Page 3 of Solar Bound
“Extra pudding,” Harris said as if agreeing with his boss.
Solar looked up. Smoke billowed from the structure. “This is too noticeable. We need to find shelter.”
He reluctantly pulled the constrictive material of the skin suit over his glowing form, noting how the dull fabric dampened his natural radiance and blocked the sunlight from proper absorption. The uniform was ill-fitting, but it would have to do.
"What about our supplies?" he demanded.
"Slight complication there," Gary’s voice admitted. "The cargo hold release malfunctioned, and the ship is on fire. But not to worry. We've arranged temporary accommodations at a local establishment called Crimson Rock Inn. Very prestigious. We'll retrieve your full provisions once we secure the ship."
"And how long will that take?" Eclipse asked.
Harris' smile never faltered as he continued to hold the comm emitting Gary’s voice. "Hard to say. Hours? Days? The technical team is... well, Harris is the technical team, and he appears to require retraining."
Solar fought the urge to incinerate Harris on the spot. Only the approaching humans kept him from doing so. The gathering crowd pointed devices at the crash.
"They're recording us," Lunar observed quietly.
"Harris, take them in the right direction. Follow Harris," Gary instructed, as Harris carried the comm toward a gap between the trees and the building. "Stay casual. Blend in."
"Blend in?" Solar hissed, gesturing to his skin, which glowed visibly even through the uniform. "How, exactly, am I supposed to do that?"
"Just act natural," Gary suggested, unhelpfully. "Take the local currency in the bag Harris is providing. Get settled, while Bob and I will sort out the ship situation. Harris, give them the communicator, then secure the ship before we get there.”
Harris handed the comm to Eclipse and waddled off. Solar exchanged a glance with Eclipse, who merely shrugged. Even Lunar seemed at a loss.
"I will not forget this humiliation," Solar promised as they slipped away from the crash site, ducking along the fiery structure labeled "Pete's Crystal Emporium."
A human female organizing the chaotic crowd called out to them. Eclipse stepped forward, turning toward her with an expression Solar had never seen on the diplomat's face before. Perhaps Eclipse wasn't as immune to primitive attractions as he claimed. Now was not the time for this. Then again, the skin suit made it hard to decipher expressions.
Before they could interact, another human female pulled the first one away, and Solar urgently herded them in the opposite direction.
"Crimson Rock Inn is forward toward the blue tower," Gary’s voice insisted.
"And where exactly are you and Bob?" Lunar asked suspiciously.
"Managing the crisis from a strategic location," Gary answered.
"Hiding," Solar translated.
"Strategic location," Gary corrected. "Not to worry. Harris is onworld with you. Now, a reminder about your Earth names. You'll need to use them at all times in public."
"We discussed this already," Solar growled. "I refuse to be called Solar Bound."
"But it's perfect," Gary protested. "Solar is a common Earth name, and Bound suggests you're strong and powerful like a, uh, rivet. Plus, it's memorable."
Solar didn't bother explaining that on Zorveya, "bound" was slang for someone caught pleasuring themselves while trapped in a vine patch. His new designation was both humiliating and inaccurate. He had never been bound in his life and had no intention of starting now.
“I vote we throw him and find our own way,” Lunar suggested.
Eclipse pulled the comm closer and shook his head.
Gary gave them directions and guided them through the streets. Solar couldn't help noticing how bright everything was. The sun here was weaker than on Zorveya, but it bathed the landscape in a pleasant golden glow that reminded him of home. Anything was better than the ship hull. The humans barely glanced at them, too busy with their own activities to notice three aliens in maintenance uniforms.
“What kind of creature is that?” Lunar asked, gesturing to a figure in a silver suit with a lizard head.
Eclipse frowned. “Biosignature says Earth human.”
“He has an unfortunate face,” Solar observed.
