Page 79 of Tempting Cargo
The four of us grabbed a public speeder and headed straight to the small town, ready to stock up on more supplies. Gone was Shohari’s usual miserly bluster about credits, insisting this was what she’d saved up for. She sent her crew off with instructions and thrust a bag of credit chips at me, telling me to get anything I needed, and headed off to find Tokoran—Tokki, as he’d asked us to call him.
With more credits than I knew what to do with, I oriented myself at the market’s spice vendor, then headed down the alley-streets. Clothes weren’t the only thing I was after; if we were going on a rescue mission, there were a few bits that would help me feel more prepared.
I didn’t hate Vadias town, I admitted grudgingly. If I was settling here, there were plenty of curious shops to explore, but I had to keep on task. Clothes were easy. The rest, less so.
I weaved through the narrow lanes, scanning each stall or store until I paused by an unobtrusive front with dark-coloured cloths.
Yes, this might do.
Inside, the bright room was filled ceiling to floor with survival gear and weaponry, a mean-faced, wiry nebaru male behind the metal counter. There was no harm in taking my time. The owner was all too happy to answer my questions, and I got a feel for the range of weapons available. Did we need any?
I sent Shohari a voice-comm, and her reply came a minute later.“We have what we need.”The light flashed again.“But if you see something small you want, get it.”
I allowed myself a small smile. By the time I left nearly an hour later, I had a knife strapped to my ankle, a multi tool in my new utility belt, and a backpack with jump cord, tape, a lighter, the usual stuff.
For the first time since leaving Sol, I was a bit more settled, more organised, more able to help or be prepared for what might happen.
I still had most of the credits left. Shohari really hadn’t been stingy with how much she was prepared to spend on this. I didn’t know what the budget was or what kind of expenses she and Tokki were anticipating, so even though she’d said it was mine, the thought of being too frivolous made my jaw clench. That said, given how much I’d acquired and how much was left, I could get one more little thing.
Before I reached the door, I turned. “I think I’ll take that blaster after all.”
As I strolled back through the market, the scent of fresh chrya drew me in. The machine stuff was pretty good, but this smelled amazing, so I got my travel mug filled with a proper brew and grabbed what looked like a sweet pastry. The fruity sourness as I bit into it made my eyes water, but it was followed up by a rich, full-bodied spiciness.
Fine, this planet had its good points.
I sipped on my chrya as I walked, passing a flower vendor sitting on a hovering platform, calling out at passers by.
“Blooms for your lover!”
I dimly recalled the old human custom—before most of us ended up on artificial stations where such luxuries were relegated to the past. But the thought of buying something nice for my lover made me smile. I’d never been the most romantic guy, but with her, the idea of sweet gestures put a lightness in my step.
Except I shouldn’t. I had to respect her wishes to protect herself.
Or did I still?
Fuck it, we had a job to do. Focus on the mission. Do what I’m told. No time to think.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
More chrya
Shohari
IF I’D hadany doubts about Garrison’s usefulness on a rescue mission, they faded to nothing when he met us at the speeder point.
He wore new clothes with an easy grace, a black shirt hugging his frame in a most distracting fashion, a blaster harness strapped over it as though it had always been there. Tokki and Daiytak were similarly attired; between them, they reminded me of Zantari rebels. The thought of the forest people’s successful uprising had to be a good omen, didn’t it?
I caught the credit bag he tossed, surprised to note it was still half full, but before I could comment, he was already answering Tokki’s questions and showing off his new equipment.
I couldn’t stop clenching my teeth, nor hide the heat rising up my neck and into my cheeks.You’re the one putting distance between you. Make up your mind.
I gulped against the tightness in my chest and the tingling in my bones. If only it were that easy.I already miss him.
I rolled my head, growling, grateful for the sight of Paiata approaching, his arms laden with supply crates. “Good. Let’s go.”
I could think about Garrison when all this was done.
BEFORE WE’D EVENleft the Vadia system, Garrison had slipped into his new role like he’d always been crew and not just tempting cargo.
