Once Upon A Lucky Star (Alpha Red Book 2) by N.D. SHAR & Natalie Debrabandere

Author:N.D. SHAR & Natalie Debrabandere [SHAR, N.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-04-13T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

17

Bryn comes to check on me as we are getting ready to leave the ship. We are about to make Cleopatra proud. Or, at least, I am. Just not quite the way I expected.

“Are you okay, Red?”

Okay would be pushing it a bit.

“I’m ready,” I reply.

He smiles, points to my fatigues.

“What…? Oh. Right.”

I pull out the blade hidden into the leg lining and hand it to him.

“I wish you could keep it, but they’ll pick up on it with the entry scan.”

“It’s alright, Bryn.”

He sounds sorry for me, and I know that’s genuine. I sure drew the short straw on this one. Tali’s plan is simple: one of us needs to infiltrate Elcyok and locate Stella. Given that I am ‘just a human’, less likely to attract attention than a fellow Antalosian, it makes sense to volunteer. While I’m inside, the Storm Dancer will remain docked at the station, under pretense of fixing a set of defective thrusters. As soon as I’ve reunited with Stella, we will launch a full-on attack from the inside.

“I can’t tell you what to expect in there, Red. I mean, there’s what I already described about the place, but…”

He lets his sentence trail off, and I shrug.

“Yeah, it won’t be sweet. I get it. I’ll stay on my game, don’t worry.”

It’s a risky plan, but logical. I’ll make it work, for sure.

“It’s best not to have set expectations,” Tali declares as she joins us. “Stay focused on the mission, Commander. Find Stella, let us know as soon as you do. That’s it.”

Despite addressing me by my rank, she still talks like I’m a rookie fresh out of bootcamp. Well, that’s okay. I’ve grown used to this kind of arrogance from her people, and I no longer take it personally.

“We’re cleared for docking, guys,” Eric informs us over the comm. “Hey, Red?”

“Yeah?”

“Good luck in there.”

“No worries. Thanks.”

From a distance, Elcyok looks like a ball of grey metal. If I were that way inclined, I might say it appears cold and soulless, but I don’t linger with that thought. No use attaching emotional labels to this place. I decided to go in, and it is what it is. Indeed, I am ready to focus on the job.

“Wish I could trade places with you,” Tali mutters.

“I understand.” I can feel her energy; she’s primed. “I’ll find her, okay?”

She nods.

“Our Queen might grant you your number one wish after this op, Commander.”

“What’s that?”

“A place on our training program.”

“There you go. Another reason for me not to die.”

She rests her hand on my shoulder and looks me in the eye.

“We are with you, Commander. No matter what happens, we’ll get you out of there.”

“Me and Stella. Yes.”

“Is your implant upgrade okay?”

They gave me an Antalosian add-on to boost my personal comm capabilities and allow me, hopefully, to stay in touch with her and Bryn from inside the station.

“It’s fine. Although I really wanted an electricity upgrade.”

“Human genetics are not suitable,” she smirks. “It would fry you up from the inside.”

“Is

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