Phares’s face was a portrait of barely restrained fury as he watched the hologram with Shoval’s gloating face. “Yeah, got a bit rough, but I locked down the ship. Lucky I was there,” Shoval boasted on the screen.
Phares unleashed a string of curses. He hurled his chair across the bar in one swift motion; the clatter echoing in the tense air.
Erzo quickly moved to his side, placing a calming hand on his shoulder. “Easy there. The main thing is, everyone’s safe.”
He understood Phares’s frustration—they had both worked hard to ensure the ship’s safety before leaving.
But deep down, Erzo held onto a glimmer of relief. Despite Shoval’s grandstanding, the Stonebroke had survived the ordeal.
“He’s just blowing hot air,” Olmed reassured, even though he shared Phares’s disdain for the man’s heroics.
Phares, still seething, muttered a wish for Shoval’s unfortunate encounter with an airlock, slammed his shot, and stalked off.
Olmed, watching Phares’s retreating, turned to Erzo. “You think he actually saved the ship?”
Erzo took a contemplative sip of his drink. “With Shoval, who knows? He’s more likely to cause a disaster than prevent one.”
He set his cup down with a resigned sigh, already expecting the need for further investigation.
Olmed looked in the direction Phares had gone.
“Should we go after him?” Olmed asked.
Erzo drained his cup and stood up. “He won’t get far.” A plan formed in his mind. “I’ll take this level. You go the other way. We’ll catch up with him.”
Olmed cast a determined look over his shoulder. “I’ll comm you the moment I spot him.”
Olmed disappeared into the bustling crowd of the station’s principal thoroughfare without another glance back. Disguised Serenity’s corridors mimicked a city’s vibrancy, lined with shops and living spaces teeming with humanoids. It was a melting pot of cultures, a crossroads for those passing through and those looking to stay.
Erzo made his way upstairs, navigating the busy station. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Phares would eventually circle back, especially once he realized their transport wasn’t ready for departure. They needed to remain united. The last thing they needed was for Phares to make a scene over the asteroid incident. Whatever had happened back at the mine, it could be fixed. And if Shoval truly played the hero, well, that was a pill Erzo would begrudgingly swallow.
His mind wandered to their current mission—finding a mate. For Erzo, it was a practical necessity. The Charro way was about deals and arrangements, not passionate love matches. The thought of being bound to Breal in an unwanted union made him shiver. He couldn’t, wouldn’t, do that to her or himself.
Erzo reflected on Phares’s situation. He doubted Phares would be here if Fwan didn’t see the need. Phares’s species, the Xianans, got a burning craving thing and could only have littles at certain times. This dating agency might simplify finding a compatible partner. Erzo had to admit—there was an appeal to having someone else do the matchmaking, especially when your kind valued agreements over affection.
As he moved through the crowded levels of the station, Erzo’s thoughts lingered on the task ahead. This wasn’t just about fulfilling a duty—it was about shaping his future on his terms, far from the expectations and confines of his clan. It was a chance to write his own story, one where he wasn’t just a pawn in someone else’s game.
Erzo knew he couldn’t afford any slip-ups with this dating agency thing. Landing the right match here was his best shot at dodging that whole mess with Breal. Weaving through the busy crowd, he kept his tail close, careful not to knock into the myriad of stands or the diverse bunch milling about.
“Man, this place is a veritable hive,” Erzo thought, scanning the faces in the crowd. Disguised Serenity was bustling with life—a constant stream of humanoids from commercial ships and sleek private crafts flowed through the station. The buzz of chatter, punctuated now and then by a loud vendor, filled the air, making Erzo yearn for a bit of quiet.
But right now, he needed to find Phares before he caused a scene, like deciding to bolt when their ride home wasn’t ready.
Glancing around, Erzo noted the docking ports that peppered this side of the station, each a gateway to new adventures or a return to familiar ones. And let’s not forget the vendors—this place had everything from grub to gear, and not all of it strictly by the book.
“Focus, Erzo,” he reminded himself. “Keep Phares out of trouble, and maybe, just maybe, get out of this whole Breal situation with something resembling a plan.”
Erzo mused to himself as he navigated the crowded station. Disguised Serenity wasn't exactly the poster child for legality, especially with arms deals. He bet only half the stuff that changes hands here was legitimate. The rest? It’s in that murky, gray area—not quite legal, but not strictly illegal either. He chuckled softly. Perfect for a Charro like him. They loved a good gray market deal.
His gaze swept over the sea of faces, but still no sign of Phares. But then, his tail gave an involuntary twitch, a sure sign that something was up. He edged towards a quiet spot between two shops, a prime vantage point for observation.
“Ah, the joys of being a Charro,” he thought, his eyes taking in the diverse crowd. “Our skin might blend into a spectrum of greens and golds, but the tail really sets us apart. Handy for more than just balance.”
That’s when he spotted them—two Charro in the hues of the Dona Clan with their distinct chest stripe. “What are Breal’s kin doing here?” he wondered out loud, a frown creasing his brow.
He tailed them discreetly, hoping to glean some insight into their unexpected presence.
As they moved in his direction, Erzo wrestled with his priorities. He should hunt Phares, but knowing what Breal’s clan is up to could come in handy later. He trailed behind them at a safe distance. Are they here on business, or is it something more? And in those clan colors, no less. Not here for a vacation.
