Kobb-El runs a bar on a remote space station with his inherited mechanical Med-Leg. But he dreams of the day he can leave.
A severe storm not only disrupts communications, but prevents ships reaching the station, meaning no supplies. Kobb-El fears it’s only a matter of time before the station’s despotic security commander Del-Ger places the station under martial law.
When a ship miraculously reaches the station, its inhabitants are disappointed to find the exotic travelers don’t have supplies to share. However, Kobb-El shares what he can, agreeing to receive cloth in lieu of credit.
He’s instantly smitten by one crewmember, Numa, and uses his own last pieces of material to make new clothing to replace Numa’s ragged outfit. As their love grows, he’s surprised to find gifts appearing in his bar, and ensures his shares his good fortune with others on the station.
But there’s a traitor on the station, and when Kobb-El receives a precious stone from the ship’s captain Jekon, he’s betrayed. He finds himself facing Del-Ger, with not only his own life, but that of Numa at stake.
On reaching the bar, Kobb-El offered a selection of those drinks he had that were still in plentiful supply. To his relief, Jekon and the others readily accepted the offering. Kobb-El noticed the shyer man remained in the background and nodded in his direction.
“Isn’t he part of your crew, too?” he asked Jekon.
The bigger man leaned back as if unsure who Kobb-El was referring to, and then nodded. “Aye. Kind of a cabin boy, you might say.”
The rest of the crew laughed along with Jekon, and Kobb-El frowned. “Then he should have something, too.”
Jekon cocked his head in what was becoming a familiar pose, and gazed intently at Kobb-El. “What do you care about him? He’s the least of the crew. He’ll not have anything to offer you in exchange for food or drink.”
“Then it’ll be on the house for him.” Kobb-El glowered at Jekon. “I thought you a better man than Del-Ger Maybe I was wrong.”
“Hold, man, hold. We take care of our own. He won’t lose out. But if it pleases you to serve him, then I won’t prevent it.” Jekon smirked, and Kobb-El threw back his shoulders, standing as tall as he could.
“Thank you.” He spoke a little stiffly, but Jekon didn’t react. Kobb-El then approached the other man the way he would a child, slowly and deliberately. He held up the bottle of bright blue liquid. “Your captain says I may serve you, too. This is quite palatable, if a little on the sweet side for my tastes. My name’s Kobb-El. What’s yours?”
“He did?” The man peered around Kobb-El, his amber eyes wide, then he smiled, and Kobb-El’s stomach flipped. “He’s very generous. I’m Numa, and only a cabin boy. Um…a general dogsbody. I can’t pay you.”
“That’s all right,” Kobb-El smiled. “You don’t have to.”
It’s like the sun coming out after a storm. If I thought him beautiful before, this just takes my breath away.
“Yes. Here, let me fill a glass for you.” Kobb-El poured out a healthy measure then waited to make sure Numa liked it.
“It’s very nice. Thank you. I don’t think the ship has much credit to its name. How are we to pay you?” Numa asked.
“Well, since you don’t have credit or extra supplies, I hoped for some of the cloth you’re carrying.” He gazed at the well-worn and ragged pants Numa wore. “I still have a little material of my own. I’m sure it’s enough to make you better pants than those rags.”
“Oh ... no, really, there’s no need.” Numa shook his head, and Kobb-El glanced over his shoulder.
“They wouldn’t take them off you, would they?” he demanded, anger starting to rise on behalf of Numa.
“Oh, no. It’s just that ... well, if you have cloth to make clothing, it should be the captain first.”
“I can honestly say, looking at his build, the cloth I have wouldn’t be enough to make him anything practical.” Kobb-El pursed his lips, genuinely assessing the bigger man. “But it would be enough to make you a decent pair of pants. It’s the last of my cloth. I’d like to do it. Call it a gift if you like.”
“A gift? For me? I could never repay you.” Numa’s smile warmed Kobb-El, and he shook his head.
“That’s the idea of a gift. But I’d settle for the pleasure of your company. Even for just a few hours.”
“I’d have to see what my captain says, but, if he’s agreeable.” Numa ducked his head, then looked up at Kobb-El. “I’d like that. Give me a minute.” Numa rose and approached the others, his head bent low.
Kobb-El couldn’t hear the conversation, but the crew, and captain, glanced at him more than once. There was also some raucous laughter, but Kobb-El didn’t move closer. It was better to let Numa petition in his own way. At least to start with.
Then Kobb-El straightened as Numa backed away, still keeping his head low. He stopped beside Kobb-El. “The captain said that so long as my free time doesn’t interfere with my work on board ship, I can spend it with you.”
“Excellent.” Kobb-El grinned with unbridled delight. “Then I’ll get your crew a round of drinks. On me. As a thank you.”
