The Golden Spider Joins the Party
Outer Rim — Upper levels of the Golden Spider Gray Market.
This was a fairly upscale district, far removed from the acrid stench of machine oil and the clamor from below.
Following Bani's lead, we settled into a restaurant with a stellar view. Outside the window stretched a panoramic nightscape of the universe, where asteroid belts mingled with the station's lights.
The expedition was set for tomorrow morning.
Until the food arrived, Bani sipped his water with a grave expression, lecturing on the explorer's code of conduct.
"Listen up, Kal. And you too, little miss."
Bani tapped the table with a thick finger.
"What do you think is the most important thing in space exploration, especially in uncharted zones like Wild Space? Food? Oxygen? Weapons?"
"Well, all three seem pretty crucial."
I replied indifferently, and Bani shook his head.
"Nah. The real key is sticking to your routine."
"Routine?"
"Yeah. Space is eternal night. No sunrises or sunsets. In that endless silence and darkness, your biological rhythm crumbles in no time. You forget when you last slept or ate, and if it gets bad, you can't even tell if you're awake or dreaming."
Bani's eyes grew distant.
"The moment that rhythm breaks, your judgment clouds, and hallucinations kick in. In Wild Space, where anything can pop up, that's a one-way ticket to death. So I live by a strict routine. Sleep when it's time, even if you're wide awake. Eat when it's time, even if you're not hungry."
There was real weight to Bani's words, born from hard-earned experience. A philosophy only someone who's battled cosmic loneliness could grasp.
Unexpected as our meeting was, Bani struck me as a solid guy with real chops.
But to Eve, it was just boring nagging. Hooded in her pink bunny outfit, she dangled her legs with a fork in her mouth, eyelids growing heavy.
Bani caught sight of her and chuckled. Wrinkles creased his rugged face, giving him an oddly warm vibe.
"Heh, looks like my tales bored the little lady."
Bani pulled a data pad from his pocket.
"Eve, right? Uncle's got something fun to show you."
"Something fun?"
Eve's eyes snapped wide.
Bani tapped the pad, and a hologram flickered to life above the table. It was footage from the nameless planets he'd devoted his life to exploring.
"Whoaaa...."
Eve's mouth fell open.
The images showed crystal forests sparkling like jewels, skies dancing with seven-colored auroras, and gas giant oceans teeming with colossal jellyfish. It paused on a final desert shot.
"Called this one the Glass Desert. Every grain of sand is transparent, so when the sun rises, the whole ground shines like a mirror."
"Yeah yeah! So sparkly pretty!"
Bani got fired up by Eve's reaction and kept explaining. Then Eve spotted a butterfly of light in the hologram and swiped at it with her little hand.
"Huh? Pretty! I wanna go there too!"
"Heh heh, sure thing. If this trip goes well, Uncle'll take you."
Bani reached to ruffle Eve's hair with his rough hand but hesitated, worried she might not like it.
But Eve leaned in first.
"Uncle's hand is suuuper big!"
"......Ahem."
Bani cleared his throat awkwardly and gently patted her pink hood.
These small gestures revealed the truth: rough exterior aside, he had a deep, warm heart. No villain here.
We'd been chatting amiably for a good while, the mood nice and relaxed, when...
"So, why are you two heading to that dangerous Wild Space? Not sightseeing, I bet."
Bani cut to the chase. I opened my mouth to answer.
"Found you."
A familiar, oh-so-welcome voice rang out. We turned as one.
A woman stood at the restaurant entrance. A beauty drawing every eye in the place.
Her lush purple hair cascaded to her waist, framing amethyst eyes brimming with mystical allure. She wore an elegant dress, but her gaze burned with an unmistakable, mad passion.
It was the Arachne from the clothing shop earlier.
"Fancy meeting you again."
She glided over gracefully.
"Huh? Pretty spider sis!"
Eve cried out happily. Bani's eyes bulged.
"Spider? That bombshell?"
"Yep! So glad to see you again, Eve. Last time, your lethal cuteness left me dazed — forgot to introduce myself properly. Sis's name is Lydia."
Lydia.
The eccentric designer who'd gushed about inspiration from Eve, given her free clothes, and even tried shoving money our way.
But something was off.
Her lower body had been a massive spider before. Now she walked on perfectly human legs.
"Sis, where'd your hands and feet go? You only got two legs now!"
Eve asked innocently. Lydia curved her red lips into a smile.
"Ah, that form's comfy for work, but it's a hassle for getting around. I compress it like this usually. What do you think? Pretty, right?"
"Aha! Yup! Super pretty!"
Lydia beamed at Eve like she was dripping honey. Then she turned to me and Bani.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Hey, I'm always up for dining with a beauty like you. Your call, Kal."
Bani shrugged good-naturedly. I was curious why she'd tracked us down, so I nodded.
"Have a seat."
"Thanks."
Lydia pulled out a chair with poise and sat. A glimpse of her legs beneath the dress hem looked indistinguishably human.
She stared right through me the moment she sat. Actually, her eyes were glued to Eve, who was munching steak beside me. I cleared my throat and addressed her.
"What brings you hunting us down? Doesn't look like you're here for the clothing bill."
"Pardon. Kal, was it?"
"Yeah."
"Straight to the point, then." Lydia propped her chin, eyes sparkling at my question.
"Truth is, from the moment I saw Eve in my shop... my inspiration won't stop! My brain's buzzing! Sure, the universe has tons of races, but I've never seen a being with such perfect proportions and pure aura."
She slammed the table in excitement.
"Here's my pitch: Let me sign Eve as my exclusive model!"
"Model?"
"Yes! Kids' fashion model, no — the muse for my brand! I want her wearing everything I make. Front page of every space fashion mag, guaranteed!"
[As expected, Lady Eve's visage is the finest in the universe. A bug with an eye for her true worth. I'll acknowledge that much.]
Nahibi sounded pleased, but I swatted at her and shook my head firmly.
"Sorry, no can do."
"What? Why? Terms not to your liking?"
Lydia grew frantic.
"I've got money! Tons of it! Whatever Eve wants, I can make it happen. Top-shelf snacks, toys, hell, I'll buy her a planet!"
"It's not about money, Ms. Lydia."
"Then what? Hate the idea of her face out there? Fine, anonymous model works! Or just let me dress her up to see! Please?"
The picture-perfect beauty clasped her hands, begging before me. Nearby tables started murmuring.
I sighed, embarrassed.
"Ms. Lydia, it's not that... We're leaving this place tomorrow."
"Leaving? Where to?"
"With Bani here, to the border between the Outer Rim and Wild Space to recover his ship, then onward into Wild Space. No set return date, so that's why I'm declining."
Lydia's face hardened.
"Wild Space? Why that deathtrap...?"
She glanced at Eve, the spotless child happily devouring her steak.
Taking that kid into the unknown?
"What if something mars Eve's adorable face? No, her life'll be in danger first!"
Bani set down his utensils and eyed me. Waiting for the answer to his earlier question.
"Kal. I'm curious too. What's the deal, dragging a kid into hazardous outer space?"
I fell silent. Couldn't spill the full truth. 'This kid's a xenoform queen heading to find her kin and grow stronger'? Unpredictable reactions.
So I mixed truth with a white lie.
I stroked Eve's head, pouring sincerity into my voice.
"I just..." What I wanted for Eve...
"Want her to live sickness-free, enjoying a normal everyday life. That's why."
"......!"
Lydia and Bani's eyes wavered at my words.
They could sense the desperation for Eve in my tone and gaze.
In that mismatch, the two began their wild misconceptions.
'Keep her from getting sick... normal life....'
Lydia's brain spun fantasies into overdrive.
'No way... Eve looks healthy, but maybe some rare disease modern medicine can't cure?'
Bani seemed to think along similar lines.
'A father plunging into hell with his naive kid. Must be some untold story....'
The mood turned solemn.
Bani nodded heavily.
"......I see. Won't pry. That earnest wish of yours — I'll help make it real."
He sniffled, voice thick with emotion.
Lydia bit her lip. Tears welled as she gazed at Eve.
Such a pretty kid... sick?
Lydia whipped out her communicator, resolute.
"Hello? It's me."
She jumped right in.
"Put my personal ship, Silk Road, up for sale now. No, just dump it used — liquidate fast for cash."
"Miss? What the —"
"No chatter, sell it! List everything in my name that can be liquidated, wire it in ten minutes."
Click.
Call ended. I gawked at her.
"Ms. Lydia? What the hell...?"
She met my eyes with grim determination.
"Sold the shop right after meeting Eve. When I get hooked, I don't look back."
"Huh?"
"And just ordered my ship sold too. If you're Wild Space-bound, my flashy yacht's dead weight. Leaving tomorrow, right? I'm hitching a ride."
Her insane decisiveness drew a dry laugh from me.
"Hang on, I never said you could join... What's with the confidence?"
I asked sternly, and Lydia smirked. She tossed her communicator on the table.
"Whoa~ So many zeros! The circle train is looong!"
Eve's innocent cheer echoed. I choked, counting digits before giving up.
138 billion...?
This wasn't "rich." She could buy a small planet outright with pocket change.
"Cash on hand's just that, but enough for a ticket, right?"
Lydia crossed her arms smugly.
"Leave Eve's care to me. Premium nutrition, custom outfits, full medical. With my wealth, she'll stay flawless, shining like a gem."
A golden halo seemed to glow behind her. Capitalism's goddess incarnate.
[Kal. Snag her. That sum'll skyrocket Lady Eve's quality of life. Don't let the golden spider slip away.]
Bani gaped, speechless.
I swallowed hard.
True, the road to Wild Space was brutal. Supplies, fuel, intel — all cost money. And here rolled in a walking fortune.
I quietly slid Lydia's communicator back to her.
"......You're in."
"Yes!"
Lydia whooped like a kid and hugged Eve.
"Hear that, Eve? We're together from now on! Pretty outfits every day!"
"Yay! Sis is coming with us?"
Eve squealed, hugging back. Bani shook his head with a grin.
"Heh... This expedition's getting weirder by the minute. Gruff merc, little girl, and a gold-draped spider."
I raised my glass to Bani.
"To Bani. You too."
We clinked. A bizarre party forged from misunderstandings, misconceptions, and capital's might.
Our crew for the next leg was now complete.