Dar's Adventures in Space 1: Space Crazy Read Free Page B

use what he’d learned in class? Deep inside, he felt mostly Satiren, but he wondered if his Earthling side played into his chemical make-up. “Miratta?”
    “Yes?”
    “Are you doing this to be mean?”
    “What?!”
    “Are you trying to be mean?” he pressed.
    “I don’t understand.”
    Dar looked her straight in the eyes. “Don’t you think it’s a little mean to ask an unjoined half breed what it’s like?”
    She put her hand to her mouth. “Oh, I didn’t know.”
    “Well, now you know. I’m a virgin , so go ahead and blab it all over school—although I’m sure they have a good idea anyways.”
    “Dar, I’m sorry, I really didn’t have any idea.”
    “Yeah, right,” he scoffed.
    She reached across and tried to take one of his hands. Dar resisted. Miratta gazed into his eyes. “I’m not trying to be mean, really.”
    “So, you’re not interested in me , just my chemistry.”
    “Well, I am writing it for school.”
    He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. In a few weeks, I’m leaving.” Deciding he’d had enough humiliation for the day, Dar got up and headed home. Along the way he ran into Garnic.
    “So, what’d Miratta want? I saw you sitting with her on the bench and figured I’d leave you alone,” Garnic said as he strode along.
    “She was interested in me all right.”
    “Great!”
    Dar stopped. “She was interested in my half breed chemistry. She’s writing a paper for Master Franik’s class.”
    “That’s all she wanted? She didn’t wanna join with you or anything?”
    “No. She wanted to use me as her science project because I’m weird.”
    Garnic hated to see his best friend down. “Maybe if you worked the angle a little more, you coulda given her a demonstration of your half breed chemistry.”
    “No! I doubt she’d wanna have a relationship with someone who is going away soon.”
    “I envy you, Dar.”
    “Envy me? Yeah, right.”
    “I do, really. You’ll be going into space, and just think of all the exotic females you’ll get to join with…Damn, I wish I could come with you.”
    “Garnic, believe me, I don’t think it’s going to be that fantastic.”
    “My father told me that he’s heard freighter crews telling of wild joinings with other species on the pleasure barges.”
    “Maybe so, but I doubt I’ll be living a life like that. I’ll be the lowest man on the crew, so I’m sure I’ll be staying behind to watch the ship while they have a good time…Really, Garnic, that doesn’t matter to me. As much as I’d like to join, I’m not gonna make a big deal out of it if I don’t for a while. I think learning my job is more important.”

3

    The school year couldn’t get over fast enough for Dar. As the last week came to a close, he realized there were less and less in his class he even considered acquaintances, and Garnic really was his only friend. The Cunik and the unfamiliar territory of space seemed more comforting than the harassment he suffered on a daily basis. At least Krodus left him alone after the stabbing. Dar decided to keep the knife; it might come in handy in space. And if Krodus ever came after him, he’d make sure he returned the knife—perhaps in the other arm.
    Walking down the hall, Dar noticed some of the others looking at him differently. It was either his victory over Krodus, or Miratta leaked the secret of his virginity; at any rate, they looked at him. Dar no longer cared. School would be over tomorrow, and he’d hopefully be on his way with Gwog shortly after. Maybe then he wouldn’t be teased so badly.
    “Hey, Dar!” Garnic hollered.
    Dar stopped and turned. “What?”
    “My father said he’s heard the Cunik is approaching.”
    He smiled. “Nice to have a friend whose father works in the long-range communications section.”
    “Oh? Is that all I’m good for?” He gave Dar a jab in the side.
    “No, no, sorry. You’re my friend, my only friend.”
    “Can’t you take me with you?”
    Dar scratched his head.