Page 32 of Pirate By Parrot

“How long do we have?”

“You have three hours to get to the grid and begin drop procedures. Ms Melora, you have three days maximum on the surface before you leave. Are we understood?”

“Absolutely. Please send the data to my ship.”

“Not your com?”

“I don’t have one.” She shrugged.

“You should get one. They are useful for containing travel documents.”

“Well, my skin surface is as dense as an armour plate, so when I find a convenient laser, I will get one installed then.”

His eyes widened. “Of course. I hadn’t considered... Right, the information is at your shuttle. Please proceed.”

Mel asked, “Where do we go?”

“Oh, I will have an assistant take you there.” The man in the kimono stood and smiled.

She smiled and set her tea down carefully, standing carefully in full cosplay mode. His eyes lit with appreciation.

She shrugged. “Only way to stand up in loose clothing.”

He grinned. “Indeed.”

His assistant came in and was directed to bring them back to the berth where their shuttle was waiting.

Annabelle murmured, “Can you show me how to stand up like that?”

“Sure. We have an hour or two.” She chuckled.

The assistant nodded. “Have a lovely visit to Rai.”

They entered the vessel, and Marko heard something in the distance and perked up. “Come on, Marko, we have to get going.”

Marko shrieked and flew down the walkways, a group of Citadel staff turned toward them, and one of them raised a hand to Annabelle.

Mel paused. “We have a few hours if you want to chat with them.”

Annabelle shook her head. “I can send a message.”

“Eager to get down?”

“Oh, yeah. Have you ever felt that this is what was supposed to happen?”

“I did, and then I woke up blue and nearly nine feet tall. Now I think I might just have needed some ice cream.”

Annabelle laughed. They settled in while Ves got his clearances arranged, and then they were on their way through the protective grid in the shield around the gorgeous and protected world of Rai.

Mel talked Annabelle through standing from a kneeling position, and then they were entering the atmosphere, and the world turned to flame outside the shuttle.

Chapter Six

––––––––

MEL EXITED WITH MARKOon her shoulder and walked toward the Rai Guardians, who had come to them to make sure that they were legitimate.

“Pardon me, sirs and madams, which way to the retreat?”

---