Chapter 4
Hadronic Ocean, Fleur seaport, Kratom Continent, planet: Makatea, Year: 300
Uh-huh, like hell they'd pay attention to warnings coming from a manager. The night was still young. On the horizon, Marron could see slight remnants of the setting sun. Hmm, what else should he tell them before departing? After remembering the earlier discussion about being ordered to bring them both to Dethos, a recollection kicked to the forefront of Marron's mind. There was something about those zealots who planned some kind of summoning. He almost smacked his forehead because he hadn't meant to forget that. "Oh right, I should warn you that I heard something about the zealots planning a summoning ritual." Marron saw them stiffen in shock. "Well, that was the only important thing I remembered."
The two men sighed in frustration at his timing. Kaemon nodded. "I'll make sure to lock my door." he knew they would target anyone who didn't believe in their deities as the perfect sacrifice.
Terron glanced at Kaemon in surprise. "You really think they'd come after you?" He seemed dubious.
"Mmm, well, the latest book in my series, Watery Wanderings, has some content they found rather insulting." Kaemon shrugged. "They didn't appreciate my rejection of their demands that I include deities." He shook his head. "Author's prerogative and all that." Kaemon folded his arms.
Ah, of course, he'd refused their demands. Yet another reason why he'd been approved for this trip. That was, of course, before they learned of the zealots managing to get on board.
That was right. Marron glanced at them both. "I don't know about you, but I will head to bed." He still was of two minds about the dissolution of the engagement and how it was handled. He was also skeptical about Terron's devotion to Kaemon, especially regarding their particular destination.
It hadn't helped that Terron admitted that he'd been ordered to bring Marron and Kaemon on this trip. That smacked of his reluctance to do so. Therefore, Marron wasn't sure this was such a great way of dealing with their problems at hand.
Marron's last advice was sound to both of them. "I do recommend that you consider carefully where you wind up when sleeping." He headed to his stateroom with a sigh. Marron hoped that they would at least consider his suggestion.
*
After an enthralling yet eerie demonstration of supernatural abilities and fighting with aerial combat, Kaemon and the others were completely exhausted.
"Wow, which was completely outside our expectations of what we should see in the future." Kaemon was bemused.
"It was terrifying," Marron frowned in horror. "To think that once our ancestors engaged in such combat and had such unstable futures." He shook his head uneasily. "Yet, now we're at peace and should stay that way, right?"
All three of them stood in bemused silence.
Kaemon shook his head when Terron shrugged uncomfortably. "Yes, that is what we should look forward to keeping intact." He sighed when Marron scowled in disbelief at his wording but remained silent.
Uncertain of what to say now, Kaemon rubbed his jaw when Terron added. "It is one of the reasons why I'm headed to the Dethos continent." He shook his head warily.
Kaemon frowned when Terron finally admitted, "Although I am a little concerned as to why I received insistent orders that you two should be included along with those nutty zealots." He shrugged, looking exhausted, and finally stated, "I'm going to need some time alone to consider why this is all happening now." He grimaced in disgruntlement. This was not how I wanted the evening to end either."
Since Kaemon needed to put the final touches on his manuscript, he could not argue with Terron's last remark. "I also have to meet my deadlines." He wasn't really comfortable with everything that hadn't gone well. "I'm aware that I have to complete additional reports." He rolled his eyes. "I know Marron also has quite a few reports to make."
Kaemon spread his hands. "It seems this should be where we part ways, but I want to enjoy the nighttime moon and stars a little more." He glanced at Marron as he spoke with a hopeful glint in his eyes.
"Yeah, I'll leave you two love birds to enjoy the starry scenery." Marron waved a hand.
Terron laughed. "I don't mind watching them a little longer. He admitted with a sigh.
They could have been more open about speaking further in front of Marron. Terron rolled his neck and shoulders, joints popping from all the tension he'd accumulated.
Kaemon rubbed his jaw in apparent discomfort at remaining in Marron's presence. He shrugged ruefully. "I'll take your warnings into consideration," Kaemon reassured Marron. "I'll also watch for anything that seems off." He shifted his weight on his feet impatiently.
*
That was the cue for Marron to depart. "I do have some work to continue that was disrupted earlier." He didn't want to watch them get all cutesy with each other. That was not something he could stomach right now as a straight man. He could be tolerant to a certain point, but now he'd reached his limit.
Marron was in a tight spot. "I hate it when Kaemon surprises me like this. What a mess." He would only put some things Marron learned that day in his usual reports. He sighed, but there were some topics he just had to include. "There's no helping it." Marron shook his head regretfully. "I will recommend that an investigation be done on that woman's fiancé." He found the timing downright suspicious and not to Kaemon's good reputation. Marron thought there was good reason for that woman to be furious with Kaemon's lack of warning about the engagement's dissolution.
He sighed. "Not only that, but I'll mention Terron as Kaemon's significant other." Upon reflecting on what he knew about Kaemon's dithering personality, Marron was sure that Kaemon had yet to mention Terron to his parents.
Fortunately, no one tried to hinder Marron's departure from the viewing deck. Nor was anyone willing to approach him in the hallways. For once, his very ordinary appearance was a blessing. He sighed with relief, though he found it ironic how he'd blended in with most of the ship's population.
Marron reflected as he removed his heavily tinted, thick blue-lens glasses. He hadn't enjoyed early baldness, but now he found it quite satisfactory when it came to blending in with the general populace of blue-collar workers.