Page 66 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol. 1
As soon as the video ends, Rick starts firing off questions.
“How many do you have? Where’d you get them? How much are you asking?”
“Whoa, slow down, Prick. Let’s start with that last one—because chances are, you can’t afford what I’m looking for.”
“My brother and I can get anything,” Nick cuts in, puffing out his chest.
“We’ll see about that. I’m tired of flying solo in that rust bucket of mine. I want to treat myself. Thinking of picking up a little slave to make life more comfortable…”
“Well, you’re in luck—we’ve got two for sale!” Rick grins.
“Careful now. I’m not looking for justanyslave. I’ve always dreamed of owning a Human. Like you guys. Humans are just so… beautiful, don’t you think?”
“Ugh, stop it. You’re gonna make me puke—or laugh myself to death,”Wingo groans.“Can you feel that? Their aura’s pulsing with pride. These two morons, ugly as sin, actually took your compliment seriously.”
“But listen, Pherebos,” Nick tries to bargain, “we’ve got a young Polarienne. That’s even better than a Human, right? The other one’s a young male, if you’re into that.”
These two are revolting. I have to force myself to keep a straight face just to get through this disgusting conversation.
“Yeah, that’s not gonna cut it, sorry guys. I’m not looking for bargain-bin slaves. I want a Human. Young. Black hair. Gray eyes, if possible. I want to choose her myself.”
I stand up, pretending to take my leave, and signal Wingo to follow. But a hand grabs my forearm.
“Wait!” Nick blurts out. “We know where you can find that.”
I stop and turn toward him, raising an eyebrow.
“You’ve got my full attention. I’m listening.”
“We don’t have what you’re looking for,” Rick admits, “but we know where to get it. That kind of info doesn’t come free, though.”
“I’m not giving you an Asgarnian weapon in exchange for some half-baked rumor. What do I look like, an idiot?”
“No, no!” Rick says quickly. “Pherebos, we swear—we can get you what you want. There’s a big slave market coming up. Biggest one in the sector. We can take you there. With us, you’ll get in no problem. It’s happening in ten days.”
I study them in silence. These two blockheads are seriously limited. Not evil, just… dumb. They don’t even realize they’re about to hand me the coordinates to the auctionandescort me there in person. Have they even figured out that the weapons will be the price I pay to buy Ileana back—and that they’ll walk away with nothing?
When I realized Ileana was in the hands of traffickers—and that snatching her back wouldn’t be easy—I made a quick detour to MyFaS. There, I forged replicas of so-called Asgarnian weapons. No one’s ever seen the real thing, so all I have to do is claim they’re from my home planet. Their rarity will do the rest.
Now I’ve got ten double-bladed daggers in my possession, and I’m praying to the Currents that it’ll be enough to buy Ileana back. Assuming I can even find her.
“So, deal?” Rick presses.
Did I miss something? I was lost in thought—maybe I skipped a step in the negotiation? But one glance at Wingo confirms I didn’t. They’re just rushing things, nervous about my lack of enthusiasm.
“Deal,” I say, shaking hands with each of them.
These two will take me to the site of the next big slave auction—no strings attached.
“Prick, Dick, it’s a pleasure doing business with you,” I say with a wide grin.
“Rick and Nick!” Rick corrects automatically.
“Oh, right… me and names. Anyway, let me buy you guys a round to celebrate!”
Chapter 18.
Ileana.
