A Quack, 2 Cats, and a Drug Ring (Part 3)

[Daena 0]

The on board navigational computers had located the encoded transponder signal of the SS Dark Fury, and Kansas entered a course into the auto pilot that would take the borrowed Fury shuttle to her family's freighter ship. Once the course was plotted and laid in, she spared a glance to her passenger and...friends.

 

Daena yawned as she joined Kansas in the cockpit. It had been way too long since she had been on a ship. Honestly, she couldn't even remember how long she had been a slave. The Mithraan blinked curiously at all of the lighted consoles in front of her. All the colors danced before maroon eyes. And she dared not touch anything for fear of harming the shuttle.

 

The mercenary officer turned to the woman. "Sit down please." She politely indicated the co-pilot chair with a claw, the upholstery starting to shred from age in certain spots.

 

She quietly took her seat, smiling to the Caitian. "It's been such a long time since I've been in a ship. I had forgotten what space travel felt like."

 

JoNs offered her a small smile. "Then I am pleased for you…" she cleared her throat and the smile faded a bit. "…But you and I do need to talk."

 

Daena's ears perked up as she tilted her head. "About what?"

 

"Daena, as of right now, you are free. In fact, you have a new ship and family waiting for you, if you choose to accept; the crew of the Dark Fury, my family, would be more then happy to welcome you...” The Caitian paused then, looking at the Mithraan, not sure how to proceed.

 

"A...a family?" Daena brought her knees up into her seat, resting her head on them. Tears slowly crept down her face. Images of her mother, grandmother, and the rest of her lost family was in the forefront of her mind. "Do you mean it?"

 

Her gentleness tinged with a bit of sternness, Kansas continued. "I do mean it. However, it won't be a free ride. Everyone works on a Caitian clan ship. If you need a skill, you will be taught and then contribute that skill to the survival of the clan and ship. Do you have any background skills? You had mentioned you were in space prior to...uh...being with Mr. Personality?"

 

The Mithraan nodded, wiping away her tears. "Yes, I...was a botanist. But I also had studies in the arts. My family was renowned all across the Alpha Quadrant for their paintings and sculptures...That was until he came..."

 

A painful silence hung between them. "...your world was destroyed. I remember the news feeds."

 

Daena looked out the side viewport, her ears sagging. "We were peaceful. We had no weapons. None of us spoke up against the Empire. So why did they do it? Why?"

 

Kansas's ears drooped as well. "Sometimes, it's not so much the Empire as certain elements within the organization."

 

She looked over to the Caitian, new tears had fallen. "You mean like him..." she said with a slight growl, referring to Westler, her former master.

 

"Yes. And I must be honest with you - I serve as an Imperial officer."

 

Now Daena was just confused. "You do? But...but why did you just help me?"

 

A lopsided grin exposed a fang. "Because I'm a mercenary born Caitian with a day job as an Imperial officer and I have a death wish. Or, it could be because my cousin, the master of the Fury, told me the sort of situation you found yourself in, and...something just needed to be done." Kansas shrugged.

 

With a grateful smile, the Mithraan gently places her hand on the Caitian's paw, purring loudly. "Thank you so much. How...how can I repay you?"

 

"Well, it goes against my nature, but there will be no payment. For now, you have a home. That is payment enough. And in the future, I may be in a position to sponsor you - you had mentioned botany? Botany skills go a long way on an Imperial ship, remember that." Kansas added a low level purr to the Mithraans.

 

"Will they even allow me on an Imperial ship? After all I am, or was a slave."

 

"Of course they will." A leer appeared on the Caits features. "Provided the proper paperwork is, ahem, created, or the proper people bribed. There are always possibilities Daena."

 

"I see..." Daena nodded. "I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet though. After all I just gained my freedom."

 

Kansas merely nodded respectfully.

 

"So...how long until we reach your family?"

 

JoNs glanced at the console, and then gave a half hearted punch to the flat screen of the chronometer to ensure that the older equipment gave the accurate time. "A little under five hours. In the meantime, I need to lose this disguise. You are welcome to use the kitchen facilities if you - or the pets - want something to eat; the equipment isn't the most modern, but everything is in working order thanks to my Uncle Ra'virr, an engineer.

 

Daena thought for a moment. "I wouldn't know what to eat. Master...I mean Westler wouldn't let me have much of a choice. Even the cats ate better than I did."

 

Kansas muttered, and her tail started to lash. "I should have beaten him when I had the chance...pompous ass."

 

In a rare moment of tenderness, the rough and tumble Caitian rose and started to lead the Mithraan by the hand. "Come - I'll help you choose something good to eat."

 

She smiled as she griped Kansas' paw, following her. The Caitian's fur felt soft to the touch, almost like the two cats, which were still sleeping on the floor. "I would like that."