Page 7 of Fionn
If we came back.
I loved Finfolkaheem with all my heart. The deep ocean valleys, the sparkling caves, the gentle currents, the kelp forests and long, sandy beaches, the waves that rose like mountains when storms hit. I loved surfing on the water’s surface or swimming through narrow rock passages created by the volcanoes of old. But if I stayed, I'd be lonely for the rest of my life. No mate. No female. Not ever.
Other finmen my age had come to terms with that future. They focused on their jobs, on their passions, but not me, not my clutch-brothers. We couldn't give up on the hope of finding love. Even if it meant leaving our home and travelling across the galaxy.
"Fionn!"
Kelon's deep voice ripped me from my thoughts. The leader of our expedition strolled through the cargo hold like he owned it - which he did, in a way. He was dressed as if he was about to enter a boardroom, not go on a long journey through space. He smiled at me, but his eyes were cold.
"Have you settled into your cabin yet?" he asked.
"No, we've been busy loading crates." I tried not to let bitterness swing in my voice. Without Kelon, we'd never get to Peritus. And until the ship had launched, I didn't quite believe that he was really giving us the chance to come along. He didn't have to do it. He was powerful enough to simply silence me one way or another.
Kelon waved his hand dismissively. "You can continue with that later. Follow me. I'll show you." He lowered his voice, making sure only I could hear him. "I need to talk to you in private."
We had to share a cabin. It was tucked away at the far end of the crew corridor, barely big enough for three bunks and a storage locker. The air was thick with the sharp scent of fresh sealant and recycled oxygen, as if the room hadn’t been aired since it had been built. One bunk was already pressed against the ceiling, leaving just enough space beneath it for the lower two. Whoever ended up on top would need to climb like a crab. Thin fluid cocoons lay on each bunk, looking decidedly too small for the three of us. We were guards. We were paid to be brawny.
We’d not been asked if we wanted one of the water-filled cabins instead of an air room. Some finfolk would have refused to sleep without the sweet taste and feel of water lulling them into the land of dreams, but for me, it was almost exciting. I’d never slept in an air room before. It was good practice for whatever awaited us on Peritus.
If we’d been assigned a water-filled cabin, I would have been tempted to take the catfish with me. It had visited our house every morning since that day in the Archives, as if to make sure we were proceeding with the plan. And we were. Hope was a powerful motivator. It was a pity to leave the catfish behind, but as soon as we were back, I would seek it out. If I found my mate on Peritus, I would let the fish into my home and feed it only the best fish for the rest of its life.
A single round viewport looked out into the dockyard, but the glass was clouded and smeared, giving us only a blur of light. No decorative panels, no privacy screens, not even a chair. Just a strip of neon-blue light humming faintly overhead, painting everything in a cold glow.
Kelon waited until the door had slid shut behind us, blocking out the noise of twenty-odd finfolk getting ready to leave. He swept his gaze over my clutch-brothers as if evaluating their valour.
“They can be trusted,” I said firmly. “What did you want to talk about?”
He took another look at the door, then sighed deeply. “There may be a mutiny. This is my mater’s ship, and half the crew are loyal to her. Once they realise that we are not on the way to a pleasure planet and are instead headed into the unknown, they might rebel. The captain is on my side, both through bribes and the promise of a female. He will cut communications with Finfolkaheem shortly after departure, so the Matriarchs will be none the wiser. But if crew members become upset that they will be travelling a whole lot longer than expected… I need to know you’ll be on my side.”
Rainse was about to say something, but I shot him a look. It was better if only one of us handled this situation. We’d all been in the same clutch-school, but Kelon had been closest to me – if an arrogant arse like him could be close to anyone.
“Why wouldn’t we be?” I asked. “You are getting us to where we want to be. Of course, we shall be taking your side. Do you expect violence to erupt or just voices of discontent?”
“It is hard to know. That’s why I want to keep our stay on Peritus as short as possible. Land, grab some females, test if we’re compatible, grab some more females, leave.”
I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him right. “Grab some females?” I echoed. “Is that your plan?”
Kelon ran a hand through his sleek hair. “Peritans are not very advanced, they’re still inventing basic space travel. Their planet is under the protection of the Intergalactic Authority, which makes interacting with this species a crime. I did find a footnote about some kind of dating agency that has special permissions outside of the IA’s regulations, but we don’t have time for such nonsense. No, we will abduct the females we need and then leave as fast as possible. Understood?”
I clenched my teeth but nodded.
As soon as he’d left the cabin, my clutch-brothers let out a collective groan.
“What an idiot,” Cerban growled. “How is a female supposed to fall in love with you if you kidnap her?”
I activated my holoband and the system interface appeared above my arm. “I’m going to search for this dating agency. I want a female with all my heart, but I will not go against what I believe is right.”
Rainse put my hand on my shoulder and squeezed in encouragement. “Let me know what you find. Cerban and I will continue to work and cover for you.”
“I will?” Cerban asked, his eyebrows raised, but then he grinned. “I will. For the greater good.”
From: Fionn Arken-Clutch of Eynhallow
To: Hot Tatties (Director)
Subject: Inquiry into Matches with Peritan Females
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