Page 52 of Solan

“The babies are all healthy?” Vegas forced herself to remain calm. She didn’t want to worry Captain Lolo by asking for a ride straightaway, but time was not on her side. She couldn’t let him think she was doing something wrong. Technically, she wasn’t. Diadora wouldn’t see it like that. Neither would Boros.

“They are all fine children. Their families couldn’t be more proud.”

“I should like to come to your home planet,” Vegas said. “It is always nice to see our success stories.”

“You would be welcome any time.” Captain Lolo tilted his head to the side. “However, I am sensing this is not about the success with our children.”

Vegas smiled. Lillips were excellent at picking up on people’s emotions. She hadn’t been doing a great job of hiding her nerves after all. “I want to ask you a favor. I need to leave the station on an urgent matter. Would you have room for two extra passengers when you leave?”

“You wish to come on board?” Captain Lolo smiled. “We have plenty of room. Two small humans will not be a concern. What is your destination?”

“How about we make that visit to your planet?”

His smile faded. “Sadly, we are not destined for home. We have four more stops to make. We will be away for several months.”

“Are you going through the wormhole?”

“Not until our journey home.”

“Could you drop us off at the next habitable planet?” Vegas tried to remember what that planet was. She thought it had the right atmosphere to survive on for a short time. “That’s Dekab, isn’t it?”

“That’s right, but it’s not a good place to visit.” Captain Lolo shook his head. “I’d advise against it unless your business truly is unavoidable. Did you not hear of the recent civil unrest on the planet?”

Vegas gritted her teeth. She had, but in her panic to get off the space station, she’d forgotten about it. “Where are you heading?”

“In the opposite direction to the wormhole. We have business on the mining planet Tenkcet. We have negotiated a successful trade alliance with the Tolong and need to cement the deal.”

Tenkcet wasn’t suitable for them. The air was toxic to humans. “How about the space station before Tenkcet? Would you be able to drop us off there?”

“Let me check our schedule.” Captain Lolo leaned over the black panel. The screen flared to life. “Enia, check our flight path to Tenkcet. Input the additional time we would need to dock at space station Starland.”

The ship’s response was immediate. “Captain Lolo, you will need an additional hour to undertake the docking.”

Vegas clasped her hands together. “Will that be a problem?”

Captain Lolo shook his head. “Thank you, Enia. After everything My Single Alien has done for us, I will be happy to give you an extra hour. I should caution you, Starland is not a good place. It’s more of a stop-off point for space cowboys and star junkies. I cannot guarantee your safety on that station. Perhaps you can wait here. I can stop on our return journey before we go through the wormhole. I can pick up you and your friend then.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I need to leave now. Starland will do fine.” She knew Starland. It had been constructed at the same time as Prodigy. They’d briefly considered it as the base for My Single Alien. Even back then it didn’t have a great reputation.

“Very well,” Captain Lolo said. “Bring whatever you need on board.” He checked the time on the computer. “We leave in fifteen minutes.”

“Thanks. I appreciate the help.” Vegas held aloft her bag. “I’m just bringing this.”

“So long as there’s nothing illegal in there, you will be fine.”

“Only toiletries and clothes.”

Captain Lolo chuckled. “I trust you, Miss Munro. But I will need my security to check the contents of your bag.”

“Of course. I’ve nothing to hide. In fact, I’m looking forward to spending some time on your ship. I haven’t had a space flight in almost two months. I need to keep my space legs in good working order. There’s nothing worse than getting sick in space.”

“Absolutely.” He clapped a hand on her shoulder. “This is my pleasure. Lillips would be lost by now if it weren’t for your hard work. And, although the ways of the human female do seem like a mystery to me, I’m sure that when my time comes, I will be delighted with my match.”

Captain Lolo led Vegas back to the ramp. “Leave your bag with Plania. When she has checked the contents, she will place it in a room for your personal use.”

Vegas willingly passed over the bag. She looked up as she heard hurried footsteps approach. Mitchell and Ivanna drew near. The expressions on their faces suggested this wasn’t a social call.

Vegas stepped off the ramp. “Is everything okay?” She needed to keep her cool. Maybe they wanted to know what she was doing.