Page 24 of Solar Bound
Solar had no memory of causing this damage, but given the intensity of their activities the previous night, some unintentional energy discharge was not implausible. "I will pay for replacements. They gave us Earth currency. I do not need it."
"Don't worry about it." Dani waved dismissively. "I'm considering it a souvenir. How many women can say their curtains were singed during alien sex?"
Her casual acceptance of such damage puzzled Solar. On Zorveya, resource efficiency was paramount, and any destruction, even accidental, required formal compensation. Yet another difference between their worlds.
"I should contact Eclipse immediately," Solar said, refocusing on tactical priorities. "Milano's interest creates danger for all three of us."
"Use my phone," Dani offered, retrieving the device from a table. "Does Eclipse have a cell number?"
"We were not provided with Earth communication technology," Solar admitted. "But the retreat where Rowan works should be able to connect us."
Dani nodded, quickly looking up the number and placing the call. After a brief conversation, she handed the phone to Solar.
"They're patching us through to the Desert Suite," she explained.
After several moments of silence, Eclipse's voice came through the device. "This is Eclipse."
"Solar," he identified himself. "We have a situation. Galaxy Brides has made contact. Milano Enterprises is tracking us."
There was a brief pause before Eclipse responded, his voice lowered. "We are aware. Rowan was approached by a Milano representative last night."
"They have accelerated the extraction timeline," Solar continued, summarizing Gary's communication. "Forty-eight hours at coordinates I will transmit separately. We must decide our response."
"Agreed. Return to the suite. Lunar must be informed as well." Eclipse's tone carried the familiar diplomatic caution Solar had come to expect. "This development changes our mission parameters significantly."
"I will arrive shortly," Solar confirmed before ending the call. He turned to Dani, who had been listening with obvious concern. "I must go to the retreat. Eclipse and I need to coordinate our response to this threat."
"I'm coming with you," Dani said immediately, already gathering her keys.
Solar considered objecting on tactical grounds, but quickly recognized the advantages of her assistance. She had local knowledge, transportation capabilities, and direct experience with his true form, which could prove valuable if his disguise failed.
"Your assistance would be appreciated," he acknowledged.
Dani smiled, clearly pleased by his acceptance. "Let me get dressed. We can stop for breakfast burritos on the way."
"Is food consumption a priority in this tactical situation?" Solar asked, genuinely curious about her reasoning.
"Food is always a priority," Dani replied as she pulled on jeans and a t-shirt. "Especially when planning how to avoid shadowy government organizations hunting aliens. Plus, I'm starving after last night."
Solar could not argue with her logic. Energy replenishment was indeed a strategic necessity, particularly given the unknown demands they might face in the coming hours. And the memory of their night together created a warm surge in his energy field that momentarily brightened his golden glow beneath the concealing clothes.
Chapter
Seven
Within minutes of leaving her home, they were in Dani's vehicle, moving through the streets of Duskrock toward the retreat. Solar kept his hood forward and his head down, minimizing exposure while maintaining awareness of their surroundings. His combat instincts remained active, scanning for potential threats or surveillance.
The small restaurant where Dani stopped was crowded, forcing Solar to maintain careful control of his energy emissions as they waited for their food at a small window. He noticed several humans watching him with curiosity as they passed the vehicle, though none approached.
"People are staring," he noted quietly to Dani.
"Because you look suspicious as hell," she replied with a small smile. "But in Duskrock, that's practically normal. Nobody's calling the alien hunters yet."
He looked behind them and found a cowboy hat in the backseat. Taking it, he placed it on his head and pulled the brim down to shadow his face. People stopped staring as much. This disguise appeared to be functioning adequately, if not optimally.
Once they had acquired the food, which was wrapped in parcels containing egg, meat, and vegetable matter in a soft bread covering, they continued toward the retreat. Solar found the breakfast burrito surprisingly acceptable, converting the nutrients efficiently despite the unfamiliar composition.
As they drove, Dani glanced at him repeatedly, her expression growing increasingly thoughtful.
