Page 48 of My Alien Sunshine

“Positive.” I check the suit for damage before sliding into it, making sure that the “boss” didn’t give me a faulty one, but it appears to be in good shape. “Tell your boss that if we meet again, I hope we won’t be on opposing sides of the law.”

She merely chuckles and shakes her head.

As the Ataxian closes the airlock, an alarm blares through the ship. “The Arcade is charging weapons,” a voice announces through the intercom. “Strap in for evasive maneuvers.”

To her credit, the female gives me another questioning look. After I nod to her, she shrugs and presses the button.

The screens around me announce the chamber depressurizing. Once that’s finished, the door in front of me opens, space welcoming me as I propel myself from the ship.

There’s something serene about drifting aimlessly in space. There’s no noise other than your own breath echoing in the suit’s helmet. The total absence of gravity makes you feel weightless and celestial, a soul floating free from the burden of its own body.

I engage the suit’s thrusters to turn and look back at the Arcade, whose massive bulk is taking up more than half of my field of view. I watch a laser cannon light up and fire a beam that just narrowly misses one of the tiny dots heading away from the Arcade. A warning shot.

Drayth’s comm beeps as it receives a system-wide announcement. “Thisss is the Arcade,” the High Broker’s sibilant voice announces. “All ssslaves are to return to their cellsss. Thisss is your lassst warning. Every ship attempting to leave the sssystem will be dessstroyed.”

I hold my breath as I watch the cannon charge again. Didn’t Tareq mention that Captain Zarkan had a plan to prevent the Arcade from blasting everyone to atoms?

As if summoned by my thoughts, a hyperspace window opens. From the colorful, shimmering tear in the fabric of the universe, ships begin to emerge. One, two, five... I count fifteen large ships in total, surrounded by a swarm of smaller ones. Even from this distance, I recognize the UGC markings. The cavalry has arrived.

I wonder how in the world they got here on such short notice, then laugh as I remember the military maneuvers Pakri warned me about. It looks like their combat training was replaced by the real deal.

A different voice comes through Drayth’s comm. “This is Admiral Eldri from the UGC starfleet. Arcade, you are in violation of interstellar law, harboring wanted criminals and engaging in illegal activities. Power down your weapons and engines immediately and prepare to be boarded by UGC law-enforcement teams. Failure to comply will result in the use of necessary force to ensure the safety and security of the galaxy. You have been warned. Eldri out.”

As a “fuck you” response, the Arcade shoots, this time aiming for the largest UGC ship. The shot is deflected easily by the ship’s shields, harmlessly glancing off into a different direction. After that, all hell breaks loose.

The Arcade dwarfs even the largest of the UGC ships, but they are faster and easier to maneuver. Well armed, too. Laser beams and plasma projectiles fly back and forth, missiles exploding as they hit their mark or are taken out by the point defenses. Swarms of fighter ships emerge from the Arcade to engage the UGC fighters in a deadly dance.

And I’m floating in the middle of it all. The sight is spectacular, no complaints there, but I’d much rather not be incinerated by a stray laser beam. I reactivate my own comm, bracing myself for the fury of whoever’s currently on the other side.

“FAELIN!” Lyriana’s scream is so loud it makes me wince. “You fucking idiot king of all fucking idiots! What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Answer ME!”

I chuckle. “Well, right now, I’m enjoying the view, but I was thinking of rejoining you, if you could swing by and pick me up?”

“Fuck you. We’re not going back for you again. Die in fucking space,” Lyri grumbles.

“Aww, but you’d miss me.”

She snorts and I imagine she’s rolling her eyes. “No, I wouldn’t. I’d throw a party to celebrate your well deserved demise. Get ready, we’re almost on you.”

Turning, I see the sleek silvery ship approaching and I can’t resist the smile forming at the corners of my mouth. Home.

Nala

At some point, I open my eyes, flinching at the sight of a large figure lying on the floor beside our bed. Inhaling deeply, my fear slowly subsides as I realize who it is but now my heart rate kicks into higher gear. It’s Faelin sleeping on the floor. He came back, just like he’d promised.

“Faelin?” I whisper, not wanting to wake Ellen.

He rolls over and gives the most gloriously bright and tender smile. “Nala. Go back to sleep. You must be exhausted.”

I am exhausted and now that I know he is back, I might even be able to manage more than surface sleep, providing Ellen doesn’t have any more nightmares. “Why are you on the floor?” This bed isn’t exactly king-sized, but he’d still fit in if he cuddled me.

A terrible thought occurs to me—what if the reason he isn’t sleeping next to me is because he doesn’t want me anymore? I mean, it would hardly be surprising, after everything I’ve put him through. But then, why would he be in this room at all?

Some of my inner turmoil must be showing because Faelin reaches up to caress my cheek. “Everything is alright, Nala,” he soothes. “I didn’t want to invade your bed uninvited, especially since you’re with Ellen. I still wanted to be close to you both, though, hence the floor. I’ll leave if I’m making you uncomfortable.”

Tears turn my chuckle into wet slobbery splutters. He does want me. Wants us. He’s just being a damned gentleman. “You’re always welcome in my bed, Faelin.” Feeling a sudden urge to pee, my bladder chooses this moment to remind me I haven’t been paying attention to my body’s needs in a while.

Faelin catches me as I stumble out of bed and nearly smash head-first into a wall. “Do you need help?”

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