Page 16 of Alien's Luck
What was he going to do with the female?
He busied himself in the ship’s kitchen while his mind worked on this problem. Focusing on the meal also kept him from worrying about the new complication: a Khargal ship had entered Reazus Prime’s orbit. He thought it prudent to leave the port and take to the ocean for a time. It was easy enough to track a ship’s energy signatures if one knew the make and model. While his ship could no longer be considered cutting edge, it was fairly unique. Most ships on the planet were relics and pilesof junk held together with wishful thinking. His ship stood out like a shining gem in a pile of otherwise forgettable gems. If the Khargal agents were looking for Mer’len’s treasure ship, there was only one on the planet that fit the description.
Better to raise the solar sails and let the ship drift quietly away on the water. This avoidance was only effective until someone had the clever idea to report the ship’s location. Who knew how long until the Khargals offered a reward? He’d need to think of a permanent solution. Dropping the mask in the ocean wouldn’t work. The Khargal agents needed to know it was someplace else.
Carla entered the kitchen just as he pulled a tray of sweet rolls out of the oven. Fresh from a shower, her hair had darkened to a deep, tarnished golden color, and she wore the provided jumpsuit. Utilitarian and gray, it was not the most flattering color or shape. She had rolled the cuff of the sleeves, as if those were too large.
“Is the garment acceptable? I estimated your measurements,” he said, setting the hot tray on the table.
“It’s fine. A little tight in the hips, but it fits.” She tugged the middle, as if that could help the poor fit.
Ari’s wings fluttered, annoyed. “Please do not assume that I place no value in your appearance. The fabrication printer can only produce that garment material and color.”
“You value my appearance,” she repeated slowly, as if reaching the wrong conclusion.
“Do not misunderstand me. Vanity is my one flaw. I am particular about my garments. I wished to show you the same courtesy, but I gave you a shapeless gray sack.”
“Wow, just the one flaw,” she said in a tone that he could not tell if she was teasing or mocking him. Given how she beat him with a bronze statue, he decided mocking was her intent.
“Please help yourself,” Ari said, gesturing to the table. He prided himself on being a gracious host. “If there is anything you desire, I will ensure that it happens. My resources are at your disposal.”
“I suppose this is where I sayanything,” she said, her voice taking on a breathy tone, “and try to seduce you.” Her expression pinched together, as if the idea were distasteful.
Because it was.
“I appreciate the thought, but do not trouble yourself. It will not work.”
“You don’t think I can seduce you?” She planted a hand on her hip and struck a presumably seductive pose.
Ari’s gaze swept over her. His assessment had not changed. The fabric and color of the jumpsuit remained unflattering. The fit was too large but hinted at her generous shape underneath.
“Not in that garment,” he said.
She rolled her eyes in response. “If anything I desire is still on the table, I’d like to free my friend.”
Anything except that.
“Unfortunately, I cannot accommodate that request. However, we can discuss your options.”
She filled a plate with sliced fruit. The way her fingers twitched told him that he was clever to have pre-sliced the fruit and not provided her with a blade. “Options? What does that mean exactly?”
“You are free now.”
“I was always free,” she replied. She grabbed a sweet roll, icing dripping from the confection, and devoured half in one bite. “Trading coins on the streets with some hooligan doesn’t mean you own me.”
Her lack of gratitude was staggering.
“Let me clarify,” he said. “I did not purchase you, no matter what you think. That was a bribe for Tavat’s lackey to look the other way.”
“Because you thought I was this Darla chick.”
Yes.
Ari took the last sweet roll, aware that Carla watched as he used a knife and fork to carefully cut it in half. Her shoulders slumped in disappointment when he did not place half on her plate. Sharing was not his intention. This was etiquette. He would not shove an entire sweet roll into his mouth like an undisciplined nestling.
He said, “That is irrelevant. My mission is to liberate humans, and you are liberated. I will take you to a human -friendly settlement and set you up with enough credits for you to spend your days however you wish.” There. It was a good solution and honored his pledge.
“Your big plan is for me to start over?”
