What is a Slave without a Master? Ch. 06

Alex's bathroom was a simple space, with the clothes washer and completely enclosed shower against one wall, and the vanity facing the door. Against the opposite wall sat the toilet, with the wide array of hoses and vacuum pipes needed to keep things sanitary while weightless. Alex stepped up to the sink and unlatched the cabinet behind the mirror. The contents were in complete disarray from being thrown around during the interdiction, but she was grateful to see nothing had broken. She grabbed a few items before turning back towards her passenger. ET4H2-5C was hovering in the doorway, eyes still lowered awkwardly.

"Please try to stand still," Alex requested as she stepped up and began to clean the blood off the woman's forehead: glad to see that the cut was pretty minor in the grand scheme of things.

"Can you tell me what happened?" she asked as she continued seeing to her passenger. ET4H2-5C hesitated but eventually gave a quiet answer.

"I struck my head while traversing the crawlspace, Miss"

Alex just nodded simply, not saying anything for a moment. The slave still had her gaze lowered, and Alex could clearly see the uncertainty and conflict playing out across her face.

"Can you tell me.... why this is making you uncomfortable?" she asked gently as she twisted the lid off a bottle of disinfectant cream.

"I...." ET4H2-5C began as her shoulders tensed. "I do not deserve the level of praise you gave. And you tending to me like this is beneath you. Especially after all you've already done for me. However, I'm not permitted... to stop you. And I don't know which takes priority," she admitted quietly. Alex pursed her lips as she carefully applied a small bandage over the cut.

"You just did something dangerous and difficult to help me out, and it kept me and my ship out of a hell of an ugly situation. Yeah it kept yourself safe too, but like... how do you not deserve praise for that?"

Her passenger blushed deeply before answering.

"I am a slave. It is my duty to serve. Do you thank Verity for just doing her duty?" ET4H2-5C asked timidly.

"One," Alex began sternly. "Verity is a non-sentient computer program. You are not. And two..... Your duty sure as hell isn't to serve me. I'm not Imperial."

"I......" the woman began unsurely. "... owe you a debt for saving my life, Miss Alex. Until such time as the Empire can pay you properly for my return, my service is all I can offer you. That is.... if you do intend to return me to the Empire," ET4H2-5C added timidly. Alex narrowed her eyes and fixed her passenger with a piercing stare for a long moment, before letting out a sigh as she dumped the bandage wrapper in the garbage compactor and the rest of the supplies back in the cabinet.

"You don't owe me anything. I don't charge a fee for picking up an escape pod. And even if I did, your help with the interdiction would balance it out. I'll call us even. Debt cleared. And like... yeah my standard thing with rescues is help them get back to where they want to be. I don't make a habit of kidnapping people, not even the cute ones. But.... do you really want to go back to the Empire?" Alex asked gently as she left the room, gesturing for her passenger to follow as she turned towards the cockpit. ET4H2-5C hastily followed, wishing she had a moment to return her tool belt to her pod.

"I....." she began as they walked, trying to get her thoughts in order. "I do. Even discounting the fact that I am their legal property... I did enjoy my life as a slave. As I told you... I chose to be one...." she added tentatively. Alex glanced back at her with a somewhat pitying expression.

"I mean.... " the Commander began after a long breath. "I know I can't go around giving impromptu speeches of how much I want to control my own destiny while telling you what to do with yours.... But really? Like I'm glad you enjoyed your life, that's better than being miserable there. But surely there's other lives that you'd enjoy too? And you've got a chance right now, the Empire probably thinks you're dead so they're not going to be looking for you," she added hopefully as they entered the cockpit and she made her way towards her pilot's seat. ET4H2-5C wordless returned to her kneeling position at the Commander's side, leaving Alex once again batting down her conflicted feelings on the position.

"But..... it's your life, you get to decide what you do with it," she admitted tiredly. "And I'm sorry for getting on your ass about it... but it just feels......" but her voice trailed off before saying 'like a waste.' The kneeling woman still didn't reply.

"Look...." Alex finally conceded. "It's not like I'm going to chain you up in the cargo bay so you can't go back."

The Commander didn't notice the quick flash of colour pass across the slave's face.

"If the Empire is what you really want.... I'll do what I can to make sure you get there safe," Alex finally finished, letting a silence hang over the cockpit for a moment.

"Thank you, Miss Alex," ET4H2-5C eventually replied.

"You've already done so much for me; there will almost certainly be a Search and Rescue Agent within the Starport," she continued slowly. "They will be more than capable of returning me to the Empire so I won't continue to be a burden to you. And I promise the Empire will reward you for my return."

"You were never a burden," Alex stated firmly as she turned her attention forward and more fatigue settled over her.

"But we're not that far from landing. I'll need to unload and deliver my cargo first, I've left that client waiting too long as it is. Also need to refuel. All that jazz. Then could I at least buy you dinner before we take you to the S&R office?" she asked gently. ET4H2-5C blushed but nodded. She was suddenly reminded of her hunger, as her stomach once again made its protests known.

"I.... Thank you Miss, so long as you purchased for yourself as well of course," she managed.

"Of course," chuckled Alex before she continued.

"And this is one of the spinning Starports, so it will have gravity," she added before lifting a hand to her neck. She grabbed hold of her suit's zipper and tugged it down slightly. She tucked her chin against her chest and inhaled gently through her nose. She was met with the smell of sweat and adrenaline. Her body's way of protesting the day's excitement.

"Showering is easier in gravity," she said embarrassedly as she quickly closed her zipper before glancing down at ET4H2-5C. Noting the streaks of dust, oil, and graphite on the woman's suit from working on the FSD and climbing into the ceiling.

"In a completely non-judgmental way you're welcome to have one too before you go. And wash your clothes if you want," she offered.

"You are too kind, Miss Alex."

It wasn't long before the pair were closing in on the port. Alex was carefully watching her speed on approach, her passenger having taken the opportunity to stow her tools before reluctantly moving into the second seat a meter or so away. ET4H2-5C had been enjoying watching the Commander's hands move across her controls with practiced precision. But she was pulled out of her quiet thoughts as Alex wrapped her fingers around a small release.

"Dropping out of Supercruise.......... now," she said calmly as she pulled. The ship quivering for a moment before both woman were jerked forward by the sudden deceleration. The slave let out a startled gasp of awe as the Starport suddenly loomed before them. She clasped as she stared out at the enormous four kilometer diameter ring against the backdrop of the planet behind. The closest star casting stark shadows across its surface.

"What's up?" asked Alex with an amused expression. "I thought you worked on ships. You're reacting like you've never seen something like this before."

"Worked on ships and Starports yes, but never seen one from this angle before," ET4H2-5C murmured in wonder as she gazed out. "I've seen them from nearby drydocks or scaffolding, but those are always dozens of kilometers away. From this close... it looks so alive!" she breathed, her usual professional tone slipping into one of wonder as her eyes followed the swarm of ships flowing in and out of the port's hanger.

"It's beautiful," she whispered. Alex couldn't help but smile as well, being pulled along by the other woman's amazement.

"Yeah... I guess it is," she said. "I guess there's just stuff out here I've seen enough times I've gotten bored with it."

ET4H2-5C finally tore her gaze from the station to look at Alex in shock.

"How can you be bored of space, Miss? It's one of the most spectacular environments we'll ever get a chance to see. And you have it all at your fingertips."

Alex chuckled. "Space is big. It's not ALL at my fingertips. But... fair point," she said, thinking back to just how mind-numbingly bored she had been hours before. It was that boredom that had led to her finding her passenger, but the woman was still right. She glanced over, watching ET4H2-5C's wide eyes taking in every detail.

"I appreciate the reminder," she added genuinely as she hit a few buttons on her console: sending off the standard docking request. And only a few seconds later an automated message came across her comms in response.

"Welcome Commander. Docking request accepted. Please proceed to landing pad three eight," it said simply, and with that Alex pushed the nose of the ship towards the hanger. She approached slowly, eyes quickly flitting between the view in front of her and her scanner display. ET4H2-5C instead remained transfixed on the bustle around them.

The hanger was located directly in the center mass of the station. And as they approached, the huge structure loomed overhead; its radial arms casting shadows across the Peregrine as it spun. And before them the actual entryway came into view. The glowing rectangle, only two hundred meters wide and a quarter of that tall, through which ships poured both in and out. Despite being big enough for vessels many times the size of Alex's, it looked minuscule compared to the scale of the station both above and below them.

"Surely you've been through a mail slot before?" Alex asked in amusement, watching her passenger's star struck expression.

"Pardon me.... mail slot?" ET4H2-5C asked in confusion, tearing her eyes away from the sight before her to glance at the Commander.

"That's the unofficial name, yeah"

"Ah, I see. I have... but well.... windows in slave carrying ships are considered.... an often unnecessary expense," she admitted, returning her gaze forward. Alex rolled her eyes before looking back at the scanner. But as the mail slot grew ever closer she let out an annoyed sigh.

"Heads up, we're going to get a little warm in here," she announced, reaching over and flicking some switches on the console. Above their heads Verity chimed in.

"Silent running," she said simply.

"Sorry?" asked ET4H2-5C in alarm, looking between Alex and Verity's speaker.

"No panic," Alex assured her. "There's just a security ship passing over. And my cargo is a little... questionable, remember? They're not looking at us specifically, but I'm just shutting off my heat vents anyway. No heat signature: no scan."

"Do you have an alternative method of heat dissipation? Heat sinks perhaps?" ET4H2-5C asked, anxiety growing.

"No I don't, but that's why I've turned off everything I don't need. Keep my heat generation down. And I'm only keeping the vents closed until we're inside. We'll be alright, I promise," Alex said calmly as she leaned over in her seat. She reached across to take the slave's hand in hers, giving the woman a gentle squeeze. ET4H2-5C's fingers tightened around hers in return as she gave a nervous nod.

"I... trust you," she said softly.

"Thanks, Ship Lady," Alex said with a smile as she squeezed her hand again.

"But sorry, I need this to fly," she added: the slave quickly releasing her hand.

ET4H2-5C could feel the cockpit around her slowly warming up, but Alex's kind confidence was reassuring. And to distract herself from her nerves she focused back outside the canopy, taking in the opening looming before them. The approach leading up to the mail slot was lined with floating holographic advertisements in a rainbow of colours. And even as the ship passed by the glowing lights and grew closer, the opening still looked small. It was filled by shimmering blue shield, the surface distorting and flickering when ships passed through it. As it loomed over them the slave was taken aback by just how closely the top of the opening passed overhead. A faint shudder passed through the ship as it crossed the shield, and at last they were inside.

"Thermal signature restored," Verity announced as Alex popped open her vents. ET4H2-5C took in the hanger around them. It was an immense, cylindrical space. The walls all covered in landing pads interspersed between dozens of flight control towers, cargo warehouses, and other signs of industry. And the sounds! The hanger had a full atmosphere so the noise of other ship engines, automated announcements, machinery loading and unloading... it all blended into this wonderful background bustle.

Alex nudged them off to the side, out of the main traffic route as they spiraled lazily outward: matching the spin of the station as she brought them down slowly towards their landing pad. The slave noticed that their slow orbit was gently pressing her down into the seat: the first signs of the station's approximation of gravity. She also gratefully noticed that their temperature had returned to normal as promised.

Alex held the Peregrine gliding smoothly across the surface, ET4H2-5C feeling herself being pulled forward as the ship slowed. They hung in the air for a moment as a whir could be heard beneath them. Verity announced the deployment of landing gear just before there was a gentle clang as the ship settled onto the landing pad.

"See? Nothing to it," Alex said with a chuckle as she reached over, powering down all her thrusters: the Peregrine suddenly falling still and silent around them.

"That was a very skillful flight, it was a pleasure to watch," ET4H2-5C replied, a growing smile across her face. Alex laughed.

"Thanks, I guess? But that was just docking. Every pilot does it hundreds or thousands of times across their career," she said with a shrug.

"You are far too modest. I'm made uncomfortable by praise, you shouldn't need to be as well," the slave said simply. Alex glancing up in amusement.

"Well that was awfully casual of you," Alex chuckled. ET4H2-5C's face suddenly flushed self-consciously.

"No no, I like it," Alex assured her. "It's nice when you can just... say what comes to mind."

"Umm, thank you, Miss Turner," ET4H2-5C said quietly, snapping back into old habits.

"Hey, what did I say about my mother?"

"I'm sorry Miss Alex," she corrected herself. Alex laughed.

"You are forgiven as always," she chuckled as she turned to her other console and opened her comms. The automated voice returned.

"Welcome to Tantalaigh Orbital Commander. Would you like your ship brought below?"

Alex pressed a single button, and the ship lurched. The entire landing pad was retracted slowly into the depths of the station, bringing the Peregrine with it. The slave craned her neck to look upwards, watching the view of the hanger disappear above them. The Peregrine was then gently pulled off to the side, and a new landing pad was lifted into place to be available for other incoming ships. Alex reached down, undoing her harness and rising shakily to her feet. Complaining loudly about having to fight gravity. ET4H2-5C stood as well, although seeming quicker to acclimatize to having weight again.

"You said there were many matters you had to attend to. Is there anything I may do to assist you, Miss?" she asked, hoping to be useful in some way to the Commander.

"I don't really think so," replied Alex with a shrug. "Cargo and refueling are largely automated. Oh actually sorry there is something I need you to do!" she exclaimed, suddenly remembering.

"I am at your service, Miss Alex," ET4H2-5C replied quickly. Alex tried not to roll her eyes.

"Your escape pod. Go get all your stuff out of it. As part of the cargo unloading I'll have it sent over to the Search and Rescue office, but your stuff should travel with you. Although the pod's so beat to shit I don't know if the Empire will even want it back," she added with a shrug. The slave briefly considered finally correcting the commander about the true nature of her cryostasis pod but decided it would be of no benefit.

"Thank you for the opportunity to retrieve my personal items, Miss Alex," she said gratefully. Alex nodded.

"I need to have a shower and change, then I'll go deal with all my shit. I'll be back as soon as I can. Like I said, you're welcome to shower and wash your clothes while I'm gone. You can ask Verity to play music for you to help pass the time. I also read. Or at least try to. Sometimes," Alex offered. ET4H2-5C's eyes lit up briefly before she hastily buried her reaction.

"I saw that," smirked Alex. And despite her passenger's objections she led the slave into her bedroom and over to the lockers. Alex took hold of one of the doors before she paused. A look of embarrassed realization crossing over her face as if she had just remembered something.

"Uhhhh okay sorry. Hold on a second. Please look away."

ET4H2-5C spun on her heel obediently as Alex opened the door and pulled out one of the books. She quickly stuffed it into the bottom of a neighboring locker before calling her passenger back. She gestured at the stack of remaining paperbacks.

"You're welcome to read whatever from here. I just had to get rid of.. you know.... the spicier stuff. It's fine," she said with an embarrassed laugh. ET4H2-5C wore a nervous expression.

"You've already been so generous with your home, Miss. If sharing your books causes you any discomfort... please don't worry about me. You are not obligated to provide me entertainment."

Alex shrugged.

"It's fine. Like don't wreck the place, and don't go digging please," she added pointedly

"But I'm not concerned about you hanging it out here, and I don't want one of your last memories of me to be you being bored out of your mind. Anyway, sorry I need to have a shower then get going. I'll be back as soon as I can with food. I promise!" she added over her shoulder as she left the room.

A moment later the slave heard water rushing through pipes as she quickly slipped into the cargo bay to retrieve the contents of her pod's locker. She carried them back into the living quarters, but wasn't sure where to put them, so eventually stacked them neatly in the corner of Alex's kitchen. But soon enough she was back kneeling in front of the open locker, examining the books on offer as she tried to ignore her burning curiosity.

It wasn't long before Alex returned, hair still damp and body wrapped in a towel. She gently shooed her passenger out of her bedroom before dressing in more casual clothing and departing the ship. Giving another round of goodbyes as she did.

And now ET4H2-5C was alone, the only significant sound being the noise of the cargo being unloaded as she entered the bathroom lost deep in her own thoughts. She tiredly reached up to her throat and undid her tie, letting it hang loosely down her chest. She slowly stripped off the rest of her suit, taking a sharp intake of breath as she felt a sudden twinge of pain.

When she looked at herself in the mirror she understood why. Her forearms were peppered with overlapping dark bruises from when she had used her arms to protect her head inside her pod. The outside of her knees, and one of her hips looked quite similar. In all the adrenaline of her and Alex's interdiction and with her mind occupied speaking with the woman she had forgotten the beating she had taken. She reached up, gently pressing her fingers into her other arm and wincing in response. She lowered her hands. She quickly slipped out of her undergarments, leaving her clothes in a neat pile as she stepped into the shower and sealed the door.