Cal shook his head. “I’d hate to deprive some soul of what sounds like an exciting adventure. Penn, what do you say? You wanna take a crack at this one?”
The engineer’s eyes widened, but Marek cut him off before he could reply. “Cal, you’re going on this mission.”
Nojan seconded his older brother. “Mayra, tell him the rest,” he said.
The oracle blinked, keeping her eyes lowered. “I saw Calabez entering a doorway, covered in red dust.”
Fuck. It figures.“You’re sure it was me? There are many handsome men in the galaxy, after all.”
“It was you,” she said, finally making eye contact.
“That decides it,” Zelup said, standing. “I’ll head to the hangar and start prepping a cruiser. Will you be taking a crew along?”
Cal shook his head. “This sounds like an undercover mission to me, so no bumbling security forces are needed.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to go alone.” This came from Kara. “Zelup almost blew it, and Juston was easy pickings for the Seekers last time.”
“No faith in me, eh, sis?” Cal was wounded, but he played it off in front of his audience.
“I sense something wicked on the wind,” Kara murmured. “None of us should be alone. We’re vulnerable to infiltration. There’s safety in numbers.”
“I agree,” Marek said. “Take someone with you.”
“Fine,” Cal said, waving away any further commentary. “I’ll take Juston. Keep him out of the palace for a little longer. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
“Where’s he headed?” Jazmine asked.
“Hot date, of course,” Nojan replied with a snicker.
Cal sent a wink Jazmine’s way and saw the pregnant woman blush. Marek ground his teeth, fixing his younger brother with a hard stare. With a laugh, Cal headed out the door.
He wasted little time heading over to the designated hotel in the metropolis outside of the palace grounds. Knocking at the door, he entered when her voice told him to.
“You’re late.”
Cal bowed. “A thousand pardons, milady. I was detained, unfortunately, by state business. You now have my undivided attention.”
The girl from Proxima Centauri smiled wryly. “I’ve only got about an hour before I have to depart. Seems a shame to waste that time talking.” She settled herself on the bed of her hotel room, her pink-tinged hair spread around her.
Cal approached, looking down on the beauty. Her skin was creamy, close in color to his own. Centaurians could pass for human as Vartiks could, as long as they took care to mask the gills that rested behind their ears.
“No time for seduction, my dear,” he said, sitting beside her and crossing one leg over the other. “I’m afraid I’m being sent on a mission. I’ll need your report before I go.”
The female sighed. “But last time was quite enjoyable. I’d hoped for a repeat performance.”
In his mind, Cal was rolling his eyes. “Me too, darling, me too. But these orders come from the king. So spill.”
She sat up, crossing her arms over her chest. “The Vanfian royal forces have been making patrols further and further afield. Word is that they’re teaming up with the interstellar police to hunt down the last of the Vartiks.”
Cal frowned. It was worse than he’d feared. “And how does the Vanfian king know that there are any Vartiks left?”
“According to my source, the king had a meeting with a bounty hunter named Evar Kange. After that meeting, he called his military captains and launched his current strategy. Somehow, they know about you, and they’re trying like hell to find you.”
Cal stood. “Thanks, sweetheart.”
“Wait,” she said, reaching an arm toward him. “Surely, you have a little time for me?”
“Afraid not,” he said, heading toward the door. “But next time, I’ll be sure to block off an entire night to pay you back for the information you’ve given me. Not to mention your monthly stipend, of course.”
The reminder of payment and the promise of more intimate rewards seemed to pacify her. Cal blew the female a kiss and left.
