Page 39 of Grumpy Alien Bodyguard

Kallus visibly relaxes, but Quinn isn't finished.

"What I am going to do," she continues, leaning forward, "is use every contact I have in the Alliance and the IEC to make sure that NO ONE purchases minerals from your company. Not a single gram of ore. Not a single crystal."

The blood drains from Kallus's face. "You can't do that."

"I can. I will."

"You'll never stop commerce," Kallus snarls, his composed façade cracking. His hand slams down on the table. "It's the most powerful force in the galaxy after all."

"More powerful than friendship? Than loyalty?" Quinn stands, matching his intensity. "I've spent six years building relationships across seventeen systems. People trust me because I've never lied to them, never manipulated them. How many people trust you, Kallus?"

Dowron watches this exchange with interest, his holographic eyebrows rising slightly.

"This is absurd," Kallus says, but there's a tremor in his voice now. "The Alliance Council has already ruled in my favor."

"They've given you the right to mine," I interject, unable to stay silent any longer. "They haven't guaranteed you customers."

Kallus glares at me, his nostrils flaring. For a moment, I think he might actually try to attack me—which would be the highlight of my week—but he regains control of himself.

"This isn't over," he says, gathering his data tablets. "Not by a long shot."

As he storms out, Quinn sinks back into her chair, looking suddenly exhausted. The fight has drained her.

"That was impressive, Ambassador," Dowron says from the holographic display. "Though perhaps not the most diplomatic approach."

"With all due respect, General," Quinn replies, "diplomacy failed the moment the Alliance granted that Writ."

Dowron sighs. "Perhaps. But the Council made their decision. The war with the Ataxians cost us dearly. We need those minerals."

"At what cost?" I ask.

Dowron gives me a long look. "That remains to be seen. I must go—there are other matters requiring my attention." His image flickers. "Ambassador, Varnok... be careful. Kallus Bruw is not a man who accepts defeat graciously."

The hologram disappears, leaving Quinn and me alone in the suddenly quiet conference room.

"You realize you just made an extremely powerful enemy," I say, breaking the silence.

Quinn rubs her temples. "Add it to the list."

I admire her courage. Most beings would cower before someone like Kallus. But not Quinn. She faces danger head-on, just like a Vakutan warrior.

"What do you think Zantress is planning?" I ask, circling back to my earlier concern.

Quinn shakes her head. "I don't know. But the Solari are pacifists. Whatever it is, it won't be violent."

"Sometimes the most dangerous weapons aren't the ones that draw blood," I say, remembering an old Vakutan proverb.

Quinn looks up at me, her blue eyes sharp with sudden interest. "That's... surprisingly insightful."

I puff out my chest. "I contain multitudes."

She actually laughs at that, a genuine sound that makes my hearts beat faster. "Come on," she says, standing. "We need to find Zantress before she disappears completely."

I stridealongside Quinn through the corridors of the Superior Gardens Hotel, my senses on high alert. After the assassination attempts, I'm not taking any chances. Every shadow could hide a threat, every passing guest a potential assassin. Quinn's heels click rapidly against the polished floor as she keeps pace with my longer strides.

"Gas should have Sweet Charity prepped and ready," I say, checking my wrist communicator. "We'll be wheels up in twenty minutes."

Quinn nods, her blonde hair bouncing with the movement. "Good. The sooner we get to Jwoon X, the better. I need to see what Zantress is planning."

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