Page 43 of Maar's Girl

"Yes," I say to him. "The IHC is coming. Whether we like it or not. So lets give them what they want."

"You want to turn yourself in?" Laar asks.

"Not me," I say. "Just Alyssa. Lets let them find and rescue her. They'll take her back to the Sol System. It's the safest place in the galaxy for her. "

"Are you going to tell her?" Laar asks.

"No," I say. "She'll never leave and if she doesn't leave she just stays in danger."

"And you?" Laar asks. "What will you do?"

"Knowing she's safe will be all I need to keep going," I say. "It'll have to be."

CHAPTER 28

ALYSSA

"Alyssa," Maar says as he walks into the living room the next morning. "I want you to go with Laar and pick up a package from Nueva Lostra."

My interest is piqued. Neuva Lostra is known as the pre-eminent wedding jewellers on Glimner's northern hemisphere.

"Oh?" I ask with a smile. "What for?"

"It's a surprise," he says with a smile. "You'll see when you get there."

I'm feeling like garbage. This baby is causing me to vomit my guts out. But I can't resist squealing and going up to Maar and getting on my tiptoes and giving him a kiss.

"Laar is waiting for you at the casino hangar," Maar says. "Better hurry."

I practically skip down to the casino hangar, my heart fluttering with excitement. The thought of Maar surprising me with something from Nueva Lostra sets my imagination running wild. Could it be...? No, I shouldn't get ahead of myself.

Laar's waiting for me, his tall frame leaning against the sleek aircar. As I approach, I notice his usual cheerful demeanor seems off.

"Morning, Laar! Ready for our little excursion?"

He nods, a weak smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Of course, Alyssa. Please, after you."

The aircar takes off smoothly, Glimner's neon-drenched skyline stretching out beneath us. I can't help but chatter excitedly.

"I wonder what Maar's up to. He's been so secretive lately. Do you know anything, Laar?"

Laar's grip on the controls tightens. "I... I'm not at liberty to say, Alyssa."

His subdued tone dampens my mood slightly, but I chalk it up to Laar being his usual stoic self. As we approach Nueva Lostra, my excitement builds again.

The aircar touches down on a landing pad, but before I can hop out, Laar turns to me, his expression pained.

" Alyssa, I... I'm so sorry."

I frown, confused. "Sorry? For what, Laar? You didn't scratch Maar's precious aircar, did you?"

That's when I notice movement outside. My eyes widen as I see an IHC Marine in full combat gear standing there, rifle at the ready.

"Laar, what's going on?" My voice rises, panic setting in.

Before he can answer, a thunderous roar fills the air. A massive troop transport descends, kicking up dust as it lands next to us.

"Oh god," I whisper, realization dawning. "They've come for me, haven't they?"

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