Taming the Beast

It caused a panic at first, but the Vizalians were eager to help their new neighbors assimilate and tried to remain in human form whenever around the settlements. It wasn’t as if the Earthlings had any choice to leave. Their homeland was slowly becoming uninhabitable and most had little money left to try and switch course to Turlox. In addition, they had no idea what those native beings were like. The colonists decided the old adage “the devil you know” also applied to dragons and they made the best of their situation.

The first few years went smoothly as the humans reestablished their old societal norms to the best of their ability. They had a mail system, several restaurants and bars along with a movie theater and bowling alley. Madeleine and her younger sister, June, helped plant vegetables in the large greenhouse and volunteered for babysitting gigs. There were weddings, births, and other joyous celebrations. But then … the funerals started among the humans.

The sickness began with a cough that lingered. One could survive it for a year or two before it progressed into a maddening fever. When you reached that point, the odds were against you with an eighty percent fatality rate. The youth were never afflicted, though. It seemed their healthy cells were able to adapt and build immunity.

In their many attempts to find a cure, they depleted the traditional medicine supply in the settlement. Someone suggested consuming native plants to build up immunity, much like eating local honey back on Earth was supposed to help fight allergies. They experimented with every plant without success. The flower blossoms made delicious teas, but did little more than to soothe the throat. The colonists needed medicine or they needed to get the hell off this planet. Unfortunately for them, the inhabitants on nearby Turlox were aware of the deaths and a travel ban had gone into effect. They were essentially under planetary quarantine.

Madeleine was now twenty-six and her sister just twenty-three, but arriving at a young age had spared them. Their father, however, was not as lucky.

“His cough is getting worse,” Madeleine said as she sat on the edge of her sister’s bed.

“How was his temperature?” June sat up and bundled her comforter in her hands as if it could somehow protect her from bad news.

“Normal … for now,” she said, curling up next to her sister. “I have a plan.” She lowered her voice and whispered, “I’m going to see the smugglers.”

“No! They’re disgusting.”

“They’re our only hope. We need new medicine or a ride out of here. Maybe I can work something out with them. Medicine in exchange for…”

“For what? They don’t need anything from us that doesn’t involve catching space syphilis,” she said, contorting her face with disgust.

“They’re humans. I’m sure they’re reasonable.”

“They’re humans who survive by their own unsavory set of rules.”

“But they survive. That’s the key word. And Dad will too.”

June stared at her hands for a few moments before kicking off the comforter. “I’m going with you.”

“No. Just keep checking on Dad.”

Madeleine kissed her sister on the forehead before making the long walk to the outskirts of the settlement to the seedier district. She stood outside one bustling bar, listening to the loud music for a few moments before finally building up the courage to push the door open. It was more crowded than she expected. Her elbows pressed against bodies as she made her way to the far corner. She could feel eyes scanning her body from head to toe. As Madeleine stood in place surveying the crowd, she jumped at the sound of someone inhaling loudly behind her.

“You smell human,” a voice growled in her ear.

“You smell like a human in need of a good shower,” she said, turning around slowly.

His round face shook as he laughed. “I like them feisty,” he said, reaching up to touch one of her curls.

She slapped his hand away and took a step back. “I’m looking for medicine.”

The man raised his hands up and looked around the bar. “Lots of ailments in here, but zero medicine. You know nothing kills the fever. You’re wasting your time.”

“Then transportation.”

He took a step closer and placed both hands on her arms. “Honey, I’ve got moves that will transport you out of this world.” He leaned in for a kiss, but she met him with a hard slap from her hand. “You little bitch!” he growled, squeezing her arms tighter.

“Easy there,” a voice called out from the side. “She’s a pretty thing. Don’t hurt her.” The man motioned for her to walk forward to where he was holding court with his legs stretched out on a chair in front of him. “What are you trading?” he asked.

“Trading?”

“Nothing is free, darlin’… not even in space.” He let his feet drop to the ground and patted the seat with his hand. “Come sit. What’s your name?”

“Madeleine,” she said holding out her hand.

He chuckled at her politeness and reached a weathered hand towards hers. “Captain Badeed at your service.” His eyes focused on her while he licked his lips. “I’ll ask you again, what are you trading?”

“My father is sick.”