Page 164 of Star Claimed Omega
‘I, ah, of course. Take your time. She can have the booth. A free beverage on the house, too, if she so wishes.’
He stumbled over his utterance, backing away like he was facing down a ticking warhead.
Soleil shrugged and walked back to Miral.
She slid into the seat facing her, breath still shallow, bitterness coating her tongue.
‘Let’s talk,’ she murmured.
Soleil stared at Miral, her heart hammering, straightening her apron and smoothing back a stray curl.
Miral’s gaze remained on her with quiet intent.
The hum of thekahawacafé faded beneath the haze of clinking cups, hissing steam, and muted chatter.
‘How is 65 Cybele working for you?’ Miral murmured.
Soleil shrugged. ‘It’s a powder keg. The Wildlight pirates are growing bolder, launching more coordinated ship attacks on transit ships and Legion patrols. Last week, thirty people died in one hit, a few thousand klicks from the depot. However, I keep away from all that shit so it doesn’t touch me. I only focus on my job.’
‘How’sthatgoing?’ Miral asked, her voice neutral.
Soleil leaned back, arms folded, eyeing her for a beat before answering.
She sensed Miral was softening her, laying gentle groundwork before delivering whatever message she had traveled across the stars to give.
Soleil played along, indulging in a rare moment of rest while her head got around the fact she’d been tracked down.
‘It’s only been a few weeks,’ Soleil said, ‘but so much has already happened.’
She tilted her head, brushing a knuckle over a slight burn on her wrist. ‘You meet every kind of person in a coffee shop. Some more frequently than you’d like. But if you can deal with all of them and keep perfecting the craft, someone will tell you, ‘That’s the best latte I’ve ever had.’That’s what keeps me clocking back in.’
Miral’s lips curved.
‘The upsides?’ Soleil continued. ‘Baking. It’s satisfying to make someone’s day with a custard tart and a smile.’
She rubbed her neck, eyes distant. ‘However, the hours suck. The pay’s worse, and the boss is afokkin’ tyrant and the bad customers can bereal assholes.’
A shadow flickered through her expression. ‘I had to intervene when some guy tried to abduct his girlfriend’s daughter, and walked him out myself. Another night, a drunk kept screaming at this girl, trying to study. Last week, akokotweaker ran off with my tip jar. It sucked because weekend tips are insane when it’s packed.’
She gave a half-laugh, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. ‘By the end of each shift, I’m wrecked. My brain’s numb, but not in a peaceful way. Just tired. Too weary to do much else than crash into bed.’
She paused. ‘I guess that’s the trade-off. Motion over meaning. Noise over silence. Burnout over heartbreak.’
A hush fell until Soleil spoke once more. ‘Enough small talk, Miral.’
Her gaze hardened, and her chin lifted, daring the synth AI to say what she came to.
28
Chapter 28
SOLEIL
Miral’s silence frayed at the edges of Soleil’s anxiety as customers shuffled in and out of the cafe.
The sounds from the corridor outside, baying vendors, and the port’s intercom washed over her, adding to her angst.
At last, Miral sighed. ‘You know why I’m here.’
