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D espite his best efforts and numerous headaches, he still didn’t remember his name or anything specific about his life.

Over the past several weeks, his flesh healed on the Morning Star, and he became friendly with the crew of Ladortans and Ermipas.

An odd mixture of beings—the Ladortans ranging from two to three heads taller than himself and the Ermipas much shorter.

Both species had fur-covered bodies with the Ermipas usually in a darker color.

While the Ladortans looked ferocious most of the time, the Ermipas appeared adorable with their round heads and oval eyes. Both races were strong and hardy.

The crew members took to calling him Stalad.

When he asked why, they told him it was the tempered version of an ore found on some rare asteroids.

The name sat uncomfortably on him like an ill-fitting shirt, but until he could recall more about himself, it was better than nothing.

Underneath it all, he had a sense of urgency—something he should be doing but wasn’t.

Unless he sparred with the crew members or trained solo, the feeling gnawed at him.

The Morning Star landed on Nulorn a week ago. Captain Ordan searched for someone who could take him to Costonia in the hopes Stalad could regain his memories there. So far, no one seemed to be traveling in that direction or wanted him on their ship.

“Come, Stalad. Rumors are tonight is the last time for an unusual performer at Diversions . I expect a number of mercenaries will be there.” Ordan’s meaty hand slapped him on his shoulder. “Although I will miss sparring with you.”

Stalad followed the Ladortan to a unmanned Nulorian flitter and they seated themselves. The captain entered the destination and swiped his credit chip. The vehicle rose and moved forward.

“What is Diversions ?”

“It’s a well-known entertainment establishment in the heart of the capital.”

Less than an hour later, a huge semi-circular building with scalloped outer edges appeared. The flitter landed and Ordan’s fur waved in the breeze when they disembarked.

After Ordan paid for their entry, he pointed to the far end of the room.

“Come. Let’s find a place to sit.”

Stalad peered curiously around them as he followed the Ladortan.

The upper levels of the scallops seemed to be separate viewing areas with privacy glass overlooking the establishment, while tables and chairs provided seating in the dark areas below.

A large stage formed the other side of the room with bars serving drinks on either side.

Tall rectangular tables surrounded the big dance floor in front of the raised stage.

Other seating and tables dotted the outside edges.

Waitstaff of a number of species moved fluidly among the tables with drinks and food while a Praxite band played loudly on stage.

Flashing lights and smoke highlighted the performers.

As Stalad and Ordan got closer to one of the bars, he saw two Wrestikan females busily moving their multiple arms mixing drinks for the patrons.

Ordan’s face lit up when he noticed a small empty table in one of the lower scallops near the left side of the stage. He hustled toward it and sat.

Following more slowly, Stalad’s ears rang from the loud music and his nose twitched from the smoke. His tail jerked slightly as he sat with his back toward the wall. From his position, he could see most of the venue as well as the opposite backstage.

Stalad placed an order for drinks and glanced around.

“Hmm, Jalaxians. I wonder if they’re the Wing Raiders. They might be able to get you home.” Ordan peered backstage where a surly-looking Jalaxian stood with a pink-haired female tapping on a tablet. “I don’t recognize that species.”

“Odd to see a human here,” said Stalad. His nose wrinkled.

“Human? Is that what she is? You know that?”

His brows knitted and his tail flicked.

“I don’t know how I know it, but I know humans shouldn’t be here. Crek , this is frustrating.” He rubbed his temples.

“Stop trying to force the memories, Stalad. You know it only causes you pain.” Ordan’s tusks gleamed as the lights brightened.

A male Pellotian, his colorful wings shining brightly and contrasting with his green skin, strode onto the stage as the Praxite band packed up and an opaque shield formed to hide their actions.

“Show your appreciation for Stellar Sounds, everyone!” Claps, foot stomping, and various sounds erupted at the Pellotian’s words.

“Our next act is on her last evening with us, and she’s been a rousing hit with our patrons.

If you haven’t seen her before, prepare to be amazed at her agility, especially as a species without wings.

” Grunts and chuckles from the audience burst out at the male’s joke.

“After this set, she’ll return one more time in two hours and she assures us that her finale will be something you haven’t seen before.

Let’s welcome Ariel, the aerial performer! ”

The deafening noise silenced when the lights dimmed.

A single spotlight shone on the shield which dissolved into colorful sparkles leaving an empty stage.

Soft, sensual music piped through hidden speakers grew louder in volume, then a female dropped from the ceiling rolling out from two long vertical lengths of shiny fabric.

Her body halted face-up and perpendicular to the floor.

Her head tipped back and her long dark hair brushed the stage as she arched her lean body. The crowd gasped.

She wore a burgundy body suit that hugged her curves.

Gracefully, she unraveled herself from the cloth and stood with one foot pointed toward the ceiling.

Grasping the fabric, she tucked her bare feet around both lengths and shimmied higher in time to the music.

She wrapped the fabric around her right wrist and straightened her body.

With nothing more than her wrist supporting her, she rotated her body to face the audience, then slowly maneuvered to a horizontal position. Her muscular control is impressive.

She continued to turn until she was upside down, her hair waving and red highlights glittering, and twisted each ankle into the separate pieces of fabric.

Releasing her wrist with a subtle movement, her fingers pointed toward the floor before she curled her stomach and caught the cloth above her feet.

The audience oohed and aahed when she spread her legs and hung in a split in the air.

Entranced by her agility and beauty, Stalad leaned forward and watched as she continued her graceful movements—some reminiscent of his training moves.

Several times his heart stuttered when it appeared she courted death if she fell.

The accompanying music changed several times.

Her actions kept a perfect counterpoint to the beat, whether fast or slow.

Lights of varying colors highlighted her from different angles and intensities during her show.

He growled and his tail flicked when he heard males around him yelling what they’d like to do with such a flexible female in the hopes that she’d hear. Crekkin’ naroons. She’s an artist, not a pleasure worker.

Her hair and fabric, both glinting under the lights, flew about when she spun vertically in the cloth. When the music slowed, she did as well. As the light faded into nothingness, she hung with the fabric wrapped around her waist as if she were unconscious.

The crowd went wild with excitement. A spotlight came on and she stood still on the stage with a large smile before conducting a sweeping curtsy. She stepped back and the opaque shield formed once again.

“If she plans on something better than that for her finale, I think we should stay to watch.” Ordan lifted his drink and tipped it at Stalad before taking a sip.

“I agree. Her performance was worth the price of admission.”

“Especially since I paid.” Ordan chuckled and stood. “I think I see some mercenary captains here. Let me check if any are headed in the vicinity of Costonia.”

“I’ll wait here.”

Over the next couple hours, Stalad’s eyes drifted over the crowd repeatedly.

He watched Ordan stop and speak to various beings.

Loud music played and the dance floor filled with all manner of beings.

The strobing lights made his eyeballs ache, but to see the human perform again, he was willing to deal with the discomfort.

Moving his seat aside, he made room for some of the Morning Star ’s crew when they showed up later.

Sipping his drink, his attention flitted to another human female with a Jalaxian who peeked out from backstage, waved at someone, then disappeared.

That makes three. One with pink hair, one with blonde, and Ariel with her dark tresses with red highlights.

His shoulders drew up and his tail straightened when he noticed a large number of Durelians pushing patrons away from the tall tables and taking their places on both sides of the dance floor closest to the stage.

Growling, he watched them closely. His nose wrinkled when their scent began permeating the space.

I don’t trust the Durelians not to harm the females.

In a repeat from earlier, the overhead lights grew brighter, the music stopped, and the Pellotian introduced Ariel for her last performance of the night.

This time, when the opaque shield dropped, an uplight focused on the fabric and a tune began to play.

The crowd collectively drew in a breath when the human slipped down the cloth via large clear lighted hoops.

Wearing a blue bodysuit this time, with irregular holes cut out on her arms, legs, and torso, she bent when she reached the floor and disentangled the hoops.

Some of the lights changed colors as she spun, threw them, and caught them.

The hoops created a visual buffet as she conducted a new routine on the fabric with the hoops in time with the music.

Stalad reluctantly pulled his attention from her mesmerizing display to check on the Durelians.

Most continued to move closer to the backstage area while the audience watched spellbound.

He stood abruptly and made his way closer to the stage.

During the finale, he followed the Durelians on his side of the room and extended his claws when they attempted to take the blonde human female.

The Jalaxian with her fought the group as they approached, while Stalad knocked one unconscious from behind.

Two of the orange aliens turned when they heard their comrade drop and began to fight him.

From the corner of his eyes he saw the other Jalaxian across the stage fighting to keep the pink-haired female safe.

He drew his claws across the neck of one Durelian and kicked the front of the other’s knee simultaneously.

They both went down. He heard a scream from above, tilted his head back, and saw Ariel being thrown over the shoulder of one of the attackers.

Members of the Morning Star crew had followed him and fought the remaining Durelians.

“Help the Jalaxians keep the females safe. I’m going after Ariel,” he shouted to Ordan as he ran around the fighting to keep the female in sight.

His heart pounded and he used his tail to push people from his path as he stayed below the kidnapped human.

The Durelian stopped at a metal ladder and using the vertical rails slid down using his feet and only one hand as the other attempted to keep Ariel’s struggling body from escaping.

The pair left through a door to the outside and Stalad rushed to keep up.

He caught a glimpse of the Durelian ducking into the next alley.

When he turned the corner, he stopped when he saw Ariel awkwardly kneeing her kidnapper in the face.

The Durelian yelped and swung her body down.

He held her in front of him facing Stalad with an arm squeezing her neck.

Her fingers dug into his skin and her unshorn feet flailed while she cursed the Durelian.

“Let the female go.” Stalad slowly stepped forward.

“Leave, Svesti, this doesn’t concern you. We’re just having a friendly disagreement.” The Durelian snarled when Ariel bit his arm.

“Do you want to be with this male, Lady Ariel?”

“I want this smelly Durelian to get his fucking mitts off me.” She let out a frustrated scream. “I’m sick and tired of being kidnapped.” Blue eyes met his angrily. “A little help would be nice.”

“As you command.” Stalad’s tail whipped up and smacked the Durelian’s face which caused the kidnapper to stagger and loosen his hold on Ariel.

She immediately reached low behind her, grasped the male’s balls, and squeezed.

The Durelian howled and released her. She scurried away behind Stalad who leapt and kicked the attacker in the head.

Doublechecking that the male was unconscious, he stood and turned to Ariel.

“Are you alright? Do you require medical attention?”

“I’m fine.” She briskly rubbed her hands on her arms, then straightened. “I’m going back inside.”

“We may wish to wait out here until it calms down. He wasn’t the only kidnapper. His companions attempted to take the other human females as well.”

Her eyes narrowed before she headed back toward the door.

“Then we need to help them.”

“I believe the Jalaxians are taking care of it with help from some Ladortans and Ermipas.”

She huffed, then tilted her head.

“How did you recognize us as human?”

“I don’t know.”

Her lips firmed.

“That is not an acceptable answer and doesn’t inspire trust, Svesti.”

“Lady Ariel, I suffer amnesia from an accident. I don’t know how I know many things. I don’t even know my own name.”

“Morgan.” Her expression softened.

“Excuse me?”

“My real name is Morgan. What should I call you?”

“The crew that rescued me calls me Stalad.”

“Thank you, Stalad, for helping me. I appreciate it.”

He nodded. The door opened and Ordan’s furry face looked out.

“Oh, good, you found her. It’s settling down in here and the Wing Raiders are pissed. Come back in before Makai destroys the place with his glares.”

Lady Morgan laughed.

“I guess that’s our cue.”