Page 20 of Solan

Her eyebrows rose. “Thanks, I guess.”

He gave a quick nod. “You are welcome.” Solan spotted Boros’s craft as they headed toward the group of Galaxars. He had his own brigade insignia splashed along one side: a scarlet and yellow desert devil. Solan considered it tacky. His own craft had no such insignia.

As they strode to where Heather waited, Vegas slowed. “You will behave yourself? If you two have issues you need to resolve, now is not the time to do it.”

“I will not embarrass you.”

“I don’t mind if you embarrass me,” Vegas said, “but I don’t want you to start a fight with Boros and damage the space station.”

“That would not be logical,” Solan said. “If the space station is damaged, everyone will die.”

“That’s my point,” Vegas said. “Be on your best behavior.”

“My fighting skills are excellent. I would not blunder through a wall and damage the station.”

Vegas sighed. “You’re missing the point.”

“As much as I detest Boros, he’s a brigadier. I have little choice but to be on my best behavior when I am in his company.”

She flashed him a smile. “I’m glad we understand each other.”

Heather turned to meet them. Her cheeks were pale, and she chewed on her bottom lip. “There are more Galaxars on board than there should be.”

“Boros didn’t make any changes at the last minute?” Vegas scanned the data on her tablet. “You’re right. Four more passengers than were logged on the original form.”

“This is typical of Boros,” Solan said. “He never sticks to the rules.”

Heather looked at Solan. “Are you two friends?”

“I would rather fall on my blade than be friends with him.”

Heather opened her mouth and then looked at Vegas.

“Solan is concerned Boros is not safe to be around.” Vegas waved a hand at him. “It’s not uncommon for manifesto details to be out of date. Passengers get picked up on the way. This is a central meeting point for many and handy because it’s so close to the wormhole. I don’t consider it a problem.”

“You will if Boros has more armed Galaxars in there than he’s supposed to,” Solan said.

“Why would he do that?” Heather asked.

“Because he is not to be trusted,” Solan said. “I have told Vegas this.”

Vegas shook her head. “They have a... thing.”

“A thing?” Heather looked even more confused. “Solan doesn’t like Boros. I’m getting that.”

“It is not a thing,” Solan said. “My previous encounters with this Galaxar ensure I am appropriately cautious around him.”

Heather stepped back. “If you don’t need me, I’ve got Diadora breathing down my neck. She wants amendments to some reports about recent matches. I need to get them to her by the end of the day.”

“It’s fine. I’ll deal with Boros and his unaccounted crew. I don’t want you getting in trouble because Diadora doesn’t get all her tedious reports on time.”

“Thanks. Good luck.” Heather hurried away.

As Vegas turned back to the Galaxar ship, Solan took a moment to examine her features. For a human, she was not unattractive. If she was to be his, he would need to build her up. She needed more muscle and fewer clothes. Galaxar women do not conceal themselves the way humans did. It made it harder to determine how appealing they would be when naked.

“You’re staring.” Vegas didn’t turn her head. “Stop creeping me out.”

“I am admiring your physical form.”