Project Prometheus Ch. 58 - Teaser (Patreon)

A Khontaran woman strolled up to Korsa, wearing a beautiful smile as she bowed to Korsa in greeting. The doctor reciprocated the bow, and the woman brought up a large cloth bag that she was holding in her lower arms. She offered it to Korsa with all four and continued smiling before she spoke.

“The ambassador sends her warmest regards. She thought you would like to take a little taste of home with you,” the woman told her.

Korsa peered inside the bag and grinned, happy to see that many of her favorites were in there! There were even a few brands of candy and dried jerky that you could only get in the Khontaran system! The doctor was almost jumping for joy until she saw something that made her grin falter. Korsa spotted what she knew to be a Khontaran message puck, which she knew contained a message for her.

‘You have seven days to respond,’ the woman stated in High Khontaran, keeping her voice low.

‘I understand and I will. Thank you,’ Korsa responded with a sigh.

She knew the message puck had a message that was prepared for her by her mother. The doctor didn’t know what the message was about, but figured it wouldn’t be anything too major. But, knowing her mother, it probably required her to divulge who she really was to her crewmates. She only hoped if that was the case, that they’d understand why she did it. Korsa then boarded the hovertaxi with her friends and they were off to the docks.

“What was all that about, mama?” Natalya asked Korsa.

“Just a little something from the ambassador. She knows I am missing home sometimes, so she sent me a bag of food and treats that are only available back in my home system,” Korsa fibbed.

“Like what?” Inari asked, curious. Korsa humored the woman and opened the bag, showing off what was inside. Inari’s eyes widened at the sight of the sweets and a smile curved her lips upwards.

“Are those… Khontaran sweetmints?” Inari gasped, knowing that such candies were not seen outside of the Khontaran system.

“Yes, they are. Made by…”

“… Dohl’Nathek Confections?! Everyone tries to get those, but no one can! Unless you’re Khontaran, who has connections!” Inari stated.

“What can I say? My aunt asked the ambassador for a favor and the ambassador agreed to it. Sometimes it’s nice to have family in positions of privilege,” Korsa smirked, selling the fib to her friend.

“I’ll say! I had a handful of those when I was a kid, once. Let’s just say that I’ve been trying to get my hands on more ever since!” Priya stated, looking at the candy longingly.

“Well, as long as you’re all nice, I may let you have a few,” Korsa promised.

This declaration was met with eager grins, as they all wanted some of those candies. Korsa was happy to see that her crew had bought the fib she fed them. While she detested lying to her friends like this, Korsa knew that the truth would be out soon. The woman sighed as she wondered how she was going to go about telling them the truth. She thought on it a few minutes more before the hovertaxi descended to the docks.

With their path forward clear, they all grabbed their bags and additional purchases and were off after paying the cabbies. The crews made their way to their ships, ready to be away from the station and getting on with their mission. They were all delighted to see the cargo they had purchased while on the station had been delivered. It was all sitting there, with several loading crews close by, ready to get to work.

“Captain, if you’ll permit us, Delilah and I will oversee the loading of our cargo,” Jaesa said to Inari.

“I’ll allow it. Be sure to double check we got what we paid for. I know that many places here on the station give their own guarantees, but it never hurts to be sure,” Inari replied.

“Will do, captain!” Jaesa said, firing off a crisp salute before turning to the workers. She started handing out orders, delegating who was doing what and where the cargo would be loaded. Delilah was a heartbeat behind her, checking on the cargo that was delivered, checking the manifests and the containers. Inari smiled as she and the rest of the crew got aboard, readying themselves for their departure.