genuinely grown fond of the young Hogg. "You're in early today."
"I come to say goodbye," he told her.
"Goodbye?" She lost her smile. "But why?"
"No hire Hogg here."
"Oh, Hamm, I'm so sorry. What are you going to do?"
"Go to Zolia. Hear paid much credits when work mines."
Cali's eyes widened in shock. The mines on Zolia were hell holes; the fortunes made there only if workers spent months underground in conditions so hazardous that few survived.
"Oh, Hamm, no."
"Must. Must prove strong, so can return home and claim a female."
"Is…" Cali wasn't sure how mating worked for Hoggs. "Is there someone special waiting for you back home?"
"No. No female accept one like me," he told her. "Not for many years."
"Then why go to Zolia now?"
"Not allowed to rent den. Others no like Hoggs. Complain."
Cali's mind started to race. She understood what Hamm was saying. Like her being discriminated against because she was Earthan, Hamm was because he was Hogg, even though he had done everything in his power not to exhibit the traits so many found offensive.
"Hamm want to thank Cali Baker for her kindness. Hamm was," she could see he was searching for the word, "ass, when first met."
"Vaine used you, Hamm. You weren't an ass." But she couldn't help one side of her mouth from turning up at his choice of words. Thinking back to that night, she knew Hamm could have caused a lot of damage if he'd wanted to. Even as young as he was, Tay and her other Protectors would have had a hard time subduing him. It got her thinking. "Hamm, what if someone would hire you? Would you stay?"
Hamm's thick brows drew together. "Hamm like this Star Base, but even if hired, still no den for resting."
"But if there was?" she pressed.
"Then Hamm would stay."
"Great." Her smile returned to her face. "You're hired."
"What?"
"I need more help here at The Brink, and I think you would make a perfect Protector. You'd answer to Tay, of course. Is that going to be a problem?" It was well-known that Galaians and Hoggs often rubbed each other the wrong way.
"Tay treat Hamm with respect. Hamm treat Tay with respect."
"I’m sure he will."
"Hamm still not have den."
"There is a storage unit with access to a cleansing room back behind the cegin. I can have it cleared out if that would be acceptable for you. It's not large or fancy, but…"
"I take," Hamm quickly interrupted her.
"You don't want to see it first? Discuss credits?"
"No. Hamm hear how good Cali Baker is to workers. Know she will be good to Hamm."
Cali blushed slightly at Hamm's compliment. "Thank you. As soon as the light shift gets here, I'll show you the room, and we can start clearing it out. Until then," Cali handed him a menu, "order whatever you want to eat. On me."
Hamm's eyes widened. "Hoggs eat much."
That had Cali smiling. "I know, just as I know you've been going hungry a lot lately. I need my Protectors strong, so order what you need to be satisfied and remember that as part of your employment, you receive one meal of your choice per day." With that, Cali went to wait on a thirsty customer.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
"Want to tell me what's got you so pissed off?" Jamis grunted when Taarig's fist connected with his ribs again. They'd just begun to spar, but Taarig had already landed several full-force blows.
"What do I have to be pissed off about?" Taarig asked, moving through another intricate sequence of moves before striking Jamis’s jaw.
"Ruk!" Jamis dropped, resting his elbows on his knees as he rubbed his jaw. Seeing Taarig's hands lower slightly, he sprang up into action and pummeled his Sub Commander with a vicious series of hits that had Taarig stumbling back. "I told you never to drop your guard until you know your opponent is out."
"Ruk you," Taarig gasped out, countering until they were both breathing hard and covered in sweat. As the only two Apre on the Star Base, they only had each other if they wanted a challenging workout. They continued to spar nonstop for nearly an hour, neither giving way. Finally done, Jamis waved a hand. Taarig took a step back, but he remained alert in case Jamis was trying to lure him in.
"I'm done," Jamis told him. He walked to where he'd left a towel and wiped his face. "So, what did Cali say that has you so pissed off?"
Taarig had worked out most of his anger, but knowing Jamis