by Celia Kyle
“Sure it is.” She pats me on the hand and saunters off. “I’ll keep you apprised of the Solace situation…you and your just-a-friend Grantian.”
I throw a cookie at her head, but she has the presence of mind to duck.
Chapter Eighteen
Grantian
Before Solair claimed Varia as his fated mate, the captain’s quarters acted as a summit room of sorts for only the two of us. Not that either of us is keen on keeping secrets from the crew. It’s just that an arena in which you are unlikely to be interrupted makes for the best thinking spot.
Of course, now that he shares his quarters with Varia, we had to abandon that tactic. Now we meet on the bridge, often during a sleep cycle to help ensure our privacy. At the moment, we’re each sitting on opposite sides of the tactical console, a roundish holoemitter table currently displaying the abandoned moon of Consolation.
I sip at the steaming mug of Alzhon coffee Solair graciously provided and consider the flickering image on the screen. Its red sandy surface has a few sporadic green zones, but overall, it’s an arid wasteland. I can see why no major effort was ever made to colonize it, with so many other more suitable locations to choose from.
“Well, at least Consolation has a breathable atmosphere.” I stroke my chin and rotate the image. “That cuts down on the amount of equipment and specialized crew we’ll need.”
Solair grunts and leans back in his seat, rubbing the bridge of his nose. I believe the responsibility is weighing heavily on my captain tonight.
“Do you really think it’s going to turn into a firefight, Grantian?” He looks across the image at me, his expression somber. “I’m hoping to avoid a conflict.”
“Me too.”
He blanches and then arches an eyebrow. I chuckle and wave off his surprise. “What? You’re looking at me as if I’ve grown a third horn.”
“I just didn’t expect to hear that coming out of you. I mean, being a former badass mercenary and all.”
I laugh heartily and rotate the image again. “I thank you for your kind appraisal of my abilities, but those who know battle best are those who wish for it the least. In other words, I always hope for the best outcome. Experience, however, has taught me to prepare for the worst.”
“Fair enough.” Solair crosses his arms over his chest and glowers at the image on the screen. “If only we had more recent intel. We don’t even know what we’re looking for.”
“Some form of facility. Even if it’s underground, our scans should be able to detect it.” I shake my head and sigh. “I wish we had more to go on as well. I also wish we had more crew with military experience.”
Solair spreads his hands out, his tone neutral even though I can tell I’ve offended him a bit. “Grantian, each and every member of this crew will leap into the fray without question if they think it’s what needs to be done. I wouldn’t let them on the Queen if they didn’t.”
“I know, old friend. I know they’re willing to fight, but the chaos of battle often breeds an intense confusion in those not seasoned. I just don’t want our men to be as much a danger to themselves as the enemy.”
“The enemy.” Solair shakes his head sadly. “I’m a privateer captain, Grantian. I’m not supposed to have enemies. That’s the whole point of the League. Isn’t it? As in, we don’t want any part of war.”
“We don’t want any part of it, but I fear it is coming to us nonetheless.”
What I’m not saying out loud is that I agree with him. Everyone will be willing to fight. Everyone, even Lamira. I would do anything to keep her out of the conflict, which is why I plan to make sure she stays out of the thick of it.
But what if things go south? I don’t trust myself to keep my focus with Lamira nearby. My duty is to the crew as a whole, not an individual. But I know in my heart that protecting Lamira is going to be my priority whether I want it that way or not.
Solair’s voice draws me out of my reverie. “Don’t you have a contact on Glimner? An old unit buddy of yours?”
I arch my eyebrows and meet his gaze. “You mean Zarp?” I chuckle. “He’s been semi-retired for years. Got himself a cushy job as a security consultant for one of the Glimner casinos. Since those places are more fortified than Holdfast, his job is pretty easy.”
“Do you think he can still be of help to us, in his semi-retired state?”
I nod, my lips stretching in a smile. “Absolutely. Zarp’s not the type to let his contacts dry up and expire. I’m willing to bet he still dabbles with side gigs when it’s not peak season on Glimner. If nothing else, he’ll be able to point us toward someone who can help us.”
Our conversation turns to more practical matters, mostly having to do with our equipment. “Solair, we have over one hundred and fifty crew, and not nearly enough armor to go around.”
“It’s not as if all of the men are going to be fighting. Plus you’ll have to take into account the Frontier women. At least some of them are going to want to be in the thick of things. Particularly Varia.”
“I see. Unfortunately, most of our gear is sized to Kilgari standard. I don’t see any of them being able to move wearing anything higher grade than class-two hard armor.”
“Did Montier ever get those suits of class four working?”
I grin and spread my hands widely. “With the assistance of the one called Fiona, he did. We have three working units, four if you count the one without an operational environmental suit.”
“Let’s pencil in me, you, and Kintar for the class four. Dispense the class one and two to the Frontier women, and we’ll make do with the rest.”
“Very well.” I make some notes on my datapad before continuing. “Our next subject is weaponry. Much of our firearms are slugthrower units, which is fine since we don’t expect to be fighting on board a ship. I would recommend that all of the crew, new and old, start drilling with blank rounds.”
“I trust your judgement.” Solair rises from his seat and stretches his back before heading over to his command console. “We’ll be arriving at Glimner soon.”
“Then I’ll attend to a few matters and rejoin you shortly.” I rise from my seat as well, turning off the holographic display. My mind is tangled with contradictory thoughts about our upcoming operation. Keeping Lamira safe is my main priority.
Perhaps because she dwells so heavily in my thoughts my feet take me past her quarters on the way to the armory. Too late I realize my mistake, as she glances up from her datapad and smiles.
“Grantian.” She rises from her bed and comes out into the hallway. I try not to look at the expanse of naked flesh jutting beneath the oversized shirt she wears. It fits her like a very short, baggy dress. “Did you come all the way down here just to see me?”
I did not, but I don’t want to say that out loud. I’m unable to say anything at all as I stand and drink in the sight of her lovely form.
She chuckles and punches me lightly on the arm. “Always the strong, silent type.” Her eyes fairly sparkle with adoration as she looks me up and down. “I really need to thank you.”
“Thank me?” At last my wits have returned enough to speak. “For what?”
“For convincing Solair to investigate Solace—Consolation. It really means a lot to the women.”
My lips stretch into a smile, and I feel a giddy kind of warmth spreading through my chest. “Think nothing of it. I’m happy to assist you with whatever you need, Lamira.”
“Oh?” Lamira appears to consider my reply, pursing her lips and nodding to herself. “I’m so glad to have a big, strong man so very attentive to my… needs.”
I think the climate control system might be on the fritz again because suddenly it’s very warm in here. Lamira and I spend a long moment gazing at each other until I can’t stand the silence any longer, neither that of my lips or my heart.
“Lamira…” my voice is low, barely above a whisper.
“Yes, Grantian?” She seems intent, hopeful. I think she wants me to do something, say
something, but I have no idea what.
“Lamira, I adore you.”
Her eyes grow glassy and half lidded. A soft smile plays at her lips, and I feel like I’ve said just the right thing. “You’re pretty adorable yourself.”
She’s so close to me now, close enough I can feel the heat coming off of her skin. Lamira leans in close, her hands on my chest. I find myself bending my neck, moving our lips closer.
Lamira’s eyes flutter closed, and her lips slightly part. The chemistry is perfect. Our different heights are not. To avoid awkwardness, I gently lift her up around the waist.
Her soft laughter fades as our mouths grow mere inches apart. I can feel the warmth of her breath across my sensitive skin, and I move in to claim those glorious lips—
“Grantian, report to the bridge. We’ve arrived at Glimner.”
We pause for a moment. I have to go, but I must kiss her. I must—
Which of course means that a gaggle of her fellows come around the bend at that exact moment. I set her down, gently, and the only thing stronger than our mutual disappointment is the feeling that we’ll be taking up this unfinished business later.
Chapter Nineteen
Lamira
Sitting on the observation deck of the Ancestral Queen with Varia affords us a resplendent view as the ship drops out of superluminal speed. The stars resolve themselves from streaks of light into their familiar twinkling spots, and the beautiful blue and white marble of Glimner comes into view.
“It’s gorgeous,” I whisper as I stand up and press my hands against the glassteel panel, gaping at the pleasure planet. “Is the whole thing mostly covered in water?”
“Apparently.” Varia shrugs. “I’ve never been here, though I’ve always wanted to visit.”
I purse my lips at the beautiful planet, my brow furrowing with worry because of some things my parents said on Titanus Vox. “You know, my folks told me Glimner is all glitz and glamour on the surface, and all crime and filth underneath.”
Varia comes and stands next to me, her arms akimbo. “That might not be inaccurate, but from what I understand it’s a fairly safe planet overall—as long as you don’t borrow creds from a guy in a three-piece suit or bet more than you can cover on the latest BBL game. Otherwise, it would be bad for business if tourists kept turning up dead or robbed.”
“But I heard some gals talking and they said Glimner has no laws.”
“Not quite. They have the standard rules you’ll find in Alliance or IHC space that govern public behavior. What they don’t have are any sort of extradition agreements with any galactic power, which makes it one of the best places in the galaxy for a fugitive to hide—if you can afford to live there.”
The all ship hail whistle rings out, and then Solair’s voice emanates from the comm system. “Attention all hands. We’re about to take the Queen into Glimner’s atmosphere. It might get a little bumpy due to the trade winds, so secure all loose equipment and consider putting on crash webbing. That is all.”
“That’s my cue.” Varia turns away from the slowly enlarging Glimner. “I’m headed up to the bridge. Enjoy the view.”
I nod, not really paying attention. Despite Solair’s warning, our trip through the atmosphere is relatively gentle. There’s a shake or two but not even enough to test my balance.
The Queen vectors in toward Yetris, the largest settlement and unofficial capital of Glimner. Its towering skyscrapers mirror the perfect sky with their shimmering glaze, a sight almost as beautiful as the white sand beaches and gently rolling, pristine blue sea.
I almost wail when the Queen points her bow toward the waiting airfield, and I can no longer see the city. Soon it grows boring to watch the slowly taxiing line of traffic into the field, and I head down to the cargo bay to join the rest of the landing party.
When I arrive, Varia and Solair are already there. Thrase, Marion, Fiona, and Ilya seem to be coming along for the trip, as are Kintar, Swipt, and Zander. For a moment, I feel the keenest disappointment because I don’t see Grantian.
Then he comes strolling up, securing a belt around his waist with a silver handled blaster pistol in the holster. Given what happened between us earlier, when we almost kissed, I’m not sure what to say.
“Hey.” I smile shyly up at him and twirl a strand of hair around my finger.
“Greetings, Lamira.” He licks his lips nervously and seems like he’s about to say something when the Queen touches down at last and we must prepare to disembark.
Since the airfield is a good distance from Yetris, Solair commissions a hover car large enough to fit most of us inside. I want to sit next to Grantian but wind up wedged between Thrase and Varia.
“Once again I must raise my objection to our being about in a public place sans disguises.” Thrase shoots a dark look over at Varia.
“I know you’re anxious, Thrase.” Varia smiles, but I can tell she’s tired of this argument. “But not only does the IHC not have a presence here, the local government—”
“You mean the mob.”
“—tends to frown upon anyone from bounty hunters to official law enforcement officials trying to ‘abduct’ their tourists. We’re probably safer here than anywhere outside of the Ancestral Queen.”
“Not only that.” We look up to see Grantian in the seat across from us. “But in a free port like Yetris, there’s going to be a wide array of different sapients present. Our presence will not draw attention as it did on Kyvos.”
“See? We’ll be fine, Thrase.” Varia nods in gratitude toward Grantian.
“A hypothesis without a single shred of tangible evidence to support it.” Thrase mumbles but seems content to let it go.
Soon I forget all about Thrase’s grumpiness as the hover car pulls into the main boulevard of Yetris. I gape at the shimmering casinos, each one more opulent than the last. Some feature massive fountains with complex and startling patterns while others rely upon grand architecture to entice gamblers within their glitzy interiors.
One casino in particular—I don’t see a sign, but it seems to have an undersea theme—is dazzling. The exterior courtyard features a massive holoprojector exhibit with gigantic piscine creatures circling overhead.
“Enjoying the view?”
I turn toward Grantian and grin. “Is it that obvious? Titanus Vox has big cities too, but nothing to match any of this.”
He nods, staring with delight at the various displays.
“It is amazing to behold. It’s a pity all of this opulence is made possible by crime, however.”
Solair glances over at him and arches an eyebrow. “Speaking of crime—which casino does your old comrade work at again?”
“The Gold Win, which is at the end of the avenue close to the beach.”
“Have you attempted to contact him?”
Gratian hesitates a moment before answering. “Yes, but without success. I can only hope he’s on duty at the Gold Win.”
“Well, I can think of worse places to wait around in than a Glimner casino.” Solair chuckles. “Speaking of which, I believe we’ve arrived.”
The hover car pulls to a stop outside of a thirty-story building with a massive lobby. Since the casino entrance is right on the road, it lacks any of the bells and whistles of the places we passed by on the main avenue, but it still features a rather nifty holosign.
A gold and black banner continually scrolls above the vaulted entrance to the casino, flashing the Gold Win name. Occasionally, the scroll changes to things like “get comped up to 1k creds” and “enjoy our free seafood bar.”
I try not to cling to Grantian’s side when we pile out of the hover car, but I can’t help it. This is a new place, teeming with people of all different sapient species and possible danger around every corner. Can I help it if Grantian makes me feel safe?
Solair leads us to the well-furnished bar, and I have to fight down a stab of disappointment when Grantian does not sit next to me, even though I save him a spot.
He
remains standing and addresses Solair. “I will inquire about my former associate. I’ll be back.”
Varia taps me on my shoulder. When I turn to face her, she’s wearing a knowing grin that says my feelings about Grantian are rather obvious.
“Don’t worry. He’ll be back soon.” She holds her closed fist over the table. “Open your hand.”
I do so, and she drops a tiny capsule in my palm. “What’s this?”
“Anti-intoxication pill.” Varia takes one herself and dry swallows it, something I’ve never been able to do. “All the fun of getting plastered, but you’ll retain enough sense not to do something you’ll later regret. Oh, and no hangovers.”
I take the pill, though I wash mine down with half a glass of wine. Grantian soon returns and sits next to me, much to my contentment.
But his scowl robs me of my smile. “What’s wrong?”
“My friend is not present. Apparently, he sort of comes to work whenever he feels like it, so they have no idea if or when he will arrive today at all.”
“Looks like we’ll just have to hang out here for a while.” Solair grins, partially because of the pint of liquor he’s already quaffed, and partially because an already inebriated Varia is sitting in his lap kissing his cheek.
The alcohol flows freely, with Solair footing the bill, and pill or no pill I wind up feeling all warm and giddy. So much so that I wind up dancing on our table, probably swinging my hips for Grantian’s sake a whole lot more than would make my parents comfortable.
In other words, we blend right in with the rest of the patrons.
Chapter Twenty
Grantian
I’ve been deployed on more than a hundred sorties and three hundred garrison details, and I’ve been embroiled in the middle of more firefights than I’d care to recount. After all of that seasoning, I’m not prone to “freezing up” when the mayhem begins.