Page 34 of Life-Debt

“Nipple,” I said in the trade tongue, as I wasn’t aware of the word in her language.

“Yes. And the meat?”

I pulled out one of the containers I’d already been working through, which was stasis-frozen until used. I used the container’s device to thaw the food and offered it to her.

She sniffed a piece before popping it in her mouth. “This is good meat. Also from our world. Small animal, good for young to hunt as they learn. Slow. Tasty. How much you feed?”

“Would you like me to feed her while you watch?”

The parents exchanged glances, and the father nodded. “Perhaps it is for the best?”

I couldn’t blame them for their uncertainty. How were they supposed to move forward with life when everything had been changed on them—and on their hatchling? “If you want to take over feeding, just tell me.”

I gathered enough to feed her, tucked it under my arm, and opened the door to discover Pandora and her kit waiting. The instant the foxes caught sight of the Veloc, they both squeaked their excitement and wagged their little tails. I had no idea why the kit was excited, but Pandora yipped and bounced, her gaze locked on the Veloc.

“She loves Veloc. We kept company with one named Mystoran during quarantine, so she associates you with hunting and playing.”

The mother’s crest snapped up, and she cooed, bending over to meet Pandora. “Precious!”

“Her name is Pandora, and I haven’t named the kit yet,” I admitted. “I want to see his personality a little more. You are welcome to play with them during the journey.”

“Thank you,” the mother whispered.

I adjusted my hold on the hatchling’s lunch and patted her arm. “You’re welcome. Come along. Let’s go see your daughter and make sure she’s fed and happy.”

* * *

The hatchling spotted her mother and father, squealed, and waved her little arms in a demand to be picked up. I obeyed, kissed the side of her muzzle, and carried her over, delivering her to her mother, who let out a piercing keen, went to her knees, and held her hatchling close.

The father made a similar sound, although he stood tall, a position I recognized as defensive and ready to guard his mate and child.

“All safe and sound, and I did my best to keep her healthy,” I said in the trade tongue, hoping the hatchling couldn’t understand me. “She was scared when I first got her, but she warmed to me quickly. She needed to be cleaned, and I did my best.”

The Veloc father lowered his head, nuzzled his mate, and reached down to inspect the wiggling baby, ruffling her feathers and checking her little limbs. “She is well, and she grows. Her feathers are sound.”

“I used an oil we had for feathers.”

He nodded, leaned towards me, and pressed his muzzle to my cheek. “You have our thanks and life-debt, more than you can ever know.”

I reached up and patted the side of his face, aware they appreciated touch. “It was my pleasure to escort her home. I’ll leave the food here if she becomes ready for it, but I will get this fleet moving in the right direction while you comfort each other. Pandora?”

My fox arrived, carrying the kit in her mouth.

“Go to your nest with your kit, please. We’ll be departing, but it will be a gentle takeoff, so you don’t need the buttons.”

She flicked her tail at me and trotted off to do as I asked.

“She is trained,” the guardian praised, his crest rising in interest. “We have vulpes vulpes on Veloci Minor, but not so obedient. They are wild. Sometimes prey. They control small animal populations, things too small for us to want to hunt, and we do not allow many other predators in our territory. But the vulpes vulpes are an exception. Beautiful. Swift. Cunning. Scavenger and hunter.”

“Her parents were born on the generational ship I was conceived on.”

“You are homo sapiens?”

“From Andromeda.”

“The last ship. Remarkable. Modified. Survivability?”

I nodded. “They didn’t know what I would need on the planet, and they tried to adapt all conceived before landing for survivability. But the planet wasn’t hostile, and the modifications weren’t needed. That’s a good thing. My parents gave me Pandora when I registered to venture through space.”