He gave a short nod. “Thank you.”
Leaving them, he made his way back to the room Malin had showed him to earlier. He paced the small space, feeling a need to expend some energy.
He fought back thoughts of his team, Axton, and those stuck on Centax.
This lead at Galaxy’s Edge would pay off. It had to.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Mal watched as Galaxy’s Edge filled the angular synth-glass windows of theInfinitas.
She’d been to space stations before. Generally neat, tidy, organized ones. This station was big and beaten up, and if its notorious reputation was true, rougher than steel wool. It had a cylindrical center covered in windows—some lit and others dark. Long arms extended off from the central core. Docking arms for all the ships that stopped here before gathering courage and supplies to head out beyond charted space.
And there were lots of ships.
She listened with half an ear to Zayn talking to Galaxy’s Edge Docking Control for a docking bay. She eyed all the ships like they were candy. Ooh, a Bree’na tradeship with an upgraded hyperdrive. A Luxan freightership. And an old Rendarian cruiser that she knew would have some awesome tech. She wouldloveto get her hands on that.
Okay, time to stop drooling over the ships and pay attention to what was about to happen. Beside her, Xander was quiet, all his focus on the space station.
They hadn’t had a minute alone since they’d left Khan. The mission had taken over. Mal sighed. She’d always known hismission came first, time with her a distant second. But she had to admit it rankled.
“We’ll be meeting Dare and the others soon,” she said.
Xander nodded.
She’d thankfully managed to make contact with Dare Phoenix and he’d agreed to meet them at a bar called Moonrakers. Zayn had warned them it was seedy and more than a little wild. It attracted an eclectic mix of adventurers, smugglers, and off-duty Patrol officers.
She couldn’t wait to see it.
But right now, she was worried about Xander. He was more…shut down than usual.
She leaned into him. “We’ll find Technis. Don’t worry so much.”
“I do not worry.”
She fought a smile. “Next, you’ll tell me you don’t lie either. I’m offering some comfort and support. That’s part of this man-woman thing, too. You’re supposed to lean on me a little, let me help.”
After a second, he did lean a little of his weight on her, and this time she hid her smile by burying her face in his chest.
Zayn moved the ship into their assigned space on the end of one long docking arm. There was a muted clang as theInfinitasdocked.
“Welcome to the Edge,” Zayn said with a grim smile. “Bring me back an ale.”
“Sure we can’t pry you away from the ship?” Dathan asked.
“Nope. Galaxy’s Edge is known for its gangs who like to raid empty ships. No one is touching my girl.” Zayn patted the command console.
“All right.” Dathan gestured to the others. “Let’s get this over with.”
Mal followed Dathan and Nik off the ship, Xander right behind her. They entered the wide corridor that led through the docking arm to the central core. The metal floor was scuffed and stained. A tired-looking cleaner droid lazily moved across the floor and seemed to be doing nothing more than stirring the dust around.
There were a few people walking to and from the ships. There was mix of species, some Mal didn’t even recognize, but most were wearing standard starship uniforms—cargo pants and work shirts.
“Moonrakers is on level Upper 13.” Dathan strode ahead, his eyes alert. “We’ll need to take the travel tubes up.”
They reached the tubes and stepped into one of the cars. Dathan tapped Upper 13 on the panel and they were whisked upward by what Mal knew was a strong blast of compressed air.
Upper 13 was completely different than the docks. Here, people bustled in all directions. Some wore robes, others light body armor, some were dressed in the height of fashion—sharp suits and barely-there dresses. Regardless of what people were wearing, everyone was armed. Knives were strapped to thighs, swords rested in scabbards, and every second person wore holstered blasters. Mal tried to imagine where everybody was headed. Off into the far reaches of space, for excitement and adventure.
