No Turning Back

[BLACK BART]

Griffin

I grunted and shifted in the chair, watching the cryptic symbols on the monitor giving me small clues to the puzzle I was putting together.

"How did you know I was the Princess, Captain? I was so sure that everything about me was impossible to trace. Heads will surely roll, you realize. And I can't help wondering what you'll do with this little snippet of knowledge also."


And I wondered just how I should answer her question. Looking down at my hands I thought back to my life, the many wrong turns I had made and how each struggle was responsible for bringing me here.


“Most people never have the privilege of seeing their future and arriving at it exactly as planned. Myself for example, I was going to be a teacher and even found time to get a degree while working the space docks, at 24 I was worldly…or so I thought and had seen most races as they came and went in all their finery…it was obvious which people that walked the ports were used to having things done for them and which were accustomed to having to do it all for themselves. It wasn’t just the better cut of clothes they wore or the belongings, it went deeper…the way they held themselves, the tone of voice and the manner in which they “instructed” the people around them. Even when the wars began and my hope of being a teacher faded I could tell just who was “the higher class” even though we all wore the same uniform. Again it shined through in the mannerisms…how they looked to others to do for them what they were entirely capable of doing themselves.”

And it had nearly gotten me killed I reflected, how blind they all had been in thinking “royalty” meant they were smarter…better somehow…able to see beyond the conflict and bring them out victorious. Only it was just a title and without someone to pay heed and worship that title it had meant nothing in battle, and when they bled it was the same color as our own blood.

“It’s a lesson only someone in my walk of life would learn and appreciate, Princess, despite the clothes and the crate you arrived in it was painfully obvious what station of life you came from and wanted to return to. The only detail I needed was WHAT palace to take you back to.”

The console beeped and the information flashed mutely on the screen. The trace I had placed on the transfer had failed…but the failure in itself was a testament as to WHO could afford the technology to block it in itself.

“Only royalty can afford and use a class delta seven one security blanket. Princess Hana…and you knew that when the transfer was made. If the funds had come from any other finance comp system the transfer would have failed, but yours simply sliced away the unwanted data and finished the process.”

I rose, stretching and sliding between the confines of the chairs to move back towards the open port door as I considered my situation…

“I need to plot a course onto your planet and past the opposing factions. If you would have told me just who you were it would have been easier, I could have bought off a few patrol pilots and eased into the backdoor. Now?”

I rolled my eyes at the thought of what was to come in the next day…

“Your planet is surrounded and controlled by your own space fleet. Your family betrayed by them as promises of a better life and riches was more appealing then service to the ancient ways…we’ll have to try to use the shadow of a carrier to sneak in and if we’re detected?”

“Yes?”

I grinned at the seriousness in Hana’s face and eyes as she rose and spoke the single word.

“Then I’d better make sure I earn all that money your family just gave me or it’ll be the grandest funeral I’ve ever missed. Now unless you have something to add to a suicidal flight plan you’ll excuse me while I go to my quarters and try to work this out, Princess?”

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Farging idiot!, I reprimanded myself. Griff had not even raised an eyebrow at my revelation, though his admission that he hadn't known exactly which "house" I was from spoke volumes about this man's intuition as well as his intellect. I had called his bluff and had it handed right back to me -- double.

Now what? Now what, indeed. We were a day away from Icarus Prime and aside from having made arrangements for getting "the crate" off the Utopia, I hadn't had time to make any further plans. Who could have known that pea-brained idiot who'd gotten me aboard would have screwed me so... royally.

I almost laughed aloud. Ironic, wasn't it? Another place and time, royalty would have meant everything. Suddenly it was the worst that one could be. Even so... Would he help? Could he? Or was I just a way to accumulate a heap of credits in his eyes?

I needed help, at least someone to help me formulate a plan -- the plan I would have worked out by now if not for unforseen circumstances. There was just no getting around it. But could I trust him? I didn't have much time to find out.

I looked straight into Griffin's eyes. "Don't you mean our quarters? I do believe you said there was only the one."

 

[BLACK BART]

"Don't you mean our quarters? I do believe you said there was only the one."

The comment though brave faced was quite comical.

Insulting.

Patronizing in fact.

I laughed and looked down at her as she stood fists on her hips.

"The only thing I owe you is to land you safely on your precious planet. After that I'm done with you. What would make you think I'd be interested in one atomic particle more?"

Hands on my own hips I stared back at her, glared in fact and forgot for a few seconds just how well she filled out the too tight coveralls.

"All this time you fought me, insulted me by assuming what kind of "space pirate" I should be....and now suddenly we're cabin buddies? Days ago I could have used the time to plan a safer way onto your world, NOW?"

I took the time to move my eyes from her to the tiny pilots cabin I called home...then back.

"Now I have to risk all that I possess to keep my word and deliver you to your planet, if I fail neither of us will ever be around to dicker over fees or bother each other again. That's reality Hana...we'll both pay for your arrogant assumption that because you're royalty you always have the right answers...."

I had worked myself into a near rage and was aware my breathing had sped up and my face felt hot...and didn't really care!

"I'll get you there as promised. But I'll do it on my own terms, my OWN way...and if you don't like it you can go open the airlock in the aft storage deck you stowed away on...PRINCESS"

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Truth, I didn't understand Griff's anger. He was being paid -- and generously so. I stiffened, refusing to stand down as his anger and indignation fuelled my own.

"I don't understand the problem, Captain. If I had not been detected aboard the Utopia, we would not be having this conversation, nor would you be concerned with... " Suddenly all the lights went on as I realized his concern for his ship and his livelihood.

"I made arrangements for the crate I was discovered in to be picked up. Barring the fact that this... person... may have incurred an 'accident', those arrangements are still in place. Now why, since you will be offloading your shipment on Icarus Prime at any rate, could you not just let me complete my plans for arrival and be done with it?"

Unable to stand still, I began to walk around the bridge in an effort to disseminate some of my nervous energy and diffuse my anger. Now was not the time for cross words, nor for saying things that could only harm rather than help. "My contact on Icarus Prime is quite possibly the only person outside of my immediate family who I can trust right now. As you well know, from reports of what has been happening there, that everyone else is suspect. They serve a purpose and nothing more."

"Wait! Hear me out." I forced my tone of voice to sound quiet and measured in the hope that I could waylay the expected barrage of words that were certain to follow. "You think I mock you. That is quite possibly the furthest thing from what I intended. I will repeat the fact that I had no expectation of being discovered. Foolish on my part, I agree. But now that I have, there is nothing to be done for it. It is now a fact."

"Contrary to what you may believe, I had no intention of involving you in any of this. My intent remains the same, though the odds have changed. My... contact... will be expecting a crate. The greedy cretin, if he has gone to a higher bidder, will also have relayed that fact." My mind was whirling with new possibilities and I thought I might be able to make him an offer that would suit both of us.

"There is something in our favor. Just as you were unable to determine exactly who I am, neither will the other. In fact, you of all would have been most likely to have that information at your disposal. Weren't you just a little surprised not to find the information you sought?"

"I could tell you, but that would put you and your... " I swept my arm around to indicate his starship, "assets at even greater risk. You have correctly discerned that I am from a royal house. You have not discovered which -- of that I am fairly certain -- though I think, in time you will. I understand your concern for your own safety, but now I have a 'what if' to offer you."

If looks could kill, I would be nothing more than a smoldering heap of ashes right now, and I well knew it. Perhaps it was my own naievete that had put this man at risk, but I thought I might have an idea that would free him from all obligation and keep him safe.

"As I see it, what no one will expect is for me to just walk off the Utopia as one of the crew. They will have targeted the container I was supposed to be in."

"What if, Captain... what if you didn't go to Icarus Prime at all? What if you rerouted to Izahi 3 instead? No one would be expecting you there -- or myself. I could make arrangements to board a legit transport from there to Icarus Prime and you would be free to go about your business -- and I about mine. And yes, there will be ample remuneration made to defray the cost."

 

[BLACK BART]

"If you hope that you haven't been rolled over for a bigger payoff you're a fool...If you try and stay with that crate you're a dead one as well. Just like you should have been when you went into that crate. You were meant to die from exposure and lack of drink...and when they finally discovered you it would have been because of the smell your hide was making as it rotted."

Griffin stood and looked at the Princess, not believing what he was about to say and yet a plan forming in his mind that just.....might......work?

"And even if you offboard on a different world they'll spot you. They don't NEED to know how you're coming because they already know WHERE you're going."

Why chase the golden goose when you could sit at the finish line and wait for the prize???

"But what if we let them seize the crate and it is destroyed after it leaves my ship? We can claim you were in it, my synthesizer can reproduce enough cells to give them a positive test it was you that dies in it...and in your new disguise and the papers I have to back it up? You're on your way home safe and sound and I get the bonus for it!"

Griffin was the best space asteroid salesman there ever was....and when he plastered on that confident smile and let his eyes light up? Worlds veered out of age old orbits to bask in the warming glow....

"And I'll do it for a mere 3 trillion credits"

He had a plan. He had a logical and sound reasoning to back it up, and he did have the perfect disguise to go with it. The trick was going to be convincing her highness to stoop to it's lowness.

"And just WHAT is that disguise, Captain?" She asked in a honey coated tone...

"Venusian indentured pleasure servant, legal in all systems and sought after by ALL species, thier pleasure giving equalled in legend only by the prices they charge." He claimed confidently and winked as he imagined the Princess in her new ensemble(or lack of).

"And I have an open contract to one salvaged off of an Emperical warship last trip I found last trip."

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Hana held back the wince when she heard Griffin's price. Of course she had it. Of course it was sheer spaceway robbery, at the very least -- if not blackmail. Did she have a choice? And what was this bit about...

"Your price is... " She crossed her arms across her chest as she held his gaze. " ...negotiable. The other... " She couldn't keep her eyes from becoming narrow slits. "Venusian pleasure servants... Naked? No clothes???"

The tag-end of a memory suddenly insinuated itself into her mind. A slave market. She was shackled. A grotesque... eunuch? No! It was merely a dream. A dream, yes. Wasn't it? She'd almost forgotten it. Almost.

Suddenly Griffin was a step closer -- dangerously close -- and Hana felt a mortifying flush begin to spread over her face. Why was it that her temperature seemed to rise both according to the level of agitation he caused as well as to his physical proximity? Her blush deepened as yet another memory came back to bite her.

Desperate to stifle the strange and unbidden sensations that were clouding her thoughts and her judgment, Hana stuck her chin out and told him she flatly refused to walk around starkers.

Griffin snorted disdainfully, though there seemed to be a strange look in his eyes. "I heard your ideas and they were leakier than a sieve. Three trillion, Princess and you will be quite naked... and quite alive."

Hana wanted to spit. She wanted to scream and then spit. She wanted... "Very well," she spat defiantly. Okay, it wasn't the salivating kind, but it was still a "spit", and she wasn't going to back down, either. She needed to get home. And if this was the way to do it, well... "Now tell me what exactly you have in mind."

 

[BLACK BART]

Hana's face had gone three shades of red as Griffin explained with a leering grin, then pale white as the knowledge that he was dead serious and his plan just might work...

It took time to make the alterations, more time to finish the changes to the "contract" Griffin held on the indentured servant, and Griffin's quick tongue several times to convince Hana the plan would work...and was worth it.

"If you EVER tell that I posed as a Venusian’s pleasure servant...." She had threatened and Griffin had grinned at her then gave her an innocent look.

Before they both knew it the planets guidance systems had located them and demanded identification and a purpose for requesting clearance to the surface, and Griffin had supplied the right answers, and then they were landing.

"Your crate and you are the last of the cargo to be unloaded."

Griffin explained and tugged on the light cord that led to the tether on Hana's neck as they walked down the loading ramp.

"My droids will see to the cargo being unloaded and inspected by the docking authorities...I'll bet you even money the crate will never have a chance to be inspected before it's "accidentally" destroyed."

Another tug on the cord and Griffin grinned, admiring the dark red skin Hana now sported...and how much of it she had to sport...the tether was the only piece of clothing she wore other than the high heeled shoes...with nothing between but carefully oiled skin.

"With that bright green hair no one will ever believe you're a member of the royal family"

Griffin half taunted, half quietly assured Hana, then laid a hand possessively on her ass as a group of merchants stopped to ogle.

"You can inspect her fully at the auction tomorrow gentlemen."

“You’re enjoying THIS aren’t YOU!” Hana accused and tried to cover herself, then gave up…

“You BET I am!” Griffin laughed back…. and then the world blew up behind them…


An hour later Griffin’s face still held the same blank look…. he had ran back to the docking area knowing…. hoping he was wrong…and then finding he wasn’t as he approached his ship…. or what was left of it.

“It seems my security missed an implosion device implanted in the material of the container.”

He explained what the authorities had related to Hana.

“It was set to detonate after landing or if we had strayed off course. Two more minutes and the crate would have been out of my hold and in the docking warehouse…it detonated as it moved down the ramp destroying all my droids but one, forty percent of my ship including one hyper drive and the shielding system.”

He was stranded. For the first time in his adult life he was a “landling”, an ugly term used to describe beings that had no choice but to exist on a planets surface…and it sickened him.

“They also found evidence of a being inside the crate…or tiny pieces of it and have taken samples to identify it, your family will soon be notified of your death and your enemies of their “victory”. Now we’d better get ourselves to the housing arrangements I’ve had to make before someone decides to make sure they don’t want ANYONE left behind alive to tell tales.”

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Their new housing arrangements were in the seamier side of the city; no one looking another directly in the eye or stepping too close in case an imagined offense put a quick end to their life. The streets grew more narrow as they walked, taking on the appearance of lanes more than roads. The entire area was an anachronism, Hana noted. Out of time and place, it seemed to belong somewhere millenia in the past.

"Here," Griffin said as they approached a small, ramshackle structure that had seen better times. Fitting a key into the door, he nudged her in quickly, closing and locking it behind them.

Grabbing the lead that he had seemed so very pleased to tug and pull at during the short time since they had left the docks, Hana reached up to unfasten the collar. Her eyes widened in alarm and then flared with anger. "It... doesn't... come... off!"

"Did I forget to explain? Only the one who "owns" the... servant... is able to release the catch."

"Then release it!" she demanded.

"Not on your life. Or mine. Do you have any idea how close we both came to... They destroyed my ship!!" His eyes blazed with fury, his words no less damaging than a barrage of Tringian missiles.

Hana fought to keep the quiver from her lower lip as she faced the man whose very livelihood had been destroyed in an attempt to assassinate her. Telling him that she understood would only make him more angry. Telling him that he would be compensated, even worse. She didn't know how to make things right for this man who was responsible -- albeit reluctantly -- for saving her life. Not to mention how nearly impossible it was to maintain even a modicum of dignity as she stood before him, her body altered by the serum she had been given to disguise herself.

"And this?" she asked him, lifting a wisp of her emerald green hair and then gesturing down her crimson colored flesh. "How long does this last?"

"I can't believe you! Are you that much of a spoiled, simpering brat that you can only worry about yourself at a time like this?" Griffin roared at her and Hana flinched as his hands came up to grab her.

 

[BLACK BART]

Griffin was beside himself. Near death and escaped...and ALL this woman could do was worry about how soon the treatment wore off.

"I....it's....great GODS!!!" He stammered and lowered his hands, hands that were about to throttle her.

"Give the treatment 48 hours and you return to normal, that's also about the amount of time IF you lay low that we need for the search for you to quit. You can move about after the sale and gather the info you need to get into your palace...I'll be getting details on the friggin garbage haulers that destroyed my ship and use that to set off a counter rebellion."

Rolling his eyes he literally shook himself and then grinned as the odd colored princess caught on...

"What do you mean...AFTER the sale?"

Tugging the halter he pulled the reddening faced woman to a corner and tied the halter to the only peice of furniture in the room, an ancient chuck of asteroid placed there for "ambience" and one that must have weighed over 300 kilos.

"This will hold you while I get a good nights sleep, then I'll take you to the platform and let the auctioneer check you out before the sale."

Grinning Griffin moved into the bathroom and began to disrobe in preperation of taking a REAL shower for the first time in 3 lunar cycles.

"Don't try to take the halter off or disconnect it, you'll trigger the escape beacons and the local authorities will give you a night in their holding cells....this place is a palace compared to THEM."

20 minutes later he emerged, his skin a pleasant, rosy pink and a tune on his lips as he slid the door open...and stopped.

The halter was still tied to the rock, dangling from it...the frayed end showing where it had been rubbed against the coarse edge of the space junk...

"I guess she didn't hear me" Griffin spoke to no one "She'll be dragged into the cells within 15 minutes out there...and I can't get to her until they take her to the auction...I just hope I was right on the calculations for the dose of her treatment and it doesn't wear off sooner."