to the nearest station.”
“Your ship is not spaceworthy,” the Superintendent repeats. “Let us at least complete basic repairs.”
Zaroc looks at me, and I shrug. I guess we have time.
“Perhaps we can spare a couple of hours,” he says. “But please be quick. We are very hungry and tired.”
“Of course, you can eat and rest here!” the Senior Justice exclaims. “While the repairs are being carried out. We will provide you with rooms and food. Oh, if only you had told us that you were under orders from the Elder! Of course, we wouldn’t have tried to apprehend you then. Let us try to make amends, Your Highness. Dear Lady Averie.”
“Well,” Zaroc says regally, “it appears you finally understand the urgency and importance of our mission. It was meant to be secret, but now we must trust you all to be extremely discreet about this all. Very well, we shall stay for a while. But do complete the repairs as quickly as possible. I think the badly aimed shot took out more of our systems than you think. Perhaps look over all of them. Replace any part that’s worn or old. And restock the food dispenser.”
I hide a smile behind my hand. I like it when he’s being mischievous.
“Yes, of course,” the Senior Justice beams. “It shall be done.”
“It shall,” the Superintendent says and reverently gives me back the phone. “Allow me to arrange it all.” He hurries away, out of the room.
“I trust they will do good work with my ship. Meanwhile,” Zaroc says as snootily as a French duke at the court of Versailles, “there was talk of food and lodging? We only require one room. If it is a good one.”
- - -
“Is this a police spaceship or a luxury hotel?” I ask when I see the room they’ve given us. It’s round and has a giant cupola that fills the entire ceiling.
“It is the Elder suite,” the Senior Justice says. “For occasions just like this. If we were to encounter an Elder in any way. Or, as it turns out, someone on a mission for the Elders. It’s far too small and simple to satisfy, of course. This is, after all, only a basic police mobile headquarters. But it is the best we have. I shall have our best food sent to you. Excuse me, Your Highness. Lady Averie.”
The Justice bows and leaves.
“They changed their minds fast,” I marvel when the door closes behind her. “I had no idea they were this obsessed with the Elders.”
Zaroc looks up at the moon that still hangs over us. “Lots of people are. Of all species. The Elders had god-like powers and seemed too perfect to be true. The difference between them and most other gods is that they doubtlessly existed, because they left the evidence of their mastery all over the galaxy. And, it seems, they may still exist in this universe. Although I reserve judgment about the being we met in Verv. Nobody has ever talked to an Elder, as far as I know. It would be too fantastical if we were the first. I don’t really believe in myths.”
I walk over to the gigantic, circular bed right under the cupola and test the mattress with two fingers. “Don’t say that so the Star Marshals hear it. They might change their minds.”
Zaroc is suddenly behind me and puts huge, strong arms around me. “I always say whatever I want.”
I turn around and look up at him. “I noticed. The way you talked to the Justice right now – is that who you were when you were a prince?”
“Of course, young lady,” he says, looking down his nose at me. “I was absolutely insufferable. Some would say I still am.”
I smile. “I don’t believe you.”
His full lips curl up into a lazy snarl. “Lady Averie, your disbelief is unbecoming of a woman of your stature—”
The door opens slowly, and an anxious Star Marshal pokes his head in. “Your Highness, Lady Averie Dashey – may we now serve the food you requested?”
“You may,” Zaroc says, sounding more than ever like an old-fashioned prince. “We shall dine under Verv, the Elder moon where we received our special- our sacred orders.”
The uniformed alien glances up at the moon hanging above us, then comes in pushing a cart. “Very well, Your Highness. Unfortunately, our kitchen is only poorly equipped, and the foodstuffs perhaps not to your liking.”
“Perhaps,” Zaroc agrees. “But we will make do.”
The aliens bows and quickly makes his exit, leaving the