Treasured By the Alien Pirate by Celia Kyle Page 0,36

extradition agreements with any galactic power, which makes it one of the best places in the galaxy for a fugitive to hide—if you can afford to live there.”

The all ship hail whistle rings out, and then Solair’s voice emanates from the comm system. “Attention all hands. We’re about to take the Queen into Glimner’s atmosphere. It might get a little bumpy due to the trade winds, so secure all loose equipment and consider putting on crash webbing. That is all.”

“That’s my cue.” Varia turns away from the slowly enlarging Glimner. “I’m headed up to the bridge. Enjoy the view.”

I nod, not really paying attention. Despite Solair’s warning, our trip through the atmosphere is relatively gentle. There’s a shake or two but not even enough to test my balance.

The Queen vectors in toward Yetris, the largest settlement and unofficial capital of Glimner. Its towering skyscrapers mirror the perfect sky with their shimmering glaze, a sight almost as beautiful as the white sand beaches and gently rolling, pristine blue sea.

I almost wail when the Queen points her bow toward the waiting airfield, and I can no longer see the city. Soon it grows boring to watch the slowly taxiing line of traffic into the field, and I head down to the cargo bay to join the rest of the landing party.

When I arrive, Varia and Solair are already there. Thrase, Marion, Fiona, and Ilya seem to be coming along for the trip, as are Kintar, Swipt, and Zander. For a moment, I feel the keenest disappointment because I don’t see Grantian.

Then he comes strolling up, securing a belt around his waist with a silver handled blaster pistol in the holster. Given what happened between us earlier, when we almost kissed, I’m not sure what to say.

“Hey.” I smile shyly up at him and twirl a strand of hair around my finger.

“Greetings, Lamira.” He licks his lips nervously and seems like he’s about to say something when the Queen touches down at last and we must prepare to disembark.

Since the airfield is a good distance from Yetris, Solair commissions a hover car large enough to fit most of us inside. I want to sit next to Grantian but wind up wedged between Thrase and Varia.

“Once again I must raise my objection to our being about in a public place sans disguises.” Thrase shoots a dark look over at Varia.

“I know you’re anxious, Thrase.” Varia smiles, but I can tell she’s tired of this argument. “But not only does the IHC not have a presence here, the local government—”

“You mean the mob.”

“—tends to frown upon anyone from bounty hunters to official law enforcement officials trying to ‘abduct’ their tourists. We’re probably safer here than anywhere outside of the Ancestral Queen.”

“Not only that.” We look up to see Grantian in the seat across from us. “But in a free port like Yetris, there’s going to be a wide array of different sapients present. Our presence will not draw attention as it did on Kyvos.”

“See? We’ll be fine, Thrase.” Varia nods in gratitude toward Grantian.

“A hypothesis without a single shred of tangible evidence to support it.” Thrase mumbles but seems content to let it go.

Soon I forget all about Thrase’s grumpiness as the hover car pulls into the main boulevard of Yetris. I gape at the shimmering casinos, each one more opulent than the last. Some feature massive fountains with complex and startling patterns while others rely upon grand architecture to entice gamblers within their glitzy interiors.

One casino in particular—I don’t see a sign, but it seems to have an undersea theme—is dazzling. The exterior courtyard features a massive holoprojector exhibit with gigantic piscine creatures circling overhead.

“Enjoying the view?”

I turn toward Grantian and grin. “Is it that obvious? Titanus Vox has big cities too, but nothing to match any of this.”

He nods, staring with delight at the various displays.

“It is amazing to behold. It’s a pity all of this opulence is made possible by crime, however.”

Solair glances over at him and arches an eyebrow. “Speaking of crime—which casino does your old comrade work at again?”

“The Gold Win, which is at the end of the avenue close to the beach.”

“Have you attempted to contact him?”

Gratian hesitates a moment before answering. “Yes, but without success. I can only hope he’s on duty at the Gold Win.”

“Well, I can think of worse places to wait around in than a Glimner casino.” Solair chuckles. “Speaking of which, I believe we’ve arrived.”

The hover car pulls to a stop outside of a