Chapter One

Cass listened to the drone of her rig, and when the pitch changed, she eased up. She got the scanner up and running and analyzed the result of her drill. The happy trill that had been programmed in for human miners sounded. She had hit a pure vein. Cass breathed slowly and set her unit to harvest. Four hours later, she and her collector turned and headed back to the base.

“Miner ten-thirty-two returning to base. Requesting unload and analysis.”

The base answered, “Understood. Ten-thirty-two, you have just won your two-month visit to medical.”

“You have to love a system that charges you. Right. I will do a handover of the materials after I have been weighed in.”

“Excellent. You have two hours, or they will come to get you. That’s an extra charge.”

“I stand warned. Coming in. Which depot do you want me in?”

“Sreka.”

“Setting course for Sreka Depot. Thank you for the notice, base.” Cass directed her vehicle to the depot, and half an hour later, she was locked in, her load and the purity were confirmed, and she was walking to medical for her mandatory check.

She sat in the medical gown after what had turned into a complete physical. She swung her feet and waited, her back straight.

Doc Jerienol came forward, his yellow-green skin looking more green than usual. “Free Miner Cassandra. This isn’t good.”

She paused and then continued kicking. “What isn’t good?”

“You have gotten to the point we were watching for. You have reached complete saturation. Your cells are trembling on the edge of cohesion. One more strong dose of radiation and you will begin to collapse.” He looked up from his tablet. “You are being removed from the station on the next outbound shuttle in a month. Nonnegotiable. Begin planning for your next world because it can’t be here.”

Cass frowned. “Are there minerals I should avoid when choosing a world?”

“Khimerion is the biggest one. But even if it appears on the world, as long as you don’t mine it, you should be all right. In a decade or so, the substance may leech out of your system to less dangerous levels. Wherever you go, you are going to be checking in with the local medical centres and the overseer of your region. You may be dangerous to their population, and your next week is going to be very busy finding a placement that can accommodate you.”

He tapped on the tablet, and she felt a ping on her com. She lifted her wrist, and her surprise at the notice wasn’t feigned. “I am being deported?”

The doctor smiled. “It will save you the cost of interstellar transport.”

Cass sat up. “Thanks, doc.”

He squeezed her hand, and she felt the contact with her mind. She felt the cool rush of an ocean in her mind and body.

“I just had not noted that you are not Hmrain compatible. They are making us recheck all of your people when they leave the territory of your previous bond-holder.”

“Ah, yes, Yasku. Haven’t ever seen him, but I am looking forward to getting out of his territory. Am I free to go then?”

“You are. May your journey grant you rest.”

She froze and looked at him. He shrugged helplessly. “Thank you. May your occupation bring you serenity.”

He blinked rapidly and nodded.

She got to her feet and went to change into her coveralls. Her mind was already spinning with the fact that she had gotten the blessing for the soon-to-be-dead. She needed to choose her next planet carefully. She always loved a research project.

Cassandra settled in her tiny quarters that she had upgraded to from the sleep transport. She had read up on the khimerion saturation, and working out her entire trip and flushing her system with fluids would probably get her out of the danger zone.

She rubbed her wrist where her com used to be. It wasn’t used at her destination, so she wasn’t allowed to take it with her.

The vessel was already underway, so she got dressed for the gym and clipped her access crystal to her top. She had her gym towel with her and left her quarters to head for the exercise she hoped would extend her life.

She would keep track of her progress and of how much khimerion she sweated out. When she was on Jorianec, she had to report to immigration medical, and she was trying to make a difference in her levels.

She walked past curious crewmembers and set herself up in the gym. Time to sweat.

* * * *

The overseer looked at his tablet and snorted. “She’s at it again.”

The captain asked, “She is?”

“Yes. That makes thirty-two days in a row. I think I need to get to the bottom of this.”

Captain Grethon nodded. “I will have her invited to a captain’s dinner.”

“Tonight.”

Grethon nodded. “Tonight. Your chef is going to hate me. What species is she?”

The overseer checked the manifest. “It says she is one of the Terrans from the collection five years ago. Unusually, she registers a zero on compatibility with any species.”

“She can’t be a zero.” The captain paused while checking for the message code to her quarters. “You have to be unconscious to be a zero. Is she a mutation?”

“We will need to check and see over dinner. See if you can find something formal for her. I doubt she has anything suitable.”

Grethon nodded. “Noted.”

Overseer Yasku watched the short-haired woman wiping dark sweat from her forehead and breasts. He wanted to know why she stained. It wasn’t something he was familiar with, and Hmrain were nothing if not curious.

* * * *

When Cassandra got back to her quarters, there was a flat box on her bed, and the message light was flashing.

She activated the message. “Miner Cassandra, you have been invited to dinner at the captain’s table. A dress to meet the formal requirements has been sent to your quarters. Please join us at seven in the evening.”

Cassandra checked the time and had enough time for a shower and dry her short hair.

The blue-grey staining on her towel made her sigh. She hung it in the cleaning unit with her exercise gear. Naked and streaked with the khimerion, she got into the gel shower and slicked it over her from head to toe.

The light flicked on, hardened the gel, then the air blew the rigid flecks off, and a vacuum on a hose was set up to suck the remainder off her skin.

When she was finally clean, she returned the cleansing unit to its ready setup and went to see what the captain considered to be suitable.

She opened the box and blinked at the heavy layers of silk that would flatter any figure. She lifted the aqua gown and put it on, turning to catch a view of herself in the mirror.

The dress floated along her skin, and the sleeves were transparent panels that covered her hands if she held her arms at her sides. Her sister-in-law would have loved it and put dibs on in the moment Cass was done.

Cass felt a smile cross her lips. Aside from choosing her retirement world, she hadn’t thought of her family in a while.

A soft knock on her door interrupted her internal focus. “Be right there.”

She finger-combed her short hair and then turned to open the door. Two crewmen in formal uniforms were waiting for her.

“Miss, you have been invited to dinner in the captain’s dining room.”

“Thank you. Please lead the way.”

The taller of the two nodded and offered her his arm.

Her mind went back to the education station and the etiquette class she had taken. She placed her fingers on the back of his forearm and saw a smile on his plush grey features.

They walked through the halls and turned toward the VIP section of the ship. There wasn’t polite chatter, for which she was grateful. She didn’t do casual conversation easily, but etiquette demanded that she attend when the captain requested. He had bothered to find a dress for her, after all.

They walked until they stopped in front of the glyph for the VIP dining room.

The male who didn’t have her touching him knocked gently on the door. It opened, and a steward beckoned her inside. “Please, miss. Come in.”

She nodded and walked into the chamber where the captain was talking with a Hmrain. The species manning the vessel was primarily Coybel. They had the fuzzy skin of baby seals in a variety of grey hues. The giant dark eyes set her at ease. They didn’t hide much.

She folded her hands in front of her and bowed from the waist. “Overseer. Captain. Thank you for your invitation.”

They looked at her, and the captain came to her, taking her hands and nodding. “Welcome, Miner Cassandra.”

His finger fur tickled against her own skin. “Thank you for the invitation and the clothing.”

“We carry a few items for those such as yourself who never anticipated an invitation.”

“Or companions who have their clothing torn off.” The Hmrain smirked, though it was hard to tell. His body was striped, but it was a subtle stripe. The base colour seemed to be black, but there was a charcoal striping that made her stare. His wings were peculiar. They looked to be covered in the same dark colouration as the texture of the fluff found on baby chicks.

The bright pops of colour on him were gemstones marching up the outer edge of his pointed ears. His hair was braided in a thick crest that gave him a fauxhawk, which was a reference he would not understand. His upper torso was clothed in wrapped silks in a close-to-herringbone pattern.

His feline features and silver eyes made her frown as she tried to figure out how she felt about his looks.

The captain said, “I have never seen a woman look at a Hmrain with that particular expression. Is it confusion or irritation?”

She cocked her head. “Yes.”

He smiled, and she looked straight at the captain. He blinked. “What are you, Miner?”

“I am Terran. Refugee of a dead world. Retired miner of khimerion.”

The captain came around and held her chair for her. She was seated at the left hand of the overseer, and the captain was at the right.

The overseer looked at her. “We are waiting for one more couple.”

“Oh.” She was disappointed. Too many people were distracting.

The others arrived within three minutes and were settled.

They looked at her naked skin with polite repulsion, and she merely looked back at them, guessing their financial worth. She shrugged when she figured out that they were spending everything they had.

The merchants were giddy with excitement at being at the overseer’s table.

Cass settled, and when each course was brought out, she ate quietly while the chattering went on around her.

The merchant on her left said, “You are very quiet, miss. You don’t find our conversation to your liking?”

“The title is miner, not miss, and the conversation does not involve me. I have no interest in shopping or harvests.”

He frowned. “Miner? A little thing like you?”

“In a capsule unit, size doesn’t matter. Instinct and reflexes are all, and I have high marks in both.” She set her fork down, and the staff cleared her plate.

She sipped at the wine glass and made a face.

“Well, you are lacking taste. This wine is amazing.”

The overseer was looking at her curiously. “You don’t like the wine?”

“There are too many bitter notes from the tannins, and the acidic twist given by the original fruit is harsh for my taste.”

The overseer spoke softly to one of the servers, and the young male got excited and moved smoothly out of the dining room.

The merchant snorted. “How could a creature like you appreciate good wine?”

“I used to make it on my world. I won some awards as well. Some for being avant-garde, others for being drinkable.” She twisted her lips in what she was pretty sure was a smile. “Not bad for a null.”

Silence fell in the room, and understanding suddenly lit the overseer’s eyes. “Ah, is that it?”

“It is it. I am excellent for detailed dangerous labour and not much else.” She looked at him. “Being a free miner does pay well.”

The room froze again.

The merchant’s wife muttered, “There aren’t any free miners seeking khimerion. They leave as soon as they pay their bond.”

The next course was served, and the server returned holding a very ornate bottle with another server carrying matching glasses.

The overseer gestured toward Cass. “The lady miner and myself only. Everyone else is content with the offering.”

The server smiled, and he uncorked the bottle. Cass caught the scent instantly, and a genuine smile spread across her features. A million flowers were scented in that bottle.

She closed her eyes and remembered sunlight and bright meadows, the sound of horses running, and family laughter. She felt something hot on her face and opened her eyes as she touched her cheek. A tiny carved-glass stemmed wine glass was in front of her, and the scent continued to spin in her thoughts.

The overseer brought his glass to his lips. He took a sip and closed his eyes before opening them, and a rainbow filled his irises as the falling stars in his wide pupils streaked slowly in a wave that was hard to look away from.

She took his cue and sipped at the wine, closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she exhaled a dark blue-grey cloud.

The overseer sat up straight. “You have khimerion poisoning?”

“Saturation. It’s fine as long as it doesn’t get higher.”

The food continued to come to them, and they ate as he asked, “How long did you work after you paid out your bond?”

“Bond lasted two years, and I continued for three more. I was grounded and deported, so I picked a world and have arranged a home, supplies, and plenty of open space.”

The overseer cocked his head. “Nulls don’t act without purpose. Why my world?”

She blinked. “Oh. You purchased the bond of some of my people. Before I left, I sent them the funds to pay their bonds. I don’t know if they did or didn’t.”

She finished her plate and took a sip of the wine again, exhaling another cloud of khimerion.

The merchant muttered, “Can you stop doing that?”

His wife was looking alarmed as Cass turned toward him. She said softly, “No, I can’t. The mineral that powers all regenerative mechanicals runs in my veins, nests in my cells, and comes out in my sweat. One more mining mission with tons of it around me would have caused me to turn into a slurry with eyes.”

The captain looked at her. “You harvested tons of khimerion?”

“Yes. Forty tons in my free-bond career.”

The gasps at the table made the smirk on the overseer’s features confusing.

“Well, this has been lovely. Overseer, thank you for dinner, but it is now uncomfortable. Captain, thank you for the loan of the dress.” She looked to the overseer. “I beg to be excused.”

“Is that how you beg?”

She crossed her arms and looked at him. “As far as you will ever know.”

He ignored their audience. “Your sexual history?”

“I have had sex. I do not crave it or require it.”

“Do you want children?”

“No. They are interesting to watch, but I am not craving any.” She nodded. “My sibling has two.”

He nodded. “Everyone but the servers out.”

The captain grinned and got to his feet. The servers pulled the chairs out for the merchant and his wife, and they got to their feet, spluttering. The captain ushered them out and told them he would spot them in the officers’ lounge.

Cass turned to the overseer, who had resumed eating. “Why did you do that?”

“They are upset by your exhalations, and I am not. I am impervious to most types of radiation, including khimerion. The air around me is inconsequential. I do not even need to breathe unless I wish to set my citizens at ease.” He met her gaze. “I do not think you will have a problem with that.”

She shrugged. “Interacting with you is not a concern.”

“Really? Where is the property you have obtained?”

Cass frowned and reached for her wrist unit but ended up looking at the empty space.

“Looking for your com?”

“Yes. I will miss it most of all.”

The next course was settled in front of them, and she said, “Without my com, I can’t show you where I will be.”

He slid his data pad toward her with a map highlighting the first city on his world. She prodded with her fingers and said, “Here. This... hey, that’s my house already.”

He nodded. “It’s a good location. This is my house out of the city.”

He enlarged the image, and her house was in his backyard.

“Oh. Neighbours.”

He nodded. “Do you ride?”

“I have seen images of the six-legged creatures. I could try.”

“Good. There are saddles at my stable, and I will instruct staff to let you ride when you wish.”

“Why?”

“You are entirely potential. I want to be there when your body and mind come together.”

“Oh. Since you are here, how do I opt out of the monthly masked events?”

He smirked. “You don’t. They are mandatory for all citizens not in a pair bond. You don’t need to interact intimately with anyone, but you must attend.”

She grimaced. “Why?”

“I am building a new species. Your species and the other three in the new colony are all genetically compatible. There are several cross breeds already. Your species does not have a locked pair bond.”

“Oh. No. After all we have been through, they can’t even keep themselves to themselves for a decade?”

“Your species is desperately trying to create a foothold in the universe now that your world is gone. Why aren’t you?”

“The universe was not particularly interested in furnishing me with anything other than calculation and survival skills. I don’t have the instinct for motherhood.”

“What do you have an instinct for?”

“Hunting and survival.” She shrugged. “We made it to pickup day in good physical condition.”

“But you had regrets.”

“I had to sacrifice some of my animals to insure our survival. It was difficult to part with my creatures to lay in supplies for an unknown future, and it still pains me to think of it.” She met his gaze and saw understanding.

“Many species go completely mad. Your people were on the edge of it. It is good to see someone who came through it with only regrets.”

She inclined her head and looked at her tiny wine glass. She took the last sip and enjoyed it as a small cloud of contaminant left her system.

“So, you were really at the threshold?”

“Yes. Well, according to the doctor. He had never steered me wrong before, but he did keep trying to do a sensuality assessment on me.”

“What did you feel during that?”

“Cool ocean and bright sunlight.” She smiled. “And his frustration.”

The overseer laughed. “You felt amusement at his discomfort?”

“Yes. They kept trying to get me to register and never could manage it.”

He reached out and poured her tiny glass full again.

“What are we drinking?” She lifted the glass to examine the contents.

“It is a wine made from honey on Joraniec. A new family of your kind found that our ants made a form of honey, and this is the result. Only three bottles of this liqueur per year are possible right now, so they are mine to share as I like.”

She paused. “Thank you. This is a lot easier than sweating it out.”

“You are reducing your khimerion load?”

“I don’t want to die if I go near a repair unit. I need to get the radiation and metal out of my body so I can live the rest of my life calmly.”

“What if I told you that calm is the last thing your body needs?”

She lowered the wine glass. “I would say that it does not get a vote.”

He inclined his head and grinned. “You will do well on Joraniec. I look forward to welcoming you to the neighbourhood.”

“We arrive within the week?”

“Yes, I am regretting not making your acquaintance earlier, but it wasn’t until I noticed you analyzing your workout towel that you intrigued me. We will simply have to acquaint ourselves again once you have settled.”

She cocked her head. “Why?”

“You have the potential to be something most Hmrain will not see in their existence. I believe that you and I could be friends.”

Cass looked at the huge overseer. “Overseer Yasku, I believe I feel the same as long as immigration lets me in.”

Yasku nodded. “They will, or they will try breathing vacuum.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

The meal was over, and that was that.