Page 47

Loka rubbed a horn. “You are different to the females I’m used to. You like strange things.”

“If you’re calling yourself a strange thing, then I guess I am different because I do like you.” Heather grinned at him, but it quickly faded. “But I’m not ready to set up home. I don’t have enough funds, and I still love what I do here. It will happen but not for a while.”

Loka frowned. “And I have many more years of work ahead of me. Perhaps, while I work, you can set up a home for us both. It could be nice.”

“I’m sure it would be lovely. I bet you’re good at folding underwear.”

He raised a brow. “I don’t wear underwear.”

Heather’s gaze went to his crotch before she gave a surprised snort and looked away.

“I am neat. We wouldn’t live in a messy home.”

“We might if I was there,” Heather said. “I get distracted. I start several jobs and forget to finish any.”

They reached the docking bay. Loka took a second to look around for any other cyborgs, but it appeared deserted.

“I can’t go.” Heather took a step back. “It’s not that I don’t want to live out my fantasy of a dream pad with you. I can’t leave behind my friends. I don’t know what’s happened to them. I have to make sure they are safe.”

“We can’t help them. It’s just the two of us.” Loka took hold of Heather’s hand. “We won’t go far. We’ll come back with reinforcements. With external comms down, we have to get off the station before we can send a message.”

Heather’s eyebrows rose. “Us leaving and not coming back is off the table?”

Loka couldn’t decide if Heather looked sad or not. “We will not abandon your friends or mine.”

Heather nodded. “Agreed. Where is your ship?”

“We came on a transporter.”

“You don’t have a ship for us to use?”

“We can borrow one.”

“We’re stealing someone’s ship?”

“It’s either that or be taken by the cyborgs.”

“Good point. We’ll avoid any Lillip ships. They’re sentient and will know they have an intruder on board. I hear when they attack, they shoot a toxic slime from the walls and ceiling.”

“Steer clear of the toxic slime. How about this Koob ship?” Loka directed Heather to the small matte black ship to their right. “They’re so trusting. They rarely secure their ships.”

Heather ran along beside him. They reached the ship, and as expected, the entrance ramp opened with no need for an access code.

“Have you flown one of these?” Heather whispered as they made their way through the ship to the cockpit.

“No. Koob technology is similar to ours. The ship will have autopilot. We just need to clear the docking bay.”

The cockpit lights grew brighter as they entered.

Loka sat in the pilot’s seat. Heather took the co-pilot seat next to him. He checked over the panel in front of him, sliding his hand over it to activate the system.

Heather looked over her shoulder. “I’m still worried about the others.”

“Check the scanners.” Loka focused on working out the controls of the ship. “We are not the only ones who have the idea about getting off the station.” There were a dozen heat signatures entering the docking bay and heading toward the ships.

Heather stared out the front of the ship. “I don’t see Vegas, Nell, or Avril. I bet Diadora still has them chained to their desks. It would take an armageddon to get her to slow down.”

“Any sign of Hoan?”