Ar'Tok - Alana Khan Page 0,64
well before I found the nerve to do so. I never dreamed they’d inject themselves into our lovemaking, but I didn’t hear Star protesting.
Star’s alone in the bathroom after I helped her with her shower. I’ve packed everything in the room. We’ll bring it with us to the warehouse, then the whole group will pick us up in a hover-bus and we’ll fly to the Fool’s Errand.
Even though I have faith in Star and am sure her programs have worked well, I still feel a bolt of fear slice up my spine as I wonder what Ergonn will do if her bots haven’t performed properly.
I’m wearing my black kilt; my sword swings at my hip. A week ago I felt inadequate, like I couldn’t protect my female. But I got her down Mount Kimanji and I know if there’s a battle tonight I will fight to the death to keep her safe.
She steps out of the bathroom wearing a pretty purple dress she borrowed from Willa. She grabbed the golden bow from the present I gave her and attached it over her right shoulder. It’s a sweet nod to both me and Blessed Peace Day.
“I’ve never seen you in a dress, Star.” She takes my breath away. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my hands off you tonight.”
She rewards me with a broad smile. It seems she loves my compliments. Good. I could sing her praises all day long.
“And look at you, my handsome guard.”
She hobbles to me, the aircast helping her keep her weight off her right leg. Pulling me to her, she admires us both in the mirror.
At first, I see only my flaws—jagged red stripes covering white flesh. I look all wrong for a Simkin. But I focus on my beautiful Star’s face. She’s not seeing any of that. She couldn’t be, because she’s beaming.
“Look at us, Ar’Tok. Light and dark.”
Her skin is tawny, mine is pale. Her hair is black and brushed to a shine, mine is thick white cirr. We’re different as night and day—and together we’re beautiful.
“Somehow we belong together,” I tell her, and I believe it.
Star, me, and her three other guards hover to the warehouse, Shadow glides us in before the door is open all the way. I lift Star into the stark room and deposit her on the chair in front of the Hardimon computer. Ergonn is here, concealed behind his guard.
Star’s competent fingers pull up the correct program, and her face is tight as her eyes scan the screen. She nods, still serious.
“It’s done. It’s perfect,” she announces, her eyes still scrutinizing her work.
Ergonn, his deeply-lined face skeptical, shuffles over on his squat legs.
“Show me,” he demands.
Star points at the dots, now all green, blinking like little round sentinels. “These indicate every possible way into your computer network system. The dots are like palace guards at the gate, they won’t admit anything with a Federation identifier.
“I have a feeling you have a few contacts inside the Federation,” she says half as a question, half as a statement.
“Perhaps.”
“Why don’t you see if one of them can hack into your system?” She cocks an eyebrow.
Ten minimas later, he nods at her and says, “It just went live.”
She points to the screen, and all the dots keep blinking green.
“All systems go,” she says as she cocks her head. “That’s our cue to leave. I wish I could say it was a pleasure doing business with you.”
Myself and every gladiator in the room stiffen. Why would she insult the head of the cartel at this point in the endeavor?
“You didn’t find this process pleasant?” he asks, his head cocked in confusion.
“Worrying that you were going to kill us all because I was five minutes late after almost dying? Not pleasant.” She spears his gaze with hers.
“Rules are rules,” he says, as if that explains everything.
“Sometimes you have to take emergencies into account,” she replies levelly.
I glance at all my male comrades. Zar’s mouth full of sharp teeth is hanging open. Dax’s green eyes are wide and his back is stiff as a tree trunk. Little Star doesn’t seem fearful in the least.
“My apologies then,” he says sincerely. “I thought this went splendidly and I look forward to doing business in the future. Since I’ve offended you in some way, I’ll even throw in payment for the alcohol drunk on Fornication Island. My accountant informs me the cost is prodigious.”
“I think my days of working planetside are over. I’d be happy to help