feel himself growing tired of the scene and eager to just get some good rest tonight. Despite both Adam and Penchant’s urgings to stay, Yen stood and waved goodnight. Sliding past the dancing bodies and slipping along the wall toward the front door, Yen opened the door and reveled in the doorway as the blast of cool air struck his face. Though the recycled breeze was artificial, Yen didn’t care as it quickly dried the glistening sweat on his skin.
Stepping out of the doorway, Yen turned down the street and inadvertently ran right into a woman walking the opposite direction. Though Yen staggered backward, the woman actually slipped and fell backwards, landing roughly on her bottom. Startled, Yen immediately rushed over and extended his hand to help her to her feet. He had expected a disgruntled scowl from the woman, but was surprised to find the Pilgrim actually smiling and laughing softly. As she took his hand and climbed to her feet, not an easy task in the tall heels she wore, Yen took a moment to admire her figure.
Though surprisingly shorter than he had expected, she was well proportioned. Her long blonde hair was hanging loose and it framed her youthful face. Her bright blue eyes sparkled in the night air and her smile was both relaxed and enchanting. As much as he tried to keep his gaze above her neck, she wore a low cut blouse that clearly left her ample cleavage on display. As he helped her to her feet, he let his eyes pass admiringly over her chest.
“I am so sorry,” Yen gushed. “I didn’t even see you there.”
Standing her full height, the woman was still a head shorter than Yen. “It’s okay. You’d be surprised how many times I get overlooked.” The Pilgrim smiled broadly at her own personal joke. Even after being nearly trampled by Yen, she kept a surprisingly positive sense of humor.
Despite himself, Yen laughed. “I won’t make that mistake twice, I promise. Listen, I feel terrible about knocking you down. Let me at least buy you a drink to make up for it.”
The woman raised an eyebrow as though thinking over his offer before replying. “No.”
“No?” Yen asked, surprised.
“No, you can’t buy me a drink,” she explained. “I just left a bar and I think I’ve had my fill for the night.” Her tone changed, taking on a coy undertone. “However, there was a pretty nice outdoor cafe a little ways down the street. I’d be willing to let you buy me coffee. It seems like a pretty fair deal after nearly trampling me.”
Yen’s smile broadened. “How can I say no? I think I might be able to suffer through buying you coffee as a fair trade to almost killing you.”
The woman turned and extended her elbow, which Yen slipped his hand through. Leading her down the street, they quickly found their way to the outdoor cafe and took a seat at a small table.
“This is much better than talking in the street,” she remarked as she looked at the menu.
Sitting across from one another, she seemed remarkably at ease with a perfect stranger. “I just realized that I don’t even know your name,” Yen said with a sudden surprise. He extended his hand across the table. “I’m Yen Xiao.”
“Iana Morven,” the Pilgrim woman replied as she shook his hand. “You here on shore leave?”
“I am,” Yen said, but paused immediately afterward. He knew her name from somewhere before, but couldn’t quite place it. “You seem familiar somehow. Have we met before?”
Iana arched an eyebrow. “I don’t think so. I’ve only been a few places since joining the Fleet, so it would be a very small circle that I would travel in.”
“I didn’t even realize you were Fleet. What ship are you assigned to?”
Iana frowned. The perky attitude faded quickly, replaced by a darker and saddened visage. Yen immediately regretted the question. “I’m sorry,” he said. “You don’t have to answer that.”
“No, it’s okay,” Iana replied softly. “I was assigned to the
She left the statement hanging, but Yen knew how it ended. The
“I’m really sorry,” Yen consoled.
“Don’t be. I was only assigned to the
“Any idea where they’re sending you?”
“I’m being reassigned to the
His interest piqued, Yen smiled broadly. “Then I guess it’s not just chance that brought us together. I’m from the
Iana returned his broad smile as the waiter brought them both cups of coffee. She sipped her drink as she stared into Yen’s dark eyes. “You know, my fortune told me I’d run into a nice guy today. I just didn’t think to take it so literally. So what can you tell me about my future Squadron Commander?”
Yen’s smile froze on his face, his cup equally frozen halfway to his lips. It felt as though a blast of cold air had struck him, cooling the burning emotions running through his veins. “She’s a very well decorated pilot,” Yen said a little flatly. “She’s a little harsh at times, but all in all she’s a good Commander.”
“That’s it?” Iana chided. “Just that she’s a good Commander?”
Yen shook his head. “Forget about work. We’re both on shore leave right now and shouldn’t be talking about assignments and the leadership. We’re here to enjoy ourselves.” Though his earlier lust was cooled, he still enjoyed spending time with Iana and figured it was worth trying his hand at extending their evening together. “Listen, I hardly feel like buying you some coffee makes up for me trying to kill you. When was the last time you saw a good movie?”
“Are you asking me out on a date?” she asked matter-of-factly.
Yen blushed slightly. “I guess I am.”
“Then I’d be delighted.”
Signaling toward the waiter, Yen scanned his card and paid for their drinks. Pointing down the street toward one of the neon flashing marquees, Yen led her toward the movie theater as they resumed their pleasant conversation.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
When the lift doors opened on the entertainment level of Farimas City, a half dozen solicitors approached Keryn. Holding out flyers, coupons, and assorted necklaces, they nearly surrounded the small group who exited the elevator with her. Pushing her way past, Keryn absently took one of the brochures from a solicitor, giving her something to read while she walked. She hadn’t come to the entertainment district with a destination in mind. Instead, she had simply wanted a chance to walk and clear her mind while, simultaneously, looking for a bar that would catch her eye.
The brochure in her hand was full of bar listings for the lower city. Keryn read by the flashing neon lights as she strolled past the already intoxicated Crewmen and soldiers who whistled suggestively. Brushing her flowing silver hair out of her face, she ignored their comments and continued reading. About halfway down the page, one of the advertised bars caught her eye.
Keryn knew that anyone reading an advertisement like that would actually be less likely to search for the Frozen Nebula. Even the write up sounded arrogant, meaning that it probably kept a rather short clientele list. Under normal circumstances, Keryn would continue looking for a more popular place. But currently, with everything weighing heavily on her mind, a bar with a sparse population was exactly what she needed. Reading the directions on the brochure, Keryn slipped through an alleyway and turned right, heading deeper into the center of the entertainment level.
Though she heard the loud music pouring from the nearby bars and was blinded by the flashing marquees, Keryn ignored these as she searched the row for the Nebula. Reading off the street numbers, she walked a few more blocks before finding the bar. Set slightly back from the rest of the garish bar facades, the Frozen Nebula was
