Page 33 of Life-Debt

I bet. “I ask that no one interrupts the revival process. I take pride in getting people through stasis revival alive, and he should stand trial for his crimes. And well, if he gets eaten by a Veloc, he earned it for stealing a hatchling.”

“Precisely. We will be ready to board within twenty minutes. Her parents have never been off Veloci Minor until this flight, so they are understandably frightened.”

“Please cap their claws. I’d like a ship once this is over. I did cap the hatchling’s claws. I hope this is not a problem.”

“It is not a problem at all. A safety issue. Has she bitten you?”

“Nothing more than play nips, and I have been careful to educate her when she becomes too rough. I have a few toys for my vulpes vulpes we’ve been playing with. Please be aware I have two vulpes vulpes, and one is a kit. I will introduce you once her parents have calmed.”

“Your understanding is appreciated. We will bring supplies for the flight, as we eat a great deal. We will check the supplies you have brought for her and evaluate if it is suitable.”

I nodded. “I will kill my engines. The easiest way is to have the experienced spacewalker attach a line and shove them over along the rope. If you need assistance, I can suit up.”

The Veloc’s crest lowered. “Help would be appreciated. We have suits, but we are not adept at traveling through space in these suits.”

“No shame,” I told him, smiling. “I’ll get suited up. Let me get her settled back into her nest. I’ve taught her to stay in her nest when I’m busy, so she’ll be safe enough. I’ll leave the communication line open so you can watch and talk with her.” I cradled her while making the transition to her nest, making sure none of her feathers were bent. I took the time to coo to her and reassure her, and when she reached for me, I went through our routine so she could nuzzle me. Then I left her to stay in her nest while her kin kept a careful watch.

* * *

The Veloc needed remedial lessons in space travel, and while their inability to handle a spacewalk without issue annoyed me, I couldn’t complain about their ships. I terrified the lot of them just bouncing out of my ship. I laughed at the panicked chatter before engaging my thrusters and heading for the nearest of the ships. I let myself in through their airlock, waiting for them to restore life support and gravity. I was met by three Veloc wearing spacesuits. I identified the mother by her smaller size.

“You’ll see your daughter soon,” I told them, gesturing for them to join me in the airlock. “Please allow me to check your suits.”

All three Veloc bobbed their heads in consent, and I checked all the seams, adjusting them until satisfied. Then I ran diagnostics on all suits, confirmed their life support systems would hold for the journey to my ship, and then said, “We’re good. Please seal the interior door.”

“Sealed,” a deep voice replied. “You are clear to open the exterior airlock.”

“I will make three trips, so please leave the airlock as is until I finish. I will take the mother over first.”

The mother’s crest, shorter than the males, although just as colorful, flattened against her head. I understood.

My first spacewalk had terrified me, and her suit lacked thrusters. It would get her to my ship safely, and that was it.

“You will be safe,” I promised, holding out my hand. “Just hold onto me, and I will get you to my ship, okay?” Once I had a hold on her, I coaxed her to the exterior airlock seal, opened it, and pointed at my open gangway. “We will jump for there, and I will guide us there. Just step out and aim for there. I will take care of the rest.”

The Veloc wasted no time diving out into the open reaches of space, and I laughed at her enthusiasm. She had good aim, and I needed to do minimal adjustments with my suit to land on the gangway. I activated my magnets and held her in place. “Well done. Now we will go to the door, and you will hold onto a handle. Do not disturb the body. You will have your chance with him after his trial. The black market operators send their regards, but we request he receives a psionic trial. His guilt will be confirmed. Then you can enjoy your lunch.”

“You understand how we punish those who take our children?” she asked, speaking in her native language.

“It isn’t how I would do it, but it is deserved, and your laws are clear.” The Veloc took their children seriously—and I wished more races did as well. “I will return with your mate next. Hold on there, and don’t worry. You’ll be with your daughter soon.”

The Veloc made a whimpery coo, and I realized the mother cried.

I patted her shoulder and launched myself back into space to retrieve her mate.

The transfer went well, although the guardian froze at the airlock and required a few extra minutes of coaxing to step out into space. I closed the exterior hatch and secured it before shoving off the ship and directing us to the gangway.

The Veloc treated me rather like an oversized stuffed animal to be hugged for comfort until I got us into the cargo bay. Once down and attached to the metal with my magnets, I eased his hold and guided him to the other Veloc. Closing the gangway took an extra five minutes, as the three Veloc were fascinated with the process.

I expected it would be a long flight filled with curious predators causing me trouble.

I restored the life support system before activating gravity, and once everything was set up to my liking, I removed my spacesuit, set it near the stasis chamber, and went to work helping them out of theirs.

“Welcome aboard.” I pointed at the body. “You’ll get your turn with him, but that’s the one who stole your hatchling. I offered to transport him for trial upon hearing he’d been put into stasis.”

The guardian bowed to me. “You have our gratitude and life-debt.”

Fucking life-debts. “I am honored. Before I take you to her, let me show you the basics and make certain she’s being fed the appropriate food. She’s due for her next feeding soon, so I would like to make adjustments if needed.” I guided them to the appropriate storage container, pulled out one of the filled canisters, and showed it to the hatchling’s mother. She tapped on the canister, her eyes slitting to a thin line. “This is good milk. From our home world, from an animal we often use to supplement our hatchlings once they are older than six weeks. Their teeth come in by then, and we must use special…” She gestured to the canister’s nipple.