“Axes are so three centuries ago,” Keltie said. “I prefer poison. It never goes out of style. And you never see it coming.”
“Well-played,” Michiko said. “And that means you get the honor of going first!”
Keltie stepped away from the wall and stepped toward the center of the group.
“I'm Keltie Sheffield. I'm from Macalestern. Up until a couple of days ago, I was employed as an interplanetary real estate agent, selling luxury to the richest people in the galaxy. Life was great until the Planet Eaters destroyed the planet I was selling. And now I'm here. As for the question, I would take the billion dollars, no questions asked.”
“Mmm,” Michiko said. “You sure?”
“Positive. I'd use it to pay down my debt. With my job, you never know when the money will come. And considering I don't have a job right now, so I'd really need the cash.”
“Fair enough,” Michiko said.
“I'll go,” Grayson said, saluting. “Name’s Grayson McCoy. I was active Galactic Guard until a few days ago. I'm from Provenance, our galaxy’s windy capital. I'm here because of Keltie.”
Grayson nudged Keltie and she nudged him back.
“Oooh, are you two an item?” Michiko asked.
Grayson and Keltie both looked at each other and blushed.
“I'll take that as a yes,” Michiko said.
“And to your question,” Grayson said, “I would take the IQ.”
“You're just saying that because I said the opposite,” Keltie said.
“I'd use the ten new IQ points to devise a scheme to make two billion dollars,” Grayson said, tapping his temple with his pointer finger. “You can keep your chumpy billion, girl. Hell, I might even make three billion with the right idea…”
Michiko pointed to Devika. “Dev! You're up!”
Devika folded her arms.
“You have to participate!” Michiko said. “It's the rule.”
“It's my ship. I make the rules,” Devika said.
“Not right now you don't,” Michiko said, frowning. Then she brightened. “Come on. Share your story with us.”
“There's no story to tell,” Devika said.
“Everyone has a story to tell,” Michiko said. “Even the guy who won the Guinness Book of Records for Most Boring Person.”
Eddie tilted his head. “Wait, there's an award for that?”
Michiko winked at him.
“Ah, I get it,” Eddie said. “You're just making it up to convince her to share something.”
Michiko shushed him.
“Devika Sharma,” Devika said. “From Bartholomew IV. Hunting Florian. No answer to your silly little question.”
“Well that was rude,” Michiko said. “Bartholomew IV, huh? Were you there when—”
“Next person,” Devika said. “Don't even start.”
“So you were there when—”
“Next. Person. Now.”
Eddie jumped off the railing and wiped his hands on his jeans.
“Eddie Puente. Nice to meet you guys. I was born on a little backwater planet in the Zachary Empire, but I call my home—or what's left of it—Refugio these days. I've got a son, a wife, two loving parents and an incredible abuela, and Florian kidnapped them. I just want them back, that's all. I'd give anything to be back on my garbage route, pretending none of this ever happened. But I'm gonna fight. And I'm gonna stop Florian. Whatever it takes.”
“That's so sad,” Michiko said. “Why did he take your family?”
“Long story,” Eddie said.
“Okay,” Michiko said, giving him a knowing nod. “What about the question?”
“I'd take the money,” Eddie said. “These days, money is IQ. Plus, gotta pay off the planetary debt my family owes from buying Refugio.”
“And then there was me!” Michiko said. “I'm Michiko Lins, and I am from the sunny, windy, flowery planet of Asiazil. I was a volunteer with the Galaxy Corps before I got mixed up with Florian, and I'll spare you guys the details, but I'm doing this to avenge three friends. I won't be able to live with myself until I do. And to answer my own fabulous question, I would take five hundred million and seven and a half IQ points. No one said that was against the rules. Best of both worlds!”
She gestured to Clark, who was swirling next to her.
“And this, my friends, is Clark. I have no idea what actual race of alien he is, where he's from, or even why he's here. And I won't even begin to guess how he would answer my question…”
The group laughed.
“Over to you, Devika,” Michiko said.
“Finally,” Devika said. “Listen up, everyone. The Galactic Guard is on their way to meet us. We’re after Florian Macalestern and Florian Macalestern only.”
“Speaking of which,” Keltie said, “do we have any leads on his current location?”
Everyone shrugged.
At that moment, a large Galactic Guard rescue ship blinked out of hyperspace and overshadowed the warship.
Beauregard spoke through the radio.
“This is Beauregard. We’ll connect with your ship. Make ready for our boarding.”
Want to read the rest? Grab your copy of Planet Eaters at your favorite retailer by clicking here: www.books2read.com/planeteaters.
About Michael La Ronn
Science fiction and fantasy on the wild side!
Michael La Ronn is the author of many science fiction and fantasy novels including The Last Dragon Lord, Android X, and Eaten series.
In 2012, a life-threatening illness made him realize that storytelling was his #1 passion. He’s devoted his life to writing ever since, making up whatever story makes him fall out of his chair laughing the hardest. Every day.
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Also by Michael La Ronn
Android X Series
Android Paradox
Android Deception
Android Winter
Eaten Series
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Nutrizeen
The Last Dragon Lord Series
Old Dark
Old Evil
Old Wicked
Modern Necromancy Series
Death Marked
Death Bound
Death Crowned
Sword Bear Chronicles Series
Theo and the Festival of Shadows
Theo and the Solstice of Dreams
Decision Select Novels Series
How to Be Bad
Short Story Collections
Reconciled People
LEARN MORE:
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Orbital Decay (Galaxy Mavericks Book 7) Page 15