“Exactly like that,” Erzo said.
He raised a finger, signaling her to wait as the light continued its meticulous scan. As the scanner’s blue light glided over Polly, she struck a pose worthy of a sci-fi movie heroine, her face a mix of ‘what-the-heck’ and ‘this is kinda cool.’ She took a deep breath, which, under the scanner’s glow, made her look like a voluptuous space goddess. Her dress clung to her chest on each inhale, drawing his gaze to her breasts.
Erzo did a double-take because, alien or not, he wasn’t made of stone. ‘Really? Now?’ he thought, chastising himself. But who was he kidding? Even with all the intergalactic intrigue, his desire took control as he admired Polly in a dress that screamed cosmic runway. The fabric hugged her curves, accentuating each one in a way that made his tail twitch with the instinct to draw her close.
Just as he wrestled with his untimely desires, Erzo looked up to find Polly’s eyes locked onto his. There was a flicker of something—amusement, awareness, maybe both—in her gaze. The scanner’s light faded, leaving them in a moment charged with tension.
17
Polly stood there, the scanner’s light doing its whoosh-whoosh thing over her, feeling pretty much nada. She’d shut her eyes for a second—you know, just in case it had some weird retina-frying side effect.
But when she peeked open, there was Erzo, looking at her with eyes that screamed ‘hungry alien,’ not ‘helpful roommate.’ And, oh boy, were those eyes glued to her chest? She quickly crossed her arms in embarrassment, but a weird thrill tingled down her spine.
“Eyes up here, space cowboy,” Polly said, cheeks warming.
Erzo, caught in the act, flashed a sheepish yet charming grin. “Apologies. It seems my Charro instincts were momentarily captivated. But I assure you, my intentions are strictly honorable.”
His eyes twinkled with mischief, making it hard for Polly to stay annoyed for long. There was something undeniably attractive about his awkward honesty, even if it involved him ogling her assets. She shifted her gaze away, trying to ignore the electric buzz that zipped through her at his not-so-coy once-over.
A sharp beep from the scanner sliced through the air, pulling their attention away. His expression shifted from flustered to alert in an instant. The scanner must have detected something unexpected.
Polly squinted at the security display over his shoulder. “So, explain to me what I’m actually seeing.”
Erzo stepped closer, his presence reassuring yet charged with an intensity that matched the gravity of the situation. “You’re seeing humanoids, but they’re using cloaking technology.”
Polly’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Cloaked? But I can still see them. Shouldn’t they be invisible in that kind of tech?”
Erzo nodded, his gaze serious. “In an ideal world, yes. But even in the vast expanse of the cosmos, technology has its limits. Here, cloaking isn’t some high-end sci-fi fantasy—it’s more common than you’d think.”
The implications sent a shiver down Polly’s spine, her mind racing with the potential dangers of such technology on Earth. “It’s unnerving to think about. The misuse in wars, or criminal activities back home...”
“That concern is precisely why personal cloaking devices are banned here,” Erzo explained. “For ships, it’s a different story. They’re nearly invisible in the void of space, but in atmospheric conditions, regulations tighten. It really all depends.”
The thought of invisible dangers lurking around them was more disturbing than Polly cared to admit. “On what?”
“A few factors, but mainly, some individuals can actually see through the cloaking, even when it’s active.”
Polly’s eyes widened. Was she one of those rare beings with the ability to see the invisible in space? “You think I can see them even when they’re cloaked?”
Erzo offered a half-smile, his eyes momentarily flicking to the security panel. “We have little time. For now, let’s say you’re suffering from space sickness. Play it up, make it believable.”
His tone left no room for doubt. It was a directive, not a suggestion. Polly understood the gravity of the situation and the need to act accordingly.
“Is this about us? Is it possible they’re after you?”
Erzo’s expression hardened slightly. “It’s a distinct possibility. The description you gave matches the attire of certain Charro clans. We need to tread carefully.”
“But could they be here for something else? This station is a crossroads for countless species,” Polly reasoned, trying to find a less alarming explanation.
Erzo nodded. “That’s true, but we can’t rule anything out. Until we know who they are and their purpose here, your best defense is to appear unassuming and unaware.”
Polly couldn’t help but chuckle despite the tension. “Well, acting clueless won’t be a stretch. I can barely navigate this place.”
“Just stay close to me,” Erzo said firmly, his protective instinct clear. “For now, that’s the safest place for you.”
Polly shrugged with a hint of dry humor. “Well, my social calendar’s looking pretty empty, what with people mysteriously disappearing left and right.”
She thought of Tori, supposedly safe with Olmed, but the lack of contact at dinner left her uneasy. And then there was Jana, back on their home ship, according to Erzo, but still caught in her spiraling doubts. Erzo had become her sole point of stability.
