Legions Of War

Book 2
Chapter 6
The space station was really old. Marc noticed another rusted spot on a beam as he walked
around. And it was dirty. Even after showering Marc felt like he needed another shower. The
room Cora had rented was no larger than a twin bed. And the stench. It made Marc sick just
thinking about all the problems the space station had.
Marc stood at a display and looked through the thousands of departures and where they were
heading. Many of the ships sold 'space available' room. It was a matter of finding a place to go
and a ship and crew with which Marc might get along.
No one wanted to end up on a ship where they didnt get along with each other, nor did they
want to end up with a species that might see you as a meal. And it wasnt just the Floin, Marc
had quickly learned.
Many species see others as potential meals. And with Marc being small at twelve didnt help.
Then there was the dumpers as Cora called them, they take your money and then a few days
out toss you out an airlock, saving air, water and food in not having to care for you.
It was a lot of work seeking a ship and a place to go.
What about this place? Marc asked as he swiped a new advert.
Grandstorm on Dennior. It's a world with a primary species of wolf like beings. I think you
would learn a lot there. Now what is the ship? Cora asked.
Marc swiped the advert upward and then the ship and crew appeared. The Captain reminded
Marc of a Fox and she had been captain of this cargo ship for nine years. The ship itself was a
Firefly class, fairly new on the market with a great service record.
There were no negative records from the stellar police and the corporation that owned the
cargo ship had been in operation for twenty three years. And as Marc read the file he notice
they were based on Dennior.
You dont want that ship, someone said behind Marc.
Marc turned and found a Gyol looking down at him, Did you need the screen? Marc asked.
The Gyol puffed on an e-cig and looked at Marc, I noticed you looking at ships going to
Dennoir. We fly there, and I can beat anyones rates.
Marc stepped back a little, I was only looking.
The Gyol stepped forward and reached for Marc when a green arm shot out and grabbed the
Gyol by the wrist, Are you looking towards children to pay your fuel costs, now, Huust.
Marc looked over and his eyes widened. Beside him was a walking talking tree.
Huust looked at the tree and then back at Marc, Hows you know this is a child, could just be
a
He is a human child, Huust. If you had any common sense or used even one of your two brains,
you'd know.
Marc started to slip away when the tree placed a hand on his shoulder, You should come with
me, child. I will make sure you get to your ship. Just tell me what one your parents are on.
Huust snorted and then walked away.
Thanks for the help, but I can make my own way, Marc said politely.
The tree knelt down so it was looking Marc right in the eyes.
The tap root would be very upset if I allowed a seedling to wonder freely around here.
Marc reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small golden disk. Moments later, Cora
appeared on Marc's palm.
Greetings, Damlira, and blessings of warm sunshine to you and the great tap root, Cora said.
And greetings returned. Are you going to tell me this child is a Host? the Damlira asked.
Very much so, Marc said with a smile.
Others walking around, whom had either been ignoring or curious about Marc, suddenly took a
lot of notice when Cora appeared.
Well, this is a surprise. Host I am Beass of the Damlira. I had heard humans were great Hosts,
but I have to admit seeing a child as a host is a major surprise, Beass said.
I bet not as surprised as I am at meeting a plant based being, Marc said.
I hear that often, we are an ancient race. Debate often is what race is older, the great tap root
or the Hugimany. Between you and I, we know its the great tap root, Beass said with a wink.
Marc laughed, So as you can see, Beass, I am just fine alone.
You may be a host, but still a seedling you are. Huust seemed to think you wanted to travel
somewhere, Beass asked.
That is true, I do. Im out exploring the universe, and right now am in the middle of picking our
next stop.
I think we agreed on Dennior, Cora added.
Beass smiled, The ship I work on is heading to Harvest and then onto Dennior. Maybe you
could join us. I know it is not a direct connection but Harvest is also a wonderful place to visit.
Especially if youre a plant, Cora teased.
Beass smiled, It sure is.
I think I'd like to see your ship.
^ ^ ^ ^
The ship was an old Cornelia class crabbing ship that traveled to worlds rich in sea life, crabbed,
and then travel to other worlds to sell their catch. It had been converted into a super-heavy
class cargo hauler that was capable of carrying upwards of twenty thousand tons of cargo in
pods.
Above the pods were the crew decks. Beass gave Marc the grand tour. The impression Marc got
was while it was a much older ship it was greatly cared for.
The quarters had been redone just two cycles ago. And as you see, we have thirty quarters and
just a crew of twelve, Beass explained.
Why so many rooms?
It is hard to always have a full cargo load, so passengers help cover the costs, someone
answered behind Marc.
Marc turned and smiled.
Captain, I like you to meet a human Host, Beass said.
The captain looked Marc over, You said 'Human host?' Isnt this a child?
I maybe young, Captain, but I assure you I am very much a Host.
Captain Natasha looked at Marc carefully, and asked, Symbiont or Artificial Intelligence?
Captain Natasha was a female Docord, standing just above five feet tall and covered in sandy
colored fine fur she resembled a Lynx more than anything else Marc could think of.
Marc smiled, Cargo pod one carries three glory class Fishing vessels, Pod two has equipment
meant for building new housing and pod three has
Natasha held her hand up, Okay, AI, I believe you. Beass are you now out looking for other kids
to sail with us?
No, Captain, I just happened upon this child. He is human and I was intrigued by him, Beass
said with a wink to Marc.
I had thought he was human, but why such a young host? Natasha asked.
Long story, but the basics are: Im sixteen, and I'm stuck in this body, Marc answered.
^ ^ ^ ^
That was four days ago. Marc's stuff that had been in storage was transferred that same day to
his quarters. Two days after Marc changed from living on the space station, a blowout
happened on the same level where he had been living. Last count was four hundred dead or
missing from decompression.
While Marc felt sorry for the being who died, he was happy to have gotten off that rust bucket
of a station.
Someone knocked on the open door jamb to Marc quarters, Ello little ost.
Marc looked up from the desk he was at, Oh, hi. Elie, right?
orrect. I hred you ar child, Elie said as he stepped into the room.
Marc pushed back from the desk, Look, Elie, if you have a problem with who or what I am, just
say so. I am really getting tired of all the finger pointing and whispers behind my back.
Elie stood there silent for a moment. Being a Flox, Elie had a hard time speaking standard and
many times misspoke.
Marc watched as the lights in Elie skull cap flickered as he stood there.
Yous misunderstood I, conflict I do nots seek. I onder hows child becomes ost. On manys
orlds testing is mighty ard. Very fews ever become ost, Elie said hoping he spoke it correctly.
I did not plan to become a host to start off with. On my world, at the age of sixteen, you can
apply to join the legions. I had applied and worked hard at applying at just about all the legions.
But I was not accepted. While I was sitting, and slightly freaked out about what I was going to
do, a Host came to me. After some talking and some checks, she took me to the Host center.
From there I had to work hard and was ultimately accepted, Marc explained.
I ave seen Huumas on this Net. You are no dult. Iave seen child on Net ans you ares child,
Elie stated.
Legionnaires use revival machines as they fight. As you may know these revival machines
basically reclone a new body each time a Legionnaire dies. I was placed as a Host in a Legion
and in one battle I was killed. While reviving me, there was an accident, and I ended up in this
younger body.
A female Docord peeked in the doorway, giggled, and dashed away.
Ish thinking she mays ows kows yoush ot a ittle oy, Elie said once the girl had rushed
away.
Youre talking too fast, again, Elie. So what if she knows? It has no bearing on anything I do.
Elie moved uncomfortably, I is seeing yoush with them. If you ar as old as you ave saying then
why giving them attention?
And this is what Marc had suspected. Elie was about seventeen and there were three available
females on the ship. Two were Docords, and were twelve and thirteen year old sisters. The
third was a ten year old Delda. None of them seemed to like Elie, and they spent a lot of time
hanging out with Marc.
Why shouldnt I enjoy their company? And just for your information they know who I am. I
have never hidden that from them and I know Starsha and Carlsha's parents know about me.
Cora saw Elie's reaction long before Marc did, and warned him. Elie rushed at Marc while
screaming. Marc shoved himself backwards and overturned his chair, rolling over and back onto
his feet while deploying both nanite blades.
Elie flew over where Marc had been, and slammed into a wall with a hard thud.
Is kills you! Elie screamed.
It was then that Elie notice Marc wasnt running. No, Marc was standing his ground and had
two pitch black blades that caught Elie's notice right away. Elie was used to having others run
and him chasing them down. He'd never faced a being that was willing to fight back
Runs ittle oy! Elie spat.
I am a Legionnaire, we never run!
Elie hesitated.
What in the world are you doing, Elie!
Marc didnt take his eyes off the Elie, even when he heard Elie's mother yelling.
Elie, on the other hand, lowered his head as he answered, Nothin', Mom.
Dot lie to me! Yoush fightn, again! I wear I cat take you anwhere.


Edited By TeNderLoin