Chapter 7: an empty stomach
24 Jun 2023Nick Euphrasia
Before she could get up and leave, I stood up and said “Waiter, please could you get me a couple of your best steaks and a mix of fruit juice, make it a tall glass” The waiter nods and asked “how would you like your steak done? “ I would like mine medium rare” I looked at Sheira and asked “what about yours?” She blushed and said “s-same .. “The waiter nods again and asked “would that be all?” I said “Yes thank you”.
“Right away commander” He said, making his way to the kitchen.
“Um, I guess we could sit down now?” She asked in a soft voice, when I noticed my hand still on her shoulder. “Right yes, please have a seat, I’m sorry-”
‘No-” she said. “Don’t apologize, but I must say I am a little embarrassed about this, I don't think I could look you straight in the face afterwards.” She said facing down to her lap.
“I uh, -” for a moment I was lost for words. I realized what I had done…
I worked up the courage to ask anyway, what's the worst that could happen? I’ll just never set foot in Rana again.
“Listen, Sheira, I don't mean to pry, but Is everything okay?” I asked her gently, carefully choosing the articulation in my voice so as to not trigger anything.
“Well, working as a service staff on a station doesn't pay like as much as they do commanders” She said in a soft voice obviously disappointed in herself and embarrassed with the current situation she’s in with a total utter stranger.
“If you don't mind, let's save the Jameson story for another time. I have a story to tell you about my recent journey as a commander. If you would..” I said..
There it was: the glowing sparkle of curiosity in her eyes as she looked at me. Those green mesmerizing eyes…
She nods.
I told her everything, as our food arrived, we talked, I told her about the interdiction, in an anarchy system, my situation in Diaguandri, Commander Phoenix, I even spilled the beans on the cargo I transported and how I bypassed security to get her.
“That is so amazing! The scanner doesn’t work when you deploy heatsinks?!” She asked with absolute excitement in her voice.
As soon as dinner came to an end, I asked out of curiosity, again I don't know what came over me. “Hey, are you sure everything is okay? I don't mean to pry but I'm sure even if the wages aren't that great here, not being able to eat is another factor. I'm just saying..” I said carefully, as her eyelids lowered, sigh, way to go Nick, you really know how to kill it.
“Seeing as… we just met, and I feel like I could share some things with you, just not now, but how about another time? Maybe not here in Rana but let’s take this a few lightyears away” She said with something a little heavy in her voice.
“Of course, I can understand, I have some work to do in the morning, how about the day after tomorrow?” I asked her.
“Sounds good, I’ll be done by 6pm BCT” She said with a slight excitement in her voice.
“Right okay, so we’ll meet where? What’s the name of that system?” I asked just to confirm the location.
“Oh, I believe you had purchased a vessel from our humble establishment not too long ago…” She said slowly, trailing off her sentences.
“The Type-6?” I said while cracking a few small laughs.
“Someone of your caliber would set foot on a lowly Lakon vessel?” I said jokingly, there is no freaking way she would set foot in a space mini-truck.
“How dare you question my choices of vessel?” She said that with a straight face… looks like I hit the wrong button…
“I have to put up with Apex Interstellar’s cramped and disgusting taxi every day to get back to my settlement in this system 1750Ls away, and the same cycle repeats when I need to get to work. I’d be lucky if I got a taxi that doesnt have food stains all over the seat. The only other vessel I have ever set foot in is a used sidewinder my brother put together with scraps from the junkyard.” She said in a low but very angry and annoyed voice…
“So yes, if anything, I believe your Type-6 Transporter manufactured by the most well known shipmakers in the galaxy, Lakon Spaceways, outclass any of the vessels I have ever been in my life.” She said that with a stern look on her face like she’s absolutely fed up with her daily commute. Looks to me like she really has it rough.
I wanted to crack a joke to prove a point that technically Faulcon Delacy and Zorgon Peterson, the same makers who made the sidey and the taxi, make some of the most powerful and high performance combat ships in the galaxy. But I think she’s had enough for today, she looks tired.
“Okay, I apologize for what I said, you are welcome aboard my humble vessel. About the location, you have not told me, where this few lightyears away is” I asked again, just to make sure the location is right, and I am able to bookmark the location ahead of time.
“Let's decide that on the day after tomorrow, if ever you are available, and it’s absolutely fine if you’re not, I know how busy commanders can be, but at least let me know ahead of time” she said that, but something in her is saying; don’t fucking ditch the plan.
“Okay, I will keep that in mind” I said. As we got up and went our separate ways.
The food was charged to my balance, that 1 mil in credits really did wonders for me today.
I can’t believe I scored a dinner date with the most beautiful girl in the galaxy.
Flew past security, with illicit cargo. If a day could be a lucky charm. I’d keep it.