Page 15 of Written in the Stars

“And what am I doing during all this?”

“You, Megan, are sitting tight in your shop. The best thing you can do for me is to stay safe.”

“But—” Her protest died as I put my finger to her lips.

“Do not argue, beloved. You are not trained to fight, you have no arms or armor. I do not want to be parted from you, but if you come with me, you will make the job harder, not easier.”

She looked me in the eye as though weighing my answer, then nodded. “I won’t be happy about it, though. Not till you’re safe back in my arms. It’ll be hell, not knowing if you’re alive or dead.”

I laughed, full of confidence that was only slightly faked. “I am a warrior, a mercenary, a veteran of a hundred battles. They are a gang of petty criminals. You need not worry about me. And I will not leave you in the dark—you will have a comm bead. I will keep you informed.”

And, if I die, you’ll know that you need a new plan.I did not say that out loud. It would only hurt her, which was the last thing I wanted. If I had any say in the matter, she would never learn I’d been in danger.

“Fine.” Megan took my hand and squeezed it, making my heart race. “I don’t like the plan, but it’s a plan and that’s what matters. Let’s focus on something happier for a bit, yeah? Like what your magical kiss feels like, and your awesome muscles, maybe?”

I chuckled, lifting her again and kissing her hard. Holograms passed around us, trying to sell happiness, but I paid them no mind. Megan was with me, and nothing could compete with that.

10

MEGAN

Love? A biological drive, a useless evolutionary relic. One of the many defects in organics, it does them more harm than good.

… and despite that, I wish I could experience it.

BIOLOGICAL LIFE: A STUDY IN OBSOLESCENCE,BY 010001AY

Waiting is always the hardest thing in war. I’d read that so many times, I should have learned it by now, but this was the first time I’d experienced it.

And the other lesson I learned as I sat behind the counter was that knowing the theory was very, very different from practical experience.

Drask wasn’t gone. I had a link to him, a compact comms bead that had adjusted itself to fit my ear precisely. Unfortunately, being audio only, it didn’t let me see where Drask was or what was happening, and I didn’t want to interrupt him at a crucial moment. He checked in as he went, but between those brief, stolen moments, I was alone.

Not entirely alone, of course. Nebula rubbed her head against my leg, purring softly.

“I’ve always got you, haven’t I?” I scratched behind her ears as I spoke, and her purr grew stronger. Despite the tension, I smiled and felt a little more at peace.

“Megan Happy.” Nebula’s vocoder made it sound like an instruction.

“I will be, once Drask gets back.” I stroked her soft fur and smiled. “Until then, I’d best keep busy. Otherwise, Drask will come back victorious only to find me dead from a heart attack.”

“Snuggles. Nebula Snuggles Now.” Nebula flicked her ears back in annoyance as I straightened up. Her opinion was clear—the best way to keep busy was by paying attention toher.

I threw her a treat from the jar on the counter, mollifying her a little, and looked out at the devastation the last few days had wrought on my shop. Written in the Stars looked like someone had driven a bulldozer through it, knocking over shelves and displays, scattering books everywhere.

“Good thing I’m not opening today, right?” Nebula, still busy with her treat, paid me no attention. With a sigh, I got to work tidying and salvaging.

Most of the books were okay, which was a relief, and the rest were salvageable with some quick repairs. I settled down at the counter with my tools and the damaged books.

Rationally, it made little sense for me to reorganize the shop. I didn’t even know if I’d open it again before Drask whisked me away in his ship.

Then I’d see the back of Talbrek Station and go see the stars with my beloved. There was a strangely bittersweet taste to that thought, though. Talbrek might be a rusting hulk on the edge of explored space, but I’d been here long enough for it to become home.

I had no regrets about Drask, and the very thought of us traveling the spaceways with him made me shiver with anticipation, but I’d miss my neighbors. Kindly Jyrx, who always made sure there was coffee in his supplies. Bella, voraciously consuming any human literature I could find for her and coming back to talk about each book after she’d finished it. Even Lilse, the haughty medic who had a secret interest in romance novels and would trade first aid supplies for them at insanely good prices.

I hadn’t realized how much I would miss the small community until I was about to leave it behind.

I can swing by and visit,I told myself.Any time we’re in the sector.

---