Page 71 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol. 1
“You have Asgarnian weapons…”
“That’s what I said.”
“He’s definitely interested,”Wingo observes, wisely staying out of frame to avoid drawing attention from the traffickers.
Noviosk dives into a tablet and ignores me for a while. I’m not sure what to make of it. The conversation isn’t over, and no decision’s been made yet. But I can feel it in my gut—my Dedicated Soul is here. I have to go through with this sale.
After a few moments, the Vagantu chief looks up, his expression tight and suspicious.
“It says here you were kidnapped on Asgarne. That you killed your captor and took his ship nearly four years ago. Impressive—taking down your abductor and stepping into his place, even within our organization.But it also says you’ve been claiming not to know where your home planet is. So tell me—how’d you end up with Asgarnian weapons?”
I keep my voice calm. “Simple. I found it recently. No idea how I stumbled across it. But that’s how it goes sometimes.”
Noviosk suddenly bolts upright, eyes gleaming.“So you’ve got the coordinates to Asgarne?”
“Look at this junk dealer,”Wingo mutters.“He’s practically drooling at the thought of being the first to strip a new world.”
“That’s not happening,”I snap back.“I’d die before I betray my own.”
I glance at Noviosk and casually brush off my sleeve. The balance of power has shifted. I’ve got something he wants—badly. More than just the weapons I brought for trade.
“The price for access to the sale will be Asgarne’s coordinates,”he declares, trying to sound commanding.
I can’t help but laugh.
“You’re out of your mind if you think I’d hand those over for a seat at your auction. I’m not even sure your market has what I’m looking for.”
Noviosk stiffens, his eyes flashing with anger. Is he actually drooling? Wow. Did I hit a nerve?
“Are you turning down my offer?”he asks, clearly offended.
“Hey, Noviosk, I followed those two clowns who promised me a sweet deal. No one said I’d have to negotiate with a Coalition boss or pay a premium justto browse. So let’s drop it. No woman is worth that price. I’ll go my own way. Too bad for the va—”
“Enough!”he barks, suddenly looking like he swallowed a lemon.“I’ll send you the full list of women for sale. You’ll come to Vagantu aboard Rick and Nick’s ship. I don’t want your vessel anywhere near here. If you win the auction for the female you choose, you’ll pay me with Asgarne’s coordinates—and the sellers with your Asgarnian weapons. You’ll leave with the brothers. They’ll drop you back at your ship. That’s the deal. I strongly suggest you find a girl you like,”he adds, voice low and threatening.
“It’s a deal,” I say, ending this twisted conversation before it gets any worse.
Dejected, I slump back in my chair. This is going to be a tight game. And I’d better be right—Ileanahasto be here.
A small proboscis gently nudges under my hand, lifting it just enough for a soft scratch between the ears.
“Don’t worry, Pherebos. We’ll find her,”my four-legged friend says, trying to comfort me.
“Still no link?”I ask, my voice flat.
“No more than an hour ago. No more than yesterday. We’re too far from the surface—and from where we think the auction’s happening.”
“Damn it. This isn’t looking good. And now he wants me to go to Vagantu without the SIL.”
“That’s not so bad,”Wingo says, puffing up a little.“I’ll stay on board. They don’t know I’m here, and they have no idea what I’m capable of. I’ll stay and handle the rescue op!”
I stare at him, completely baffled.
“Wingo… you know your communication skills are limited, right? How exactly are you going to help me?”
“Let’s just pretend you didn’t say that,”he snaps, clearly offended.
“Incoming file,”SILMAR announces, cutting through the tension.
