In a search for the treasure

Scroop retreated faster than one might expect. He rose from the bed without waiting for his partner to recover and disappeared into the bathroom. Arrow found him filling a basin with water. The mantavore spoke first: “It’s ssso good to have hot water. On board, there’s never a chance for a proper wash,” He casually grabbed the cragorian’s washcloth and started rummaging through various bath accessories. “Here, you can at leassst have comfortable sex, and for variety, in bed.” “And no fear of being overheard. I liked your voice today,” Arrow said, approaching. “Need any help?” “I can handle it,” Scroop replied, measuring him with a gaze. Arrow leaned against the wall. His consciousness had already cleared from the veil of desire, and the cragorian realized the impulsiveness of his decision to invite Scroop on the expedition. He didn’t want to let the mantavore go without getting answers. “Where is Silver now?” “Are you joking?” Scroop stared at Arrow. He even stopped washing, surprised. “I need to know,” the officer said uncompromisingly. “It hasssn’t been five minutess since you came inssside me, and you’re already thinking about sssomething else? I thought better of you, Arrow,” Scroop joked mockingly. “Okay, go ahead, scratch my back, if that’s what it takesss,” He allowed, realizing that avoiding questioning wouldn’t work. Arrow removed the washcloth from his claws and started to clean the crustacean’s exoskeleton. “Alright. Tell me about yourself.” “Really, Arrow?” “Yes, Scroop. I want to know the man I trust my life to… and sleep with.” “I’m not a sentimental teenager, and I won’t ssspill my guts to you. Do you need me for work? You can be sssure I’ll get it done. All you need to know about me is that your interests need to align with mine all the way, and we won’t have any problemsss. That’s it.” Scroop didn’t catch the moment when the officer’s mercy turned into anger. In an elusive instant, the cragorian’s hand found its place at the base of the mantavore’s head, holding it in a firm grip. “I don’t care that you found a loophole in the law. You’re a pirate. I’ve killed dozens like you. Once you break the law, rest assured, it’ll end badly for you,” Arrow stated calmly but firmly. He released the mantavore’s head, evaluating the effect of his words. “Strong wordsss,” Scroop said, massaging his neck. “I kill those like me at the firssst opportunity too.” He turned to meet the cragorian’s gaze and continued. “You’ll get answers to your questionsss, but first,” Scroop smiled and pointed with a claw at the washcloth still in Arrow’s hand, “scratch my back.” After leaving the bathroom, they settled at the table for lunch. For the mantavore, the XO had only purps, as their diets didn’t overlap with anything else. Besides purps, not much else grew on Montressor. “What do you know about the hissstory of mantavores?” Scroop asked. “You were bred as soldiers for the war for Alcyone’s independence, fought against the calistians. After the defeat, you scattered across the galaxy and turned to raiding, killing, and piracy…” “We had to sssurvive. Alcyone had no time for usss. They were saving their own asses. And the Terran Empire stood aside, watching usss starve.” “Don’t play the sympathy card, Scroop. Mantavores were created specifically for war. Legends circulate about your cruelty.” “Your legendsss are our reality. We do what we can.” “The war ended eighty years ago! In that time, you could have organized, rebuilt your planet, and lived in peace.” “Your Alcyon Commission imposed a ban on mantavore reproduction. Sssince then, we can only be born illegally, on the outskirts of the galaxy!” “Yes, they did. Because with your reproduction rates, you would have flooded the galaxy with crime in ten years.” “I hope the result sssatisfies you because our race hates imperial authority and everything associated with it,” Scroop said irritably, and both fell into an awkward silence. “So… where were you born? Do you have a family?” Arrow interrupted the silence. “'Born' isn’t quite the word. Do you know how we reproduce?” “Kind of. A female and a male find a victim, the female lays eggs in it, and the male fertilizes them. But what happens to the victim afterward? Does it die?” “Not alwaysss. It depends… on the body’s configuration. Well, in general, you get the idea. I have no clue where this process took place. As for family… Mantavores aren’t inclined to family tiesss. Usually, no one cares about the larvae until they’re old enough for training.” “So, mantavores don’t have families?” Arrow was surprised. “No, we were initially bred in laboratoriesss, and then we merged into various criminal communitiesss…” “They didn’t give you a chance,” this fact saddened the cragorian. Both fell silent again. “I roamed the Calian Abyss as part of the “Hammer” gang. I robbed both Imperial and Procyon shipsss. Traveled across the galaxy. Quit piracy several timesss, but the past kept pulling me back. Then I met Silver. Together we hunted for Flint’s gold for many yearsss. And you know the ending.” Scroop pondered. “By the way, I haven’t seen Silver since the escape, don’t know where he might be hiding,” the former pirate held a pause, then asked: “Is that all, or are you interested in other detailsss of my biography?” “How old are you?” “That’sss a bit rude,” Scroop pretended to be offended. “A lot. I sailed the Ethereum when you were ssstill toddling under the table,” the mantavore made such a face as if what he said bothered him a bit. “But it won’t affect my work. We hardly age physically,” he spoke the truth, as for genetically modified crustaceans, there was no age limit. They mainly died a violent death, occasionally from diseases. The cragorian continued his questioning: “One more question,” Arrow hesitated slightly. “Is it true that mantavores screw anything that moves?” he asked. Scroop laughed. “Partly true, yeah. Considering that femalesss also have an ovipositor, with which they can mate with representatives of any race. For mantavoresss, terms like homo- and heterosexual make no sssense, as we don’t care about the gender of the victim, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have preferencesss.” “So, all this time, I’ve been just a “victim” to you?” Arrow joked, but only halfway. “Don’t confuse reproduction and sex for pleasure. I told you I have preferencesss.” “Genetic engineers really went overboard creating you,” — the officer smiled, and both men laughed. “Well, where did you come from?” Scroop asked after a pause. “What do you mean?” Arrow was surprised. “From Cragoria. Our people don’t like to wander around the galaxy. We live in large families, often generations under one roof.” He took a sip from his mug to take a moment for reflection. “Since childhood, I was interested in flights and dreamed of traveling. Enrolled in the Interstellar Academy, met Amelia there, and we’ve been inseparable since.” “Rumorsss about you circulate among piratesss. You’ve spilled too much blood. If they knew your movementsss, they would have sssurely set up an ambush.” “That’s why there’s a military protocol for secret operations. We know what to expect from pirates.” Again, silence fell. Scroop finished his purp tea in one gulp, stood up, and headed for the exit. “You still haven’t answered my proposal,” Arrow’s voice stopped him. “Haven’t I? It ssseemed to me I already took the advance payment,” Scroop smiled. “I’ll follow you to the edge of the world!” “I’ll be waiting for you at Dock 21 in three days.” “Until sssoon,” Scroop replied, putting on his cloak.

***

Arrow spent three days in final preparations for departure. The ship, named “Invincible” ironically for a civilian vessel, underwent several checks, as did the crew. The cargo, consisting of various equipment, had long been stowed in the hold. Scroop arrived at the appointed time and was getting acquainted with the crew. However, someone already knew him. Arrow was giving instructions to the helmsman when he saw a mantavore among the team. “Well, well! Scroop is with us. Now I definitely have nothing to fear. A mantavore on the team brings good luck,” exclaimed the helmsman. “Good luck, Mr. Lin?” Arrow was surprised. “It is believed that one mantavore in battle is worth ten soldiers,” the helmsman continued praising Scroop. Seeing the officer’s puzzled look, he quickly realized: “But, considering that you’re joining us on this voyage, I think it doesn’t matter.” “Exactly, helmsman. By the way, how do you know Scroop?” “We met two weeks ago at Alpha Deneb. I heard that some cragorian is assembling a team with good pay, so I told him. Well, because…” “Yes. I understand. For luck.” “For luck, sir!” Mr. Arrow smiled to himself. The thought that their meeting with Scroop wasn’t coincidental warmed his heart more than the officer expected. A couple of hours before the presumed departure, the last but significant detail remained. Arrow still didn’t know who was sent by the headquarters as the captain. He was giving orders to the team, preparing the “Invincible” for liftoff when suddenly a young but extremely self-confident catgirl stepped onto the deck. In her, the XO easily recognized his friend Amelia’s niece in the captain’s uniform. “Aurora?” Arrow smiled at her, yet worry for her overcame the joy of the meeting. The cragorian won’t forgive himself if something happens to her. “Mr. Arrow! I’m so glad to see you.” Aurora would have rushed into the giant’s embrace, but too many pairs of eyes were watching them. “By the way, you must now address me as “ma’am,” but only among the crew,” she smiled. “Understood, ma’am,” Arrow played along. “I didn’t know that you’re already allowed on transgalactic flights, ma’am.” “I need to undergo practical training, and I chose you! If everything goes smoothly, they’ll give me the rank of captain.” “I’ll do my best to ensure this flight goes smoothly, captain.” The first mate decided for himself that he would protect her like the apple of his eye. In her cabin, Aurora told Mr. Arrow that no more experienced captains were available. They sent senior students to missions that didn’t involve combat encounters. “So things on the Procyon front are going really badly,” Arrow concluded. Suddenly, he felt ashamed of his discharge from the fleet, as if he decided to hide behind his comrades' backs instead of serving conscientiously. The departure went without problems, and when the “Invincible” set course, the captain summoned the entire crew to the deck. “Crew! Each of you signed a contract without specifying the goal of the flight. It’s time to announce it,” Aurora began. “We are heading to a cluster of asteroids of significant scientific value. The expedition’s goal is to search for valuable resources and collect various scientific data. On board, there are four hundred pounds of explosives, expensive equipment, and a portable laser cannon. Therefore, please refrain from going down to the hold unnecessarily to prevent our ship from accidentally blowing up.” She finished and disappeared into her cabin.

***

Mr. Arrow was planning the route when a mantavore entered his cabin. “Very interesssting. A scientific missssion and such precautionsss?” “Scroop, please, not now,” the first mate replied. “Is there something for me?” “Possibly,” the alien said mysteriously and approached the officer closely. “I meant a report,” Arrow stepped back from him. “Ah, yesss. Nothing criminal for now. Thisss team looks like a bunch of harmlessss kittens at first glance.” The XO looked at the mantavore threateningly, and he recoiled. “I mean, they do their job well, but I wouldn’t go on a raid with them.” “Scroop…” “What? I mean, you shouldn’t expect trouble from them.” “Thank you,” the first mate smiled at the alien and continued: “They say having mantavores on board is good luck.”