this extent? I had expected Tori to be there, hovering over him with her baby in her arms, but she wasn’t present. I placed my free hand on the small of Hina’s back and leaned in to murmur against her ear, “Hina safe.”

That made her chuckle, “Oh yeah, I know, it was just a surprise.” She squared her shoulders and met the curious looks of the Doc and Sunder, raising her hand to wave at them. “Hi, I’m Ichika Hina, nice to meet you.” I pointed over her shoulder at each individual and announced their names which she listened to attentively.

Luka was the first to move, “Hello Hina, welcome aboard the Vagabond. I’m glad to discover that Fierce managed to find you and that you survived the crash. Would you let me check your vitals?” Hina couldn’t understand what he was saying, but Abby translated quickly.

Sunder was already scooting off the cot and backing away, trying to make space and tucking his wings in tightly so he didn’t look quite so big. Not that it helped much, but it seemed to make Hina feel calmer. Then Abby brushed past us with a smile and headed for Sunder, engaging him in animated conversation, it was clearly a smart tactic because I noticed how Hina relaxed enough to let the Doc guide her onto the cot.

I informed the Doc about drinking water from the planet, urging him to make sure neither of us had consumed anything bad. He nodded, “Thanks Fierce, let me update her translator first though, so we can all understand each other.”

Staying close, I pressed my free hand to Hina’s side, making sure she looked at me before I tilted my head and tapped at the spot where my translator had been placed. She caught on, titled her own head, and closed her eyes while the Doc brought up a small device and pressed it against her skin. She flinched and let out a low moan, which caused Fluffy to rumble cutely, her long tail lashing back and forth in warning. “Easy there Fluffy girl, Doc doesn’t mean our Hina any harm.”

Dark eyes met mine, Hina’s cheeks creasing into a wide smile, “I can understand you! Fierce! I understood what you just said!” She was elated, it was infectious so I could only smile back like a fool, enjoying the moment. Until she poked my chest, just below my new little friend’s fluffy butt. “Say something else! I want to hear you talk!”

After all these thoughts I’d had about what I wanted to tell her, what I needed to say. I was lost for words now. I opened my mouth, closed it again, and shook my head with a self-deprecating smile. “I don’t even know where to start,” I offered at last, which made her laugh.