Page 17 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol. 1
“What does he want to know? That my entire family died when our world exploded the first time? That I survived by chance, stranded on the largest fragment during the catastrophe? That the nightmare started all over again just a few weeks ago, wiping out the last survivors? That I dug into the ground and hid for endless days of pain and fear? And then you came.”
“How old do you think you are, Wingo?”
“I’m not a baby anymore, you know. But I haven’t reached maturity yet. I can’t say exactly. Among my kind, we grow up fast, but I don’t know when adulthood officially begins. I think if I’d been younger, I wouldn’t have survived those weeks on that desolate star. And if I’d been older, I’d have been too big to hide when the sky started falling again.”
His tone is calm, but there’s a deep sorrow beneath it. Just as I suspected, this little guy is not only intelligent—he’s deeply sensitive. Every day, I’m more certain I made the right choice pulling him out of that hell.
“Do you agree to continue the journey with me, or would you prefer to try your luck elsewhere?”I ask him telepathically.
“I’m afraid you’re stuck with me now!”he replies, blinking his large yellow eyes with a gentle, playful look.
By the stars… what a relief. I would’ve been crushed if he’d wanted to go his own way. Without even realizing it, I’ve grown deeply attached to him. And now that the language barrier is gone, I can feel it—there’s something special ahead for us. A future worth building. Just the two of us, against the stars.
***
In the evening, Wingo and I are invited to a grand celebration on BN-35. The entire base is buzzing with excitement—the administrator has just been appointed Governor of Jaga-18, one of the twenty-three terraformed planets in the galaxy. And tonight is the bigpower transfer celebration. At the very least, I’ll get to stock up on fresh food before continuing my journey. Not alone anymore, of course.
For the occasion, I’ve put on the Confederation’s all-purpose suit. I asked Wingo if he wanted to wear anything, but he gave me an emphatic no.
When we arrive, the place is already packed. A colorful crowd fills the hall—mostly Polarians, the founders of the Intergalactic Confederation, but also humans, though I can’t always tell them apart. There are other humanoid species too, with subtle differences: long white hair, marbled skin, soft down, violet eyes. I even spot a few non-humanoids—the towering crystalline Vortans, their bodies shimmering with every movement, and the tiny Zikrians, darting around in their intricate exoskeletons.
I spot Fanyoru near a long buffet table overflowing with dishes, and we head straight over.
“Ah, Pherebos! There you are. And you brought your little furry companion,” he says, handing me a glass filled with something green and suspicious-looking.
“Of course. You didn’t say it was formal. And I’m not leaving Wingo alone on the ship anyway,” I reply, accepting the drink.
“You did well. We’ll find him some fresh berries if that’s what he likes,” he says, pointing to a large bowl filled with colorful fruits.
“Oh look, Pherebos, they’re all different colors! Can I try them?”
“I think Wingo’s ready for some taste testing,” I laugh.
I pick out a few small berries and offer them to my eager little friend, who devours them with delight. I join him, savoring the rare pleasure of fresh fruit—something you don’t come across often when you’re traveling the galaxy in a small ship. I don’t recognize all of them, but it doesn’t matter. The flavors and textures vary wildly, but the joy of biting into something fresh and real is beyond words.
While enjoying myself, I let my gaze wander across the room, scanning the women in the crowd. I’m hoping to find some playful company before heading out again tomorrow morning.
I love what I do—the thrill of the mission, the taste of danger and discovery—but most of the time, it’s just silence and solitude. So whenever I stop at a space base, Confederation or Coalition, I never pass up the chance for a little company.
A blonde woman, definitely Human, approaches with a confident smile. She’s stunning. Suddenly, the evening looks a lot more promising.
“Brenda!” Fanyoru greets her warmly. “Let me introduce you to Pherebos, a guest for the evening, and his little furry companion, Wingo.”
“Oh, he’s adorable!” she exclaims, batting her lashes over striking blue eyes—though she hasn’t spared Wingo a single glance.
“I don’t like her.”
“For what I need her for, she’ll do just fine,”I reply, matching his tone.
“Nice to meet you,” I say aloud, nodding politely.
“Pherebos is leaving tomorrow,” Fanyoru explains. “I plan to introduce him to a few people tonight. He’s Asgarnian, you know?”
“Oh really?” the blonde giggles. “I’ve never met one before. I think I’d remember.”
Of course. I’m probably the only Asgarnian wandering the galaxy like this. Convincing her to spend the night with me shouldn’t be too difficult.
“I really don’t like her.”
