Fleet was familiar. The men working on the
As Keryn turned, the Captain shook her head, stopping her question before it could be asked. “I can’t tell you why they’re here or what they’re doing to your ships. Everything they’re doing is classified, though I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough. I only brought you here because you need to realize that it would be better if you’re not around while they’re doing their work. Stumbling upon them in the middle of their operation and asking the wrong questions could damage your career.”
Taking her gently by the arm, Captain Hodge turned Keryn away from the window. “Believe me when I tell you that I fully support what they’re doing. But for the next few days, the best thing you could do is take my advice and enjoy your shore leave.”
“I don’t know what they’re doing down there,” Keryn said curtly, “but I won’t be able to just forget about it and enjoy my leave.”
“Then find something to take your mind off it,” the Captain replied playfully.
Keryn frowned, knowing what she was alluding to. “No offense, ma’am, but I’m not exactly looking for a relationship right now.”
“Who said anything about a relationship? Just find a cute guy down on the space station and let him help you relax.”
Keryn couldn’t help but let her mouth fall open. This was not the conversation she was expecting to have with her Captain. “Ma’am, I just can’t do that.”
“Then you need to learn. Sometimes, when you’re piloting a ship, it’s not about reaching your final destination. When you’re caught in a nebula, sometimes any port in the storm will do.” The Captain let her words hang in the air a moment longer before ushering Keryn back toward the lift. “Go pack your things. I’ll expect you on the next lift heading down to the city. And yes, Commander, that is an order.”
The Captain’s smile vanished as the elevator doors closed and the lift carried Keryn back to the living quarters. Stunned, both by her odd conversation and what she had seen in the hangar bay. She absently threw clothes into her bag and changed out of her uniform. The next lift would be leaving in less than an hour, granting her almost no time to consider everything before she had to depart. Keryn wondered if that wasn’t part of the Captain’s plan all along.
Riding the lift to the city itself gave Keryn lots of time to think. The High Council wouldn’t be involved in ship modifications unless something big was being planned. After the Fleet battle, though, Keryn had trouble imagining what could be so big that it would require their intervention. The thought of it both excited and scared Keryn to death. The Fleet encounter had been daunting and frightening. But this, she could guarantee, would be much bigger than anyone would believe.
Lost in her own thoughts, Keryn didn’t pay attention to the cheering crowds as she walked under the arch and into the city. Turning a sharp left, she rode the lift up to the residential level and found the closest, cheapest hotel available. Not caring about the niceties that could have been found with a little more effort, Keryn dropped her bag on the bed and looked out her slightly dingy window toward the canals that wound through the street. Yen would have loved a place like this, she realized. Frowning, Keryn knew that it was thoughts like those that she had come here to escape. The upper level was beautiful, she had to admit, but she wasn’t overly interested in admiring the city’s architecture. Captain Hodge’s parting words still ran through her mind. Smiling to herself, Keryn realized that maybe the Captain was smarter than she even let on. No more thoughts of Yen, she promised herself. Maybe any port in the storm was exactly what she needed right now.
Switching the placard on the door to read “do not disturb” just in case she was too engrossed to remember to do so later, Keryn walked down to street level and made her way back to the lifts. Two levels down, she’d find the entertainment district and, somewhere, the perfect distraction to the stresses of command.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Music from a dozen clubs spilled into the wide street as Yen, Adam, and Penchant made their way through the entertainment district. Neon lights flashed overhead, advertising musical acts and carnal pleasures. Scantily clad women and intoxicated men walked down the dimly lit streets, their bodies swaying to the beat of the music. The normally bright, artificial light had dimmed overhead, replaced with a soft ambient light like that of a nearby moon. False constellations sparkled in the ceiling overhead, giving the illusion of wandering the streets of a planet-side city.
Though Yen had been resistant to the idea of going out tonight, he was glad that he had finally caved to Adam’s persistence. The heavy bass beats that pounded through open doorways drowned out the negative thoughts that had been filling his mind. Closing his eyes, Yen let himself get washed away in the competing music.
Adam led the trio toward a club on the far end of the street, though his eyes wandered constantly from side to side as he admired the passing women. Yen’s eyes wandered as well, though he was too busy reading the passing marquees for movie theaters. A number of new films were being shown, but new was a very relative term for Yen. Even before joining the
Reaching the club, the trio slipped through the door and was instantly awash in a sea of sensations. Loud music pulsed heavily enough that Yen could feel the beating drum in his chest, as though it had replaced his own heartbeat. The air was full of a mixture of smoke, sweat, and pheromones. Their mixture alluded to the dancing in the middle of the room. Half-naked bodies writhed together in barely concealed allusions to sexual acts. Watching the sweaty figures, Yen felt his pulse quicken beyond even that of the beating drum.
Adam led them around the edge of the dance floor until they reached the bar. He gestured for drinks, his own words decimated by the general din of noise. Soon, they were relaxing at a booth, enjoying both the view and their strong drinks. Yen had to admit that this sort of entertainment was exactly what he needed. The loud music and alcohol quickly obliterated his sour mood and he found himself smiling, not just at the ambiance but at the women whose eyes he caught from across the room. Recognizing his improved attitude, Adam leaned across the table to be heard.
Though his lips moved, Yen struggled to hear what he said. Frowning, he leaned closer, but the words were still lost to the pounding music. Yen leaned back in his seat and shook his head, to which Adam scowled angrily. Holding up his hand to warn Adam, Yen closed his eyes. Around him, the air began to shimmer slightly and the loud noise slowly faded. Opening his eyes, Yen could hear Adam’s thoughts clearly.
“Is this better?” Yen said, the words forming directly in Adam’s mind. Though Adam heard Yen speak, the psychic never moved his lips.
Adam began to speak aloud, but Yen shook his head and pointed to his temple. Concentrating, Yen heard Adam’s response.
“No, this is not better. This is actually really creepy.”
Yen smiled. “But at least I can hear you now. What were you saying?”
“I was trying to tell you that you need to go find a girl. I’m glad you came out tonight, but if I don’t find you some sort of entertainment by the time this night is over, I’m going to feel like I failed you as a wingman.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m just here to relax.”
Adam winked at Yen. “So am I, but I’ve found the best way to relax is with a woman sitting on your…”
Yen didn’t let him finish the sentence as he severed the psychic connection between the two, allowing the loud music to once again crash back into his ears. He could see Adam laughing at his obvious discomfort at the topic of conversation, but didn’t press the issue any further.
After an hour in the bar, the mixture of music and alcohol began to wear on Yen and his head began to ache. It had been exactly what Yen needed, getting away from the ship and enjoying time with his friends, but he could
