When the Bow Breaks - The Travis Fletcher Chronicles

By Chris Devine

Book 3. The Arrow is travelling to Arcturus 2 where Travis and Xnuk Ek’ attempt to broker a peace between two invading races who are fighting for its abundant natural resources with no regards for the indigenous population. It is up to Travis and his crew of volunteers, renegades, refugees and runaways to find a solution to a war that no-one wants to end, except the peaceful Arcturans.
Cat must come to terms with living in exile amongst humans, who she grew up believing to be the enemy of her kind. Xnuk Ek’ is haunted by dreams of her own death. Toaq Ghashil only divulges snippets of his past when it suits him. The Arrow now has another passenger, the diminutive Pax, who has her own secrets and agenda. Travis still cannot reconcile who he was with his new life and his mental abilities are growing too fast for him to adjust. His internal turmoil threatens The Arrow, the mission and all three inhabited worlds of the Arcturus system. He also learns that the universe has bigger plans for them all. 380 Pages

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781326477806

Book preview

When the Bow Breaks

Book Three of the Travis Fletcher Chronicles

By

Chris Devine

Copyrights

When the Bow Breaks

First published by Christopher Devine in 2015

Revision 6

This edition copyright © 2015 by Christopher Devine

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor otherwise be circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Proofreading by Natalie Tipping

Cover Art by Rhi Tristram

Distributed by Lulu

www.lulu.com

17755847

ISBN 978-1-326-47780-6

For Mum

Acknowledgements and Credits

First and foremost to my wife Julie for her love, patience, ideas and continual encouragement when I was running out of words. Also for persuading me to ‘go for it’ otherwise this story would have just stayed on my laptop and probably got lost during an upgrade. Also for helping with read-throughs, picking out plot holes, and inconsistencies and rewording some of the nonsense that spilled out of my brain.

To Claire, Mike, Ryan, and Anna for their encouragement and being the best family a dad could wish for.

To Emily for being the cutest granddaughter in the universe.

To Natalie for her boundless enthusiasm and suggestions while proof-reading, editing and wading through the grammatical mire I created and still being able to smile at the end. Find Natalie on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=363508115

To Rhi for another amazing cover and bringing another of my characters to life. Find Rhi on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=293931228

or see her amazing portfolio at

http://rhitristram.wordpress.com/

To all the people that read The Archer’s Paradox, my first foray into fictional writing, thank you and thank you for buying this book.

And last but not least, to all the people that provided me with a montage of attributes I used to create some of the characters.

And finally, you can find me on Facebook, Goodreads or Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Devine/856088317744723

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10813771.Chris_Devine

@chrisdevine01

I would love to hear from you.

Zeno’s Dichotomy Paradox

That which is in locomotion must arrive at the half-way stage before it arrives at the goal.

Chapter 1

I could have shot her out of hand, Travis mumbled, half to Xnuk Ek’ and half to himself, referring to the diminutive redheaded girl they had just brought back after the battle on Cat’s planet. When she came out and started waving that gun around, I never even checked what she was thinking, and I would have just shot her where she stood, Travis sipped pensively on a vodka, and not given it a second thought, he reiterated.

But you did not, Xnuk Ek’ replied. She had averted a minor catastrophe by stopping him from killing an innocent and successfully steered him away from the abyss. He would learn from it, but would it be enough? Her mind replayed the battle. She was appalled at how easy she had found it to kill. How many did she kill? The same question Travis Fletcher had asked her after they had escaped the Alliance blockade at Harrn. It was necessary. She had said that to Travis Fletcher after they had left Harrn, but the words sounded meaningless now. Killing is never ‘necessary’. How many had they killed together? They had successfully halted the arbitrary slaughter of Cat’s people by the Alliance hunters, but the victory felt hollow somehow.

Where is she now?

Travis’ question brought her out of her introspection. With Toaq Ghashil, she replied. He is finding her suitable quarters and will escort her until we decide she can be trusted.

Another orphan looking for a home, Travis muttered to himself. We’re a ship of orphans and runaways. Is she an orphan or a runaway? I don’t even know her name.

Pax.

Pax? he repeated. Even I can pronounce that. Travis’ smile looked malevolent through the dirt and blood caking his face and made Xnuk Ek’ shiver. What’s her story?

His ice blue eyes that had been altered by the hunters’ gas attack shone through the grime and only served to augment her feelings. We should cleanse, then you can ask her yourself, Xnuk Ek’ suggested. The smell of blood and singed hair and flesh in her nostrils made her feel sick and reminded her of the people she had just killed.

Fair enough. He rose, and they walked to the back of the observation deck to take a bounce tube back to the bridge and their cabin. And what was all that about ‘My Love’? She called me it twice.

It was as if she knew you intimately, Xnuk Ek’ mused.

Not from this life, Travis assured her, not that she needed reassuring, unless she’s been to Earth, and I am sure I would have remembered her.

**********

The Arrow had just passed into hyperspace and the windows were now opaque. Travis had dragged an unwilling Cat down to the observation deck to say goodbye to her planet, as he had done for Xnuk Ek’ when they left Otoch. Although Cat understood that Travis was trying to help her come to terms with her change in circumstances, she did not understand how a ritual drinking of alcohol would relieve her burden of being exiled from her people and her world. Her blood still sang from the thrill of battle, and sending so many hunters to meet their ancestors with her [untranslatable] knife had been more satisfying than it should have been. She had fulfilled her promise to herself, but she had still lost her home and her people.

Travis Fletcher had told her that ancient warriors on his home world sometimes carved grooves into their weapons for each kill it made. She found the idea interesting, although the carvings in her knife already had significance, even though it was made by someone else, which would be lost if she began carving extra markings. She never did recover her own knife, but she would wield this one with pride and remembrance of its dead owner, even though they had never met. She was sure that she would be conversing with her ancestors now if the two apes she had come to call friends had not been fighting alongside her. She had disappeared into her cabin without a word to anyone as soon as she could, leaving Travis and Xnuk Ek’ alone, still covered in the mud and grime of the battle.

**********

Back in their cabin, all signs of war washed away and in fresh jumpsuits, Travis and Xnuk Ek’ prepared to meet their new passenger. The new arrival’s familiarity and demeanour bothered Travis, so he had decided on a formal setting and had set their living quarters up with a desk and chairs to create a physical barrier between them. The door chimed and Toaq Ghashil stepped over the threshold. His face was flushed, he was breathing heavily and sweat beaded on his bald head as if he had just run a marathon, but the ship’s gravity was half that of his home world so there seemed no logical reason for his breathlessness.

Pax, this is our Commander, Travis Fletcher, and his First Officer, Xnuk Ek’. Please do not leave me alone with her again! His thought carried a desperate plea with it.

Pax stepped shyly round the bulky Ketashi, who could have easily hidden at least two girls of the same size. She too had taken advantage of the cleansing cubicle and was now wearing the yellow jumpsuit of a passenger, which was a vast improvement on the tattered shift they had found her in. Her voluminous dark red hair had been pulled up and into a thick topknot from which it exploded like a volcanic eruption from the top of her head and over her shoulders. Her features were sharp and angular, with a nose that looked too big for her face, and slightly elongated and pointed ears, which reminded Travis of an imp or a pixie. The pupil, iris and sclera of her deep-set eyes all merged together beneath thick red eyebrows and twinkled like black diamonds which, for Travis, accentuated her resemblance to a large bird.

My Commander, My Love! she beamed, a smile so wide it threatened to split her small face in half. Centre of My Universe. You are even more beautiful than I had dared to hope. She coiled to launch herself over the desk at him. I am not… Xnuk Ek’’s icy stare and warning thought hit her full in the face, making her stumble into an awkward silence, looking shamefaced at the floor. I have humiliated myself and angered you. How will you punish me?

Punish you? Travis asked aghast at her instant assumption of retribution. Why?

We have no reason to punish you, Xnuk Ek’ added, perturbed by the girl’s reaction.

We just don’t understand how you think you can know me, Travis finished.

The girl looked up and smiled. I know so much yet so little about you, My Commander, My Love, Centre of My Universe. And of you, Xnuk Ek’ of the Xi Scorpii. Her expression changed as she looked at Xnuk Ek’ as if she were sizing up a rival, or possibly a large worm. Before Travis could admonish her, she carried on in a high-pitched twitter, still speaking Vaeshic. You are Travis Fletcher of Sol 3 or Earth, the only habitable planet of eight…

Nine, Travis interrupted, correcting her.

Eight, The girl was adamant.

She is correct Travis Fletcher, Xnuk Ek’ affirmed. When we surveyed the Sol system, we discovered only eight planets, but many asteroids and planetoids. A very crowded and untidy system.

Don’t start agreeing with her! He turned back to the girl. And how do you…

Your planet has a very complicated political structure, she continued as if she had never been interrupted. You have a number of methods of electing leaders, as well as dictatorships, rule by inheritance and by conquest. To see so many different systems for ruling on one planet is very interesting and unusual. But without one overall governing body, it is a most inefficient system, she noted with a shake of her head that sent her locks rippling around her shoulders. No wonder you are the only one to travel beyond your solar system. I am surprised that there are any decisions made at all. She giggled at her audacity.

Travis was lost for words but Xnuk Ek’ stepped in. I think…

But Pax was still not finished. And you are Xnuk Ek’ of the third planet of Xi Scorpii C, called Otoch. You are governed by a council of representatives from each of the Xi Scorpii suns with one Council Leader. Much more efficient, she acknowledged with a satisfied nod, as if praising a student for a good essay. But that is as academic as Otoch and the Xi Scorpii…

Enough! Travis banged his fist on the table, making them all jump and startling the girl into silence. He had seen Xnuk Ek’’s countenance cloud over as memories that had only recently begun to lose their sting started to flood back into her forebrain. Sounds like you have been having some interesting conversations. Travis looked accusingly at Toaq Ghashil.

Commander I never… we did not… we… he stammered.

The information is in your ship’s data store, Pax explained. I just had to acquire it and piece it together.

Toaq Ghashil? Xnuk Ek’ queried accusingly.

She never went near a computer terminal, Commander, The Ketashi protested. She could not!

The Ketashi are so easily confused, the girl giggled, looking at Travis with a secret smile from under her thick eyebrows. I investigated you while he slept.

Slept! Xnuk Ek’ exploded, momentarily losing her cool.

Mr Toaq? Travis queried, copying Xnuk Ek’’s tone.

Do not blame the Ketashi. She patted his huge arm. But you did enjoy your dreams, did you not? she smiled innocently at him. I saw. She gave him a knowing look.

You put a whammy on Mr Toaq here? Travis concluded, raising his eyebrows and remembering a dream that Xnuk Ek’ had given him not long after they first met.

Such unseemly thoughts for such a young one! Toaq Ghashil blustered, trying to cover his embarrassment.

I am no child! Pax responded indignantly. I am of age, and I only gave you a scenario, the rest was your own imagination, Pax added, simpering innocently. The big man flushed furiously and spluttered.

Enough! Xnuk Ek’’s face had taken on the look of a tropical thunderstorm about to unleash its full force on them all.

Travis attempted to inject a bit of reason into the uncomfortable silence. If you know so much about us, then you must also know about the Xi Scorpii Code of Honour. He looked directly into the girl’s eyes. She nodded dumbly and bit her lip apprehensively. Then you know it is not a good idea to go poking around in someone’s head without their permission. The words understated the accompanying mental message.

The girl bowed low, Xi Scorpii style. Forgive me Xnuk Ek’. Her plea was in earnest, I had to learn as much as possible about you as quickly as possible. It is my training. She remained with her head down until Xnuk Ek’ accepted her apology and explanation, and then turned to Toaq Ghashil. I meant no disrespect, Toaq Ghashil.

The big man nodded curtly, but knew that there was probably no possibility of him ever being irrevocably angry with this irrepressible girl.

Now, it’s your turn, Pax. Travis tactfully changed the focus away from the Ketashi, who was looking more and more uncomfortable. She looked at him queryingly. "Who are you, what is your training and why did I feel I had to rescue you?"

Pax shuffled uncomfortably from one foot to another. She had concealed her identity for so long, and now she found it difficult to let the secret go. But, she reasoned, she was in the presence of the one being her dreams had said she could trust, even if it was not how she had imagined or planned.

I am Xa’Paxezhaf, she stated proudly as if she had explained everything.

When Travis and Xnuk Ek’ looked at each other blankly, Toaq Ghashil stepped in. She is Furahi! he announced as if realisation had just hit him. Pax nodded. I have heard of the Furahi and their... appetites, but I have never met one, until now. He seemed suddenly apprehensive of her and shifted his bulk surreptitiously away from her. Her familiar name is Pax, but her full title is Xa’Paxezhaf which describes her heritage and position in the Furahi hierarchy. Pax smiled and looked up at the big man with renewed respect.

Which is…? Travis prompted him to finish.

More than that, I do not know, he shrugged and lowered his head in shame for a moment. I regret my lack of knowledge.

Travis dismissed his need to apologise with a wave of his hand and turned to the, now grinning, little pixie, as Travis had decided she resembled. I think you have an interesting story to tell. He stood, and the formal desk and chairs melted away to be replaced by a two-seater sofa and a pair of comfortable chairs, each suitable for Xa’Paxezhaf and Toaq Ghashil respectively. He motioned everyone to sit and took his place on the sofa next to Xnuk Ek’, deliberately making it clear to the little Furahi what the relationship between everyone in the room was. The floor is yours Pax, he waved vaguely at the space between them, then leaned back with his arm draped over the back of the sofa and pointedly, round Xnuk Ek’’s shoulder.

The Commander has given you the opportunity to tell your story without interruption, Xnuk Ek’ elaborated when Xa’Paxezhaf looked blankly between them.

Furah, she explained, orbits a star in the Capella cluster, which includes four stars in two binary pairs, beyond the edge of Vaeshic space. Unlike the Xi Scorpii cluster, which consisted of five individual systems of planets, all orbiting their own star but in relatively close proximity compared to the usual distances between stars, Capella A orbits Capella B and C orbits D. Furah, along with the other planets in the system, orbits Capella A and B. The result is an erratic and elongated orbit with extreme shifts in weather patterns and geological disturbances. Toaq Ghashil suggested that these were reasons for the Furahi apparent genetic need to attempt to breed at every opportunity. In a stable, temperate environment like Harrn or Ketash, his own planet, he argued, there is not the need to produce so many offspring. Pax leaned over and dug him hard in the ribs at that point with an exaggerated pout, but did not contradict him. He conceded, however, that the images he had seen of Furah with four suns in the sky was exceptionally spectacular and beautiful, and he expressed a wish to see it personally at some time in the future.

The governmental system on Furah consists of five companies who bid for the contract to run the planet for a period of five solar years, which is the time taken for Furah to complete one orbit of both its parent stars, about twenty Otoch years or thirty Earth years. The population would consider the proposal of each company, then vote accordingly and then act as customers and shareholders. If the incumbent company failed to meet its promises, it could be ousted prematurely in a vote of no confidence by the shareholders, and not permitted to bid in the next two elections. Travis nodded with interest at the similarities and the differences between what was being described and what he had grown up with. Xnuk Ek’ on the other hand looked completely lost and Travis promised a recap later. Although the ruling company was chosen by election, the companies were jointly run by husband and wife teams who generally passed the Chair to their first born.

Although not part of the Alliance, Furah does trade goods and services, mostly with the Vaeshic, she explained, because Furah was short of many raw materials and luxury goods. Also, mining was not a big industry due to the prevalent geological disturbances. Like the Ketashi, the Furahi kept their full telepathic abilities hidden for fear of persecution and worse by the Vaeshic, but still sold services as Observers. The Vaeshic used the Furahi Observers at negotiations and delicate business transactions to make sure they were not being cheated. In return, the Vaeshic acted as advisors on all matters concerning the Alliance. Vaeshic ambassadors held positions in the ruling company second only to the CEOs themselves. They also acted as go-betweens for any transactions between Furah and the other Alliance members.

So, Travis interrupted finally, this is all very interesting, hiding his impatience, but you still haven’t told us who you are, he was getting more than a little frustrated by now and politics bored the pants off him, and how you ended up on a planet so far from home and, apparently, waiting for me.

All in good time My Commander, My Love and Centre of My Universe, she chided as if talking to an impatient child.

And stop calling me that! Travis demanded in frustration.

You have to understand everything before I can tell you, Pax continued, her pointed features suddenly deadly serious.

Tell me what?

I am Xa’Paxezhaf…

Yes, we know that, Travis’ patience was rapidly wearing thin.

I am… she faltered a moment, suddenly unsure of herself. I am first born to the current ruling Chief Executive Officers of Furah, and the next in line to inherit my sires’ company. She let out a long sigh. Her secret was out and no longer weighed so heavily on her narrow shoulders.

The silence grew longer as the other three looked at each other in astonishment, and then at the petite girl with them who heartily wished they would say something, anything, to break the silence.

So, Travis began tentatively, that would make you sort of, well, a princess? he finished uncertainly.

Xa’Paxezhaf examined the statement and compared it to her knowledge of the various ruling classes of Travis’ home world and nodded. In some respects, yes, I suppose the title is appropriate, she agreed, although she was unsure about the heavy looking and movement restricting attire that had flashed to the forefront of Travis’ mind. Any sexual encounters would have to be carefully planned and executed, although the precious metals and stones that made up the headpiece did look attractive, if very heavy and unnecessary.

Wow, ok. This meeting was becoming more and more surreal by the moment and Travis was not sure if he should kneel or bow or something.

Tell us of your dreams, Xnuk Ek’ changed the subject abruptly, and how you came to be on that planet. You did not look as if it was by your own free will.

Yes, of course, Pax acknowledged. Dreams are important to the Xi Scorpii, but not so much to the Furahi; too vague and too many inconsistencies, she said dismissively, but I still believe in them, she added hurriedly.

She has certainly done her homework, Travis acknowledged to Xnuk Ek’. She’s learnt more about you in a few hours than I did in six months.

The idea that she will rule a planet disturbs me, she returned with a smile.

Frightens the shit out of me, Travis acknowledged, and if there is a whole planet of her?

Xnuk Ek’ did not reply. She had once said something similar about Travis Fletcher, a long time ago and for different reasons. Continue, she prompted the girl.

My people are not natural explorers like the Xi Scorpii, the girl admitted, but I wanted to see more. Her face took on a wistful expression. I wanted to wake up under a different sky, where the ground does not shake so often, see the places the Observers spoke of, meet different cultures…

And have sex with them.

Xnuk Ek’ smiled at Travis’ thought.

I agreed with my sires that I should be allowed to take a tour of the Alliance and its planets. My sires arranged a Vaeshic guide and…

Don’t tell me, Travis interrupted, holding his hand up, your guide double-crossed you, and sold you as a sex slave, he précised, cutting the girl short, wishing she would get to the point, and immediately regretted his harshness.

Tears welled up in the little pixie’s eyes and she nodded at Travis’ accurate if colourful summary of her misfortune. "It is true, as Toaq Ghashil has said, we Furahi do enjoy intimate relations, more than the Vaeshic and certainly more than the Harrns, but we choose with whom we are close with. We are not as that Jafek said. We are not, I am not… Her emotions got the better of her and she buried her face in her hands and began to sob uncontrollably. Unable to maintain his indifference, Travis knelt in front of her and folded his arms around her tiny shoulders. Only Vaeshic females make sex a business," she wept bitterly into his shoulder.

After a while her sobbing subsided enough for Travis to disentangle himself, and he sat back down next to Xnuk Ek’, who nodded when he looked at her. She knew exactly what he was about to say and agreed with him.

Pax, he began, you are welcome to stay on the Arrow as our guest…

My Commander, My Love… Unable to contain her happiness, she leapt across the gap between them and flung her arms around Travis’ neck. After hanging on for a little too long and a little too tightly for Travis’ comfort, she turned to Xnuk Ek’ and embraced her briefly before sitting down, this time with tears of joy in her eyes.

But, Travis continued after the interruption, I have to tell you that we are heading into a war and we have no idea what will happen when we get there. You might want to reconsider and…

Pax shook her head vigorously. No! My dreams told me I should stay with you, My Commander, my… she stumbled into silence at Travis and Xnuk Ek’’s look.

And another thing, Travis waved a playful finger at the little pixie, we Earthmen…

And Xi Scorpii, Xnuk Ek’ interjected, to add weight to Travis assertion.

Choose our partners as well, and we have chosen each other. He pointed at himself and Xnuk Ek’ in turn. Is that clear?

I can wait, Pax replied with a cheeky smile.

Very well, Travis nodded. Now, Mr Toaq, will you give Princess Pax a tour of the ship and its facilities?" he asked the big man flippantly.

Do you mock me? Pax suddenly rounded on Travis, her black eyes flashing dangerously.

I mock everyone, he replied deadpan, but humour had thawed through the ice in his eyes. The girl had brought a warmth and joy back to the Arrow that had been missing since Otoch.

It means that the Commander likes you, Xnuk Ek’ explained making Pax beam with pleasure.

Must I? Toaq Ghashil was not relishing the thought of being alone again with the sex crazed sprite, especially not after the object of her affections had rejected her, however diplomatically. She was exhausting enough in a dream. But after all, it had been a while. He had spent so long in the Harrn prison, and had then got straight on to this ship with only two females, one who was with the Commander and the other not even human, who would probably prefer to slit his throat than mate.

And show her how to train the language computer, Travis suggested. I am sure she would prefer to speak her own language.

The Vaeshic language, she spat the word with venom, offends my throat, she admitted.

They all stood and Toaq Ghashil led Xa’Paxezhaf out with her tiny hand enclosed in his massive fist, looking expectantly up at him. Oh, and Ghashil, Travis called after them, I think you might have an interesting story to tell as well sometime.

Yes, maybe I do, the big man replied with a smile as the door slid shut.

I think she scares me more than being locked in a cage with Cat, Travis joked dryly after the door closed.

She has a very powerful mind, but it is completely undisciplined, Xnuk Ek’ noted.

I think you might have to help out a bit there, Travis suggested pointedly.

I am not sure she will listen, Xnuk Ek’ argued. She did not relish having the girl as her paal kanik.

She will if I tell her to, Travis insisted.

Yes, I think she will, Xnuk Ek’ smiled and kissed him on the cheek, but maybe one of the Arcturans would be more suited.

You’re probably right. I’m not sure if I’ve just inherited a sister or a stalker, he grimaced, half joking.

**********

Cat paced her cabin trying to come to terms with her life since she had left the Harrn Orbital Station. She had considered her relationship with Travis Fletcher and Xnuk Ek’ as a means to an end, and that end had been accomplished. They were apes, and she hated apes because that is what she had been taught to do since birth. The apes who had killed her friends, captured her and used her for their entertainment, only served to reinforce that hatred. She had fully intended to use these new apes to help free her people and then discard them. But Travis Fletcher was the complete antipathy of everything she thought she knew. He was kind, gentle, learned to speak with her, helped her escape and even endangered his own life to save hers. Then there was Xnuk Ek’, so graceful, for an ape, so serene and compassionate, caring more for helping the injured Young One than her own life.

The revelations in the Hall of Memories reverberated around her head. Everything she knew or thought she knew was based on lies to hide mistakes. The Ape Wars should never have happened and there should now be two sentient species on her world instead of one. Now the lies had become canon that could not be opposed without destroying the whole structure of her civilisation. She had what Xnuk Ek’ called a Paradox of Honour. She could either quietly accept exile and perpetuate the lie that would maintain the balance but disgrace her whole race in her eyes, or make a stand for truth that would probably make no difference but could possibly bring disgrace to the Fathers for deceiving everyone for so long. She had chosen the third option. She had chosen to run away, to disgrace herself and her lineage in the eyes of her people but not to upset the balance, and probably more importantly, not to die alone. She looked at herself in a mirror. She was no longer of her people but neither would she ever be an ape. She was neither one thing nor the other, rejected by her people but unable to accept that she could ever be welcome in the world of apes. A solution had to be found, but first, a simple correction that would satisfy a small part of her honour, even though the apes would not be aware.

Xnuk Ek’? She sent the query out. I would speak with you, alone.

It was a few minutes before Xnuk Ek’ was able to answer. They had just sent Toaq Ghashil and Xa’Paxezhaf off and were discussing how best to keep the little redhead busy and out of trouble. It would be another twenty days before they arrived at Arcturus, and Travis wanted to discuss what to do when they arrived, but having an ‘excitable little tornado’ under their feet would not make things any easier. Xnuk Ek’ got the impression that there was more to Xa’Paxezhaf than met the eye, but she could not qualify her thoughts so kept them to herself. Still mulling over possibilities, she pressed the chime on Cat’s cabin door, which slid aside almost instantly, as if the cabin’s occupant was poised and waiting for her arrival. It was not the changes Cat had made to her cabin that made Xnuk Ek’ gasp involuntarily. The cabin smelled of the forest of Cat’s planet and the ever-changing patterns of greens and browns that played over the walls seemed to imitate the movement of trees in the breeze. By the far wall, Cat, normally erect and proud, stood hunched, bedraggled and indecisive, with her fur still matted with the blood of her recent kills. Underneath the perfume of the trees, the room stank of death, fire and alien sweat. Her knife lay discarded in a corner, still caked in dried blood, as if it suddenly offended her.

I have questions, she began without greeting or preamble and without looking at Xnuk Ek’.

That much had not changed, Xnuk Ek’ thought wryly as she called up a chair to sit in. She waited patiently while Cat paced restlessly. Finally, she seemed to have gathered her thoughts together.

Tell me of the origins of Travis Fletcher’s name. She seemed to wince a little as she spoke his name.

Intrigued but happy to oblige, Xnuk Ek’ recounted her dream at the bridge and explained each aspect of Travis’ name: the guardian of a crossing, the maker of weapons, even talking about the Otoch equivalent of his ancestral profession, the Wach’ikamayuq and how the Arrow was named Wach’i in her language, but ‘Arrow’ was easier for Travis Fletcher to pronounce. She surmised, correctly but without knowing why, that Cat was asking for more than just a simple translation. Her query was almost Arcturan. She wanted to know the full history and story behind a name.

Tell me also of his lineage, Cat asked when she had finished, so Xnuk Ek’ tried to fill in as much as she could about Travis’ parents that she could remember from the files. She remembered their names and the names of their parents and his siblings, and how they all died before she and Travis met, although she already knew who he was. She also explained what and why the Xi Scorpii were looking for when they found him on that fateful expedition.

Finally, when she had finished, Cat nodded, paced a bit more as if drawing courage from the movement, then looked at Xnuk Ek’.

When Travis Fletcher first came to me, she began, and tried to communicate, we gave each other names in our own language because our real names had no translation.

Xnuk Ek’ nodded. Travis Fletcher had told her as much.

Travis Fletcher attached the name you hear for me because he said I reminded him of a proud and powerful predator of his world.

Yes, that is true, Xnuk Ek’ acknowledged. He had never met anyone like you and was more than a little in awe and afraid of you. He felt the name described you, without insulting you. She did not say that Travis had foreseen her attack on him in a dream, down to the detail of her claws raking through the flesh of his back. The attack nearly killed Travis, but he was determined to go back and try to free her.

For my part, Cat stumbled a little over the words before continuing, I gave Travis Fletcher a heinous insult as a name. Xnuk Ek’ remained impassive and allowed the alien to continue. I did it because it amused me to see him acknowledge the insult without even knowing it, but now…

But now? Xnuk Ek’ prompted.

It shames me, she admitted. Travis Fletcher, and you Xnuk Ek’, have proved yourself more worthy than my own people. You have saved my life, stood by me in a crisis and given me the chance to avoid a lonely death in exile. She paced a bit more, deep in thought before looking up. I have a new name for him, she announced. One that is befitting of him. Tell me how I can correct my error.

Xnuk Ek’ showed Cat how to make a manual adjustment to the language computer and Cat seemed to relax a little, but there was still something bothering her. Travis Fletcher’s face, she began. She seemed to brighten a little when she spoke his name this time. It seems to grow bristles that vary in length. I have seen this amongst the Harrns as well.

Yes? Xnuk Ek’ asked tentatively. This was an unexpected change in tack that she was unprepared for.

But you do not, she observed.

Xnuk Ek’ smiled and bid Cat to sit still, not understanding the root of the query. Male humans grow facial hair, but females generally do not, she generalised. In some cultures, the males allow the hair to grow, but Travis Fletcher prefers to remove his after each rest period with a sharp blade. The Harrns use a similar device but not so potentially lethal.

You do not approve?

It is not that I do not approve, she replied, it is that I do not understand. At puberty, Xi Scorpii males use a device that genetically alters the stem cells in the face that creates the hair. After using this device, they never need to shave again, but Travis Fletcher insists that he needs his arcane ritual to remain sane in a universe he does not fully understand. It is one of the things that makes him ‘Travis Fletcher’ and attracts me to him.

Cat nodded, not comprehending the science or the sentiments, but being able to draw logical conclusions. I need to use the cleansing cubicle, she announced, and stood waiting for Xnuk Ek’ to leave.

If you need… Xnuk Ek’ began, as she stood.

I need to be alone, Cat interrupted, but just as the door was about to close she added, Thank you. Xnuk Ek’ looked over her shoulder to see a passible imitation of a human smile on Cat’s blood-stained face as the door slid shut.

**********

Mr Toaq! Travis had finally caught up with the big Ketashi in the Observation Bar.

Commander, Toaq Ghashil acknowledged as he sipped a drink out of a bulky drinking vessel, akin to a glass tankard or stein but without a handle. He had finally managed to disengage himself from the mini maelstrom that was Xa’Paxezhaf. Whatever possessed the commander to bring her on board, only the gods could know. But then, would he have thought exactly the same if the commander had chosen to leave her to her fate on the planet, to be torn to pieces by Cat’s people? He had left Xa’Paxezhaf sitting at the computer terminal in her cabin, furiously trying to teach it her native language from scratch.

Travis sat on a convenient chair and called up a bottle of wine. Too early for vodka. Mr Toaq, he repeated. I know you have your secrets and that’s fine, as long as they do not endanger me, the ship, or the crew. Is that understood?

Toaq Ghashil nodded. Yes, indeed he did have his secrets, and ones that he may or may not divulge at some point in the future. As loss of honour was fatal amongst the Xi Scorpii, loss of face was similarly fatal to the Ketashi, and Toaq Ghashil had transgressed enough for the Ketashi Codex to become the block on which his head would rest if he ever went back to Ketash. But, he surmised, nothing he kept hidden would affect the present or the near future.

I think I’m a fair judge of character, Travis continued. I had to be, to be good at what I did back on Earth, and I think that you have had some, if not a lot, of military training. Toaq Ghashil remained silent and sipped his drink. Tell me if I am way off the mark here because this could kill us all if I am wrong about you. Taking the big man’s lack of denial as corroboration of his theory, Travis carried on. In about twenty days, we are going to be dropping out of hyperspace, probably into the middle of a major shit storm. We are doing this because I made a promise to the Arcturans, not because I’m any good at this sort of thing. I’m not a soldier, even though Star tells me I have generations of knowledge of warfare locked away in my genetic make-up, whatever that means. He took a long swig of wine. I have a skeleton crew of Harrns who have never fought outside their own system in a ship that is probably thousands of years ahead of their knowledge and understanding, and I am going to pit them against an enemy I know nothing about. Have I missed anything out?

I think you have been candid enough, Commander, Toaq Ghashil answered, confirming his earlier realisation that he was probably on the wrong ship.

So far, we have destroyed lots of innocent asteroids, two Vaeshic warships, he made a heroic effort at the pronunciation, an Alliance installation, and a space station. The hunters’ compound and the space station were both civilian, not military, and they were massively outgunned, if not outnumbered, but I was working on gut instinct and trusting to luck. You however, put together and co-ordinated an attack and rescue strategy in a few minutes that probably saved all four of our lives. For that, Travis acknowledged by raising his glass, I thank you. He took a sip in toast.

This time, Travis continued after a pause, we are going up against the full military might of two planets that have been at war for years, and I can’t afford to put the lives of Star, Cat, little Pax and the rest of this crew in the hands of pure luck. I’ve died once before, and I didn’t like it. I have no interest in doing it again.

Toaq Ghashil raised his eyebrows but Travis did not elaborate. So, what do you want from me?

I know you’ve been working with the pilots and they did manage to bomb the fuel tanks eventually, but it took three runs and the tanks weren’t moving or shooting back. Do you get where I’m coming from?

Toaq Ghashil nodded his head. You wish me to hone the skills of the pilots and the gunners.

And the bridge crew, Travis added. They’re good men and they’ve been used to fighting the pirates attacking the Harrn tankers and losing. I want that to stop.

You presume a lot on my skills, The big man protested.

Can you do it though? Travis pressed.

Yes, The Ketashi admitted reluctantly.

Good man. Travis leant forward and clapped the Ketashi on the shoulder and ordered up a bottle of vodka and two glasses.

Will you assist me by keeping that little Furahi out of my bed and my head?

If she is in your bed, it means she is not in mine. They both laughed heartily and drank. But I do need to talk to her about the other," Travis added more seriously.

**********

Cat looked at the strange device on the table in front of her. It had taken a few attempts at searching the Xi Scorpii database to find what she needed. The process was not intuitive to her logic, and even though the ship understood her language, there were nuances of meaning that seemed to get lost in translation. But now there it sat, circular, squat and black with indentations in the top like a hand grip, but far too big for her to hold comfortably and no way to secure it to her hand. She had not considered checking for models from other Xi Scorpii planets where maybe the people did not have such big hands. She picked it up as if it was a dead rodent and turned it over in her hands. It reminded her a little of the speaking rock that Travis had brought to her cell all that time ago. It had no controls or moving parts and was flat and slightly spongy underneath.

She was no longer welcome amongst her own kind and she would never be fully accepted by the apes until she resembled one as much as possible. She knew how the grey wide-bodied ones spoke about her when they thought she was not in earshot. They either forgot or did not realise that she did not need ears to hear them. It was only her loyalty to Travis Fletcher and Xnuk Ek’ that stopped her shredding their uninteresting and flabby bodies, but that could change one day, she thought with relish.

She put her hands into the indentations on the top and gripped. She felt the device adhere itself to her hand as if she had picked up a piece of fruit covered in sap. A slight sensation of power vibrated through her fingertips. Holding it in her right hand, she extended her left arm and placed the device on her forearm, just above the wrist. Red-hot pain shot up her arm to her brain and her right arm recoiled, sending the device clattering against the wall. She gripped her throbbing arm, barely suppressing a cry. Where the device touched her arm, the skin was pink, moist, throbbing with pain and hairless. She retrieved the device, gritted her teeth and applied it to her arm again. She stroked it up her arm, past her elbow and to her shoulder. Everywhere it touched her fur disappeared, but left her skin red, raw and weeping. The pain was almost unbearable. It felt like she had put her arm into a pool of boiling oil.

Again and again she applied the alien device. Each time it touched her flesh she lifted her head and opened her mouth in a silent scream while tears streamed down her face. The more the pain ripped through her body, the more determined she became. Right arm, left arm, shoulders, chest, torso and legs. Every inch of her body shrieked in protest, but she persisted until only her back remained. She tried to reach, normally a simple act for her supple body, but she was now too