Chapter Text
Atem wasn't even surprised anymore.
Exasperated, desperate, but not surprised. The last months had been getting progressively worse after all. Really, he should've expected this.
"Listen," he hissed with the little patience he had left, "I am not some spoiled tourist. Lives depend on me getting there in time. And if you can't get me there," he gestured derisively at the broken parts of the supposedly top class ship, "then tell me who can!"
The man looked at him calculatingly, before finally relaxing and drawling, "Well, you are trying to leave Federation space, so your pickings are slim. Needs a whole lot of paperwork to even get permission. That alone would take most ships days - if not weeks - at the very least to set up. Buuuut - I think I do know someone who could help you. Far as I remember old Solomon still has his permit, and is flying in that direction anyway. I meant to meet him here while both our ships filled their tanks. But I already sent him a rain check after your emissary in spe insisted the repairs couldn't wait - so he's likely not staying long. He's over in Bay 613. I can send a message, but if I were you I would run. No telling how long he's gonna wait."
Atem cursed in a highly un-princely fashion and gave the order - in his native Khemetian - to grab the most important gifts. They didn't have time to carry all of them over.
Grabbing one of the rings from his hand he turned to the man again.
"Send that message. And continue the journey as soon as you've finished your repairs. I will meet you there."
Handing the solid gold ring with its precious stones off to the man, he pulled out his rather new tablet for quick directions. It had definitely been overpriced, gift or not. Not even two month old and already much slower than it should have been. Stupid, cutthroat Federation tech-
Atem finally rushed forward. Blind, desperate hope to prevent a senseless war in his heart. To provide a future for his people.
Or at the very least buy them time to prepare with his own life.
-
"Only a fool would willingly travel through Zorkian space. Nevermind visiting their homeplanet. So no, I will not be flying you there. But!" the old man continued before Atem could further voice his desperation.
At this point he wasn't above begging and he feared it showed.
"I know there's a trading station with a direct connection - if you are fool enough to step foot on one of the Zorkian ships too. I can get you there, but it's going to cost you. Not that you will have use of any of your luxury where you are going."
"Thank you for the warning, Captain. I believe that this should suffice?" The number on the check was not a bad one for the distance, but admittedly on the low side considering they were leaving Federation space. Before the old man could voice his open displeasure Atem continued, "I will double it if you get me there in under a month."
"Triple. This old lady isn't made for speed, and on top of running her ragged she will need a whole lot more to drink."
"Deal." Atem agreed, aware of the calculating glint in the man's eyes. There was something about the captain that warned Atem not to underestimate him. Despite the jolly nature he had at first shown there was clear intelligence there. If they negotiated for long, like his people usually did, he feared the price would only rise.
And he really didn't have the time.
Nor the stomach, if he was entirely honest with himself. In which case he would have to admit that he would likely not be doing much negotiating at his destination either. Or ever again.
Honesty was overrated.
Captain Solomon blinked, and looked at him for a moment that felt like an eternity. Atem couldn't read him, even though that was literally what he was trained to do.
With people of his own culture, rather than planets all over the universe.
Not being able to read even a simple ship captain was disconcerting. Disheartening, really.
But in the end the captain laughed. They shook hands and that was that. Atem's fate was once again sealed.
And if there had been a hint of pity in the old man's eyes when he told them where to go, Atem ignored it.
He had been getting entirely too good at that.
-
Perhaps the pity for once had not been for his coming fate, but rather for the immense discomfort he and his people would be facing the next weeks.
"The cargo bay. They expect us to sleep in the cargo bay?!"
"They don't usually transport passengers. It was hard enough getting passage at all, and we all agreed before leaving that our mission is more important than our comfort. Did we not?" Atem admonished his attendant. Shada? Shadi?
He had read up on all six of them before undertaking the journey. Each of them volunteers without family. High enough up the hierarchy to matter, low enough they weren't irreplaceable.
The least he could do was remember their names.
But Atem was tired, tempers were high, and most of all he just wanted his friends right now. Mana who could make anything look like a good thing, could make him laugh when he was crying. Mahad who always knew what to say, who had fought tooth and nail and had to be restrained when Atem left anyway.
Atem couldn't let him come along, as he would have if given the chance.
And he couldn't not go. His people needed him.
Even with all that in mind he was still glad when one of the crewmen came by and at least fabricated them some beds.
A young man - boy? - with wild, colorful hair. Same height as his, but Atem was short for a Khemetian. And Federation people all seemed to be giants.
Quickly silencing his attendants muttering, he nodded his head in thanks - a federation gesture he had picked up from their diplomats.
There was nothing comfortable about this journey or the destination, but at least he wouldn't already be hurting all over when he arrived.