The Space Spoon novel Chapter 99

Shayla Bale's POV

Only Tejeda Hajar is capable of disappearing and leaving me with an ambassador’s corpse. Once again, I had to assume the role of acting captain and evade the Interplanetary Police. We are all renegades once more, as we were before Tejeda found us.

The crew needs me to steer the ship in the right direction, but my thoughts are far away, following the faceless Nubilae who left us. I lean against the wall and stare at his empty chair, wishing he will appear there, smiling without giving me any explanation as he always does.

“Thinking about him won’t bring him back,” E00’s voice echoes from the ceiling speakers. “If you want him here again, you must go after him.”

“Don’t get me wrong, E00, I want to. But it was his choice. He left us. Even if I go after him, he may not come back.”

“If there’s anyone who can shake him out of the state he’s in, you’re the one.”

“Why must you torment me?” I slump in Tejeda’s chair, rubbing my eyes to forestall crying. The gesture is pointless as E00 can read my thoughts. “He’s never shown actual feelings toward me. All his flirting is just his unhinged mind lashing out when he’s bored. I'm used to it and his meaningless comments.”

"I'm not certain it was all a ruse. Some people conceal their genuine feelings beneath smiles and jokes. The finest orators sometimes struggle to find the right words, especially when they feel uncomfortable in their own skin."

“So I take it that not even you know what’s inside his mind? Aren’t you supposed to know everything?”

“Tejeda forbade me from reading his thoughts. He was quite vehement about it. But, before that, his strongest emotions revolved around you. Questions of what could have been or what-ifs. I guess he’s good at keeping his insecurities hidden.”

"That and so much more." I sigh. If we both feel the same way, then we're two fools.

Swallowing the knot in my throat, I realize I’ve always pushed him away. The more I wanted him, the more I kept my distance. I didn’t want to get hurt, so I refused to let him inside my heart when he was just goofing around. I couldn’t allow him to toy with my feelings as he trifled with everything else in his life.

“Is there something else that he said and isn't on the recording?”

“Only his last words,” E00 says. Then he continues using Tejeda’s voice. “This is too much for me. I need to clear my head.”

"Oh, I think that bastard meant it literally. I know where he may be. But if I leave, who will keep the crew from falling apart?” I raise my eyes and stare at the ceiling, awaiting the faceless voice.

“Shayla, I’ll do my best. Bring him back!”

My heart flutters, filled with childish expectations, as I embark on a shuttle and dial in Yacleemb’s coordinates. Maybe he’s not there, but a tingling around my spine tells me he is. It’s the place where he spent a lifetime trying to forget past deeds. Why wouldn’t he be doing the same thing all over again?

***

The journey is long, and it takes several days for the small craft to reach the planet of the Spreahs. As I disembark and breathe in the familiar air, hope takes over. He’s close. I just know it.

Cautious not to make any loud noises, I march through the thick jungle while keeping an eye out for those pesky little birds that nipped at me the last time I was here. As long as I keep quiet, I shouldn’t incite their wicked beaks.

The Spreah camp should be nearby because I spot algaermen weaving the riverbank with their rods. They hook the blue algae from the bottom of the river and let it dry in the trees’ crowns. The females cook an incredible stew out of it. For lack of a better word, I call these Spreahs algaermen.

Yacleemb's natives are humanoid in height and shape, but with a hairy mane on a too-wide head with long pointed ears peeking out. With long slender necks, thick arms ending in hooves matching those on their feet, and a cute little tail.

Rylus’ cave is right up ahead. If Tejeda’s here, he’s the one who would know all about it.