Imminent Danger: And How to Fly Straight Into It Read online

  “Welcome to Vega Minor,” the alien girl said, standing up. The movement of her lips made the geometric tattoos on her blue cheeks flex in an eye-catching manner. “My name is Nida. I would be honored to transport you to the destination of your— Kari! What’s wrong with him?”

  “We were on our way to the Starlight when we were attacked,” Eris told her, trying to sound in control of the situation despite the fact that she was currently sprawled on the ground, clutching a blood-soaked man to her chest. “I don’t suppose you could give me a hand?”

  Nida hastily bobbed a bow.

  With the driver’s help, Eris maneuvered Varrin into the backseat of the vehicle. She slid in beside him, resting his head and shoulders on her lap. Miguri jumped into the front beside Nida. “The Starlight, and quickly!” he said.

  Nida plunged her hand into the basin of navigation gel. The ship lifted smoothly from the ground and streaked off into the night sky.

  As they rose above the city, Eris was amazed by the scene below her. The market spread out like a living entity, covering every inch of ground with twinkling lights as far as the eye could see. She had never seen anything so huge. “Is it all just one big bazaar?” she wondered aloud.

  “The market on Vega Minor is the largest and most diverse of its kind in the galaxy,” Nida said. “In fact, it stretches across the whole eastern half of the moon.”

  They approached a sheer wall of rock that jutted up from the market, atop which were skyscrapers and several spires like those on Alpha Centauri Prime. The ship’s nose tilted up as they ascended to the height of the glittering plateau.

  “The Starlight is up there?” Eris asked.

  “Of course,” Nida said. “The plateau holds all of Vega Minor’s luxury resorts as well as the residences of the elite citizenry and all government offices.”

  Glancing down at her golden gown, Eris suddenly understood why Varrin had insisted on purchasing such luxurious clothing. We didn’t fit in down in the market, but on the plateau we should pass virtually unnoticed.

  The Rakorsian groaned and shifted on her lap. Eris thought he looked distinctly worse. “Are we almost there?” she asked their driver.

  “Yes,” Nida said.

  They leveled out over the plateau. Even if Nida hadn’t told her this was home to the upper class, Eris could have easily figured it out. She saw many gardens and parks, and the streets here—actual streets, not dirt and cobblestone paths lined with tents and ramshackle buildings—were broad and clean. Well-dressed aliens strolled along the gleaming sidewalks, and uniformed guards patrolled the streets and parks.

  Eris’s eyes widened as they slowly descended toward a sprawling, opulent white building with a huge golden star design emblazoned on the highest roof. The tufty pink trees that lined the roads leading to the magnificent building reminded her of the Dr. Seuss rhymes she had read as a child. “I wouldn’t mind living here,” she whispered to Miguri.

  “Nor I,” the Claktill replied. “I have been to Vega Minor several times, but never have I had the opportunity to visit the plateau. It seems a dream world.”

  “This is the Starlight,” Nida said. The taxi driver skillfully landed her craft about ten yards from the hotel’s front doors, which were twenty-foot-tall golden panels studded with blue and green gems.

  Nida jumped out of the taxi and opened Eris’s door. “Can I do anything else for you?” she asked Eris, though her eyes were on Varrin.

  “Um, could you maybe go inside and grab the manager for us? I’m not sure if I should be moving him again without a stretcher or something.”

  Nida bowed and hurried off toward the hotel.

  “What’s our story?” Eris asked Miguri. “Has Varrin been here before? Will they recognize him?”

  Before Miguri could answer, Nida returned accompanied by a mustachioed humanoid with bright green feathers and four arms wearing a golden suit. The man walked up to the taxi, spotted Varrin, and exclaimed, “Aedar Korlethi! Is he all right?”

  “He was attacked by a jsgarn,” Eris said, “and he had mentioned we were going to be staying at the Starlight, so I thought if I brought him here—”

  The alien waved aside her concerns. “Not to worry, not to worry, madam. I am the manager of this hotel, and Master Korlethi is a valued customer.” He pressed a translucent band around his wrist, lifted it to his mouth, and said, “I need a medical team at the front doors.”

  Eris released a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. “Will he be okay?”

  The manager smiled. “Not to worry, not to worry. We’ll have him right as ralta in no time.” He peered at her. “You are his … wife?”

  “Mimi is the master’s mistress,” Miguri chirped. “His cherished mistress.”

  “What—” Eris began, but then she noticed the conspiratorial look in her friend’s eyes and realized he must have a plan. It had better be a good one, she thought, smiling tightly at the manager.

  The feathered alien nodded pleasantly. A few seconds later, a group of male Scalkans in yellow uniforms stampeded up to the cab, accompanied by a hovering stretcher. “Aaosha Korlethi kuaa alohaha,” the manager instructed them. The attendants transferred Varrin onto the stretcher and carried him into the hotel.

  “We’ll send him to your rooms just as soon as we’ve fixed him up,” the manager promised Eris. “My name is Forlozi, by the way. I will take care of paying the cab girl for you. And then it will be my pleasure to show you to your suite.”

  “Thank you,” Eris said as she and Miguri clambered out of the taxi.

  While the manager was paying the taxi fare, Eris leaned down and whispered to Miguri, “Care to explain why I’m Varrin’s mistress?”

  “Because now the manager knows to be extra discreet. Besides, does Varrin strike you as the type to have a wife?”

  Eris had to laugh. “I suppose not.”

  They were buffeted by the gust of air as Nida’s ship rose from the pavement and shot off into the night sky. The manager bowed to Eris and gestured for her to follow him.

  Forlozi led them to a palatial suite decorated with marble columns, patterned silken pillows, and complicated geometric designs. A broad, semicircular balcony overlooked a pool that was almost large enough to be called a lake. “This is Master Korlethi’s favorite suite,” the manager said.

  Of course it is, Eris thought, taking in the sumptuous decor. Varrin doesn’t seem to believe in doing anything in half measures.

  After the manager left, Eris and Miguri toured the suite. Opening a set of mirrored double doors, they discovered the suite’s single bedroom. It contained a set of ornate, silvery furniture, including a circular king-sized bed. The entire ceiling of the room was mirrored.

  “Hmm, looks like there’s just the one bed. Some suite,” she scoffed.

  “I shall be pleased to sleep on one of the sofas,” Miguri offered. “I am certainly small enough.”

  “That’s thoughtful,” Eris said. “But to be honest, I’m concerned about what happens when Varrin gets back. Think he’ll be a gentleman and let me take the bed?”

  “When it comes to the Rakorsian, your guess is as good as mine.”

  As they walked back to the suite’s posh sitting room, Eris said, “So what should we do until Varrin gets here?”

  “Find some amusement, I suppose.” He began rummaging through the lower drawers of an intricately inlaid cabinet. After a moment, he extracted a small teal box from one of the drawers. “Ah! Would you like to learn how to play ka-shak, my friend?”

  “Sure,” Eris agreed. She did her best to listen as Miguri began explaining the complicated rules of the alien game. But it had been a very long day, and the couch was very soft. I’ll just take a little nap, she thought, her eyelids fluttering shut.

  21

  Eris woke to the sound of a loud knock on the suite door. She opened her eyes to see it was just past dawn, and she was still on the couch where she had fallen asleep. Miguri was curled up on an armchair nearb
y.

  As Eris yawned sleepily and sat up, the door was kicked open by a bare foot. Varrin stalked into the room followed by three bald, humanoid women in yellow dresses. The women were hovering around him anxiously, pleading with him to sit down and not aggravate his wound.

  Miguri cracked an eyelid open, saw the commotion, and then feigned sleep.

  “I’m fine,” Varrin snarled at the nurses. Eris noticed that he—or someone else—had changed his clothes. Instead of the black and silver outfit, he was now clad in loose red pants and a sleeveless white tunic. His right arm was encased in a sleek, black metal cast. He looked paler than normal.

  “You’re not fine, sir,” one of the women insisted, trying to coerce him onto one of the suite’s plush armchairs and failing miserably.

  Rising from the couch, Eris said, “How is he?”

  “I’m fine,” Varrin repeated, glowering at her. “Didn’t I just say that?”

  “The jsgarn poison was mostly removed from his system,” one of the nurses informed Eris. “But it has had a lingering effect on his body. If he weren’t Rakorsian, it probably would have killed him. His arm is broken as well. He should be spending the next few days in bed, not walking around cursing at everyone.”

  “I can curse at whoever I like,” Varrin declared.

  “Of course you can, darling,” Eris agreed, warming up to her role as the doting mistress. If this is my cover, I might as well do it right. Placing her hands on Varrin’s shoulders, she steered him over to the couch. As she leaned him backward and stuck a pillow behind his head, she asked the nurse, “Is there anything else I should know?”

  “We can remove the cast in five days. His body is still fighting the venom that remains in his system, so the doctor gave him a few shots of Xycopan for the pain. He may act a little unlike himself for several days.” Winking at Eris, she added, “So keep him in bed!”

  Eris gave the women a fake smile and ushered them out of the suite.

  As soon as they were gone, she perched on the arm of Varrin’s couch. “I see you haven’t lost your charm,” she said dryly. “So how are you really feeling?”

  “How do you think?” Varrin snapped. “Like a jsgarn nearly ripped off my arm.”

  Eris frowned. “Don’t you go getting mad at me. It’s your own fault we were attacked! If you hadn’t picked a fight with those thugs in the first place—”

  Varrin grabbed her arm and stared searchingly into her eyes. “Why didn’t you leave me there?” he demanded.

  “Excuse me?”

  “The alleyway,” he said as if it were obvious. “You’re always going on about how you can’t wait to be rid of me. I was unconscious on the ground. You could hardly have found a better opportunity than that.”

  Eris considered the question. “The thought honestly never occurred to me.” Then she glared at Varrin and smacked his chest with the back of her hand. “What’s wrong with you? You nearly got yourself killed trying to save us, and you seriously think I could have just run off and left you to die? Now lie down before you hurt yourself.” She pushed him back onto the couch. “What kind of person do you think I am, anyway?”

  Varrin closed his eyes.

  Eris waited for a reply but then realized he had fallen asleep. Gently lifting his uninjured arm, which was starting to slip off the couch, she laid it across his chest. He’s so much more cooperative when he’s unconscious.

  Miguri, who had been quietly watching the interchange, padded softly over to her side. “Eris, I have been thinking,” he began slowly. “The Rakorsian must remain here for five days to heal from the jsgarn wound.”

  “Jsgarn …” Varrin mumbled.

  Eris saw the Rakorsian’s eyes flutter open briefly. I hope he’s not getting delirious, she thought. As if he wasn’t unpredictable enough already. Must be that Xycopan stuff kicking in. “That’s what the nurse said,” she agreed.

  “And we cannot leave for Psilos until then. I believe he will not pose danger to anyone while he recovers. So I thought perhaps I should take this opportunity to locate my family.”

  “Why? Do you think they’re here on Vega Minor?”

  “No. But this system is on one of the galaxy’s main trading routes. So I thought I might be able to pick up their trail here by asking around the spaceport.”

  “That’s a great idea!”

  “I do not anticipate success, but I would like to search all the same.” He bowed his head sorrowfully. “I miss my family. I wish only to know that they are alive and safe.”

  “Then go try to find them,” Eris said encouragingly. “I’ll hold down the fort here.”

  “I will need to stay down in the market area for a few days. I do not believe the residents or employees of the plateau will be willing to provide much information to a Claktill.” Seeing her worried expression, he added, “I will get a credit chip from the manager to charge my expenses to the Rakorsian’s account. Do not be concerned. I will be fine on my own for a few days.”

  Eris heard a grunt from the couch. Turning to Varrin, she saw that he was peering at her blearily. “Where’s the rat going?” he asked in an unsteady voice.

  “Down to the market for a few days.”

  Varrin waved his uninjured arm drunkenly at Miguri. “Are you sure you want to leave her alone with me?” he said. “Kari knows what depraved things we might get up to without your supervision.”

  Miguri ignored him and told Eris, “Xycopan is a powerful drug. I am not certain what effect it has on Rakorsians. He is still very strong, despite his wounded state. If he gets it in his drug-addled mind to do something ill-conceived, you may find him difficult to handle.”

  “Fetch me one of these so-called Rakorsians,” Varrin commanded. “Make haste, servants!” He gestured a little too excitedly and nearly toppled off the couch.

  “I think I can handle him.” Eris laughed. “I can always stun him with the striker if he gets out of hand. So go and do whatever you need to find your family, Miguri. Just be sure you’re back by the end of the week, all right? I know Varrin promised he’d take us both to Psilos, but you know him. He has a habit of changing his plans without warning, and I don’t want you to get left behind.”

  Miguri looked at Varrin, who was now engrossed with tracing circles in the air with his big toe. “Promise me you will not underestimate the Rakorsian,” he said.

  “I won’t.” Eris bent down and hugged the Claktill. “Good luck, Miguri.”

  “Take good care, my friend. I will return in a few days.”

  Miguri turned and left the suite, shutting the double doors behind him.

  “So … alone at last,” Varrin said.

  “You couldn’t put the moves on me even if you tried, lover boy. I doubt you could even stand right now without my help.”

  Varrin squeezed his eyes shut, an expression of intense concentration on his face. After a few seconds, he mumbled, “I could if I wanted.”

  “Come on,” Eris sighed. “Let’s get you to bed. A little sleep and you’ll be horrible as new.”

  Varrin began laughing so hard that Eris had to grab him to stop him from rolling off the couch. “Good one!” he choked.

  Shaking her head, Eris wrapped her arm around Varrin’s waist and hauled him to his feet. “You’re delirious,” she informed him. “But I’ve got to say, I kind of prefer this new Varrin. At least you aren’t a pigheaded jerk anymore.”

  Varrin staggered away from her, grinning. “If you want me, you’ll have to catch me!”

  Eris rolled her eyes. “I so don’t have the patience for this.” Luckily for her, Varrin’s legs gave out at that point. He sprawled on the carpeted floor, clutching his stomach and laughing hysterically.

  With no small amount of effort, Eris managed to get the Rakorsian to his feet again, into the bedroom, and onto the bed. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

  Sitting down cross-legged on the other half of the bed, Eris stared at the slumbering alien for several minutes, lost in th
ought. The question he had asked earlier was weighing on her mind. Why didn’t I escape when I had the chance?

  Varrin’s nose wrinkled. A lock of dark hair had fallen against his face, tickling his nose and lips. Eris reached over and gently pushed the strands aside. Her sudden proximity to the peacefully sleeping Rakorsian sent a strange jolt through her insides. “Why did you have to rescue me again?” she demanded quietly. “I had absolutely no problem hating you before, but now that you’ve gone and acted all heroic … But then, I suppose I’m worth nothing to you dead, am I? I just—I don’t know what to think anymore.”

  Varrin continued sleeping, oblivious to her turmoil.

  Maybe all this uncertainty is just Stockholm syndrome, she thought. But he did save my life. Sure, he might have just been protecting his investment … but he also said that he doesn’t actually need the money. So risking his life for me has to mean something, doesn’t it?

  Eris didn’t know what to think. But she had to admit to herself that she no longer hated him, despite all the horrible things that had happened to her after she had met him. She was still angry with him, because he had certainly been the catalyst for landing her in the horrors of Chakra Corp., but the hatred seemed to be gone.

  She looked at Varrin again. The sensor lights on his cast blinked softly. He looks so innocent, Eris thought. I’ve never seen this side of him before, and I thought I knew him so well. She groaned and rubbed her temples. And I had just started thinking my life couldn’t get any more complicated.

  22

  Eris awoke several hours later. She felt more relaxed than she had in ages. The silken blankets were soft against her skin, and there was something warm and comforting wrapped around her waist. Hang on a second!

  Trying not to make any sudden movements, Eris cracked open her eyes and squinted at her surroundings. Varrin was lying on his stomach beside her, his left arm wrapped around her waist and his head buried against her shoulder. His injured right arm jutted out over the edge of the bed, the lights on the black metal cast blinking dimly in the late-afternoon light.