Page 96 of Tempting Cargo

I snorted. “Go fly the ship, Paiata. It won’t fly itself.”

“She literally does, Captain.”

“Stop arguing with me.” But there was no heat left in my tone. All my spines quivered into alignment, and I knew what I had to do.

FOR TWO DAYS, Paiata’s words hadn’t given me a moment’s peace. As hot chrya burned my gullet, I heard his admonishment. I couldn’t outrun his calm, persistent logic on the stepmill so I let my feet lead me back to the bridge—via the galley, naturally.

Once I placed a brew—a mug, Kridammit—on the pilot’s console and sat securely in the captain’s chair with my own, I took in the approaching view.

Orith was still a distant sphere, and her major moon, once called Miradai by all kri’ith, now Orkri to its inhabitants, glowed big and bright with the lights of progress.

“Drop to a leisurely cruise, please, and hail one of the pods. We’ll need to leave Coerril there tomorrow.”

“Aye, Captain.”

I took a thick breath of metallic, recycled, beautifulDorimisaair. “And open a secure line to Inupa dai Yakri. Transmit the ship’s full ID.”

Paiata’s back straightened, and I heard his smile of approval. “Aye, Captain.”

As expected, the comm was terminated after a handful of chirps.

“Shall I hail her again, Captain?”

“No. Let me send a message first.”

The heat of my blood fortifies me. I took a sip of my drink.And so does chrya.

Punching details into my wrist-comm, I dictated a message.

“Dear Madame, I trust this finds you well. I return home with the finest gems from around the galaxy, almost more than one ship can carry; some may call them the crown of the void. Other ships may be desirous of them and I wish to offer you first refusal. Warm regards.”

Paiata swivelled his chair round to watch, and the calm approval on his grizzled features steadied me. “Opening channel, Cap?”

“Aye.”

Five or six chirps ticked on the holoscreen until it flickered into a face I’d not seen since childhood. Madame Inupa dai Yakri wore the same haughty disregard as ever, though her cheeks were more gaunt, and her headspines had long since faded to the palest lilac.

“Greetings, Mistress mai Tasra, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Her voice was as clipped as her features were pinched.

“Kri’s blessings upon you, madame. I have a proposal which will afford us mutual benefit.”

Her snort was most unladylike. “I am listening.”

“I was most intrigued to learn of a cruiser class vessel near Zerish bearing particular marks. I assume the owner of such a vessel might not wish for its existence to be made known to certain factions.”

Her deep sapphire eyes glittered with malice, even through the hazy connection. “What do you want?”

“A trade. I offer information. When I land, my mother will consider my actions somewhat… harrowing.”

Venomous interest flashed across her face. “Go on.”

“Information most agreeable to you—and most vexing to my mother—will become apparent once I land. In this, I require your assistance.”

“You speak in riddles. Tell me of this information, child, or I end this comm.”

I swallowed my revulsion and leveled my gaze, my headspines standing up like a nimbus. “End this comm, madame, and I will share my knowledge about theCrownwith interested parties. Help me, and I will continue my business without a care towards yours, and pay no more heed to rumours.”

Her obsequious smile made my gorge rise. “No longer such a lickspittle, and now so much your mother’s child, Shohari.”