I don’t know if I should be happy or sad at what she’s saying. I want Dante here, with me, not wherever the hell he is in this galaxy, along with his crew, maybe at the mysterious hands of the Gonoz who have decided the Sarkarnii are fair game.
“Maybe, maybe not,” I say without much conviction.
Dexx strides over to us. “I am informed Dante has left a neutron signature which we’re able to follow. It’s taking us to a cluster of planetoids which, according to his second, his clan has traded with before.” Dexx looks over his shoulder at Dart and then back to us.
“I will require you to remain on this ship at all times once we discover where they went. This is for warriors, not females.”
“Misogynistic much?” Maggie growls.
“Dante showed me how to use a pulsar gun. I can be useful.”
“You can be, at best, a distraction and, at worst, a liability,” Dexx growls. “Plus if Dante finds out I let you accompany my warriors, he will have to fight with me, and I will win, which will not be a good thing.”
I am incredibly impressed at Dexx’s ego, which has to be the size of Vorostor itself. But then he is helping me and Dante’s crew find him and bring him home, so I decide to park the situation until such a time as I can process it.
“So, we’re to stay on board, while you go”—I wave my hands vaguely in the air—“do your thing?”
“Exactly,” Dexx says. “You will keep my mate company.”
And now I understand why Scarlett is here. Dexx did not strike me as the sort of warlord who would bring his mate on a mission.
“Okay, skipper.” Maggie gives him a mock salute, and Dexx’s eyebrows knit together.
Scarlett elbows her in the ribs, and she folds up, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
I know what I need to do. And it’s not going to be hanging around waiting for Dexx.
I look across the bridge at Dart and give him a slow nod. He disengages from the group of Dexx’s warriors he’s been talking to and slowly, carefully gathers his cohort with him and moves to the back of the bridge before they all slip out.
“I’m going to use the bathroom,” I say to Scarlett. “Before it gets interesting.”
“I’ll join you,” Maggie says.
I do my level best to hide the grimace. Maggie was not in the plan.
“Fine,” I say as Scarlett goes to join Dexx doing warlord things.
Once we’re off the bridge, Maggie grabs my hand. “What are you planning?”
“Nothing which involves you,” I respond. “Go back to the others.”
“Why should you have all the fun?” she grumbles. “And the warriors.”
“Maybe because I don’t take pictures of their bums?”
“Everyone has to have a hobby,” Maggie says. “And bums happen to be mine.” Her face creases up. “Please let me come, Rosie. I’ve been dying of boredom on Vorostor.”
I know I only have a small window of opportunity, and if I don’t join Dart and the others in the next few minutes, I won’t be going anywhere.
“Fine, but if you die, that’s on you.”
“If I die, at least it won’t be for lack of fun!” she says. “So, when do I get a ray gun?”
I slap mine into her hand. “Here. And don’t shoot me, Dante, or any Sarkarnii, okay?”
“Not promising anything.” Maggie grins, turning it over in her hand. “But if I see a cockroach alien, make sure you stay out of the way.”
This plan, now with more Maggie, is the only thing I’ve got. I need Dante back in my life, even if it’s for me to tell him to go to hell for running away after forming such a terrible plan.
