Or—Bonita made a face—had the sultan heard about Jorg’s death and decided to host a celebration?
“Sultan Shayban’s talks are starting soon, and we have dozens of ships visiting from the other systems. Thank the stars most of them flew in before our gate was rendered inoperable. Unfortunately, a few did not make it and will not be able to participate.”
“What kind of talks?” Bjarke asked as Bonita transmitted the requested information on the Dragon’s size.
“I’m afraid that information is for invited guests only, but if we’re able to find you a place to dock, you will of course be permitted to enjoy all the amenities and shops on the station. We’ve added extra robots and human staff this week so the spa can be open around the clock. If you and your significant other are interested, I can submit a booking request for a Delyaran intelli-gel wrap, a dimsyn algae soak, the heated humming salt caves, or an old-fashioned couples massage.”
“All we need is a bedpost,” Bjarke said. “Thanks.”
Bonita snorted.
“We are happy to service all preferences and kink levels here on Stardust Palace Station. Simply forward your preferences for booking. I have received your dimensions. Please hold.”
“This is a more sales-pitchy conversation than I remember from our last visit,” Bonita observed.
“If the place is packed for whatever these talks are, the sultan must have told his people to take advantage. At least someone around here has money.” Bjarke shook his head. “Too bad he’s not a Kingdom ally.”
“Thank you for holding,” the woman said. “We can accommodate your freighter on Auxiliary Lock Lane J, unit 17. I will forward a map to help you find it. It’s around on the back side of the station.”
“I didn’t know a cylinder in a rock could have a back side.” Bonita imagined having to dock her ship between a garbage scow and a fuel-delivery tanker, while being bathed by toxins from the station’s exhaust vents. Viggo would complain.
The woman ignored the comment. “I will forward you an invoice for a deposit. Once you’ve paid, I’ll place your reservation. How long will you be staying?”
Good question. The last time Bonita had been here, station security had told her she had to beat it, since she’d delivered the sneaky Kingdom stowaways. That had only been a couple of weeks earlier. Had grievances been forgotten so quickly? Maybe the sultan had heard about Jorg’s death and held no ill will toward the rest of the Kingdom.
“Uh, put us down for a week. We’ll see, but with the gate not working, there’s no hurry for us to go anywhere.”
“Indeed. That’s been excellent for business.”
The transmission came in, and Bonita gawked at the display. “This deposit is more than we paid for our whole stay last time.”
“Due to high demand, prices have increased.”
Bonita wondered how much she would have to pay to perch on the outside of the asteroid and spacewalk in. “Were you aware that we have the sultan’s personal friend Professor Casmir Dabrowski with us?”
“One moment, please.” The hold signal came back on.
Bjarke raised his eyebrows. “I talked to Casmir last night, and he’s not positive we’ll be well-received. He was supposed to deliver Dubashi to the sultan’s brig, not let him escape into the system.”
“I doubt the rates can get any worse.”
“Greetings, Captain Lopez,” the woman said with new enthusiasm. “I’ve managed to free up a space in Ship Bay A, Slot 2 for the sultan’s esteemed guest Professor Dabrowski. We will waive all docking fees, and I will arrange to have a free spa day for two, with a complimentary couples’ massage and intelli-gel wraps for the professor and a guest. Thank you for choosing Stardust Palace for your travel needs.”
“Well,” Bjarke said after the comm ended, “I don’t think the sultan is irked at Casmir.”
“When I met that kid, I never would have guessed that he would turn into someone who could get me invited to swanky places.”
“Swanky places like Ship Bay A? Where we stayed before when the station wasn’t busy?”
“Like the spa. He’s going to need someone to go with him to take advantage of that other ticket.” Bonita, as his pilot, was the logical choice.
“True, but maybe he wouldn’t mind if we both went in his place. He doesn’t have anyone to take for a couple’s massage, does he?” Bjarke lifted his eyebrows. “I understand he and Scholar Sato are just friends.”
“Yeah, but he and Zee are close. Nothing shows how grateful you are to your bodyguard like inviting him