The Technician's Fight, Draft 1, CH24

“This is your Captain,” the voice came over the large room.

“Come on,” Jeremy muttered. “Get on with it.”

“We will be at the station for five days, so ensure you don’t make commitments that will take you beyond that. For those who will engage in business with the station’s seller, ensure your permits are in order before you initiate the transactions. If you will be bringing items in volume you can’t carry, coordinate with the Quartermaster. For those of you taking leisure time, remember that you are not from the Viper’s Bane. You have been traveling on the merchant ship The Brave Traveler. Keep your nose to the wind and live fully.”

A hand grabbed Jeremy’s arm before he could rush for the opening hatch.

“A hunter knows that patience is rewarded.”

He looked at his friend. “But we’re not hunters now, are we?” He’d been surprised when he was instructed to wear civilian clothing, even if he’d be going with his pack for this outing.

“A hunter only wears the mask of civility,” Skaram said.

“You’re making that up,” he told his pack mate, and she smirked.

“Regardless,” Thur said. “Let the civilians exit. A few minutes won’t take away from what you’ll enjoy.”

“Yearning makes the meat tastes sweeter?” Natril said.

“Now, I know you are making them up.” He looked at his friend. “And I have been looking forward to this for a month. Ever since Gral said we were going to a station. I love the ship, but I want to see sights. You know, different things.”

“This is definitely going to be different,” Yamilk chuckled, popping a dried meat cube in his mouth. Unlike what Jeremy had expected, the meat was cooked, not dehydrated. The pouch his pack mate carried had them cooked in different sauces until they were almost too hard to chew. He’d explained when he’d offered Jeremy try one that he should move it in his mouth until it lost most of the flavor. Then it would be tender for chewing.

The one he’d tried had been slightly sweet, and not bad, but also not impressive either. Not something Jeremy could envision eating for enjoyment, the way Yamilk obviously did.

“You say that like I should expect to be disappointed.”

“If you’re looking for all the amenities, you will be,” Trose said. “Now, if you are looking for a weapon, you will fall in love with this place.”

“I swear,” Yamilk mumbled. “It’s like you think your Heart is in one of those things.”

“My Heart is on Kelser, where she’s safe.”

“And where her mates and kids want her,” Grisnir added, smirking.

“Wait, you mean your actual Heart?” Jeremy asked. “Not the one you’ll eventually find? Why aren’t you with her?”

“Because it’d be difficult to be a Hunter of the Bane back on Kelser. And she has her family. I wouldn’t ask her to leave them behind for me.”

“Her family, meaning you aren’t part of it.” He shook his head in a mix of amusement at how difficult it was for him to accept and in astonishment they’d be fine being apart like that.

“I spend time with her whenever I’m home, and her mates are considerate enough to not ask to be included. But my family is here. This pack.”

“I don’t know if I could be apart from Gral, like that.”

“You can,” Thur said. He was frowning when Jeremy glanced at him. “I mean, you are strong, Jer. If you the hunt takes you away for a time, you will survive it.”

Thinking of it like that, the idea of not being with his Heart wasn’t so difficult to imagine.

“And you won’t be alone,” Urum said, pulling Jeremy to him and nuzzling his neck. “You’d be with your pack and we’d make sure you don’t miss him too much.”

“You males will make sure of that,” Iatirin said. “Us female will have to be content imagining what it’s like to be with this pack brother. There should be a rule that Hunters can’t be one of those who only want one gender. It leaves the rest of us wanting.”

Skaram and Natril hugged her. “We’ll make sure you don’t feel left out.”

“I’ll do too,” Jeremy hurried to say. “I mean, not that we’ll have sex, but I’m not going to push you out of the bed either.” His face was already burning before they looked at him speculatively.

“Has someone been with his mate’s friends?” Yamilk said, smiling.

“You know I’ve had sex with Toom. Everyone knows that at this point.”

“But the Alpha is known for having more than one friend,” Trose said.

He took a breath. “Yes, we have shared our bed with all his friends.”

“How was it for you?” Thur asked, ears canted quizzically.

“Interesting. Odd. Not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be?” he shook himself and tried to will his face to cool. “It’s not something I’ve ever experienced before. The last time I’d have been allowed in a bed with more than one person would be when I was a kid, and only if the nightmare was really bad. Then my dad would be okay with me joining him and my mom in their bed.”

“And it’s like that for all Earthers?” Urum said, baffled.

“I guess so?”

“I couldn’t imagine it,” he said. “I can’t think of a time it was just me in a bed when I grew up. It was me and my siblings, or me, them and our parents, or our Kreseric. I think the first time it was just me and one other person, he was the neighbor’s oldest son.” The male smiled wistfully. “So handsome, so hung. He was amazing.”

“Your first always is,” Thur said.

“Yes,” Jeremy agreed.

“So,” Trose said. “Are we staying here telling our newest pack mate about our first times, or are you setting foot on the station?”

Jeremy looked around and only a handful of people were left, heading out. “Out!” he pulled away from Urum and ran out of the ship. Laughter became softer with the distance, then he was standing on another station, awed at the exposed struts, at the power conduits welded to them. The angled, unfinished, ceiling.

“Told you it wouldn’t be impressive.”

“Are you kidding? Look at way they have the struts connected to absorb docking impact. Those there are the absorbers. From what I read, the calibration on them has to be really precise, otherwise you’re slowly tearing the station apart.”

“I thought the cub was a reactor engineer,” Skaram said.

“I think we got ourselves a Builder,” Urum said, hugging Jeremy. “We are going to make so much use of you.”

“Not just in bed,” Thur said severely.

“Wait, you build bed toys?” Urum grinned. “Oh, I’m really going to enjoy having you around.”

Trose grabbed the male and pulled him away. “If you need toys to enjoy someone, we have not been treating you properly.”

“It’s not about needing,” he protested. “It’s about enjoying.”

“Just to be clear,” Jeremy said, face burning as he followed. “I’m not some kind of sex toy designer.”

“But you have made some,” Grisnir said, then chuckled. “It’s so amusing how your skin reddens like this.”

“You’re does too,” Jeremy countered.

“Yes, but if you’re not faster than them folding their ears, you miss it.”

“Do we have to go with her?” Iatirin asked. “You know, she’s heading for that illegal gun shop.”

“Guns are illegal?” Jeremy asked. He hadn’t read anything about that when he’d familiarized with the station’s rules.

“The selling of them without the proper permits is,” Thur replied. “Which the shop Trose likes doesn’t have because of the kinds of guns they have under the counter.”

“Other specie’ guns,” Skaram said.

“Ones with unapproved modifications,” Natril added.

“Beautiful ones!” Trose called.

“Is there something I should know?” Jeremy asked.

“You mean other than how much she loves her gun?”

“Not just mine!”

“I told you, you touch mine and I am talking with Xeniila Haran, so he’ll never go to your bed again.”

“I don’t touch other people’s guns without their permissions. What kind of person do you take me for?”

“The obsessed kind,” Natril muttered.

“So, when I get assigned one?” Jeremy asked.

“Keep it under lock and key when you aren’t around to watch it.”

The shop in question was three levels below, tucked so far away down a passage Jeremy wasn’t sure he would have known how to find it if he’d been provided with a map.

“Welcome,” the Taournian behind the long counter said. “I am Tragarish, and I— is it?” They spread their arms. “It is! My favorite furred customer! Cook Troserer Mirtiosi Harkinal, consider me so pleased to see you again. I have an excellent selection for you to peruse. These fine Kelsirians and….” They leaned forward, as if to look at him better. “I do not know your species. How odd. I am familiar with all Federation species and the things they desire.”

“Tragarish of Rrrgjrejiman,” Trose said, “this is Technician Jeremy Bradshaw Kelsirian of Earther descent.”

The Taournian leaned forward more. “A different Kelsirian? I did not know your species came in such diversity. They must be rare, for you are the first I have encountered and there are many Kelsirian here.”

“I…. Er…. I’m not actually Kelsirian. My species is Earthers, but I’m a Kelsirian citizen.”

“So odd,” the Taournian said, then looked at Trose. “Did they have an accident? Their speech sound nothing like any Kelsirians I have encountered. I could not even make out one word.”

Right. Jeremy didn’t speak Kelsirian. He had spoken Earther.

“His species is Earther, but he is Kelsirian through his Heart.”

“Oh. I have heard that story. The warrior who sought a Heart. I did not know Hearts came from the Earthers species. I always read the stories as they were also Kelsirians.”

She chuckled. “It’s more complicated than that. But yes, they are all with me, brothers and sisters.”

“Then, may you also enjoy my wares.” He tapped the surface of the counter and it shimmered, becoming transparent, and revealed an array of weapons Jeremy had never even imagines.

Trose oohed and ahed over them. The shopkeeper took it out and handed it to her, and she held it reverently.

The others looked at them more critically, passing on offers to handle them, while Jeremy looked at the other things on display throughout the shop. The selection was eclectic. Electronic components, glasses and other things that might be for the eating area of other species. Fabric, clothing.

He paused before a vest of thick material. It felt organic, in soft brown.

“Ah, a most discerning eye the Technician has. A Kersosteran design made of the woven hair of a beast of burden from their first world.”

It might be a little too large, but they had tailors on the ship. One of them would know how to adjust it.

“How much?” he asked in Federalize.

The Taournian looked at him quizzically. “You know Federalize?”

“Yeah, sorry, I tend to forget not everyone learned Earther, and Trose took over before I could.”

“Are you sure you want to buy this here?” Thur friend asked, joining them. “Its provenance is almost certainly questionable.”

“If you have questions, I will answer,” the shopkeeper said.

“Where did you get the vest?” Thur asked in a tone of ‘let’s put that to the test.’

“Thur,” Jeremy said.

“It was sold to me by its previous owner. A Kersosteran who needed finances, and offered the item in exchange for compensation toward reaching her goal.”

“Thur, unless you tell me Gral will get in trouble for wearing it, it’s fine.”

“Maybe she should—”

“Thur, is it illegal for her to sell it to me?”

He wasn’t happy. “No.”

“Then please, leave it be. How much?” he asked the Taournian.

She gave the price, and Jeremy agreed to pay it. She wrapped and sealed it, then he ran his bracelet over the scanner.

“Is the issue that she’s Taournian?” he asked while Trose paid for the gun she bought.

“No. It’s…” he took a breath. “I’m the issue.”

Jeremy kept looking at him.

“There’s a part of my family I don’t talk about.”

“Okay.” Jeremy turned to join the others, but Thur grabbed his arm. “You said you don’t talk about it, Thur, I’m not—”

“I want to tell you. My family, many generations ago, before we went to space, really, we were Halans. There was a rift and those who would lead to me chose honesty. The others…they’re still out there, and I don’t like the reminder that for the grace of the gods, I could have been born one of them. The questionable smell of the items sold here do the same. But I shouldn’t have afflicted you with it.”

Jeremy hugged his friend and nuzzled his neck. “Thank you for telling me.”

“You know they have indecency laws on this station, right?” Yamilk said. “If you don’t want me to report you, you better include me in this.”

Jeremy pulled the male into the hug, and then the others joined in.

“Is this unknown tradition for end of exchange?” the Taournian asked. Looking unsure if she should join in.

Jeremy laughed from the middle of the hug.

“No, Tragarish of Rrrgjrejiman,” Trose said. “Simply friends sharing in some happiness.”

The Taournian still seem perplexed, as far as Jeremy thought he could make out the expression, and then they exited the shop.

*

“Toomerim?” Jeremy called on seeing the Kelsirian male walking along the causeway.

He wasn’t certain, because while the fur color matched; the clothing…. Jeremy swallowed as the cut of the pants cupped the male’s package forward, and the slit in the side let him see hints of what was under the cloth as he moved. The vest was colorful, with glittering gems along the sides.

He’d never thought of Toom as demure, but this?

“Jeremy!” the male smiled and joined them. Hugging and rubbing his muzzle along his cheek. “I did not expect to see you here. Where is your Heart?”

“If he isn’t with you either, he isn’t done with the ship business he has to deal with while we’re here. I never thought I’d see you in….” He motioned up and down the male.

“I thought I’d have some fun while on the station. Show myself and see who is interested.”

“Oh, I am interested,” Grisnir said, licking her lips. “Just tell me where your bed is?”

“And who are you with?” Toomerim asked, looking her up and down with a please smile. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you with most of them before.”

Jeremy lowered his voice. “This is my pack. But you’re not really hunters right now because…you know.”

Toom chuckled, then looked at Iatirin, who walked around him. “Then why this with them?”

“Bonding,” Thur said. “We’re newly formed, so I thought it would be good for us to be outside our usual environment.”

“You mean you haven’t had sex with them?” Toomerim asked, sounding offended.

“Him, him and him,” Jeremy said, pointing to Thur, Urum and Natril.

“What are you waiting for?” he asked Yamilk.

“I don’t sleep with a pack mate until I have treated them to a proper shift of enjoyment. I and Jeremy will be spending time together after we leave, and then we will enjoy each other.”

“You’re from the Youshrak Tirmer, aren’t you?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“Most of my family is spread through the administration of the Leadership and Politics. It means we all get an education on the region’s customs.”

Iatirin leaned against Toom. “Please come with us? We’re going to a drinking establishment. I want to convince you to come to one of the pleasure room.”

“I couldn’t I’m just—”

“You’re not just anything, Toomerim,” Jeremy said. “And we’re just a group of friends out for an enjoyable time. And you said you’re out for the same thing.”

His friend chuckled. “Just be warned, I like my drinks gentle.”

“You speak like us hunters only drink the strong stuff,” Natril said.

*

Jeremy took the first of eight shooter glass and brought it to his lips as the others looked at him worryingly. They’d wrinkled their noses at the strength of the alcohol when he’d returned to their table with the tray.

He took a sip and made a face. Way too bitter. He scratched that name off his tablet.

“Why are you torturing yourself with those?” Urum asked, wineglass in his hand.

“Looking for something good to drink.” He drank from the water glass.

“Don’t you have that scotch recipe on the ship?”

“I didn’t think to bring it.” He wrinkled his nose as he brought the next glass to his lips. “And I figure if I can find something authentic, instead of printed, it’ll taste better.” He nearly choked on this one.

“Doesn’t look like it’s working,” Iatirin said, hand on Toomerim’s shoulder and hand insider his vest.

“And can’t you adjust the taste of the recipe?” Thur asked.

More water to clean the taste off his tongue. “If you’re know how to work with that code, which I don’t. I’ve always just took what was printed without questioning it. It wasn’t until all the natural stuff you guys eat and drink I noticed there’s something off with the taste of the printed equivalent.” He grinned. “And this is fun.” He sipped the next one and raised an eyebrow. Almost pure alcohol burn, and some sweetness. Not scotch, but not bad.

Grisnir reached for one of the glasses Jeremy had tried, but Thur stopped her.

“He drank it,” she said.

“And he can drink something containing hops and not die.”

“No hops in these, I don’t think. Not tasting it, at least.”

“Didn’t you check if they were compatible with your species?”

Jeremy grinned, taking another glass. “How am I supposed to do that?” He took a long sip and made a face. “No one’s trusting the information the Earthers provided, remember?”

Outline section 

The ship is docked to resupply, and Jeremy and the boys are hitting the town. Well, most the boys. Thuruk is spending time with his heart, and Gral has official captain business. But Toom is joining the gang for once, and maybe he brought someone as well. In any case, it’s a minor event.

There will be a disembarking scene at the port where we see Jeremy isn’t a fish out of water anymore, just one of the few rare humans on the station. Destination is a bar, and Jeremy has an ongoing mission in his quest to find federation substitutes for human consumables. In this case, alcohol.

So, at a table where everyone else has a mug but Jeremy has upwards to four tiny glasses at any one time, people get to talking. Jeremy’s little quest is the big ice breaker, which is an easy transition to Bob since he’s one of the few humans Jeremy and the crew have regular contact with who is likely going through the same problem. Trick is Bob is very DIY; his small room is half hydroponics and half cider stills.

Jeremy wants something stronger than a cider, though. He’s looking for hard alcohol, and since he’s not learning to make a brewery and aging things for months at a time in hard wood barrels, he needs to shop around what the species of the federation has to offer. It’s a bit hard to describe to the others what the appeal of an alcohol whose main adjective is “it burns going down” and is usually compared to pipe cleaners or paint stripper, but it’s what Jeremy is searching for.

There will be other talk. Maybe even a scene of one of the kelsirian’s getting it in their head to try Jeremy’s drinks and needing to be carried home. But ultimately this is just a filler chapter to show rather than tell Jeremy’s search for good alcohol, with a little reference to Bob to make it not a shock when we hear from him next.

Addition 

No addition

I changed this from Jeremy just being with Friend to hime being with his pack both because I thought it was more appropriate, and because it gave me a way to introduce them and establish some personalities.

it did mean Toom had to be left out, but I figured out how to bring him back in. and also add to his personality a bit in the process