Dust of a Star

I couldn't remember. I remembered getting into Leatho's quarters. But after that, everything is fuzzy. I didn't want to ask Leatho. What if I did something wrong? What if I...

No! I would never. To even think like that. Ugh. My head was pounding.

“Here.” I looked up from the couch to see Leatho handing me something. It was steaming. “It will help.” I gently grasped the warm liquid as I sit up. He watched me as I inhaled the scent. It was wood and herb smelling. And just that seemed to alleviate some of the headache. Taking a sip, I felt the liquid roll softly and slowly down my throat. It was calming as the heat traveled throughout my body.

“Mmmm.” It was wonderful as I sipped the tea. I relaxed against the back of the couch, closing my eyes as I pulled up a picture of a forest. I had seen a picture of it once. In the cities, there were no forests and not many trees either.

I sat before the forest or in it. I didn't really know. It was peaceful with only the mist and the rustle of the leaves to keep me company. I sat on a dirt path that many feet had traveled upon, leaving a path worn into the ground. It was tranquility at work.

“Ol'am.” Slowly, I came back from my forest. I blinked a few times, clearing my vision. Leatho was still standing before me. “We have work to do.” A groan fell from my lips as I gulped down the rest of the tea and nearly slammed the mug down on the glass table, but I thought better of it because I did not want to have to clean that up.

Leatho walked away, heading into his study, waiting for me to follow. His back was to the door as I stepped inside. The door slid shut and locked. A holographic screen appeared and it said, “Done encrypting” on it. What it was encrypting, I had no clue.

The councilor didn't say anything. He continued to work as if I wasn't there. I didn't say anything, not wanting to interrupt, but at the same time, I was getting impatient. “I need you to get close to Tüvo Ga'li.” Her picture popped up on the large wall that was used to project images onto. “She has taken a liking to you. It should not be hard. She will be able to teach and tell you more about the female side of our culture.”

“Can't Hol'ræ do that just as well?”

“Hol'ræ is young and still learning herself. She is also my responsibility. Tüvo Ga'li does not have anything like that. And she said she was willing to help.” Leatho pulled up another picture, but this one was of a document. It had a list of something. It was all in Eltherôn, and I was still learning it. “This is a document of shipments. I do not know what kind of shipments, but whatever it is, most of it disappears or doesn't reach its destination.” I tilted my head, slowly piecing together words and finding a place I recognize. And it shouldn't have been on there.

“Jerlôk?” Leatho paused in pulling something else up and turned to me. He looked up at me as I moved around his desk, getting a closer look. It was Jerlôk. “Can...Will you please translate all of this for me? Please?” I asked, wanting to slate my curiosity as soon as possible and trying to translate all of this was just going to take up time. Leatho clicked a button and the document was translated in a blink of the eye. I stared at the familiar words and letters. I read the document over and over again, only finding that one thing wrong.

“What is it?”

“Jerlôk doesn't exist. At least not any more. It was hit by radiation and no one goes there any more. Everything decayed into basically nothing. Everyone on Era knows that.” I said, turning to Leatho. He looked surprised. What did he take me for? A crack job?

He quickly clicked a few things and opened up an article about what I just said, realizing how bad it really was. The article didn't seem to make it out that bad, only minor radiation and people could still live there. It really appeared that someone did not want the people on Era to be considered equal. To whom, I didn't know. Probably Eltherâks.

“Thank you,” he said softly. His hands moved, putting away the information. Was this why he chose me? Because I had been on Era all my life and I knew most of the underground networks and everything in between. I may not be book smart—which was now coming along—but I knew the streets. I knew where to go and where not to go. I knew who was lenient and who was not. I knew the local crime lords by name. This is why he picked me. I came with more than physical skills that could be useful. I had places I could gather information and I had information. More than what they had up here. What they were told up here.

“No problem. It is why you brought me here and why you are helping my father.” That sentence seemed to rub him the wrong way. He looked...aghast or angry. I couldn't really tell. Not on his face. I was still learning his expressions. “So...why was on the couch this morning?” I asked, trying to change the subject. Not wanting to figure out what he was angry about.

Leatho gave me a look as if I should know, but sighed when I didn't know. Truly. “You were drunk. Came stumbling in and collapsed on the couch, laughing. I had to get Hol'ræ to change your clothes.” He sighed, rubbing his forehead as if he was getting a headache. “You fell asleep there and it would have been counterproductive to move you, so I left you there.” That explained some things, but I could tell he was still...whatever he was. But he didn't seem to want to go back to that conversation.

I knew what I thought and I was sticking to it. I knew now, even more than before, why he chose me. I was another way to gather information. Something he needed. Once this was done, he would ship me off and I would be back to where I started. I would be back in the slums before I knew it.

Slowly and thoughtfully, I walked. I knew I had to get some food and then I might just go for a stroll around the station. I wanted to know where things were and what there was to see. I liked knowing everything about my surroundings. I didn't like being surprised when running away and I had a feeling this job would call for running away at least once. The door hiss open, binging softly as I stepped out on the cold ground. I didn't care I was in something that many Eltherâks would consider indecent. Shorts and a tank top. I couldn't be bothered to change out of them. It was warm enough.

But that train of thought left as I saw one disgusted look come my way as I stood at Leatho's doorway. The female looked at me like I had grown two head and six arms without any skin. That was what her expression reminded me of. And I did not want to see that look again. Retracing my steps, I went back inside. The door shut behind me. Clothes. I needed to change clothes.

I searched through my closet, looking for something decent to wear. Something that didn't make me stand out nor too plain. I wanted to stay hidden. Hidden in the crowd. A long, floor length dress rotated to the front. It was a muted blue with a shawl like piece made from the extra fabric it had. It had sleeves, but they were loose and ran down to the elbow before tapering off into a point. It looked decent enough. Something I could wear and not be too out of place.

Changing into it, I slipped on a pair of silver boots. They weren't all silver, but black with plates of silver on it. They ended just under my knee cap. Now dressed, I went back out, avoiding the study and making any loud noise. I grabbed a small watch that acted as a communicator. It was a way Leatho could contact me when he wasn't at my side. It sat on my wrist comfortably, securing itself around.

Standing in the hallway, I watched as several females and a few males passed me without even a look. Now I could be invisible. I didn't like being the center of attention. And this now gave me a way to hide without hiding.

Stalking towards the pavilion, I found it less busy then when I first came. There were still people, but not as many. I searched for some food. The far corner was something I recognized. Walking swiftly to that shop, I stood in line, looking at the food. It was names I didn't know, but the ingredients I knew. When I got up, I ordered the Wuk'nil son voirné. Basically it was like toast and very thin, flat pancakes. Crepes? Was that their name? I didn't know. “Multi-tool, Begalhun.” Multi-tool? Did he mean my watch? He held out his hand gesturing to the my left hand. I held it out and he held a device to it. It blinked before it beeped. “Mehej rùnit.” I nodded and stepped to the side, waiting for my food.

It came quickly. Thanking them, I walked away, glancing around the room. Finding a table at the far end with only one extra chair, I took it. Sitting down, I opened the box that contained my food. Inside was what I wanted. It smelled very good and steam was rising up from it, caressing my cheeks as I took the utensils I was given.

About half way through my food, I heard someone sit in the other chair. Someone I knew. Or recently met. “Gülvana, ol'am.” Tüvo Ga'li sat before me.

“Greetings, Tüvo.” She smiled. Actually smiled.

“You seem to be a hard woman to find.”

“I am?” I didn't think of myself as hard to find, but then I didn't get out of Leatho's housing unit for much. I just felt like leaving today. I guess just to get away from Leatho and his stoic nature. All business and no play that was what he was. He didn't seem to do anything just for himself or to relax. I really started to wonder if he ever thought of himself. It always seemed to be about someone else. He did everything for someone else.

“Ol'am?” I snapped back to reality, looking at the councilor across from me. She wasn't in her council robes, but rather a dress, simple and stood out nicely against her skin.

“Kafer jahal, I was in my own thoughts.”

“You are forgiven. What has gotten you to be lost in your mind?” I didn't think I could tell her. It wasn't something about me, but Leatho. Something that may be personal.

“Nothing of real importance. You were trying to find me, yes? What for?” I just wanted to get off the subject. I wanted to know why she sought me out. Why didn't she just call Leatho? Wouldn't he relay the message to me? She knew I was with him.

“I believe it may be best to speak of this with Leatho.” With Leatho? My wrist vibrated, telling me someone wanted to talk with me. Discreetly, I glanced down at the screen. Leatho flashed on it.

“Please excuse me for a moment,” I stood up, walking a few paces away, and answered the call. “Hello?”

“Where are you?”

“I thought you could find that out with a single click.”

“That would be rude. I would only do that if I didn't believe what you said to me.”

I felt my lip twitch, trying to grimace at him. “Well that's good to know. I'm at the pavilion.” He nodded, accepting my answer easily enough. “You already checked didn't you?” I wasn't surprised nor was I offended. He was just protecting his “investment” because that was all I was to him.

“No. You just do not lie very well.” I knew that already. He had every expression I have made and logged it in his mind with an emotion. He could read me like a billboard sign. “Are you with anyone?”

“Yes. Tüvo Ga'li.” He hmmed before turning away from the small camera. He nodded to someone else in the room he was in before turning back to me. I couldn't read the expression he had on his face. It wasn't angry, or was it? It wasn't directed at me, but he seemed frustrated.

“Very well. Come back.” I sighed, but complied. “And allow Tüvo Ga'li to join you.” That surprised me. And then he was gone. Just like that. Another sigh escaped my lips as I turned back to the councilor. She sat comfortably in her chair, staring at the moving picture of the Rulvo sky over head. It was more to keep some people sane. Many people after looking out into the blackness of space start to go mad, especially after looking at it for a very long time.

“Tüvo Ga'li,” she turned to me, looking just as pleasant as before. “That was Tüvo Huvól. He would...like you to come by and speak with him.” It wasn't a lie, per se. It was...expanding on the truth.

She stood, placing her hands before her, clasping them before turning to me. Was every female suppose to do that? I don't remember Hol'ræ doing that. I'll have to ask. Later though.

The two of us walked in silence. She was one step in front of me, showing her seniority. At least that was what I believed. We walked the slightly rounded halls as they curled around the outside. The station, Dolhin, looked like a jellyfish. Well several jellyfishes. All of them connected by at least three long paths. They were called the Space Bridges. Each bridge had a name. A name that was also a star, nebula, or planet it lined up with.

And now, we were going to travel one to get to Leatho's quarters. I just hoped this meeting wouldn't cause too many problems.